So what could you use spiritually?

My recent post about reading has prompted a further question for me.  The comments, as well as the experience that I have had, tells me that people who are going through depression rarely have the mental energy (or whatever you want to call it) to sit down and read.  Even if it’s short.  Even if it’s great.  If you don’t have the energy to look at the comics, a book on the theology of the cross and depression just isn’t going to help you.

So what will?

I’m not talking about medical or psychological help.  I mean spiritual help.  What will help heal your soul?  Audio, video, something else?

I’m just thinking out loud here.  I’d like to hear your thoughts.

-DMR

8 thoughts on “So what could you use spiritually?”

  1. My primary strategy is time with a Pastor who “gets” that I’m crushed under the laws of biology and self-condemnation and need hope for a new start. This almost always includes Holy Absolution and usually includes the Holy Supper. It is only by the power of God, forgiving the contributions I have made to the downward spiral, that I can hope to begin again – free from the guilt and assured of the love of Christ.

    There have been times that I have had a standing appointment each week and I still made calls in between to see the man who stands in Christ’s stead offering me tangible comfort that my mind can’t rationalize away. My mind can argue with words – but it is much harder to deny God’s forgiveness when I am the only one in the room and through the Pastor, God’s hand is on my head pronoucing those words. One also cannot argue with Body and Blood on the tongue – for the forgiveness of all of my sins.

    Praise be to God for such gifts that break through my own dark denial and grant peace and hope in the Lord!

    Anyone else see these things?

  2. My primary strategy is time with a Pastor who “gets” that I’m crushed under the laws of biology and self-condemnation and need hope for a new start. This almost always includes Holy Absolution and usually includes the Holy Supper. It is only by the power of God, forgiving the contributions I have made to the downward spiral, that I can hope to begin again – free from the guilt and assured of the love of Christ.

    There have been times that I have had a standing appointment each week and I still made calls in between to see the man who stands in Christ’s stead offering me tangible comfort that my mind can’t rationalize away. My mind can argue with words – but it is much harder to deny God’s forgiveness when I am the only one in the room and through the Pastor, God’s hand is on my head pronoucing those words. One also cannot argue with Body and Blood on the tongue – for the forgiveness of all of my sins.

    Praise be to God for such gifts that break through my own dark denial and grant peace and hope in the Lord!

    Anyone else see these things?

  3. “Streams in the Desert.” It’s a book of devotionals speaking directly to suffering, hopelessness, and feelings of overwhelming despair. It’s the closest thing I’ve found to a devotional with Gospel-based messages speaking directly to depression.

    That and watching reruns of “The Cosby Show.”

  4. “Streams in the Desert.” It’s a book of devotionals speaking directly to suffering, hopelessness, and feelings of overwhelming despair. It’s the closest thing I’ve found to a devotional with Gospel-based messages speaking directly to depression.

    That and watching reruns of “The Cosby Show.”

  5. Talking with my campus pastor, my friends at church, talking with my mother, who’s also a pastor. Mainly being around people who “get it” and see Jesus in me and my life, even though I often can’t. When I have more energy and can concentrate, I love reading about grace. I’m slowly working on Moltmann’s “The Coming of God.” I find the idea of God refusing to give up on me very comforting.

  6. Talking with my campus pastor, my friends at church, talking with my mother, who’s also a pastor. Mainly being around people who “get it” and see Jesus in me and my life, even though I often can’t. When I have more energy and can concentrate, I love reading about grace. I’m slowly working on Moltmann’s “The Coming of God.” I find the idea of God refusing to give up on me very comforting.

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