READ 1 JOHN 4

Verses 9-10:

God has shown us his love by sending his only Son into the world so that we could have life through him. This is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the payment for our sins.

What is my capacity for depression?

Is it in the gnawing physical pain from my physical disease?

Is it in the growing anguish from my sinful decisions?

Is it in the abandonment of my faith?

My capacity for depression is great. If I was not capable of depression, then I would not have the capacity for happiness. The things of life that depress me are associated with death. When I examine these things that depress me, I take in the capacity of my depression.

Depression tends to turn me away from everyone. When I call on God to step into my life, His inspiration does the most natural, simple thing. He shows me where love lives. It lives in the hearts of those who love God.

Am I in the company of believers in Christ?

Jesus Christ suffered on my behalf so I might become part of God’s family. The magnitude of His selfless gift inspires me to love others. This is my initiative to turn away from depression and back into the company of His perfect love.

Perfect love is not quick to condemn or criticize. Perfect love does not jump to conclusions or give in to quick tempers and arguments. Perfect love lives in harmony with other people. Fear does not exist where perfect love lives.

When I keep Christ’s commandment to love others then my capacity for happiness crowds out my capacity for depression.

Dear Lord, I give you all the power and glory in Christ’s name who loved me first. Forgive me for allowing the world and the pains of my body to depress me when your Son who suffered much more pain than I can ever imagine saved me from my sin. Help me to remember that my fear does not exist where perfect love resides. Thank you for the people in my life. I love you! In Jesus Christ’s name I pray. Amen

Whenever I become depressed, I start listing in my prayer journal everything and particularly everyone in my life to whom I am grateful. The power of this exercise is God taking a hold of my heart to show me where He lives.

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