Listing the Positives


It would surprise most people (including those I live with) to know how often I struggle with depression. It's something I have always felt guilty for because nothing in my life is really that bad. And doesn't God say that He should be our joy and we should find contentment in Him? Therefore if I have chronic blues, aren't I doing something wrong? So I laugh at life when I can and keep my sadness to myself.

Regardless of the answer to my questions, the fact remains, feeling joyful does not come naturally to me. I have to go after joy with a pickax.

One thing I have started doing recently is "Listing the Positives".
  • A hike in perfect weather this afternoon
  • The multi-colored leaves of Autumn
  • The specialized calculator that was given to me so I no longer have to get to school and use theirs an for an hour before my 8 am class
  • The package of GF Oreos my darling mother gave me
  • My violin -- always and forever listed as a positive
  • A freshly renewed friendship
  • My hair finally getting long again after being chin length almost two years ago
  • A freshly acquired Tenth Avenue North CD to listen to on my long drives to and from school 

How can I come up with all those and still feel discouraged? It's a perspective changer for sure.

Comments

  1. Keturah LambOctober 28, 2018 at 7:17 PM

    I think we all deal with depression throughout our lives. It's nothing to be ashamed of -- it's horrible, scary, real. But positives really help! Calendar journaling has soooo helped me (I'll be posting about this subject beginning of January.

    Anyways, those are some amazing positives. Especially the refreshed friendship and hair growth.

    keturahskorner.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Arnica AnonymousNovember 3, 2018 at 5:46 AM

      I'll be interested to read your post on calendar journaling Keturah!
      I almost didn't list the hair...but I decided it was okay to be that light-hearted. The older I get the longer my hair takes to grow out, so it's kind-of exciting to me. ;)

      Delete
  2. Kara LynnNovember 1, 2018 at 3:55 AM

    YES! I've struggled with depression since about the age of nine and God has really taught me how listing what I am thankful for, what He has given me (even the little things), can make a HUGE difference!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Arnica AnonymousNovember 3, 2018 at 5:47 AM

      It really does adjust your perspective.
      Thanks for dropping by Kara!

      Delete

Post a Comment

Feel free to share your thoughts and opinions (politely please) and be sure to check back later--I respond to every comment!

Popular posts from this blog

Modesty: Is My Heart Really in the "Right Spot"?

Image
  (I would recommend caution for young readers. This post is unusually gritty for me and may not be suitable for young minds.) It's a rare thing that I feel the need to add my two cents to a viral controversy but a recent influx of Facebook posts by some friends I once loved dearly has made me think a lot and you get to reap the benefits of this thinking! ;) The controversial issue I am speaking of is modesty.
Read more

Our Hearts--His Home

Image
Let's just agree that I won't apologize for not posting regularly and you won't be offended by my lack of interaction on all your lovely blogs. Deal?? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I had the chance to attend a conference with my sister's church several weeks ago. During one session the teacher connected two Bible verses in a way that I had never before considered. Ephesians 3:17 says -- "That Christ may make His home in your hearts through faith." When we move into a new house what do we do to make it "our home"? We take out old furniture and put in new. We tear down walls. We strip out old cabinets. Basically, we make the place look entirely different and we make it fit us. Can you imagine how awkward it would be to try and do that with the previous owners still there? They would be offended and fight every change we made. When we ask Christ to make His home in our hearts we cannot retain ownership. There are no roped off areas marked "No
Read more

My Safety Line in Depression

Image
I've mentioned in my most recent posts that I struggle with depression. This problem is not unique to me but I do fight with it more than your average Christian young woman. It all started when I was thirteen. An acquaintance came to visit our family for a week and become a good friend. When he left it suddenly occurred to me that he would never be coming back. We would never see him again. We would never laugh with him again. We would never have the chance to tease him again. (He actually left with plans to return soon but my premonition turned out correct--we never saw him again). At these thoughts my world tilted. I began noticing just how many friends dropped out of my life, older relatives died, etc. and over and over a question came to mind, "Is God really good?" There is not a more terrifying thing to doubt.
Read more