debt
What Depression Is Good For
In my book Dark Clouds, Silver Linings, I make the point that depression is actually a “healing emotion” — if you cooperate with it. God has created us to experience depression, and we need to understand why it is there.
Depression can be seen as one of three things: a symptom, a disease or a reaction. As a symptom, depression is part of the body's warning system. In the case of a serious illness, it slows us down so that healing can follow. Otherwise we would self-destruct. If we heed its call and get the necessary treatment, the depression brings healing.
Major depression is also a disease in its own right. Major depression afflicts many, and has no other physical consequences other than robbing us of joy and the ability to live to the fullest. But when it prompts us to seek treatment, it brings healing of body, mind and spirit.
Someone has said that depression is a cry of the soul that something is missing. This is certainly a perfect description of reactive depression. And as a reaction, depression plays a particularly important role in healing. It removes us from our environment and slows us down so that we can come to terms with our loss. This is called “grief work.” When we do it properly, it brings profound healing to every part of our being.
Can depression ever be a healthy response to life's circumstances?
Yes, it can. One of the biggest mistakes we can make is to think of depression only in terms of pathology. Depression can be a healing emotion. It can bring us face to face with ourselves so that we are forced to make healthier choices.
There are times when being depressed is God's plan for your life! Perhaps the best example of this is grief. Grief, including crying, is good for us. It cleanses our soul and emotions. Extreme loss — such as bereavement or being divorced — calls for grief. And the more freedom we give ourselves to grieve, the more rapid is our recovery from the loss.
Background Information
The Road to Debt
Learn to guard against the four common causes of debt.
Save or Swim
Danger: Thin Ice. Most people wouldn't risk their physical safety. So why do we ignore the signs of a financial catastrophe?
Drowning in Debt
If you can't seem to catch your financial breath, you're not alone. Sadly, millions of Americans are credit card captives.
Questions and Answers
What is the biblical approach to possessions and money?
Answer
Review Frequently Asked Questions
Stories
Prosperity and Pain
Finding blessings in the midst of incredible financial trials.
Credit—Not So Priceless
Every month, we spent more than we made and our balances ballooned. But it didn't stop us from purchasing a new living room set. Who could resist? Little did we know: we were digging a financial grave.
Living in Secret Debt
There's a high price to pay for acquiring debt.
If you've been through a experience related to this topic, we invite you to share your story with others.Share Your Story
Other Things to Consider
Even Though We Ain't Got Money…
That phrase – live on love – kept bringing to mind a song they played on the radio when I was a kid. I scoffed at its utter lack of common sense.
Learning to Roll With Change
It's not the most fun you'll ever have, but the results are worth it.
Related Topics
Transitions: Changing Jobs, Moving
Relationships: Communication Gaps
Parenting Teens: Communication Problems
