Fighting depression? It’s hard to face it alone.
Let’s look at tip number 8.
8. BE ACCOUNTABLE TO YOUR FRIENDS
In our leadership training programs we stress the importance of having a mentor or the need to be mentoring someone. I am fortunate to be in the company of successful business people and we meet once every week, sharing ideas, praying for each other and as we find ourselves accountable to each other we are. Friendship is the greatest support system in the world. Make sure you have friends who are firm and honest enough to tell you not just the things you want to hear but the things you need to hear. My friends keep me on track. They share my burdens and they celebrate my victories. It’s a great depression buster just to have people there for you when you need it most.
9. DON’T JUST STAND THERE DO SOMETHING
Sulking in a corner is the worst thing you want to do when you are down and depressed.
The fastest way to get out of your head is to put it in a new project. Get into your hobby. Get those shoes on and shoot some baskets. Make yourself useful. Help out with your civic organizations projects and help make this country a better place. Take a course or try a new sports. It’s invigorating. Some people I know hit the crafts store or the hobby shops and as for me, I clean my cabinet and my drawers. A cluttered place only makes you a little bit more miserable. It’s also a good time to get into my hard drive and arrange and rearrange my files.
10. JOURNALIZE THE EXPERIENCE
Trials and tribulations are times when great lessons are learned. One of the reasons why people make mistakes over and over is because of their short memory. They do not even keep record on the precious experiences they have gone through. When you read the records from the past you will be able to see your situation in a more enlightened way. Records are precious but most people take this for granted. I keep mine. It’s all recorded together with my prayer items and requests and when I look back I can see how God answered my prayers and I can relearn the lessons learned from my past experiences.
11. DON’T JUST DO SOMETHING DO NOTHING.
God is still in control and I am not Him. This is why when a situation comes that is bigger than what we can handle, sometimes the best thing to do is to do nothing.
Tomorrow is another day. The tides will turn the situation will change but you just need to be alert and observant. Which brings us to tip number 12 as we conclude this series.
12. EVER TRIED PRAYER?
Ever wondered why The Bible says we are to welcome trials and tribulations? Out of these challenges our character is formed our faith is strengthened. This simply means that difficulties will come and sometimes depression hits as hard like a rock. But these are the times when we need to stay strong not on our own strength but on God’s promise that His plans for us is not for calamity but for our own benefit. There will be times when we cannot see God’s Hand but we can still trust God’s Heart. His love for us will never fail.
Depressed? Don’t we all.
Somebody says, look around you and you will be depressed. Look behind you and you will be obsessed but look up to God and you will be blessed.
So where are you looking my friend?