IN THE SHADOW OF THE ALMIGHTY
(PART III - CONCLUSION)
TRIGGERS:
We all have our triggers. Some of us have more than one. The important thing is to recognize them, so you can see them coming, and try to avoid them at all cost. If you can't avoid them, you will know how to get through them. Here are a list of triggers I've experienced.. Maybe, some of these are the same triggers as yours. If not - you may have to start to make a mental self evaluation of the times you've gotten depressed in the past to see what triggered yours, that way you can try to avoid them or see them coming... I makes it easier to handle the experience if you understand why you are feeling the way you are.
TRIGGERS:
- Financial difficulties
- Family crisis
- Anger
- Unexpected experiences will throw me off my game
- Too much self evaluation of negative things in my life
- Unaccomplished goals - I put them on a shelf, and only look at them when I'm ready to work on them. I set a time limit as to how long I leave them on that shelf.
- Too much excitement - Ya - go figure! It makes me feel smothered. I have to slow down!
- Expected goals. This is a tough one for me. I'm a procrastinator.
- Trauma - mental, physical, or emotional such at a death in the family
- Dwelling on bad experiences from the past - or dwelling on anything negative too long!
I'm sure I could probably come up with some more, but those are the ones I can thing of right now.
THE PAIN & SELF DISCRIMINATION
Out of all those triggers, the one that sticks out the most is number 10. I say this because all the other 9 triggers result in the same thought process. We dwell on them too long or too much! As a result we have a tendency to form an opinion about ourselves based on our emotions - which at times is not always positive. We need to reverse that thought process - by controlling our thoughts - our emotions will follow. I love these scriptures that really puts it into perspective for me. (II Corinthians 10:3-6 - 3) For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4) For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; 5) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6) And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.) I know it sounds cliché, but it works. God put it to me this way "Tricia do you want to live - or do you want to die!?" As you know, when you are depressed, you feel like you are dying. Unless you have gone through this, you know exactly what I am talking about.
SOLITUDE WITH GOD = EQUALS = VICTORY
The only way I was able to get victory is SOLITUDE WITH GOD, and His word! It's in His presence when I can come to God as I am. I can experience, and reflect on God's awesomeness, so I can have faith in Him to perform this victorious miracle. It is in God's presence where I get the confidence from Him, because God shows me - me - through His eyes! Jesus shows me who I really am. In God's kingdom there is only victory, and in God's eyes I am victorious! You can do anything when you see yourself through God's eyes. You are PERFECT IN HIS EYES!
HAVING JOY THROUGH DEPRESSION
When I am in that dark place - I know God will let me cry, scream agonize in His presence. He doesn't judge me. He wants me to come to Him, and release my sorrows, and emotions. God showed me this is part of the healing process that I have to have with Him in order for me to have victory. (Psalm 30:5 - For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.) In the end of Nehemiah 8:10 It says "THE JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH." Also in (Psalm 89:15 - Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance.) This is where you will find the Joy of the Lord, and, you will find His strength to have victory. This is also how I have His Joy in depression. I know - now matter how I feel, I am in His perfect will, and I trust Him for the outcome which is VICTORY! It is His will that I have victory. He will NEVER leave you nor forsake thee. (Deuteronomy 6:5 - thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.)
THE PERFECT PLACE IN TIME - WHEN TIME STANDS STILL
(Psalms 91:1 - He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.) This secret place is a special place, it's real, and it's really not that secret. You just have to know how to get there! Here is how I get there! THROUGH JESUS! When I get with the Lord to pray I make it special. I close my bedroom door, and I lock it. I want it undisturbed. I make sure everyone in my house knows in a gentle way that I want to be alone with God. I don't go in my room all sad, and gloomy. The same with my friends. I just tell them I need some quiet time for a few days. They understand! I bring everything in my room that I might need or want for whatever time I decide to be undisturbed, candles, tea, water. Anything that will make me feel relaxed, and comfortable. If I need more time, then I come out of my room to refresh, then I go beck in my room, and lock the door again.
I take my Bible, and lay it on my chest if I'm on my bed, or lap if I'm sitting on my loveseat. I close my eyes, and pray. I don't stop until God tells me too! What do I pray for? I definitely praise God, and everything that God tells me to pray for. But, I also pray for myself, and other people. Sometimes my experiences are more intense then other times. But, that's okay! I'm in that perfect place in time - when time stands still, because I'm in God's realm - God's time. (2 Peter 3:8 - But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.) Well, in our realm, one day is 24 hours. But, when we enter into God's courts, and realm, one day is a thousand years, and a thousands years is one day. It feels like time just stands still. It is the most magnificent experience I've ever encountered. The joy I feel in God's presence is AWESOME! My heart beats faster at one point, then my heart calms down. (Psalms 38:9-10 - 9) Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee. My heart panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me.) (Psalms 42:1 - As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.) WOW!!!!! What exhilarating experience!
It may take a few minutes or a few times before you will have your very own experience. Everyone's experience is different. But, when you get yours, you will recognize it every time, and you will know what to expect. I promise you this, there is no way depression can stay in the presence of God. Once you experience God's Glory, you will not forget it! His peace is ever with you through out the day, and whenever you feel a sadness come over you - you will know it's time to pray. Sometimes I don't have to go in my room or lock the door! I just know it's time to pray for someone else who might be feeling sadness. So, I just pray. It's a GLORIOUS experience that will lead you to victory. Isn't that what you want? To experience victory? Knowing that you can have control, by letting God have control through His glorious glory. I say AMEN to that!
