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
atimetoshare.me 
Perfect timing…I feel like I deal with constant insanity and I want to grow beyond and age doesn’t help
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hear you. I’ve been cooped up for the past three months, fighting pneumonia. At least I’m home, but I’m also slowly fighting depression from all the negative news and what’s going on in the world and my state. My advice is directed at me too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Always prayers for better health…love your writing…Timing is God’s way. I agree
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love this. We do need to run to Jesus. He is our comforter ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
He is our true refuge in times of trials and good times as well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sending you a big hug, Kathy! Winter time and being stuck indoors can really make life challenging! I have a happy light I sit in front of everyday and it helps take the edge off. Spending time with Jesus really helps to take the edge off, too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aww thank you so much for the hug. Ou are a great inspiration to me. You have the courage to speak the truth and God loves that❤️❤️
LikeLike
Thank you, Mama K. This is timely! I choose to run to Jesus. For me, I had to limit my TV and no more news (except when I heard about the weather and my niece’s bday party cancelled). You’ve explained it so eloquently and beautifully, as always. RUN TO JESUS! Since I had this pulled up to read yesterday, I had to take care of an emergency situation with my parents. By concentrating on what matters MOST–God, family, & friends, I hope to stay in a posture of peace! I’m leading a once a month ladies fire gathering and 8 of us meet at my place. Several feel depression, a few feel hopeless–yet, the Spirit moved throughout our time together as we all know we MUST run to HIM. NOTHING in this world will satisfy anyway! We KNOW God never promised an easy life. This world will be filled with these things continously. We live in a broken world! THank you, Jesus, for Mama K and her beautiful words and testimony. I love you dearly. I pray for you daily. I’m sorry for all that’s going on up in your world. I pray you are safe and warm, always! Praise God we know and have his indwelling Spirit in US!
LikeLike
Thanks for your kind words, dear heart. I hope all is well with your parents. The year isn’t starting out so good in my neck of the woods as I’m sure you’ve seen. I’m finally getting better but still coughing. My youngest daughter has a sinus s and lung infection and my oldest daughter got a cancer diagnosis after a recent colonoscopy. My granddaughter’s car broke down and I had to pay $500 to get a drain cleaned out. I will not let these things get the best of me. I know my future is assured in heaven and that’s the only thing keeping me going. Except for the Cancer diagnosis, most of these other things are minor. I know I have no control over any of it. As you know, when trials come they can all come at once. I would love to be a fly on the wall at one of your ladies’ gatherings. God is calling both of us to share his good news. Love and prayers as we go through this life day by day.
Mama K
LikeLike
As our Father’s children we will live in the worst of times with the rest of the world, but we do not live on these news reports. We have what the world does not have. We have His promises and the hope that He gives in His promises that He will bring us through whatever we must endure, and all for His name’s sake and His glory. We suffer through all as we trust His mighty hand and authority over all conditions and circumstances. Thank you Kathy — with love and blessings as together we proclaim the good news of eternal life through HIs Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you for your kind words of affirmation. Our guidance must come from our God. He tells d how through his word, the Bible. We have an obligation to share the good news with those who need it and to chew on it ourselves daily.
LikeLiked by 1 person