Depression: Not Everyone is Merry and Bright

“Not Everyone is Merry and Bright at the Holidays.”

Do you remember back at Thanksgiving when I told you I ran across a distressing Tweet from someone talking about suicide? I ended up getting busy that day and didn’t get a chance to look back for the Tweet until the next day. I was so afraid I wouldn’t find it, but I did. I felt compelled to respond…another nudge from the Holy Spirit to go where I’m needed. I reached out and heard back. I know very little about this person. I don’t know age…male or female…nothing. I’m very careful to encourage seeking professional care, which is being done. It feels as though the crisis of three weeks ago has eased a bit and now we are communicating. The last message was…

“Why are you doing this? I’m not used to a stranger extending so much kindness and praying for me.” 

I’m not telling you this to draw attention in a “look what I did” kind of way. What I’m trying to demonstrate is what Pastor Justin preached on last Sunday. 

LOVE>HATE

Love is greater than hate. The Bible instructs us in this. If my brother weeps, I should weep with him. We are instructed to sit with them. In Ezekiel 3, Ezekiel has started having visions of God and God is instructing him to go down to the exiles in Tel Aviv and “sit where they sit”. In other words, spend time with them in their circumstances so that he might better understand where they are coming from.

When my Twitter friend asked why I am being so kind and praying, my answer was direct and honest. 

“Because, I was in a dark place one time. I OD’d and almost died. I saw the damage it did to my family. No one really heard my pain till I finally got a good therapist after the OD. I am now an encourager. It is my mission in life to lift up others and pray for them.”

Not everyone is having a Hallmark Holiday. When you come across someone who is hurting, sit where they sit for a while. Offer what you can. Pray with them. Be quiet with them. You never know when you might be the person to tie the knot in the end of another person’s rope so they can keep from slipping off. ❤️

“Then I came to them of the captivity at Tel–abib, that dwelt by the river of Chebar, and I sat where they sat, and remained there astonished among them seven days.”

Ezekiel 3:15 KJV