I call on the LORD in my distress, and he answers me – Psalm 120:1 (NIV)
I don’t want to start our relationship being phony. I won’t lie to you. I had a bad day. I even considered not writing today.
In my mind I’m having a tantrum, I’ve thrown myself onto the floor of self-pity and I don’t want to get up.
What I’d like is for someone to notice me here. On my back in my closet of grief, by myself, joyless, alone and needing a hug. No one seems to notice though. How do I know? Well, I’m glad you asked. I can tell by the metrics on Twitter, Facebook, my website and the list continues. Even the tiny spider moving like an airborne octopus on my actual closet ceiling waves scornfully at me in jest.
Anyway, I have to cook dinner, do laundry, pay a few bills, and, eventually talk to my husband about the flat tire I acquired yesterday, just lovely. I then decide to close all forms of social media and give myself a firm talk. After all, I’ll never build a platform from the floor I’m lying on unless I have my own reality show and my cats would never have that.
I realize, I woke up this morning and I didn’t have to. I have opportunities and talents available to me. I am a child of God saved by grace to do His will for His glory. I went back to the basics and felt better.
Many of us depending on our circumstances, and or attitudes have our bad days, right?
For me depression is something I’ve sometimes, been challenged with since surviving a life-threatening illness.
The basics I use to fight back are:
· Prayer- (I especially work on remembering everything I have to be thankful for)
· Scripture reading- I read a portion of the Bible and try to find portions that are like what I may be experiencing
· Music- I play the piano and guitar so I get lost in my favorite pieces of music. However, just listening to music that has uplifting words and rhythms can do the trick
· Reflection- I take time to think through my life the way a realtor thinks about real estate, they think in terms of location, location, location. I think perspective, perspective and perspective!
Do you have effective tools to combat the “joys” of depression? Please let me “hack your life” by sharing your input.
Blessings,
Dr. Katherine