One Day

Ice can be beautiful and deadly. This walnut tree is bent by layer upon layer of ice. It remained bent even after the ice melted.

There are people who are burdened, like the walnut tree above, and bent by depression. I am reminded of brilliant people such as Robin Williams, who made others laugh, who helped others by lifting their spirits. Yet, he himself knew only too well the burden of depression.

Major depression is one of the most common mental illnesses in America. It affects 6.7%—more than 16 million—American adults each year.

Depression can happen to anyone of any age, of any ethnic group. It is a treatable illness. Some people have a lack of certain vitamins and or minerals. Some have a hormonal imbalance.

All said there are many causes of depression. It may be a set back or discouragement. Whatever the cause those who suffer from or with depression are often too embarrassed to seek help.

Some of the cures are simple such as a change in attitude, or surrounding ourselves with good friends. Not shallow friends, honest friends that know how to counsel people with depression.

There's nothing helpful about another person who's set on tearing you down. Like the advice, 'get rid of negativity, you don't need that (especially when you're depressed).

Sometimes medicine is a necessity. A hormonal imbalance would require hormones. A lack of vitamins would require supplemental vitamins.

Even Christians can find themselves in the depths of depression at times. One of my go to passages is Psalms 51:10 "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me."

I have used that passage when I needed healing, when my children were bickering, in the midst of battles, and in all sorts of situations.

Psalms 51:7 "Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8) Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. 9) Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. 10) Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11) Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12) Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit."