| |
| |
|
Depression Information |
|
What Is God Thinking?
What can you say to a parent who loses a child to cancer? Whatever words we offer are inadequate to lessen their sorrow. We have no answers to questions like, "Why this child?" or "Why now?" and "What do I do now?" Another question we all ask and cannot answer is, "Where was God and what was He thinking when this horrible thing happened? " For answers, I look to God's written word. It gives me a glimpse into His personality and thoughts. If God were to telephone and speak to you during times of suffering, perhaps these are some things He might say: "I know how you feel." God understands the loss of a child because He experienced it. He said to Jesus, "You are my son whom I love." (Mark 1:11) He watched men torture his beloved son. He felt the grief of seeing the people He'd created rebell against Him. "His spirit was grieved." (Isaiah 63:10) The Bible says Jesus was "a man of sorrows and familiar with suffering . . . He carried our sorrows." (Isaiah 53:3) Crucifixion was the most barbaric form of death known to man. It was a cruel, drawn out process. Nails were driven into wrists and ankles. The body was suspended in an abnormal position that crushed the lungs and heart. The pain was excruciating. For this torture, Jesus left the glory of heaven. He left the companionship of angels and the fellowship of His Father for this brutal treatment. He understands suffering like no other can. In the midst of your struggles, God would say, "I love you." "I have loved you with an everlasting love." (Jeremiah 31:3) He demonstrated His great love with the ultimate sacrifice. "God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son." (John 3:16) He would say, "You're not alone. I am with you.." Deuteronomy 31:6 tells us, "The Lord your God goes with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you." Isaiah 43:2 reads, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you." And Jesus said in Matthew 28:20, "I am with you always." He would say, "I want to bless you." "He did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all. Will He not also graciously give us all things?" (Romans 8:32) Anyone who would give so great a gift at such a great cost must certainly have only our best interest at heart. God would assure you that, "Nothing bad in this world can separate us." "Neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor demons . . . nor anything else in all creation can separate us from the love of God." (Romans 8:35-39) God would tell you, "Pain is part of life." "In this world, you will have trouble." (John 16:33a) But He would also say, "Take heart." The next part of that verse says, "But be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world." He would tell you, "Lean on me." "Come to me you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28) He would say, "Trust me." "My peace I give to you . . . Do not be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:28) He would promise, "I can make you strong." "My strength is made perfect in (your) weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9) He would say, "I can bring good, even from tragedy.." "In all things, God works for the good of those who love Him." (Romans 8:28) He would say, "Ultimately, nothing - not even death - can hurt you, if you belong to me; because, through my son, you have the hope of eternal life." "Death where is your victory . . . Where is your sting? Death has been swallowed up in victory." (1 Corinthians 15:55) Even with the King of Kings leading us through life, it will be difficult; but we can endure, and even overcome, any struggle. He can strengthen us with the knowledge that no matter what happens in this lifetime, nothing here can steal our hope of the eternal treasure He wants to give us. He's created an everlasting kingdom where pain, suffering, tears and death will no longer exist; and He offers that home to all who will come. Life may be filled with sorrow, but it won't be as hopeless with Jesus as it would be without Him. When we're suffering, only God can provide the perfect peace for which our hearts long. God's love carries us through anything and overcomes any situation, burden, or grief -- no matter how great. The heart of Christianity revolves around a tragic and unjust death. The best man who ever lived -- an innocent man -- had to suffer, so how can we expect lives free from pain and sorrow? Yet, God brought life and good out of the tragedy of Jesus' death. He can do the same with our suffering too, if through that suffering we grow closer to Him. Author Marsha Jordan is founder of a nonprofit charity called Hugs and Hope for Sick Children (http://www.hugsandhope.org). More of her articles on depression are in her book, Hugs, Hope, and Peanut Butter, a compilation of essays illustrated with drawings by critically ill children. In this book, the author combines hope with humor, drawing upon her own experience of living with chronic pain and depression. She opens her life and her heart to share everyday experiences and the lessons God has taught her from them. Her thought-provoking essays are illustrated with drawings created by children battling cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.Anyone who has ever been discouraged or faced tough times will be encouraged by essays about everything from husbands, wild bears, and a day in the emergency room, to aging, in-laws, and living with chronic illness. Other essays in the book include, "More Than I Can Handle," "Ten Tips For Beating Depression," "Why Doesn't God Answer My Prayer?" and "What Did I Do To Deserve This?" Learn more at http://www.hugsandhope.org/book.htm
MORE RESOURCES:
Zac Efron loses kid brother, slips into serious depression, and still retains... - Philly2Philly.com
Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
So You've Been Diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder? If you've been diagnosed with bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression) you are not alone. It has been estimated that over 2 million people in the United States suffer from this form of mental illness which involves episodes of both mania and depression. Aspartame and Your Mental Health In 1965, a chemist working to develop an ulcer drug accidentally discovered a substance 200 times sweeter than sugar. The FDA initially shunned this substance because it caused seizures and brain tumors in lab animals. Suicide Prevention: 12 Universal Laws The Law of PermanenceSuicide is always a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Always. A Simple Cure For Anxiety And Depression Our innate desire is to be happy, and when we move away from it, we experience fear.This fear is actually millions of years old, for it arises from the biological programming of our species. Are the Benefits Worth the Costs? Schizophrenia suffers around the world have benefitted greatly with the discoveries of modern medicine. Certain medications have been found to regulate and balance brain chemistry giving an individual suffering from schizophrenia a seemingly normal life. Depression is a Choice There is one very simple reason for all emotional depression.In a recent article entitled "Intelligent Emotions" I discussed how the feelings of "happiness" and "saddness" emerge spontaneously from within one's Self with every decision one makes for themselves in their lives. Quick Steps To Reduce Your Worries Looking for a way to reduce the amount of worrying you do?Edward W. Smith, motivational speaker, author and TV show host, who specializes in quick tips on how to move your life ahead even faster, offers the following advice. Depression Treatment: Depression Would Be Second Largest Illness by 2010! World Health Organisation states one out of four worldwide suffer from various forms of mental, behavioral, and neurological disorders. Are you one of them?It has also been estimated that depression would be the second largest illness by 2010 keeping in mind its pace by which it is affecting people world over. New FDA Approved Therapy for Depression: Timeline from Prescription to Procedure On July 18, 2005, the U.S. Depressed? Wise Woman Ways Offer a Helping Hand Winter time is depression time for many women. Perhaps it is harder to look at the bright side when days are short, perhaps the holidays and family demands take their toll on us. Chronic Depression: Disease or Charcter Flaw? A major survey on depression symptoms from the National Mental Health Association (NMHA), released in july 2001, revealed adramatic degree of progress in public understanding. Yet even amid this promising trend, the survey sheds light on thedifficulties faced by millions of people striving to manage this sometimes chronic, life-long illness. 10 Simple Coping Strategies When a Family Member Has Clinical Depression 1.Remember that it is an illness:Clinical depression often requires medical supervision as well as professional treatment. Recognizing Depression's Warning Signs Depression is a serious illness, not a harmless part of life. It is a complex disorder with a variety of causes. Major Depression and Manic Depression - Any Difference? Countless number of patients and their family members have asked me about manic-depression and major depression. "Is there any difference?" "Are they one and the same?" "Is the treatment the same?" And so on. Beating Stress, Anxiety and Depression Why are these illnesses on the rise? And why do some people become so ill through these illnesses, they can find it hard to function?Well they sure don't happen overnight! You don't suddenly wake up one morning and feel stressed or depressed. It's not like flicking on a light switch! And by the same rule, if you're suffering, you can't just wake up one morning, flick off the switch and say "Great, I'm better now. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome And Depression Are Not The Same Thing! Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a very misunderstood illness and this is perhaps why there are so many myths about it. Perhaps the most common myth about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is that it is effectively a mental condition, and another name for depression. Adult Men and Women Who Suffer From Chronic Depression Market surveys on women, men and depression suggest an estimated 4.4 million Americans are believed to suffer from chronic treatment-resistant depression. Depression: Escape Your Mental Prison There is an illness all around me in modern society that seems to be spreading like the Black Plague once did in Europe so long ago. It's called depression, have you heard of it? Has it affected you? The more I look, the more I see it in so many people in my life, including myself. Are You Someones Puppet? Four Ways People Manipulate Others With the current interest in mental health topics, a mentalhealth language has emerged with words such asmanipulation, boundaries, limits, rescuing, dependence, andcodependence. Many people are unclear what these words meanwhen applied to relationships. Cure Against Depression and Low Self Confidence Depression strikes most of us and it can make us paralysed. It is essential that we do not let it get too much influence on our lives.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2006 |
