Accepting the Facts of Life: The Key to Facing Depression

Experiencing depression is certainly very unpleasant. Imagine, day after day you struggle with various negative thoughts, finding it hard to rejoice, even losing the pleasure of doing the things you used to enjoy. It feels as if the whole day is covered by clouds overcast.

In general, depression can be described as a state of deep despair in facing life. As a result, that person will greatly lose interest in doing anything, even the things they once enjoyed. In fact, someone who is depressed will have very little spirit to welcome the next day in their life. 

One cause of depression is when we are unable to accept the reality that happens in life. That is also what I personally experienced. 

A Dream Unfulfilled

At first I had a very comfortablelife. After studying interior design in college, I was accepted to work at a company in the same field as my major. I really enjoyed this job because I was able to channel my talent, and I was satisfied with the results. At 9 in the morning I left for the office, and by 5 in the afternoon I was already back home.

All of that changed when my father asked me to help him sell goods in the market. That offer, of course, made me hesitate. At that time, I already had a job as an interior designer, in line with my dream . I was forced to choose: continue pursuing my dream, or help my family? After much consideration, with no other solution, I finally resigned from the office and helped my father. All that knowledge and those dreams had to be buried.

Selling in the market was very different from my former job. I had to wake up at 3:00 a.m., prepare the store’s needs, and force myself to manage buying and selling while still sleepy. That happened every day. My sleep schedule was disrupted. At its peak, one morning, while I was brushing my teeth, a voice began to appear in my mind telling me that I wanted to kill myself.

In the end I decided to seek treatment. I visited a psychologist and a psychiatrist to deal with this condition. It turned out that I was experiencing depression and general anxiety disorder or a generalized anxiety disorder. 

Accepting the Reality of Life

To overcome depression, I was given many prescriptions for medication. Those medicines helped me a great deal, but, the doctor said, medicine only accounts for 30%. To overcome depression, the remaining 70% depends on my effort to change my mindset.

While taking those medicines, I tried to accept the various realities in my life. What was it that I had not yet been able to accept?

This is where I became aware. The root of the depression came from my unwillingness to accept the reality of this life. The fact that I had become a market trader rather than an interior designer was the source of that depression. I felt that what I was living out did not match my ideal. That inability to see reality was what dragged me into depression.

When I was finally able to accept those realities, I made peace with myself. I became calmer, and little by little reduced my medication dosage. Up to now, it has been two years since I last took any medicine.

I began trying to accept and give thanks for the facts of this life. It is all right to be a trader, because my character is growing. God is shaping me by removing my spoiled and childish ways. In trading, I have become a person who is strong in facing thechallenges of life. Also, while trading, I can make sure of the health of both my parents.

Learning from David

Perhaps you are also experiencing depression. You want to find a way out. Yet, as people who believe in God, we may wonder: is there an answer to depression in God’s Word? Although the Bible does not mention it explicitly, David also went through seasons of being pressed and weighed down, like depression.

But he succeeded in getting through it. He did not simply give up or complain that his life was not ideal. He accepted reality as it was, and chose to surrender to God. What did David do that enabled him to triumph over difficult circumstances?

1. Expressing worries to God

I am weary with my groaning; every night I flood my bed, with my tears I drench my couch. Psalm 6 : 6 – 7 

In my distress I cried to the LORD, and He answered me. Psalm 120 : 1 

David knew what it felt like to be at his lowest point. He had once so deeply lost hope. But did David only feel despair and remain silent? No. David poured out all his condition and feelings to God.  

The question is: who or what do we usually rely on when problems strike? And can we first seek and speak to God? Like David, it is only right that God should be the first one we seek when life becomes difficult. 

2. Crying out in prayer

With my voice I cry out to the LORD, with my voice I make supplication to the Lord. Psalm 142 : 1 b 

Depart from me, all you workers of evil, for the LORD has heard my plea, the LORD receives my prayer. Psalm 6 : 9-10 

David did not stop at grieving over his fate, but asked God for help. The verse above says that David cried out loudly, asking God to deliver him from the hand of his enemies.

The result? David gained confidence and strength. He believed that God gave him the strength to go through everything that was happening. Not only that, David also believed that God would drive away all his enemies.

By praying, we can directly bring all our complaints and requests. We may be sure that God will hear all our lament. More than that, prayer is the way we lay down our worries and allow God to work with His power.

3. Keep believing that God will answer

In my distress I cried to the LORD. The LORD answered me by giving relief. Psalm 118 : 5 

He will not let your foot slip, your Keeper will not slumber. Psalm 12 : 13 

Not only did David cry out, he also believed that God would answer him. It may be that the problem was not yet finished, but I believe that David was strengthened because he believed in the power of God. God does not sleep; He will surely give help.

When we are in an episode of depression, we need to keep reminding ourselves that God will not slumber. He will not close His eyes and ears to our lives. Is He not the One who created every living creature, the world, and everything in it? We have a God who is able, capable, and sovereign over all things. We need to keep believing that there is still a God who will help us through our season of depression.

Getting Through Depression with God

Depression can indeed be caused by many different things. However, if the problem is a reality that does not match our dreams, we need to take heart and accept everything that happens in our lives. When that acceptance comes, that is when we can make peace and restore ourselves again.

Above all, let us remain thankful and trust in God. He gives us strength to live life and all its consequences. Problems may come and crash against us, but surely He will be with us and help us, forever and ever.

References : https://sardjito.co.id > 2019/09/30 : the meaning of depression according to WHO. -  Related Articles:

• “Lord, I Have a Big Problem!” – When Despair Strikes
• Making Peace with the Past
• Have You Helped Yourself Yet?
• Improve Your Mental Health And Boost Your Resilience (Improving Mental Health and Resilience)
• Hard to Pray Because of Stress? Overcome It This Way

-