WHEN DEPRESSION THREATENS

The suicides of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain rocked the news media last week. Kate Spade was one of the most recognized fashion designers and created a notable brand name. Anthony Bourdian was talented chef who found ways to merge food with travel to create a very popular television show. Yet, despite finding the fame and fortune, that many aspire for, but never attain, they ended their lives well before their time.

Depression and the risk of suicide is far more prevalent than one would imagine and material prosperity can do little to alleviate this disease. One has to find a higher ground to attain stability and the Word of God does provide us with answers.

First, we recognize that we are created beings who need to be accountable to our Creator.

‘For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.’ (Psalms 139:13,14)

Knowing that we cannot create life and that our lives are nothing short of amazing, helps us to cherish life. In addition, when we look at ourselves honestly and evaluate ourselves, we are able to look at our Creator with a sense of awe. This awe, also known as worship, helps establish the right relationship between man and his maker and creates a firm ground on which man can stand and function. If the foundation is wobbly, so will our lives be.

Next, in Christ we find a purpose for life that does not overwhelm us.

‘Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.’(Matthew 11:28)

As man lives out his life, he sets himself to accomplish things, to get to certain places and to create an image of himself before the world. This purpose, which is influenced by his upbringing, peer pressure from society, aspirations, and notions of what will bring satisfaction, can often times be suffocating. And as we see people who might appear to be successful before the world, struggle to find satisfaction in what they are or have become, we understand that man embraces weariness and depression when his purpose for life does not meet his expectations. Contrast this with Jesus’ words to his followers, where he promises rest to those who center their lives around him. This rest is not something that is a figment of one’s imagination, but something that can truly be experienced by one who is a disciple.

Finally, through adversity hope beckons us to a future of promise.

‘I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints’(Ephesians 1:18).

No matter how difficult our lives may appear to be, there is hope beyond the grave, to a glorious future, made secure by Christ. It is hope that helps us to patiently endure through adversity and live out our lives, making the most of it for ourselves and for others around us. Giving up is a symptom of hopelessness and if we mark the words of Christ, we don’t have to give up.

Depression and suicide is painful, but it is more painful when man tries to excuse it without attempting to find answers. The good news is that there are answers and there is a solution; and that solution is found in the person of Christ.

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