Last month I wrote a post saying I was emotionally exhausted. That was the start of a difficult time for me that has once again lead to needing medication for depression. This blog has been a bit more active than usual and has served as somewhat of a diversion for me during this time. Alas not even the birth of a beautiful baby daughter could snap me out of it. Depression is not something new for me and even when I'm not depressed I have some what of a melancholic out look on life. Now that the medication has kicked and my mind is starting to clear some what I started asking myself some questions...
What sort of person gets depressed?
And
Did Jesus get depressed?
The first time I thought it might be a particular type of person that got depressed was about seven years ago while I was working in disability care. There were a great team of staff there but about half of us got on slightly better with about half of the groups who also tended to get on best with people from that half. After about six months of getting to know each other I discovered that the one thing we all had in common was that we were all on some kind of anti-depressant medication, and to my mind these people were all more empathetic and self aware. Just the kind of people I like.
With an increase in depression in western societies I'm not entirely convinced that my depression is just a chemical imbalance. I get the sense that many of us are frustrated with how the world is. We are struck by how much power we have in the west and how much the lifestyles we have inherited are damaging to the both people in developing countries and the environment and how difficult it is for us to change any of this in a meaningful way to make things better.
With depressives David, Job and the writer of Ecclesiastes before him my guess is that Jesus too got depressed. This quote from Luke really hits a chord with me.
Here is Jesus expressing the simple desire of God to reconnect with his people. Surely out of all things the easiest thing for a hen to do is to gather her brood and if any one is going to be able to do that with Israel it's going to be Jesus, but he doesn't. Jesus is left with 12 disciples to try to carry on his legacy, one of whom is going to betray him and the most faithful who is about to deny knowing him. That is a depressing situation. Part of the challenge of being a Xn to me is to trust that God's plan is still going ok when it all looks crap from where I'm sitting.
What sort of person gets depressed?
And
Did Jesus get depressed?
The first time I thought it might be a particular type of person that got depressed was about seven years ago while I was working in disability care. There were a great team of staff there but about half of us got on slightly better with about half of the groups who also tended to get on best with people from that half. After about six months of getting to know each other I discovered that the one thing we all had in common was that we were all on some kind of anti-depressant medication, and to my mind these people were all more empathetic and self aware. Just the kind of people I like.
With an increase in depression in western societies I'm not entirely convinced that my depression is just a chemical imbalance. I get the sense that many of us are frustrated with how the world is. We are struck by how much power we have in the west and how much the lifestyles we have inherited are damaging to the both people in developing countries and the environment and how difficult it is for us to change any of this in a meaningful way to make things better.
With depressives David, Job and the writer of Ecclesiastes before him my guess is that Jesus too got depressed. This quote from Luke really hits a chord with me.
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!Luke 13:34
Here is Jesus expressing the simple desire of God to reconnect with his people. Surely out of all things the easiest thing for a hen to do is to gather her brood and if any one is going to be able to do that with Israel it's going to be Jesus, but he doesn't. Jesus is left with 12 disciples to try to carry on his legacy, one of whom is going to betray him and the most faithful who is about to deny knowing him. That is a depressing situation. Part of the challenge of being a Xn to me is to trust that God's plan is still going ok when it all looks crap from where I'm sitting.
2 comments:
I would urge you to seek various translations and read Matthew:26:36-38
I pray you find peace.
Thanks for the comment. Peace (for the moment) has been found.
Post a Comment