A typical news day throws headlines at us that would depress even the most hard hearted of people. We read things like “Abolish I.C.E,” or “Brutal temperatures in Midwest,” or “Incredible Fraud in Minnesota,” or “Iran Threatens Massive Response,” or – well I could go on and on, but you get the picture. I’ve also seen comments like, “This is like a return to COVID-19,” or “A Dictator in the White House,” or “Stop the Insanity.” This is what we’re exposed to on a daily basis. You can turn off the news, or discard the newspaper, or you can get involved in the insanity, or you can go into a deep state of depression.

The symptoms of depression are many and most of us have experienced them from time to time. Emotionally we become sad most of the time – we lose interest in things that used to give us enjoyment – we feel hopeless. Physically, we feel fatigued, our sleep patterns change and changes in diet occur. Mentally we may isolate ourselves, we lose motivation to do anything and we retreat. Add to that the goings on in the world, your personal life, health and life and death situations, we’re all bound for the nuthouse. So, where do we go when this is happening to just about everyone today?

Severe depression requires professional help, but there are things we can do to relieve some of the pressures that we face. The ideas of running away to a deserted island or a different country or planet can sound appealing, but not practical. God doesn’t want our existence to be filled with anxiety and worry. In fact, His plan for our lives has been predestined before we ever came to be. I had a recent comment on one of my posts that expressed the hope for a world that would be filled with people of like opinions and beliefs. Where everyone got along, where we never disagreed, where there was no hate or anger or deceit or violence. I totally agreed with the person but added that we’ll never experience that on this side of eternity.

What does God say about all this? There are many comforting words in the Bible that we can draw on. We can pray specifically for things that make us depressed. We can talk to someone about our feelings. We can get involved in a positive way. We cannot run away from the difficulties of life. Even when the times seem ripe for Jesus to return, we have no control over that. Even when the darkness seems to be pushing out the light, there is always hope. Jesus is the Light of the world. Turn to Him. He has promised to give your heart rest and to carry the burden for you. Have faith that He never changes. His consistent, unconditional love is available to all.

When life gets tough we sometimes feel we have to run away.

We look at things much differently with every passing day.

It seems too complicated to stay and go the course.

We cave to selfish thinking. We give in to remorse.

This force can pull us far away. It saps away our hope,

It leads us to a web of fear where we can’t even cope.

It pulls us in – devours us – and spits us out again –

It doesn’t care about us. Our souls it might obtain.

To fight these awful feelings which leave us all alone,

We have to change these hearts of ours, which now have turned to stone.

“Come follow me,” our Savior says, “come walk with me today.”

“I’ll take your hand and lead you and help you find your way.”

You can’t escape the woes of life ’til death is at your door,

But when you trust in Jesus, He’ll give you so much more.

Stop running from the Prince of Peace, instead run to His arms.

He’s waiting just to help you and free you from life’s harms.

POETRY BY KATHY BOECHER