Depressed? or Selfish?

Originally uploaded by rimo523.

(This post is gonna be straight-forward. I apologize in advance if I offend anyone, it's not intentional.) Depression is invading our culture with a vengence. Here are some statistics:

~In any given year, about seven percent - between 13 million and 14 million people - will experience a depressive disorder
~About 16 percent of adults will experience depression at some point in their life.
~Depression can quadruple a person's risk of dying within 6 months after a heart attack
~Depression is also known to weaken the immune system, making the body more susceptible to physical illness
~Depression in women occurs most frequently between the ages of 25 and 44.
~One in seven men will develop depression within 6 months of becoming unemployed
~ Research indicates that the onset of depression occurs earlier now than in past decades

These are just a few of the many growing statistics. The Devil is quickly gaining footholds and more control through depression. I believe there can be a chemical imbalance, contributing to depression, but like a wise man once said, "if the Lord can do miracles like raising the dead, surely he can cure a chemical imbalance." (K. Solomon)But less obvious and more prominent is the cause of SELF. A situation happens and it didn't go the way we planned it. These types of thoughts enter our head:
"It wasn't supposed to happen this way."
"This isn't how I wanted it."
"What am I supposed to do now?"
"How can I fix this?"
"How is the going to affect ME?"
There is a pattern of self. It is a choice to think these things. 2 Corinthians 10:5 says, "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and WE TAKE CAPTIVE EVERY THOUGHT to make it obedient to Christ." WE--it's our responsibility and choice to dictate our thoughts. Once these thoughts take root, they start to grow...and flourish. Pretty soon, it invades our life and that's all we think about is ourselves. How will I get out of this? Why can't I be happy? What do I do now? Why ME? Then it turns into pity parties and we sit at home, eat and watch t.v. and mope about because obviously there's nothing else WE can do, since everything bad is happening to ME. We don't feel like going anywhere because nothing good will happen; we don't feel like talking to somoene because they might tell us something bad. Next thing we know, we're at the doctor for medicine because we're so depressed.

There are easy solutions to this problem. But first, we have to recognize that we HAVE a problem with ourselves and it is derived from selfish motives and thoughts. It all begins with a thought process. After admitting that there IS a problem, we have to realize that we can't get rid of it on our own. God definitely has to intervene and help and he is more than willing to do that of course, because he's our Dad! When we give the problem to the Lord and not try to do it on our own, it will go a lot smoother. Also, get out and do stuff! Exercise! "Moderate and even gentle exercise such as a brief walk is effective for depression recovery." (Uplift Program) At least it gets our serotonin moving which stimulates the muscles and regulates our body process. Another recovery-help is to surround ourself with a good support group and not people who will pull me back down. Find close friends who are encouraging and uplifting. Ecclesiastes 4:10, "If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up." We need to make sure we have a support group that will push us to improve and rely on God and get out the depression. Ultimately, depression begins with a choice. Is it about me? Or is it about God and His will? Am I depressed? Or am I selfish?

(This post came from a discussion with Lisa Oakes and her new revelation. Thanks, Lis!)