I think about this a lot because there are people close to me who struggle with a not so positive outlook on life.
Honestly, I think we all struggle at some time. I know that I've had my fill. I'm pretty open about counseling and medication (at times). I fought the medication issue, within myself, up until my break a little over a year ago. I even took myself off of it for a few months. Unfortunately, it wasn't meant for me to give it up yet. I have a friend that believes anti-depressants should be in the drinking water.....and if you look around sometimes I can't say that I would blame her too much.
Sometimes, the battle is within and we have to make the choice on whether or not we will see the good. We have to CHOOSE to battle the demon - in actuality, if we're going to succeed we must always CHOOSE to fight it. Only, sometimes it is not easy - AT ALL.
Yes, we have choices....and yes, it does seem easier for people who have a generally optimistic outlook on life- but what about those that are struggling to make the choice to be happy but still have a tremendous amount of trouble doing so. How do we help those people?
How do we witness and how do we keep encouraging? It's easy to just give up and say, "Well, you're just so negative there's no use!" ..........but is that what we're supposed to do?
What if God said, "Well you just keep sinning so I think I'm going to take back my gift of Salvation." That would be a pretty hard pill to swallow......because we don't always purposely sin. In fact, if you ask anyone I'm pretty sure they would tell you that they NEVER purposely sin - but I don't believe that's true. I mean, have you ever stretched the truth to save someone's feelings?
I've been accused of not knowing about depression because I have a generally happy outlook on life. Trust me, my friend, if I don't know a little about depression then I certainly know a lot about pain. I know that it takes a tremendous amount of effort just to get out of the bed sometimes and I know that I physically ache and can't breathe sometimes. I know that there are moments when, out of no where, I hear that voice that tells me I'm not good enough or that my search to be happy is stupid or that I should just give up.........I've had those very true feelings.
Fortunately they are mostly fleeting.
But, what do we do to help others who live in that constant battle of emotion?
How do we help them?
I have a friend who, to me, is about as true a testament to the hands and feet of God as I have ever witnessed. Sometimes, it's to the point where I say in my head, "really, how can you really still be so perky and happy - doesn't anything ever get to you?" .....but I know she has moments too - thing is, she is an encourager and I know that if I am down she is going to do her best to bring me up....and I know she does it by the Grace of God.
that is the kind of person I want to be...........
What about you?
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