Heavenly Father,
You are long suffering and kind toward me, your wayward son.
By your mercy teach me to be long suffering and kind toward others, as you are toward me.
Help me to see their lives through your eyes, so that I may come to love them all the more.
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Lord,
You are the author of all good gifts, including food and drink.
I confess that I have taken your gifts and turned them in upon myself.
Teach me to receive what you would give me with joy,
But not to turn your gifts into paths to gluttony and drunkeness,
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Lord,
You alone know what is best for me. In your Son, Jesus Christ, your will for my salvation finds its completion.
Teach me to know your ways, to find your will for me in Your Son, and to accept Your will as for my good, even when I don’t fully understand it.
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
Heavenly Father,
We know that you suffer with us in your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ;
Help us to know that if we suffer with Him, we also will rejoice in Him,
Give us faith to trust in your mercy, no matter what what the heart may fling at us,
And bring us at last to your heavenly mansions, where our suffering will end forever.
Through the sufferings and mediation of your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Here’s a link I just ran across to an article on the relationship between hunger and depression. Comments?
My recent post about reading has prompted a further question for me. The comments, as well as the experience that I have had, tells me that people who are going through depression rarely have the mental energy (or whatever you want to call it) to sit down and read. Even if it’s short. Even if it’s great. If you don’t have the energy to look at the comics, a book on the theology of the cross and depression just isn’t going to help you.
So what will?
I’m not talking about medical or psychological help. I mean spiritual help. What will help heal your soul? Audio, video, something else?
I’m just thinking out loud here. I’d like to hear your thoughts.
-DMR
Well I’ve been drug free for six days. I had one meltdown day, but that may have been other factors involved. For the most part, it’s book good. I really REALLY like being off drugs. I feel like I need to detox for like six months. As most of my readers here know, I am a proponent of using anti-depressants, etc. They are good and often necessary. Having said that, I’m also really happy NOT to use them if it is possible.
Now if I can just get my act together enough to exercise and eat well, we’ll be in great shape.
One thing at a time though!
-DMR
The question itself may be wrong headed. Maybe the question should be, can you read when you’re depressed?
But let’s go with the first question. What do you read when you’re depressed?
I’ve reviewed a few books here along the way, some good, some not so good. As most of you know, I’ve submitted a book to a publisher, and I’m continuing to pray for some success in that venture. Even if you don’t have specific books, what types of books do you read? Fiction, devotional? other stuff.
Looking forward to hearing from you. I’ll share my thoughts on this subject shortly.
-DMR
This is one of about a dozen books I’m reading right now. It is a series of devotional meditations based on the prayers of: Jonah, Job, Mary, Jesus and Paul. I’m just starting on it, but thus far I like it very much. He has a good grip on the theology of the cross. I’m not sure how Christological yet, but I think it’s coming. I’ll do a more complete review as we get through it.
Check it out!
-DMR
Rev. Esget over at Esgetology just made a wonderful post on depression. I would urge you to go read it. His comment about not viewing depression as a moral failure is right on. So often depression is seen as fundamentally a faith issue. I just don’t buy it. There are biological factors, physiological factors, and yes, spiritual factors. But we do a great disservice to those in need by making this all about the Law and unbelief.
-DMR
