Daily Devotions
A Simple Way to Help Someone Who Is Depressed
Reading for June 18th: Proverbs 13-15
A glad heart makes a cheerful face,
but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.
Proverbs 15:13
Are you worried about someone who is depressed? Do you know someone in a deep, dark hole? Do you want to do something to help them out?
The Bible gives us an idea of how to help: Be glad!
We don't know what the psychology is behind that proverb, but we can say from experience that it works. It really does. Negative emotions are like quicksand. Depression takes you down deeper and deeper. Happy, cheerful faces can pull you out of that. When we are around happy, positive people we tend to be made happier.
You can will yourself to be happy, but it requires sacrifice. Nehemiah fasted and prayed for Jerusalem and was not sad before the king until months later (Nehemiah 2:1). He chose to be happy around the king. He did his job. He left his negative emotions in the prayer closet. On the job, he tried to leave his deep depression at home.
You may be burdened with a heavy load right now. You can still wear a grin and maintain a positive attitude at work or while around your friends or family. You'll not only make those around you happier, you might just find that your own perspective will change.
Lord, help us to count our blessings and choose be joyful people today.
