DECEMBER 7 "IS PROZAC HELPING?"

Depression & Oppression, is it normal, natural, hereditary or demonic? I believe it can be at times, a little of both. We have the drudgery of life, at times, not all of us are going skydiving or whitewater rafting every week-end. Most of us are not taking road trips every week-end. Life becomes monotonous, same old every day. No adventures and we can start feeling like we are in a rut, bored and unmotivated, Mix that with a few marriage problems, teen problems and some weight gain and we become very vulnerable to depression. There’s a very natural course to depression but there’s also a very unnatural one too, the demonic. The bible admonishes us to “cast down imaginations”. To bind, to rebuke. Witchcraft is not some women that doesn’t’ like you, sitting on the floor of her apartment, dressed in black, pronouncing curses on you. Witchcraft is simply a term for bewitching, it’s a bewitching of the mind and this is where the enemy strikes, in our imaginations. It’s one thing to be down (please people let us have a down day every now and then without being yelled at or condemned) but it’s another thing when the mind starts being bewitched. Thoughts of “what’s the use”, “my life is worthless” “I’m worthless” “I have nothing” and of course the worse bewitching of all is “I should take me life”. When Jesus commands us to bind and loose what else are we binding but demonic attacks. The Psalmist wrote, “let the curses return back upon their heads”.  There is nothing noble or righteous about letting yourself be beat down by the enemy. Often times, withcraft does break, but it can least for 2-3 weeks. The oppression and headache that won’t leave. The heaviness, sadness and physical exhaustion, even when we had a good 8 hours sleep and a good cup of Java. Why does the Christian refuse to admit there is spiritual warfare involved in serving Christ? Paul in the book of acts is being harassed by this woman, finally the bible tells us he “rebukes the spirit” from the girl and the spirit leaves not just her, but him. He had put up with the vexing spirit for days, ever wonder why? I’m sure in his mind, he thought, “surely this is not a spirit” but finally, after a few days, he can’t take it anymore. Ever wake up vexed and stay vexed for a few days, angry at the world, not knowing why? It’s a spirit and we must engage (I’m sorry) in spiritual warfare as Christians or we can be overcome and make some life altering decisions if we are not careful

            That being said, there does need to be a rhythm to life. And we, and our spouses, (if married) must find that rhythm. We cannot be caught up in a home all day long, waiting for our husbands to come home or our wives. We cannot just plunge through life, “rolling with the punches” as they say. We must be pro-active, not reactive. Take initiative, join a health club, get some exercise, meet some people. Plan quick out of town trips, a quick week-end get-a-way can lift, at least the “natural blues of life”. See, while we cannot always determine the demonic element to depression, we can at least try to circumvent the natural elements of life that bring on depression.  Finding a hobby, joining a health club, taking road trips, joining a sports team, joining our kids in sports. The truth is, sometimes we are in depression because we have failed to be proactive about our own lives. We are not doing anything, planning anything, that would create a life that is somewhat free of any excuses for natural oppression. When we fail to be pro-active about our lives, we are not only setting ourselves up for “natural depression” but then we are being blind sided by demonic forces and the natural forces of life and that can be too much to bear at times. You may be in a relationship with someone who has no motivation to be pro-active about life; then you must find your own life, within that life. Waiting at home or waiting for the phone to ring, for that person to come save you is not at all pro-active living. The sister of depression is apathy. Before we can win the battle over depression we must win the battle over apathy. Do something! Take action! Make goals! Set up a plan! Stay active! Find, create a life for yourself, within the constraints of your God, your family and your income. It can be done.  The daunting task of the Christian is having to deal with the demonic elements of being a Christian and deal with the natural elements of it too. It seems as Christians, we fail on both ends. Most Christians that I know are not engaging in spiritual warfare and when I look at their lives I don’t see them being pro-active about their lives either, it’s a double whammy! Where are you today? Are you being swamped, attacked by both sides of depression, maybe it’s time to get up and start taking some swings. There’s nothing uglier in life, than watching someone be beat down. Maybe it’s time to get up, and start taking control of your life (I have no life) then create one. Start by simple task and simple goals. You are the one that can save you. Not your boyfriend, not your girlfriend, not your husband or wife or waiting for that phone to ring. You can save you (not referring to spiritual salvation) and once you believe that, you are on the road to recovery and joy.