Faith and Depression

Don't worry, I'm not going to get in the pulpit but I willchallenge you to take an objective look at what faith maybe able to do for your depression . In doing so, we'll belooking at many people who use faith in different ways.

Did you know that someone who practices healing touch, suchas Reiki, which is simply prayer by channeling God's loveand healing energy, can help a hospital patient's woundheal up to 5 times faster?

Were you aware that the great majority of happily marriedcouples, couples married 50 years and longer report inpublic polls a long and strong faith background? Measurethat up against today's divorce rates!

Did you know that devout Christians have fewer healthproblems and live an average of 7 years longer than non-believers?

Most helping professionals, including psychotherapists,never touch this area of faith in recovery from depression .

Why? Well, I could talk long and hard about this singleissue, but I want to keep the focus on your recovery, soI'll just tease this out a little bit. We currently livein an ultra-independent society (United States). Mostthings only have value if they can stand on their own.Yes, this particularly applies to us Americans. But, we'vealso separated church and state, medicine and spirituality,healing and faith , and on and on. I say enough of thisimmature, black-and-white approach to life. It's hurtingus to live this way and it's time to reclaiminterdependence and begin living holistically again.

Christians are disrespected and often under attack. Mostnever talk about their Christian beliefs in public for fearof reprisal. Others are too embarrassed to admit that theyquestion the existence of God or are extremely disappointedin God for one reason or another. Of course, then thereare Christian hypocrites who greatly embarrass Christiansof good integrity and give Christianity a bad rap. Beingfair though, I've met many wonderful Christians, but I'venever met a non-hypocrite. We're all human after all. ;-)

What is the status of your belief in God or a Higher Power?Remember, you're only answering to yourself as you readthis so p-l-e-a-s-e be honest with yourself. Who or whatis God to you? What kind of a God or Higher Power do youbelieve in? Are you in need of a God-belief makeover?

Have you ever wondered if God would help little ol' you andyour depression ? Have you tried this angle? Have yougiven God the opportunity to BE WITH you as you struggle?Or have you already put your own judgment above God's andsunk yourself into the quicksand of self-disgust anddespair?

You see, I know. In my deepest depression days I judgedmyself unworthy of God's healing embrace. I didn't deserveit. I felt humiliated to even consider it. There may evenbe evil in chronic depression, insofar as it loved theawful things I thought of myself -- it kept me from arelationship with God, it kept me from healing and it keptdepression growing stronger and stronger.

I'm not preaching God or a Higher Power as the ONE and ONLYanswer. That would be joining those I've criticized above.Of course there are Christians who become depressed, andsome depressed Christians already pray ardently to God forrelief from their suffering. I am simply hoping to getyour attention for a moment.

Belief in something bigger than you is one powerfulresource that you can tap into this very moment. Whenadded to the many other available depression supportresources I have offered and will continue to write about...Wow, you'll become unstoppable in your recovery.

Here are five suggestions for you to begin your new journey.

1. The 3rd Step Prayer from page 63 of Alcoholics Anonymous, one of the best kept secrets around.

"I offer myself to you, to build with me and to do with me as you will. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better serve you. Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those I would have of your power, your love and your way of life. May I do your will always. Amen."

2. This is thanks to my good friend Jill: Visual Prayer Cards - a wonderfully creative way in which to connect and develop an ongoing relationship with God. You can find more information here: www.comfortqueen.com/cgi- local/print.cgi?results.html?291

3. And thanks to my good friend Nancy for this next resource -- the Encouragement Bible was developed by Dave & Jan Dravecky and Joni Eareckson. Find more about how to order it here: www.outreachofhope.org/index.cfm/PageID/187/index.html

4. Sit and imagine the most peaceful scene you can in the theatre of your mind. Now imagine God joining you in this scene and the two of you spending some time together, perhaps just holding you in His arms for 5 minutes per day. Do this on a regular basis and watch the results.

5. Begin a Prayer Journal. Here's a sample outline for your entries. Begin with 5 gratitudes. Then list one item having to do with your depression recovery and request God's help in this area. End with a "Caught Ya!" section, where you document any time you caught God in action during your day, whether in your life or in life around you. Look for the "God shot!" It can be simple or profound. For example, you realized you were daydreaming while driving, but only noticed this after you "safely" and unconsciously ran through a red light at a busy intersection and no one got hurt.

May God's love surround you like a cleansing white light.

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Title: Faith Healing and Depression ?
Author: Dave Turo-Shields, ACSW, LCSW
E-mail: mailto:editor@overcoming-depression.com
Copyright: by Dave Turo-Shields, ACSW, LCSW
Web Address: http://www.Overcoming-Depression.com
Word Count: 948
Category: DEPRESSION