Depression and Satisfaction

Let's think about two rather common  ways of reality in life.

I have known many people who struggle pretty much continually with depression. There are so many reasons and I have to say, truly understandable reasons- to be depressed about one's life, and the many inequities, injustices in this world!

But those who mostly live with a general sense of satisfaction can at times be rather numb and uncaring for the struggles of others.

Both of these issues remind me of a  phrase that my dad  used to use: "off kilter". The lack of balance in one's mind and emotions if nearly always swimming in misery or a quite satisfied life.

Depression creates the walking (or shall I say non-moving, barely surviving) dead as it were.

Then there are those so focused on the up sides of life, "the glass is more than half full" -and it seems like not only did their ship come in but they own the ship (finances, power, rare boat-rocking allowed) in terms of being self-interested, comfort-focused.

I believe both are in genuine need! Why?

These dilemmas of imbalance mentally, emotionally, physically, in terms of deep need and unfulfilled desires, or blindness to the fallen world all around us can both curate fairly self-centered people on both ends of the spectrum.

Now, I would agree with those who think virtue is more in people who use their eyes, brains, and heart for those in deep need rather than within those who merely skip through life with the status quo and all the blessings but never or very rarely engaging with those who chronically hurt.

When we look at Jesus Christ and his example of compassion I wonder how often we, as confessing followers of His "weep with those who weep" as well as "rejoice but those who rejoice"? To do either one has to look outward.

I worry for those in need of spiritual relationship with Jesus, in need of medication, sound council and friendship who walk with depression.

I myself am fairly satisfied, rarely battle depression and near-daily give thanks, praise and worship to my Lord for the many blessings in my personal life yet I'm often convicted about how small-minded and cold-hearted I can be toward those in need -both rural and urban.

I'm very, very grateful to the many answers to prayer and for God's provision not only for myself and family, church and wider Church in the world but for others being cared for.

On the depression side too is the imbalance to focus continuously on the sin and pain in life and throughout the world -merely mulling it over that doesn't fix us or anyone else!

I suggest the satisfied best learn to become activists -actively loving "the least of these" and not merely enjoying all the gifts of God... and hoarding them.

I further suggest that those who struggle with depression do what they can and must to get help: spiritual, professional help and input actually adding to the pain of getting healthy change in their life. NOT "self-medicating" with dope, booze, sex or some other "drug of choice". I suggest staring in the inner house of mirrors deciding there's zero hope and "it's too hard to change" dooms one to ongoing seasons of misery and despair.

Further still- I suggest both depressed and satisfied people actually begin SERVING OTHERS with eyes off self, not merely swimming in self-pity or the opposite in the life of the satisfied:"My situation is great, why be bothered with those whose life is wretched?"and choosing like two out of three guys in Jesus' parable to just walk past those in need because it will cost one personally to reach out and apply it.

Loving neighbor creates activists. Yes! Actively loving oneself AND loving your neighbor. Jesus calls us to both.

In my view and experience both extreme lifestyles of fairly constant bummer and regular head-in-sand personal satisfaction NEED to reach beyond self to serve. Jesus said He came to serve and called all who would follow Him servants as well as friends. It's a both/and relationship we are to have with Him.

When to start? Now. Right now. How? God will show you if you ask Him to. I don't believe He will ever say "No problems in the current world, just keep living in self-pity OR self-satisfaction... I have PLENTY of followers who are serving others and meeting needs, I don't need you to!"

As always, thanks for stopping by. -Glenn