The quote to blog by this week, at the onset, seems simple enough and yet I struggled to come up with something to write about. Not that we haven’t seen our share of difficulty…because we certainly have. I think the problem, however, is seeing the difficulty as opportunity.
I’ve never been one of those people who fail and think, “Only 999,999 more tries to victory!” I mean if it had been up to me to invent the light bulb, we would still be doing our blogs by candlelight. Yet Thomas Edison failed hundreds of times before he succeeded with his light bulb invention. Good for him. I am not like that.
However I think in the midst of my most recent depression, I was able to see opportunity. I saw the opportunity to take care of myself instead of wallow and isolate. I saw opportunity to save my life instead of end it. I also saw an opportunity to spend some time with my husband.
I think the hardest thing about depression is how much is negatively affects the people around me. I hate that. I wish I could suffer alone but we are not built that way and life doesn’t work that way. It’s also very difficult to see outside of the depression. It’s a selfish illness that tends to turn the spotlight inward. Yet in the middle of my depression and in the middle of that difficult time, Bob and I found that we were happiest when helping others.
Maybe that’s what Einstein meant. In the midst of great difficulty lies the great opportunity to reach out to others. Even if we are suffering or hurting, we still have the strength to reach out to others. While I was taking time off to care for myself, I also took the time to volunteer with the MDA. I also met with friends who were similarly hurting. I took the time to email a friend who was also facing a difficult time. It is through these opportunities for care that I saw through the lies depression whispers to me. I am not bad. I am a loving person who cares for others. There are people who care about me. I am not alone in this. At the same time, I was able to reach out to others to show them that they are not alone in the difficulty they are facing either.
Galatians 6:10 (New King James Version)10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
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10 comments:
Great words. Oh yes it is a very selfish disease, and one difficult to explain to others that do not suffer from it.
Blessings.
I think depression is often hardest on those around us too. My poor family would not know what to expect when they got up in the morning.
I feel that God used my depression too, for a complete life style change, and what hopfully will be a new career.
Wonderful insight! God bless!
It sounds like you found the true meaning, and in the midst of a difficult time for you. Good for you!
To Love, Honor and Dismay
Sometimes, I think, our bodies tell us when we need to slow down and rest. Depression notwithstanding! It sounds like you're getting a hold of your issues and are on your way to healing.
I agree depression is a selfish disease because it's so "me" centered. Trust in your Lord and lean on him...I believe there's even a scripture verse that addresses this. He has never left you!
You have such a great attitude even in the midst of something difficult like depression. I suffered depression for several years and can relate to your feelings. This is such a positive post!
Camy
great post, and I love the verse you choose!
Hello Amy, I was blessed to read you In Other Words for this week. I thought pretty much the same. When down we focus on Jesus and then in turn our dispair turns to joy and with this joy in our worst times it's the greatest opportunity to witness the love of Jesus to others. God Bless..
"Even if we are suffering or hurting, we still have the strength to reach out to others."
Amen!
Glad to have found your blog!
It's awesome that even in the midst of your struggles that He still enabled you to reach out to others. Great post!
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