What? Many of us might think, "Why would anybody need some encouragement during this wonderful and exciting season of the year?" Actually, it is precisely because of all of the holiday cheer which swirls around us that many people find themselves very depressed. Why is this and what can God's caring people do about it?
Probing Depression
Did you know that when someone feels depressed, that feeling is a result of a change in that person's brain chemistry? If we think about this, this is quite fascinating.
Why do so many people experience the same brain chemistry changes during this season? Is it tied to the cold weather? Is it only because the nights are longer? Are certain people genetically programmed to be depressed in November and December? Of course not. All over the world, in both tropical and cold countries there is a rise in depression during any holiday of great celebration. Even those beautifully long sunny days of summer which are currently baking Australia will not prevent many Aussies from feeling depressed during this holiday season.
So why do so many people feel depressed at the same time? To put it succinctly, when heightened expectations collide with a disappointing reality, the resulting sad thoughts set in motion a chemical proclivity for further feelings of sadness. If further depressing thoughts reinforce this, the momentum of a runaway train can be set in motion.
A Few Suggestions for Warding Off Depression
1) Recognize that the source for the depressing feelings which will be overwhelming some people this holiday season are the result of focusing on self. Lightning quick thoughts will bombard their minds such as: "My loved ones should be spending this time with me," "If people cared about me I would get more cards and calls," "Nobody remembers me," "Another year has gone by and what have I accomplished?"
2) Deliberately counteract self-centered thoughts by focusing on how you can be a blessing to someone else.
3) Keep your perspective in perspective.
Sure it is disappointing to be far from loved ones while others are having family reunions (at least that is what we assume). As a foreign university student with little money, I confess that one year I felt especially sorry for myself when "everyone else" was going home at Thanksgiving to be with their families while I was headed (along with several other foreign students) to an abandoned and unheated house owned by the university.
For God's people, reasons abound for rejoicing even in dismal situations. Life is not to be lived as a pinball reaction to our surroundings. Rather, as those who possess the greatest of inheritances and who are actively pursuing our Lord's path, we follow his teachings about how we should respond to our situations as lights shining in a dark place. This can take many forms from doing good and encouraging others to sharing with them the life changing story of the Messiah.
In Romans 8:10 Paul wrote, "if Christ is in you ..." What follows is a rapid crescendo through the expectations of a disciple's lifestyle and his blessed status as being an adopted child of God into the explosive proclamations that:
"We know that for those who love God and are called according to his purpose all things work out for good." Romans 8:28"If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31
"... in all these things we are conquerors through him who loved us. ... (nothing) will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:37, 39
Wow! These clear thoughts can dispel the misguided self-centered cobwebs seeking to inhabit our minds. Placing our current situations within the larger framework of who we are and where we are going helps to keep our lives in perspective.
No matter what your circumstances this season. Let's shine. Let's love. Let's look to the interests of others and encourage someone who may be struggling.
Barry Newton, Copyright © 2001
Other articles which might be of interest:
Jesus, I Just Want A Happiness PillOur Decisions and Values Create "Life Momentum"
The Downward Spiral (Relationships Suffering from Negative Interpretations)