HOW TO FIGHT DEPRESSION AND CONQUER

Have you ever read the book of Ruth? You will need it to gain the most from this week’s topic.

The book of Ruth starts off with the story of Naomi and her family emigrating from Judah to Maob as a result of the famine in the land. Within about ten years her husband and two sons died. I don’t know of any woman in Naomi’s shoes that will not be plunged into at least a season of depression. If Naomi was from some parts of Africa, some members of her community may accuse her of being a witch because of the death of her husband and sons. If she was a member of the 21st century church, she may have been accused by some of living in sin hence the judgment of God upon her life.

Naomi was so grieved; she changed her name from ‘pleasant’ to ‘bitterness’ – Naomi to Marah. Think for a moment on what may have run through her mind as she mourned for her sons. Perhaps when her husband died, she was able to handle it because she had two sons who comforted her. But for those two sons to follow after their dad within a short period of time was indeed a very devastating experience for her. She concluded that God was against her. She was understandably depressed.

So the two of them went on until they came to Bethlehem. And when they came to Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them. And the women said, "Is this Naomi?" She said to them, "Do not call me Naomi] call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went away full, and the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi, when the Lord has testified against me and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?" (Ruth 1:19-21 ESV)

When Naomi and her family left for Moab, they probably thought they were doing the right thing. To move away from a land of famine to that of plenty sound like a smart move to me. But followed by a terrible disaster, it is possible Naomi questioned whether or not the move was the perfect will of God for them as a family.

You may have suffered loss as a result of a decision you made that seemed right or smart at the time, and now you’re wondering if you heard God correctly. God never promised that being at the centre of His will is pain free or disaster proof. He did however promise that He works everything together for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). I like the word everything because it includes our mistakes and foolishness. Our God is the only one that can take our messes and create something outstandingly beautiful from them.

In Naomi’s case, she lost two sons but gained two daughters. However she was so focused on her loss that she failed to see or appreciate her gain. She like most women may have wished she had a daughter at some point, but it did not happen until God gave her daughters in –law who treated her like their own mother. Ruth was so bonded to Naomi that even the community regarded her as been worth more than seven sons.

But Boaz answered her, "All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told to me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before. The Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!" (Ruth 2:11-12 ESV)

Then the women said to Naomi, "Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel! He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has given birth to him." (Ruth 4:14-15 ESV)

Are you so focused on what you don’t have anymore that you can’t see or rejoice in what you now have? Are you so focused on the weeds in your garden that you can’t see how well your wheat is doing? This, my friend is a root cause of depression – an unbalanced perspective of our situation.

To fight depression and conquer it, learn to count your blessings during your midnight hour. There are always two sides to every situation; a balanced view of any experience brings stability. Depression cannot thrive were there is emotional stability, so I encourage you to take another look at where you are, God surely has placed treasures within and around you. Can you see them yet?
When you do, send me an email, I’d like to share in your joy!!

Shalom!!

With Warmth
Angela

THE MINISTRY OF THE MIRROR

Pastor Tristan Harvey of CHCC during his sermon today mentioned something about the mirror that triggered off the train of thoughts that I’m about to share with you.

I don’t know when the modern day dressing mirror was invented or who invented it, but I do know it has become an integral part of every home especially to us ladies. We not only have them in our homes, but we carry them with us in our bags or purses. I don’t know how many people (especially ladies) will go a whole day without taking a look at themselves in the mirror at least once.

Why do we go to the mirror? Basically to check out how we look. If we don’t like what we see, we try to do something about it. Time spent before a mirror varies from person to person, but regardless of who you are, we all go to the mirror to get some kind of feedback. Some people’s day may be marred or made based on the feedback they get from the mirror. As a matter of fact some people’s entire lives are marred based on what they see in the mirror. For some, they get mad at their mirror because it does not reflect back to them what they want to see (poor mirror!). A dressing mirror is what it is, it does not lie. It faithfully carries out its ministry whenever we come to it.

The ministry of the dressing mirror reminds me of the ministry of the word of God. While our dressing mirror can only reflect that which is external, and temporal, the word of God reflects the internal and eternal issues. The word of God as contained in the bible is the ‘authentic mirror’ for our lives. If we dare to look into this mirror as often as we look into our dressing mirror, and walk away, correcting whatever flaws in our lives are reflected back to us, we will be happier, with more fulfilling and rewarding lives.

Do you want to raise your self esteem? Do you long for more happiness and fulfillment? Your desire is within your reach! Count how many times a day you look into a dressing mirror, then set yourself a challenge of looking into the word of God (the authentic mirror) that number of times daily. Walk away applying whatever was reflected back to you as you stayed in the word. Do this for a hundred and twenty days; you will be amazed at the transformation that will take place.

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does (James 1:22-25 NKJV)

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you (John 15:4-7 NKJV)

Staying in the word long enough for the word to stay in you is top on every saint’s secret to a successful and fulfilling life!!

If you get the ‘authentic mirror’ (the word of God – your bible) to become a more integral part of your life than your dressing mirror, you will be well on your way to the life you’ve always dreamed off!

Have a blessed week!

With Warmth
Angela

HOW TO SUPPORT THE VISION OF THE HOUSE PART 3

AIM FOR PERFECTION

Finally, brothers, good-by. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you (2 Cor 13:11 NIV)

Depending on your personality type, the word perfection will either sound exciting or annoying to you. Regardless of our feeling about this word, God’s word does instruct us to aim for perfection in every area of our life. Remember He is a perfect God and created us in His image and likeness. God predestined us to be like His Son who became flesh and blood and lived in our world yet was perfect in all His ways.

For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren (Romans 8:29 NKJV)

Perfection is not something that will come naturally to us because we bear a sinful nature and live in a fallen world but it should be something we aim for in all we do. One way to go about this is to raise our personal standards. Standards refer to the behavior we choose to hold ourselves to e.g honesty, diligence and self control. No one will sustain a rapid personal or professional growth unless they continually raise their standards.

Whatever responsibility we are given, be it at home, work or church, let’s aim at doing it perfect the first time. This could mean learning to ask for help when needed, giving feedback to your team and leaders and be diligent.

Part of aiming for perfection is learning to bridle our tongue (James 1:26). Learn to refrain your tongue from evil (1Peter 3:10). The tongue is one organ in the body that can inflict wounds that may take a life time to heal. It can also impart blessings that several generations may not outlive. Let’s use our tongue for the latter rather than former – BUILD PEOPLE UP, NOT TEAR THEM DOWN. Aim at raising your standard to where no unwholesome talk is allowed out of your mouth.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you (Eph 4:29-32 NIV)

Also keep your speech free of exaggerations. Think before you speak, so you don’t find yourself needing to pad your stories to make them look attractive or credible. Most of all heed James counsel - be slow to speak and quick to listen (James 1:19)

To all laborers in the US, do not be weary in well doing for in due season you will be amply rewarded! HAPPY LABOR’S DAY!!!

Have a blessed week!

With Warmth

Angela.