Depression and Being Thankful

"I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving"-Psalm 69:30


Another holiday has passed, Families have met, imbibed on the traditional dinner, adding extra cholesterol to their diet. and a few pounds to their stature. A time for food, and family, football and fellowship, at least for most.

For some people this is the beginning of a very depressing time. A time of financial worry, elevated by the holiday season, can be particularly depressing. And in light of our current Employment situation, as a country, that depression can be significantly heightened. Combine that with the corporate greed and the "gimme gimme" consumer mentality that the holidays have evolved into, and you have a nice sewer of excuses to to ruin what was meant to be a joyous celebration of gratefulness to God for His Bounty, and the Birth of Jesus Christ.

As a child I remember when Halloween and Christmas were separated by the holiday of Thanksgiving. Advertisements and decorations for the stores, and the city, generally went up on the first of December. Carols were played on the radio, or sang by carolers in the square, you could hear them throughout the streets, as people window shopped and made plans on what to buy for the holidays. Snow would gently fall, and there was "magic in the air," as the church bells rang ... And Oh! Many of the carols were actually about the birth of Christ.

Today, the magic is gone...."Christmas" decorations are hauled out before Halloween decorations are even pulled off the shelves... Credit card commercials, as well as their credit management counterparts, increase on the television. Stores rearrange their aisles, adding more merchandise to the shelves, and corporate makes plans to slash prices for the most important holiday of the year. Thanksgiving? No. Christmas? Not that either...

Black Friday

.....BLACK FRIDAY!!! The infamous "day-after" where people, still bloated from a meal, not quite fully digested, (and that they weren't truly thankful for) brave the early morning rush, to beat the horde to the nearest holiday sale.
Once there they will bicker and fight for available parking, and stand in ever lengthening lines, pressing the doors like fans at a rock concert. Woe be to the employees who must unlock the doors, and release the feeding frenzy, as half insane shoppers press in for the latest heavily advertised toy or electronic gadget. Woe, more so, as supply succumbs to demand and fights break our over the few remaining articles available.

Oh, the joyous holiday sounds as Christ-less "seasonal songs" gently play over the intercom, often interrupted by undisciplined children screaming for a toy that will go unpurchased by their parents.
And as the checkout lines form, tired and frustrated cashiers tally the purchases and collect what is due...Cash better spent, or cards from which the purchaser has no ability, or intention of "paying off." On completion of the purchase, the more pleasant cashier will often be forced say, "Happy Holidays," for fear of loosing her job at the mere mention of Jesus Christ.

Yet it doesn't end there, for the parking lot, now filled to capacity, is teeming with cruisers trying desperately to get a spot, so that they can have their shot at the insanity. Thieves also are walking from car to car intent on relieving someone of their holiday purchases. Cars struggle and dodge through parking lot traffic, and onto the equally crowded roads that lead to there home...

Mission accomplished.

And this, for a gift to be opened on Christmas day.... and exchanged the day after... while the giver is left struggling to recover his finances.

Small wonder people are depressed.

At this time of the year, or for any time that the "Deep Blue Funk" might set in, I am reminded of a dear sister in Christ who gave me something so simple, that if done properly, will work wonders for the individual who heeds the advice... It requires a pencil or pen, some paper, and something few Christians take time for... Quiet time with our Heavenly Father.

Step one... Find a place of quiet solitude, wherever it may be. Even if it requires leaving the home and family for awhile.

Step two... When you get to your place of solitude, take your piece of paper, and pencil/pen, and number the paper in a column from one to fifteen.

Step three... Clear you mind from all distractions, from within and without. Focus on this one thing above everything else.... "What do I have to be grateful for?" Surely 15 things to be grateful for would not be hard to find... perhaps in prayer, ask the Holy Spirit to open your heart, if you find this difficult.

Step four... Write down everything that comes to mind, no mater how small and insignificant. Search your heart, be honest with yourself. Perhaps you can be open enough to find a blessing somewhere, that you never realized. (For example... you have a job you absolutely hate, but at least you are employed.)

Step Five... Have you reached fifteen? Add to the list if there is more, as fifteen was just a marker. Pray and think it through, until you are feel satisfied that there is nothing you can add to your list.

Step six... Look at your list, and as you look at each one, realize that each is a blessing from God. Come before our Heavenly Father, and thank Him for each blessing, and beg His forgiveness for not seeing the reasons to be grateful this holiday reason.

The Final step. Take this list put it in your pocket or purse, and refer to it anytime you feel depressed, and also at least once a day in prayer. Add things to it as you see them. Pray to the Father about those things that can be improved. (example: The job mentioned earlier.) Update it as you feel led.

And while your at it, there are other things you can list:

• 15 People who are lost, and need to hear the gospel.
  

• 15 People who need intercession, (sick, needy, depressed).
  

• 15 sins to confess, and forsake- (you will likely find more if you are honest to God and with yourself).

• 15 ways to be a Blessing, and a Christian example to others.

• 15 personal petitions.
  

Add all of them together, and what'cha know... You have a prayer list. (remember fifteen is just a marker.)

Now you have a list of things to take before God in worship and prayer. Prayer and Fellowship with our God is a sure cure for depression.

"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; "- 1Timothy 2:1