Isaiah Roman

Identity Despair and Depression

The sense of having done something irreversible tends to make one despair. It is to say, “Well, it’s all over and it’s ruined; what’s the point in trying further?” That kind of thinking leads to depression. When a person reaches this kind of despair there is a tendency to consider himself an exception, that’s a mistake. It is a most ordinary human experience.

Through the modern media the public is led to believe depression is a form of mental illness, it is considered a thing of shame. Depression is not an unusual set of circumstances. It is a natural human response to disappointment or loss of something important such as a loved one, a highly desired position or job. It is not the end of the world but it takes on that form of thinking. If a person has experienced one of those things and is still alive there is still purpose to his life. Get on with it!

Each individual will have times of despair caused by real events in his life, and will be unable to lift himself out of them. Prescription drugs may help to bring a person out of despair but they are only a temporary answer to the problem. There must be something lasting, a foundation upon which a lasting structure may be built that is dependable regardless of the circumstances. Be certain, bad circumstances will arise from time to time.

It depends on one’s world view as to how to transcend above the disappointments of life. Comparing ones self to circumstances or experiences of another human being is a mistake since each person is unique. That is to say there are no two human beings exactly alike. Some have more talent in a given direction, some have a more energetic outlook on life and to those who have them, as compared to some one who does not, is a great mistake.

There must be something to depend on that is unshakable. Something to compare one’s self with that will never forsake him. There is nothing in the realm of creatures or creation that is unshakable but there is one thing that can not be shaken. Faith in a helper, a comforter.1

“See that ye refuse not him that speaks. For if they escaped not who refused him that spoke on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaks from heaven: Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.2 And this word, Yet once more, signifies the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12: 25-29).

The Word of God is fixed in the heavens; “The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the Lord will be the hope of his people, and the strength of [His] children” (Joel 3:16). The Lord God is eternal. “O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusts in him” (Psalms 34:8). “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusts in thee” (Isaiah 26:3). It would be unwise for one to cease taking a prescription prescribed for him; but, it would be wise to seek something that is more stable, something everlasting as well.

At one time it seemed impossible but men are attempting to take complete control of the lives of citizens. There could be, if this continues, a time when some bureaucrat can determine, for reasons of his own, prescriptions may be refused. If there are prescriptions that may help there could also arrive a set of circumstances where they are unaffordable.

Before making the final decision it may be well to consider is man, any man, trustworthy enough to place confidence in him? Is it wise to trust your existence to man at the price of your immortal soul? “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?(Matthew 16:26)

Do not forsake God the Creator; “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5).
The entire news and entertainment is geared to create depression and despair in the population of this country. It is of little wonder that the health support industry are busy producing sedatives, blood pressure medication and heart health products. Movies, documentaries, news broadcasts promote gloom and doom 24/7 on upwards of two hundred or more cable channels. There is very little edifying, uplifting programming with the exception of about a dozen channels.

Where is the hope and welcome uplifting change promised by the new messiah? He seems bent on bankrupting the nation to promote his personal pride in purely negative achievement.

1. “I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever” (John 14:16). “The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26).Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the “Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you” (John 16:7).
2. For thus saith the Lord of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land” (Haggai 2:6).