23. LIFE GOES ON

By flip on Feb 10, 2009 | In My Story, Ramblings, Helpful Hints | Send feedback »

Well, my mielies are finally ready for the table. The tomatoes are as tasty as only homegrown can be, not to mention the radish. The beans are more than we can handle.

So my little garden is doing well, especially with the lots of rain we're getting in Gauteng these days. Unfortunately, as my fellows in distress will know, there's a downside to the weather: It tends to make depression go a bit deeper, so you have to fight it a little harder. (Less light, less time to be outdoors, and apparently the changes in atmospheric pressure also plays a role.)

But life goes on - maybe with less smiling, more effort, but God is still good and He still takes care of those who rely on Him.

I've found that my depression is constantly forcing me back to God, because at the end He is really all you have. Suffering from depression makes you so much more aware of that: family can be as supportive as possible, you could do everything in your power to cope, but sometimes only God can see you through. And that's OK: God doesn't mind - He's the one who invites you to come. Right through the Bible we are encouraged to bring everything to Him.

I've learned one lesson from the book of Job: to be honest with God. Society demands that you to put on your best face, smile through your teeth, and carry on with daily life, but God does not expect that from us. Be real. Tell Him how you feel. In everyday language: forget the churchy cliches and say it like it is. If you can't be honest with God, where in the universe can you be? Read the end of Job and see what God says about Job's friends who were so "theologically correct".

There's many Biblical precedents for calling a spade a spade: King David (who I suspect suffered from depression) gets quite honest in his psalms. Jeremiah cries out to God as he sees Jerusalem in ruins. Habakkuk queries God when he sees destruction approaching his nation. Elijah runs away and hosts a pity party on God's mountain. Yet all of them gets help and support from God.

Hold on to God. As seasons change, and people come and go, He remains the one place of safety. Forget the macho I-can-do-it-by-myself attitude - it's not impressing God, and I think our macho is quite wimpy against Him!

Accept His helping hand. We need it.

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