Suicide Attempt - Kristen Anderson

Since we're on the topic of depression, here is a video I'd like to share about a young girl who tried to commit suicide. It's definitely worth watching till the end! There are 2 things she mentions in the video that are very similar to what I talked about in my last post. Do you know what they are? Hope you're encouraged-
Click on this:
Suicide Attempt - Kristen Anderson

............DEPRESSION........

“Let the day perish on which I was born, and the night that said, A man is conceived…..

"Why did I not die at birth, come out from the womb and expire…."

“Or why was I not as a hidden stillborn child, as infants who never see the light?”

“I loathe my life…”

 Pretty harsh statements don’t you think? Have you ever felt that way in your life…that you wish you weren’t alive..that you think nobody else has things worse than you do…that you wish you were never born? Many people have experienced depression at one point or another in their lifetime..some of you may even still be depressed.  The statements mentioned above were statements spoken by a man named Job who lived during Old Testament times.  Through Job’s story, the Lord has provided us a great example of how to, not only deal with depression, but also overcome it.

Job was a wealthy, prosperous man of God, but his life did a complete 180.  First, all of his sheep were burned up, then all of his camels were stolen, his servants were struck down with swords, and then his sons and daughters all died when their house collapsed upon them. His trials did not end there.  Job’s health was then attacked and he broke out in loathsome sores from the bottom of his feet all the way to the top of his head. If anyone had a right to be depressed it was Job!

              Although Job struggled to understand why he was suffering so much, and although Job had conversations with God about it, he never cursed God for his circumstances.  Job grew in his dependent relationship on the Lord as he cried out to Him for relief and after awhile, the Lord healed him and blessed him by giving him more than he had before. He was given 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,00 yoke of oxen, 1,000 donkeys, and 7 sons and 3 daughters!

            I know dealing with depressed feelings and trials is "easier said than done”, but as God shows us, there IS RELIEF. Maybe you’re stuck in a place in your life and you can’t get out of the fog…maybe you don’t even have the motivation or drive to try to escape the fog to a clearer place.  Internalizing your feelings only allows you to hide the truth…in some cases it’s a form of denial.  The Bible doesn't teach us to bottle things up internally and “deal with them ourselves”.  As a matter of fact, God tells us to do the exact opposite..to reach out to others and to call on Him for help.   

"Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." (Gal 6:2)

"Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality." (Rom 12:13)

"When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles." (Psalm 34:17)

..."Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me." (Psalm 50:15)

            So maybe you can try to start by talking. Open up to someone and share your feelings, but most importantly, you need to share your feelings with God. Cry out to Him like Job did because he will hear you. Be patient and do not lose hope! Remember, God did not relieve Job’s suffering immediately; He did it on his own timeline.

 He uncovers the deeps out of darkness and brings deep 

darkness to light.

(Job 12:22)

Shine some light on someone's life-pass it on

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American Idol - Fake Smiling?

I'm not sure if any of you watch American Idol, but last night one of the contestants had an emotional breakdown.  He sang his song and then the judges gave their comments based on his performance which they thought was pretty terrible. He looked visibly upset and when Ryan Secacrest came out to talk to him, this is how it went:

By the time Ryan Seacrest came out to engage in his usual post-song contestant-host banter, Charlie Askew — face red, eyes down, mouth tight — seemed to be barely holding it together.

"I can see on your face, that was a tough one," Seacrest said, stating the obvious.

"All I can say is I needed to vent a little bit," Charlie said, seething. "Lots of people think I'm happy," he added, "but the only reason I smile so much is because I feel like I have to." (Latimes.com) 

I felt really bad for Charlie because there is definitely something going on in his life but what he said really made me think. How many of us are guilty of the same thing? How many of us walk around all day and put a smile on our face just so other people wont' think there is anything wrong? At work, at home around your spouse or kids, around your friends, and even around strangers....we put on this mask in front of the whole world. In my last post I mentioned how God knows everything about everything..he knows exactly how many hairs are on your head, (Luke 12:7) and he knows if you are putting on a fake smile. He sees your heart and knows when you're hurting.  He is the only one who has the power to turn your smile into a genuine one. Yes others may be able to do that temporarily, but God's work is permanent. Thing is, if you are fake smiling..most likely you aren't facing your own issues...So the next time you find yourself flashing an empty smile, remember that can change. It's time to address your feelings and ask God for help. Trust me..he's waiting for you.

"whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he." (Pro 16:20b)

"A happy heart makes the face cheerful" (Prov 15:13a)