|
My Testimony: When
I was 15 years old I started with a cycle of deep depression in my
life. In my case, I had a strong reason and a strong hurt that was
causing my sadness and Feelings of worthlessness. I was hurt by some
very close relatives and I was addicted to drugs as well. These
feelings were growing until the point of becoming life threatening.
Several times I tried to take my own life, and the day that I was
determined in not to fail in my attempt, God stopped me. I was 18
years old and I was going to take a beverage made out of medications and
drugs, when my whole world changed. Late that night while I was
coming back from the University, I found myself in the midst of a youth
group that gave recognition to Jesus. I just stood there and watch.
When I got home, my suicidal desire was gone. I took a bath and
slept. Later on things started moving in my room and I fell on my
knees due to the strong movement. While I was kneeling down, I saw
these huge feet in front of me. Fear fell upon me and an
inexplicable love as well. I grab the feet and started crying.
I closed my eyes almost immediately and I could not see the person in front
of me. I thought it was an angel. I do not recall how much
time passed by. By the first time in my life I felt relieved and
loved. I heard His voice: "You will know the truth and
the truth will set you free".... "I am the Way, The Truth and
The Life"...He found me and came to help me. Any trouble would
separate me now from Him!
(You can read my
whole story in the book: By The Power of His Presence by: Rev.
Lorena Gamboa)
What is depression?
Lee
este artículo en Español
- A depressive disorder is an illness, but also has a spiritual
root. The root of bitterness, growing in our hearts because of an
inner hurt.
- It can affect the way you sleep, eat, think and feel about
yourself
Depression however, is prolonged periods of feeling
"down", worthless, sad, and hopeless. These periods can last
anywhere from a month to a year, to -if untreated- a lifetime.
There
is no one cause of depression, and it is not fully understood. However,
some factors that are common in depression cases are:
-Specific
distressing life events (trauma)
-Biochemical imbalance in the brain.
-Psychological factors such as pessimistic views of life
Depression is just like any other illness, and you can
be cured from
it. Someone who suffers from depression is not
abnormal.
They just need a little help in dealing with the illness, just like any
other illness. Depression cannot
be 'shaken off', willed
away or forgotten about.
You must seek
help. Even
the most serious type of depression can be helped. But the most
important thing you must consider is JESUS.
JESUS
wants to deliver you from depression. He can do it. Just give
Him a try.
Think of the story of Elijah in 1 Kings chapter 19. Elijah
was suffering from clinical depression. He had killed the false prophets
of Baal and was being pursued by Ahab and Jezebel. He fled into the desert
and prayed that God would take his life. He fell asleep by a tree, and God
sent an angel to wake him. The angel fed him and cared for him. Elijah was
removed from the stress of his life, and God cared for him.
We need to pray with them and pray for them.
Just as God cared for Elijah in the desert, He will also not forsake those
who are suffering.
|
Helping
a friend with depression
This is not a rigid, fixed list, but it is a list of things that I found
worked or didn't work for me.
Before
doing anything, the best thing you can give to your friends is the
experience of Jesus' love. Intercession prayer is necessary.
Then Pray a prayer of deliverance and
salvation over them, and be by their side all the way.
DO:
1. Take everything the person says seriously.
If
you don't or act like you don't, then they might feel they have to prove
to you they are serious by acting on their thoughts. Even though,
you must not act out of fear. Trust in The Lord. Make
intercession for your friend and ask God for a strategy.
2. Do give your friend as much support as possible.
I did not have anyone to talk
to about the inner crisis I was dealing with. It overwhelmed me
and then I saw no way out. You don't necessarily have to be able to
understand everything your friend tells you. friends don't necessarily have to be on the other end
of the phone all the time, they can feel helped just by knowing that
they could
email you their thoughts, and you would be open to receiving them.
3. Do email or phone now and then to see if someone is ok.
I found that it really made me feel better if I felt someone was caring,
and thinking about me. Later on, when I got to know Jesus, I learn
how to relay my problems and cares on Him. I found also, many Christian
friends that were willing to help me. Once you take the decision
of following Jesus, look for some one that cares for you and guide you
through.
4. Do learn about depression so
you can understand what is being said. Know the symptoms of depression
and the signs that suicide is being contemplated.
5. Reassure them that suicide is a permanent solution for a temporary
problem
6. Show concern
7. Ask the person if they have ever thought of suicide.
This can help the person feel like you are taking them seriously. If
they say yes, then ask if they have planned it, decided on when they
will do it, and have the means to carry it out. This will help you
understand the immediacy of the problem. If you think that they might do
it soon then don't leave them alone.
8. Do be supportive when they go to their first psychologist appointment
etc. Getting
help can be very daunting, and a caring friend can help tremendously and
help minimize risks of the person backing out of treatment.
9. If the person is in the process of suicide and has taken drugs. Get information
as to what they are taking. Call 911 and keep talking to the person
until the ambulance arrives.
10. Listen. It
usually helps to simply talk the feelings out. If someone is actively
suicidal, then let them talk. Talking for a long time can also make
someone tired, and so take the edge off the feelings.
11.
Most importantly. Give time and care for for yourself. Don't
get so wrapped up in caring for your friend that you don't look after
yourself. You need to have a balance between caring for yourself and
caring for your partner.
DON'T
1. Don’t dumb things down, try and solve the problems or argue over
why the person is considering suicide. It is not the extremity of the
problems that makes someone feel that they can’t cope, it is whether
or not they have enough “coping facilities” to deal with the
situation.
2.
Don’t make them feel that they have to prove
how they feel by acting on their thoughts of self-harm/depression.
3. Try
not to get impatient
if
your friend is repetitive, I found a lot of feelings came and then went
and then would come again in a sort of cycle. Just keep trying to be as
supportive as possible.
4.
Don't judge
5.
Don't give up on them!
I'm not going to say that this will be easy for either you or your
friend - because it won't be - but there is an end and it will be worth
it. I have no idea where I'd be without my friend JESUS who stuck by me, I
know that I'd be either dead or way off the rails and heading for the
gutter.
Present JESUS to your friends!
|
|
Please red our book titled: Deliverance
and Inner Healing by Rev. Lorena Gamboa
|
|
