A Millennial Exploration: Depression (Day 4)
Tags: Depression, Christianity, Anxiety, Suicide, Jesus

And the truth is there is a God and we all have fallen short of His glory. Which means we all have failed to meet the standard of a just, righteous, and holy being. Definitely something we wouldn’t expect to do — but unfortunately we are on autopilot when it comes to disregarding God’s will. This debunks our boasting of being “deserving” of an easy life or seeing ourselves as blameless “good people”. Our expectation of control should be hanging on by a thread now. Yet, that same expectation is still contributing to our perception of a false reality. In simple terms: everything is outside of our control, even if we convince ourselves otherwise.

For someone reading this (possibly even battling depression) it may seem counterproductive to use “everything is outside of our control” as a premise for a remedy. But the fact is: that’s the remedy. Whatever caused me to feel overwhelm, sad, or in a funk isn’t specific to me and I don’t have a monopoly to grief — so why would I weep indefinitely? I’m also a unique vessel, so my life can’t be insignificant: God has awarded me undeniable joy and unmerited favor through a curated series of life events.

I understand now that uniqueness validates purpose. There’s only one me. And although God can raise up rocks to worship Him and the splendor of lilies surpasses Solomon’s kingdom, His preference is working through humanity. We (humans) cannot derail God’s hand, nor can we command God as though he were a man, but we can contribute. For example, Mark Zukerberg created Facebook and revolutionized how people connect, but even if he didn’t create Facebook communication and connection wouldn’t be lost. Contributions modify existing environments, no matter how “advanced” they may seem — nothing is new under the sun.

Be encouraged in things you can’t control. Even what’s important and fulfilling to me isn’t a product of my own will nor my own resources. Which is disclosed in the following verses:

For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.

(Heb. 3:14 ESV)

(Heb. 3:14 ESV) But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. (Matt. 5:44–45 ESV)

John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. (John 3:27 ESV)

All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. (John 1:3)

Nor are my calamities always a result of my negligence or guilty hands. Which is disclosed in the following verses.

Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great. (Luke 6:47–49 ESV)

And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong. (Job 1:21–22)

So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Cor. 12:7–9 ESV)

Life’s happenings seem to validate our every action through the notion of “cause and effect”. But encouragement comes in knowing that a good-good Father with overall good intentions for His creation is woven into the fiber of every blessing and curse.

F or I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jer. 29:11)

As a Christian, I’ve grown to learn that my hope isn’t in any contributions on Earth (whether it be small or great), it’s in Christ alone — which gives me peace. His blood brought me. His statues renew my mind. His Spirit gives me power. I’ve been lost but now I’m found! Control has been restored to its rightful owner, who’s understanding is not of man — who won’t allow anyone to be plucked from His hands!