‘Arise and eat.’ – 1 Kings 19:5
By nature, human-kind is prone to depression. It is a simple facet of ourselves, a result of our capacity for exaltation. When we become depressed we lose our initiative. Even the most basic of things becomes difficult for us to do. However, take solace in that God will provide a way out of depression if we only can first take action.
There is a correlation here between God’s commandment to Elijah, (Arise and eat) and current accepted views regarding treatment for depression. Elijah was told simply to arise. To take action. There was no grand vision. There was no ‘aha!’ moment. Rather God commanded him to get up and take sustenance, restoring his initiative. As mentioned, a very effective treatment for depression, right after sunlight, is activity. Here, even in our own modern lives, activity restores us.
The reasons why activity restores and sustains our initiative, staving off depression, are as varied as the reasons which cause us to languish. And, it should be noted that random activity will do little good to alleviate depression. Instead of random activity, prayer is needed to discern what inspired activity God is calling us to do. In performing for God’s sake, we are reminded that our self-worth is not tied to our perception of ourselves, but rather the love that God has given to us through Grace.
So if you are struggling with depression, then Arise and eat! Pray to God and become rejuvenated in the manna that He has provided you so that you might serve Him without shame.
By nature, human-kind is prone to depression. It is a simple facet of ourselves, a result of our capacity for exaltation. When we become depressed we lose our initiative. Even the most basic of things becomes difficult for us to do. However, take solace in that God will provide a way out of depression if we only can first take action.
There is a correlation here between God’s commandment to Elijah, (Arise and eat) and current accepted views regarding treatment for depression. Elijah was told simply to arise. To take action. There was no grand vision. There was no ‘aha!’ moment. Rather God commanded him to get up and take sustenance, restoring his initiative. As mentioned, a very effective treatment for depression, right after sunlight, is activity. Here, even in our own modern lives, activity restores us.
The reasons why activity restores and sustains our initiative, staving off depression, are as varied as the reasons which cause us to languish. And, it should be noted that random activity will do little good to alleviate depression. Instead of random activity, prayer is needed to discern what inspired activity God is calling us to do. In performing for God’s sake, we are reminded that our self-worth is not tied to our perception of ourselves, but rather the love that God has given to us through Grace.
So if you are struggling with depression, then Arise and eat! Pray to God and become rejuvenated in the manna that He has provided you so that you might serve Him without shame.
No comments:
Post a Comment