Depression and Worry Keep You from Engaging with Life

Matthew 6:27 – Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

Depression and worry keep you from engaging with life because you have a constant state of preoccupation with your fears.
 

• You’re always thinking about tomorrow and what may happen.
• You’re always thinking about what other people think of you and the circumstances you’re in.
• You’re always thinking whether you won’t have enough money to pay for unexpected bills that may come in.
• You’re always thinking whether you’ll have enough food even though you have a cupboard and a refrigerator full of food.

 
You’re always thinking
You’re paralyzed
You’re in a constant state of adrenaline rush chasing you in a race you can’t win.
 
What you must do is stop. Stop that depressive and anxious thought right at the moment it begins. If you don’t, the thoughts will take away all of your energy and keep you from doing the things you need to do.
 
“But my fears are real,” you say. “It really could happen. I could end up out of control.” But you were never really in control before you felt depressed and worried about life. We all think that we can control our life. But no one can.
 

• It doesn’t matter if you’re rich or poor.
• It doesn’t matter if you’re sick or well.
• It doesn’t matter if you have lots of friends or only one faithful friend.
• None of that is going to give you control over unforeseen circumstances.

 
And through it all, while you’re busy stuck in fear and depression, life keeps rolling by without you.
 
In psychologytoday.com’s article, “Withdrawn and Inactivity Feed Depression,” some suggestions on how withdrawl and inactivity can feed depression which can keep you from engaging with life are set small goals. Large goals can seem too far out of reach so start small and set yourself up for small wins. Another suggestion is to develop awareness about your choices. If you’re able to, try to develop an awareness of your choices and where they lead. For more of their ideas read the whole article. Even setting yourself the goal of reading someone’s ideas on depression and worry can keep you engaged with life.
 
Starting out with small decisions can help you take that next step in your day and then another step. All of a sudden you will see that you met your first small goal helping you engage with life again. 

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