THAT SLIPPING FEELING

It’s all too familiar.

Those who have battled depression will know what I’m talking about.

It’s an inner awareness that all is not well. It’s an imposing reality that you’re in for a rough ride. It feels unavoidable. It creates dread.

There are very direct results:

·         Greater difficulty negotiating social connections [desire to isolate]

·         Feelings of failure

·         Lack of motivation [have to force oneself to work]

·         Loss of hope

·         Brooding

·         Disappointment

·         Guilt

The list could go on, but you get the idea.

This slipping feeling is depression’s early warning system!  The ultimate destination of bottoming out is inevitable – UNLESS YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR COURSE.

Ah, now comes the essential question: How do you change your course?

The answers here will vary depending on the person and their past experience.

Some possible answers are:

o   Call the doctor and ask for a prescription.

o   Contact a counselor and set an appointment.

o   Ask for prayer in your small group [if you are part of one].

o   Increase your physical exercise and outdoor exposure – especially sunlight.

o   Talk with a trusted friend about your feelings.

o   Write down your thoughts and feelings [Journaling is an excellent practice for maintaining mental health!]

o   Read something therapeutic or for pleasure.

o   Call out to God for understanding and help by searching His Word, talking with a pastor [or trusted spiritual guide] or simply talking with God Himself!

I’m sure there are other alternatives that could be pursued, but I hope you get the main message: Your body is sending you a message as a warning! Act immediately or the descent of the slide will quickly accelerate your path to a dark place!

If you’ve been to this dark place before, you definitely don’t want to go there again! None of the doors have doorknobs to facilitate your escape! It’s dark! You’re isolated! You morbidly review your life – especially your failures. The loneliness is excruciating!

Make no mistake about it: This miserable, hopeless, dark and depressed place is a carefully laid trap set for you by your spiritual enemy! 

MEMORIZE John 10:10,

A thief comes to steal and kill and destroy,

but I [Jesus] came to give life – life in all its fullness.

[NCV]

As one who has spent too much time in the ‘slough of despair’, I can testify that you DON’T WANT TO GO THERE!

FIGHT IT! FIGHT HIM – THE ENEMY OF YOUR SOUL! 

Don’t be afraid to speak to your enemy out loud! Jesus did! We should! Tell him to go back to hell where he belongs and where he’ll be for all eternity!

MEMORIZE James 4:7-8,

So give yourselves completely to God.

Stand against the devil, and the devil will run from you.

Come near to God, and God will come near to you.

You sinners [that’s all of us] clean sin out of your lives.

You who are trying to follow God and the world at the same time,

MAKE YOUR THINKING PURE.

[NCV]

 Call out to God! Ask for His direction and help! Ask Him to send ‘someone with skin’ to walk with you and encourage you!

READ SCRIPTURE! If you don’t know where to read, check out the following verses in a contemporary Bible like The Message or The Living Bible:  [Try meditating on one-per-day]

ü  Deuteronomy 31:8

ü  Psalm 34:17

ü  Psalm 40:1-3

ü  Psalm 3:3

ü  John 16:33

ü  Romans 8:38-39

ü  II Corinthians 1:3-4

ü  Isaiah 41:10

ü  Matthew 11:28

ü  I Peter 5:6-7

ü  Psalm 23:4

ü  Colossians 4:7-8

If you’ve got THAT SLIPPING FEELING, feel free to private message me. I’d be happy to pray for you! I’ve been on that slippery slope many times and care about those who share this struggle!