depression has a really BIG appetite. Don’t feed it.
Depression has a big appetite and if you’re not careful it will eat you up.
Depression finds its victims just like an animal finds its prey. Predatory animals always search out the most vulnerable of other species. Even the king of the jungle, the mighty lion, isn’t stupid enough to attack an animal as strong as he is. Well, Satan is no different.
Our unique vulnerabilities make us susceptible to Satan’s attacks, reflecting our individual life experiences and circumstances.
For me, one of my triggers was always poor sleep, which can create a foggy mind and an inability to think clearly, making me more susceptible to negative thoughts. Another was exhaustion, as the weariness from daily responsibilities can drain my spirit and leave me feeling defeated.
Keeping Satan at bay.
Each of these factors can act as a gateway for doubt and fear to take hold. Even though I haven’t struggled with depression for a very long time, I still pay attention to these three areas in my life. Furthermore, I actively try to maintain a consistent sleep schedule, carve out time for rest, and practice mindfulness when I start to feel overwhelmed.
Jesus recognized his vulnerabilities. He made time to rest, pray, and rejuvenate; he recognized the importance of stepping away from life’s demands, allowing himself the necessary space to reconnect with his spirit and gain clarity. This practice not only strengthened his resolve but also enhanced his ability to serve others with compassion and wisdom. Remember, Jesus was both totally human and totally divine.
It’s his humanity we relate to.
Depression is like a wolf.
There is a great Indian legend about two wolves. I can’t think of a better description of our part in our depression. This is not to suggest we cause our own depression, but I am suggesting we sometimes exacerbate it. When we feed our low mood with negativity, we are feeding the evil wolf within us.
The Tale Of Two Wolves
ONE EVENING, AN ELDERLY
CHEROKEE BRAVE TOLD HIS
GRANDSON ABOUT A BATTLE THAT
GOES ON INSIDE PEOPLE.
HE SAID, “MY SON, THE BATTLE IS
BETWEEN TWO ‘WOLVES’ INSIDE US ALL.
ONE IS EVIL. IT IS ANGER,
ENVY, JEALOUSY, SORROW,
REGRET, GREED, ARROGANCE,
SELF-PITY, GUILT, RESENTMENT,
INFERIORITY, LIES, FALSE PRIDE,
SUPERIORITY, AND EGO.
THE OTHER IS GOOD.
IT IS JOY, PEACE, LOVE, HOPE, SERENITY,
HUMILITY, KINDNESS, BENEVOLENCE,
EMPATHY, GENEROSITY,
TRUTH, COMPASSION AND FAITH.”
HIS GRANDSON THOUGHT ABOUT
It FOR A MINUTE AND THEN ASKED
HIS GRANDFATHER:
“WHICH WOLF WINS?…”
THE OLD CHEROKEE SIMPLY REPLIED,
“THE ONE THAT YOU FEED”
Which wolf are you feeding?
So the question for us is, “Which wolf are we feeding?”
With every thought we think and every action we take, we are feeding one wolf or the other.
The thing is, though, that sometimes it’s hard to make the connection between what we think, say, or do and depression. However,most of us are so out of touch with our thoughts that we have no clue we are feeding the vicious wolf until our mood drops. Same with our actions. It’s after we eat that extra cookie, spend money we don’t have, use inappropriate words…..By then, we are already in the pit.
Let’s face it, it’s easier to crawl out of the pit we’ve only fallen a few feet into than it is to crawl out when we are at the bottom.
If we’d just taken a moment, we might not have done those things that caused our mood to spiral down. And it’s never just one thought or one action. It’s the snowball effect. We find ourselves in a pattern that’s difficult to break.
We’ve all been there.
Take a time-out.
That’s why I’m a big believer in scheduling some thinking time every day, taking a breather. It gives us time to reset, like a time-out. Isn’t that how we interrupt a child’s bad behavior? We know talking isn’t going to work. We have to stop them in their tracks. And sometimes, that’s all it takes for us.
I think Psalm 23 addresses this. “He makes me lie down in green pastures.” God often tries to stop us, but some of us don’t see the stop signs until we’re already in trouble. Pay attention to the stop signs. It might just help you not feed the bad wolf.
If you’re interested in workbooks, here’s a link to a free resource. I’ve looked it over, and if you enjoy filling in the blanks, I think you’ll find this helpful.
God bless, and I hope you have a good rest of your week.
