How Do I Overcome My Depression When I Don't Know Why I'm Depressed?

It has been my personal observation that at least once a day I become "low in spirit." Usually I can't pinpoint why I'm feeling so low, although I always search my list of possible culprits: How's my blood sugar right now? What did I just read or watch that is causing me to be fearful? Have I done my devotions yet today? If so, do I need to do them again? Am I experiencing grief over the loss of a loved one or over the state of our nation? And on and on and on...

Sometimes I am able to locate the problem, but more than likely I cannot. 

So what can I (we) do about shaking off this type of "causeless depression?"  Ed Welch has two ideas for us in the following video. He is a great writer, counselor, Professor of Practical Theology at Westminster Seminary and a faculty member at CCEF - Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation. The video is only 2.35 minutes long - but quite memorable. 

I hope this helps all of us as we try to fight depression whenever it hits.

Click here for the video.

The Saddest, Most Celebratory Community On Earth

I read the following post from Paul Tripp and just had to share it with you:

It appears that this global pandemic that has occupied so much of our thinking and emotions and has restructured our living is beginning to lift (at least in Philadelphia, where I live).

As life returns to a new state of normal, what lessons have you learned?

For me, I was again reminded of the two types of responses that the Bible calls us to all the time. These pathways of gospel living aren’t just reserved for a time of global emergency; they are appropriate for the mundane little moments of everyday life, too.

“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” (Romans 12:15, ESV)

😢 The Bible calls us to weep and to mourn. COVID-19 gives us reason to weep. We should weep for:

●The suffering that has enveloped the world
●The many people who have suffered through this virus
●The tens of thousands of those who have died
●Their families who have had to watch their loved one die alone, unable to be close to them

But we ought to weep for something else. We should weep for what has been exposed about our hearts at this moment. I don’t know about you, but COVID-19 exposed my pride, autonomy, delusions of self-sufficiency, and tendency to grumble and complain.

Most importantly, COVID-19 was a reminder of a deeper, greater pandemic–the sin that lives inside of us. And for that, we should weep every day.

🙌 There’s a second type of response Scripture calls us to: rejoice! “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4, ESV)

There is never a day in your life, no matter what is going on, that you don’t have reason to rejoice. You have reason to rejoice in God’s faithfulness, nearness, provision, and that his mercies are new every morning.

We should rejoice in the little moments of life and the significant, but there is something even deeper to celebrate, something eternal. The lesson I cherish above all because of COVID-19 is that the most valuable thing in our lives, the thing that has changed our life now and forever, no one nor anything can take away.

Coronavirus should make us weep, but it should also cause us to rejoice, because we are “sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39, ESV)

Rejoice because nothing can take away your eternal inheritance, the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, the wisdom found in the Word of God, and the rescuing, transforming, forgiving, delivering power of grace!

You have called me
to the place of tears,
you have taken my hand
and led me down sorrow’s
pathway.
Your grace has filled my heart with
sadness,
you have invited me to weep
tears only you can dry.
The broken-hearted are met by
you,
the low in spirit find
your comfort in your mercy.
You never turn your back on those who
mourn,
I drop my tears on your altar.
You have called me to
to the place of rejoicing,
you have taken my hand
and led me down joy’s
pathway.
Your grace has filled my heart with
jubilation.
You have invited me to gladness,
sacred celebration
that only comes from
you.
The jubilant find
sustaining strength,
you never fail to give them reason for
hope.
I celebrate at your altar.
Sorrow combines with joy,
sadness mixes with celebration.
Mourners rejoice,
tearful jubilation.
Two pathways running together,
until sorrows are no more
and unfettered joy reigns
forever.

May we be the saddest, most celebratory community on earth. May that weeping and rejoicing be the response of our hearts today, tomorrow, and the days that follow.

Faith + Works = Expressions of the Grace of Almighty God!

Last Tuesday our Women's Bible Study groups completed a 4 week consideration of James 2:14-26, which is perhaps the most famous and difficult part of this wonderful book. The heading is entitled "Faith Without Works Is Dead." What is the connection between faith and works? Very often during those classes we were led to other passages which enlightened us as to the definition and application of the word "works." As we know, Scripture interprets Scripture.

Using my Bible reading plan the next morning I 'happened' to read Philippians 2: 12-13, which turned out to be very relevant to the discussions that we had the previous day.

"Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."

This was followed in my Bible by a beautiful prayer written by Anselm who lived from 1033-1109. He was Archbishop of Canterbury in England and was renowned for his godly character, sharp intellect, and his vital contributions to the church's understanding of Christ's work. [This description of Anselm was provided in the Author Index in the back of my Bible.]

"O Father, most merciful, who in the beginning did create us, and by the passion of your only begotten Son have created us anew, work in us now, we ask you, both to will and to do of your good pleasure. And for as much as we are weak, and can do no good thing of ourselves, grant us your grace and heavenly benediction, that in whatever work we engage we may do all to your honor and glory; and that, being kept from sin and daily increasing in good works, so long as we live in the body we may ever show forth some service to you; and after our departure may receive pardon of all our sins, and attain eternal life."

What an ending to our study of James 2! Both our faith and works are expressions of the grace of Almighty God. To Him be all glory forever!

My Favorite Televangelist

I'd like to take this opportunity to brag about my husband for a bit. Steve has really been amazing during these challenging times of quarantining and lack of in-person worship services. He has been creative and very hard-working trying to keep Exeter Presbyterian Church going forward in love and service to God and others. (And yes, I am biased. 😉)

The reason I'm mentioning this today is because Steve is beginning a new devotional video series each morning on the topic of Revelation. Revelation???  Yes, this book of the Bible is different from most of the others. It is often confusing, strange, beautiful, full of hope, and hard to understand all at the same time. But Steve will be focusing on the main point of each chapter - something that will be easily understood and memorable. The end result will be 22 videos, each with 5 minutes of teaching and a concluding prayer.

SO: I heartily recommend this series. Here is the link to the first one: click here

If you would like to receive the daily link each morning there are three ways to accomplish this:

1. Send an email to candymagee@gmail.com and I will sign you up for the link and prayer email of EPC.

2. Send me an email and I will sign you up just for the link, understanding that those of you not affiliated with the life of our church might just want the access to the video.

3. You can always go directly to YouTube and search each time for stevemagee57 to see the variety of videos Steve has done since mid-March, i.e. all the morning videos on various topics and Sunday church services as well. Unfortunately YouTube does not put them in chronological order so you may have to keep track of which video you watched the previous day.

Be blessed,
Candy