Depressing Depression!

The nation awoke last weekend to the sad news that a Mayaro councillor had committed suicide.  The newspapers cited that she was very depressed, but she hid her feelings from those around. Her family and friends all felt that she had everything going for her: beauty, marriage and two adorable children. What could have led her to end her life?

Suicide leaves many unanswered questions, not the least of which is “why?”. Could the person not have reached out to someone? Could those closest to the victim not have sensed that something was wrong?

While there are no cut and dried answers, my post today looks at ways we can deal with feelings of depression or if possible stave them off completely.

The Bible does provide some proactive remedies.

The scriptures acknowledge in Genesis 2:18—It is not good that the man should be alone—and God created Eve as a companion for Adam. Well, the councillor had a spouse, so we know that having a spouse does not mean there will not be seasons of depression. Some may even say that a spouse sometimes is the root cause of depression. But of course, it is one type of companionship that God provides. But we know that not everyone will marry.

The Bible however does not leave us wanting in this regard. We are reminded in Hebrews to “not forsake the assembling of ourselves together”, which speaks of regular church fellowship. We need friends around us. No man is an island.

Friendship keeps us connected with the world around us. Friends could bring laughter and encouragement into our space. The Bible also tells us that “a friend loves at all times”.  

Fellowship helps to keep us accountable to each other, so if we are going astray, our friends can reel us in, reminding us how we ought to live holy. 1John 1:7 tells us:

If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another…”

Someone might suggest that all friends are not real buddies. Well the Bible understands that too and offers that we should have another level of friends we can call “an inner circle”, those persons with whom we can share our innermost emotions, fears and tears. We can be our truest selves with them without being afraid or ashamed.

In Daniel 2, King Nebuchadnezzar had a very disturbing dream, and his wise men could not discern its meaning, he threatened to kill them all. But Daniel who was a prisoner in the palace told the king’s captain that he could interpret the dream. What was his first action? He went immediately to his inner circle of three friends and asked them to pray with him for God’s revelation.

We might have a thousand friends, but an inner circle is vital to our survival. This circle could be as little as three, but they know us better than everyone else, and see the parts of us that no one else does. An inner circle is critical to warding off depression and suicidal thoughts.

Today, let us identify those persons who can be our inner circle.