After Christmas Blues? What can be done to help?

The last couple of days have been a blah!!  Christmas and new year's holidays have come and gone so what now?
Over Christmas there was anticipation of celebrations, family and friends getting together and all that brought a lot of excitement and joy.  Now that is all done and I think it is so easy to feel the blues coming on.
The passing of the celebrations is not the only cause of the blues.  The dark dreary winter days can also cause the feelings of depression.  For those who struggle with Seasonal Affective Disorder,  these days are not fun.  To be honest all I want to do is eat and sleep.  I however have decided to push out and get out of bed , get dressed, do my hair put my jewelry on which helps me feel better.  I have also decided to  stay in God's word.  I wake up and read a chapter of God's Word and spend time meditating on it and what it is saying to me.  This morning I read Genesis 15 :1 "After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward."  As I ponder these words I hear God saying the same thing to me to be not afraid of what lies ahead in this new year, not to be afraid when I feel depressed because He is my shield.  What a gift to have God as my shield against all evil and against all  that the enemy intends to harm me.   These words helped lift my spirit.
I also have decided it is important to spend time with God sharing honestly how I feel.  He already knows it anyway I might as well come on out and say it.  Since we are  having a conversation I need to listen for a response from Him and that is when the words "Do not be afraid" bring deep comfort.  My response to Him is also important.  I need to work at being fearless as I face the present moment and think about the future.
In these dark dreary days light is so important.  So I sit in front of a bright light as I have my devotions.  On a day like today when there is snow on the ground which makes everything so nice and bright I pull back  the curtains and enjoy the brightness of the snow.  The snow coming down is also so peaceful and gentle and I allow myself to enjoy that too.
I know I need to exercise and this is the one place where I am stuck.  I know exercise is good for me and it helps boost the levels of Serotonin and Beta-endorphin in my brain which helps me feel better and even happy.  I need to jump on the treadmill !
I also need to watch what I eat.  If I only eat sweet, fatty foods (which is what i crave) then I will soon be gaining weight which does not help in the way I feel about myself.  When I don't feel good about myself it doesn't matter what anyone else says I tend to stay down on myself which leads to more depression.
I will stop writing and follow my own advice and get some exercise why don't you join me?

May I come over?

I was tired of being alone for another evening/night.  My grown children were out with friends and my husband was in Africa.  I felt so alone and I decided to do something about it. 
I called a friend and asked if I could come over and work on some Christmas cards for Church.  I felt a little silly telling her I was lonely but that was the truth and I was starting to feel myself going down towards depression.
Many people feel alone especially during the Christmas season.  Some have grown children who live far from home, some have lost their spouses, others have gone through divorce and some just don't have many friends to connect with.
The commercials on Television show happy families and warm friendships.  After watching too many of these one would start wondering what was wrong with them.
The truth is nothing is wrong with you.  You may be one of those people who struggle with depression all year long and around and  time it seems to get worse around Christmas time.
I think the first step to overcoming this depression is to acknowledge it, and then decide to do something about it.  You can go see your therapist and come up with a plan to pull you from the pit, you can come up with a plan with your regular Psychiatrist to increase your medication to get you over the hump, you can call a friend and ask if you can come over and spend time with them.
Remember my friend who I called she said "yes! come on over and we can finish the cards and play a game of scrabble."  I was so happy.
Maybe you are thinking "that is not me"  I can't just call someone and ask to come over.   My question to you is why not?  The enemy of our souls likes to divide and rule so he would love to isolate you and keep you from people.  This will only make you more depressed.  Don't agree to his plan it only leads to more depression. I read an article on depression that stated that suicide is at its highest in the month of December.  So don't ignore how you are feeling.  Take it seriously and do something about it even if it means being vulnerable and admitting your loneliness to a friend.
God created us to need each other and that is why being a member of a community is so healthy.
Pick up the phone and call someone.  Yes, you and do it now, you will be glad you did!

Just one more thing!

Why is this one thing so elusive?  It is not like i don't have a list or have planned but the end of Christmas shopping has not come to an  end!!
I am ready to be done shopping and sit back and enjoy a more relaxed time.  I believe it would be very relaxing to sit and mediate on the Christmas story.  The Bible says that Mary took time to ponder the things she was experiencing.  That is what I would like to do,  I have tried to meditate on Isaiah 9:2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.
 3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder.
 4 For as in the day of Midian's defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor.
 5 Every warrior's boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.
 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

Verse two has stood out to me.  I am one of those people who have walked in darkness and the Light has come.  When the light comes it disperses darkness.  If you are feeling like you are in a dark season of life invite The Light Jesus Christ whose birth we celebrate at Christmas time to come and shine in your darkness. This light has also conquered the shadow of death!!  Jesus is that Light and He has conquered sin and death.  If you know Him the rejoice and enjoy His Presence if you don't know Him call on Him He is only a prayer away.
The amazing thing is that the Light is not in the store or wrapped up under a Christmas tree.  Verse 6 which tells us that a Child is born, a Son is given.  That is what we have been looking for !!  He brings a deep sense of peace,Joy, and contentment and what is more amazing is that He is also looking for us to turn towards Him and His arms are wide open for us to come running Home.
So if you like me have been looking for that one elusive thing look no more Jesus is the Answer.  Rest in Him, remember that Christmas time is a time to celebrate His birth not the finding of the gifts at the mall.  I wrote that to you as much as to myself.
Enjoy Jesus The Prince of Peace!!
Merry Christmas and a Blessed new year

TEACH US TO PRAY

Luke 11:1 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples."
 2 He said to them, "When you pray, say: "'Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come.
 3 Give us each day our daily bread.
 4 Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation. '"

Matthew 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

 The disciples had just observed Jesus praying and they ask Him to teach them how to pray.  Jesus' response begins with "when you pray"  that means He expected them to pray.  It also means He expects us to pray.  He had showed them by His example that prayer was important. 

Jesus seems eager to teach them and He starts by teaching them who to address their prayers to.  "Father"  When we call someone father we have to have a relationship with that person.  Jesus is teaching that we have a child/parent relationship with God.  He is our Father and since He is Holy and Good the relationship is an intimate one.  

How does one come to have a relationship with God.  The Bible teaches in

Romans 10:9 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved) it is through believing and confessing that we become children of God.  We confess He is Lord and believe He rose from the dead! then a relationship is formed.  If you do not have that relationship,  God is extending and invitation for you to Confess and believe and He will be your Father.  Here is a short prayer you can say to come into this relationship with God.  "God I confess that I am a sinner and I have done things that do not please you I want to ask for your forgiveness of my sins and I accept Jesus as my Lord and savior.  I believe He died and rose again from the dead so I can have eternal life.  Thank you for making me your child.  In Jesus' Name Amen!"Just as a child can not walk up to a stranger and call him father, we also need to have this relationship as we come to prayer.   

Some people have a hard time seeing God as a Father because of the broken relationships they had with their earthly fathers.  Maybe your father was abusive, absent or just didn't care or provide for you like he should have. Like I said earlier our God is a Holy and Good He is not like a human being His love is perfect and it does not depend on anything we do or don't do, He offers it to us freely.  So let your hurts go and receive God's free love which He has given to us in abundance  1 John 3:1 says " How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. "  He doesn't just love us a little bit He has lavished His love on us that means He has given us His love without measure.   He desires to heal your wounded heart.  Receive this love so you can begin to pray "Father"

We will look at the next Phrase next time!

Prayer: two way Communication!!

Sometimes I forget the definition of prayer and come to God with a list of my needs.  let us begin by defining prayer.
Prayer is a two way communication between a child of God and God.  When we communicate with our loved ones we talk and we listen to them.  Prayer should not be any different.  God is delighted when we come to Him in prayer He loves to hear our voices ( Song of Solomon 2:14)  He invites us to come and communicate with Him.
It is so easy to come with a list of our needs and wants as if we are going to the grocery store.   It is easy to talk to God and neglect talking with Him.  He also has things He would like to say to us.  I think sometimes we are afraid that if we listen to God He will tell us things that we do not want to hear ( and sometimes He does) and other times we just don't think about listening to Him.  I have experienced that even when God wants to correct me and tell me things that I would rather not hear, He still has a way of building me up in anything He says to me.  He is a good Father and His words to us are always life giving.  If He wants to correct us , rebuke us and challenge us, He does not do it in a way that will shame us.  He does it in a way that builds us up!
In the Bible we see Jesus Challenging  His disciples Matthew 16:13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?"
 14 They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
 15 "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"
 16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
 17 Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.  He asks them who they think He is and when Peter answers He Blesses Him.
God will do the same to us He will correct us, Challenge us, and even rebuke us and it will all be done in a way that shows His love for us.
God wants to hear from us and we should also desire to hear from Him for He is a good Father who teaches and instructs as He corrects, rebukes and challenges.  "Psalm 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you."
I have also experienced words of encouragement from the Lord, sometimes when I have been feeling low He has reminded me that He loves me!  That is just like a loving parent who encourages his or her child and tells them that he or she loves them.  When we don't take time to listen we lose because we don't get to hear what He has for us.  How is your prayer life?  Do you have listening time build into your prayer time?
After we listen we need to respond to God.  We can respond with praise, worship, thanksgiving, repentance,and making commitments as His word requires of us.  Don't just talk, take time to listen and then respond accordingly!  This will be true prayer.

Living in the Power of praise to God !!!

There is power in Praising God! 

Hebrews 13:15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise-- the fruit of lips that confess his name.

First of all praise is to be raised to God continually regardless of our circumstances or feelings.   Psalm 71:8" My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long."  Here the Psalmist declares God's splendor all day long.  The psalmist being human must have had some rough moments in his day but he declares God's Splendor  not only when things are going well but he remembers to praise God regardless of his circumstances during the day.
 Sometimes especially when we are feeling depressed we do not feel like praising everything seems so dark, and hopeless.  The word of God is encouraging us to offer Praise as a sacrifice to God.  That is in those moments when we do not feel like life is even worth living.  It is time to praise the one who has given us life and to thank Him for His presence in our lives even if it feels like He is far away. Remember those are feelings, and feelings come and go.  Maybe you are wondering how can you praise when you are in such a dark place.  Play some praise music, read some praise psalms or ask for someone to read them to you and you will soon feel your heart bring uplifted.  Give to God a sacrifice of praise!
Praise is the fruit of the lips that confess His Name.  We enjoy fruit. For there to be fruit there must be a fruit tree that yields good healthy fruit.  Our lips are being compared to a fruit tree.  What kind of fruit are your lips yielding?  Gossip?  hateful words? words that shame others? abusive words?   God is inviting you to produce praise from your lips.  In Psalm 109:30 the psalmist writes "With my mouth I will greatly extol the LORD; in the great throng I will praise him."  Once again we are  encouraged  to praise the Lord with our mouths.  This tells me it is not enough to just think good thoughts but we need to open our mouths and declare praise to the Lord!
Bondage is broken when we praise the Lord, we enter a place of freedom and our God is glorified.
When we praise God we invite His presence to be close to us.
There is power in praise.  Let us continually offer Him the sacrifice of praise!

SUICIDE!!

I hate the word!  It brings great sadness to me when I hear that someone has committed suicide.  There are so many questions left unanswered and many people left hurting.
Many people who struggle with Anxiety and depression also struggle with suicidal thoughts.  I know I have been there and i understand the struggle.  It is REAL, it comes slowly and then your mind is bombarded with thoughts until you feel their is no other way out.
The thoughts come as an answer to  having peace and not struggling any more and even bringing peace to your family so they don't have to struggle so much with your problems. This is a big lie from the enemy.  The people left behind struggle a lot more because they wish they could have seen it coming and wonder why God allowed it to happen.  They will also have to live with it all their lives.
Suicide is preventable.  I know when I have struggled my first line of defense is to tell someone else that I am struggling with suicidal thoughts and that breaks the power of the thoughts.  It is like the enemy wants you to struggle alone so he can push you to a corner and defeat you.  When someone else knows they can pray with you, watch you and just be available day or night for you.
If someone comes to you and confesses they are struggling with suicidal thoughts don't play it down, take time to listen to them, make them promise you that they will call you when the thoughts return and if you are available be with them as much as possible especially if they are depressed.  See to it that they are following their doctor's instructions on medication and if they are not take them to the doctor.  You can save a life!
The devil is a liar and he wants to take and destroy lives.  Please don't allow him to destroy yours.  Remember to tell someone if the thoughts come to you.