It’s not surprising that “Depression” and “depressed” come from the same root word. It’s hard to feel joyful when times are hard. But God designed a real New Deal that helps us survive both economic and emotional hard times.
The first step is to be confident. We need to trust God, his love and provision for us, his children. “Do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ for the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”--Matthew 6:31-33
The second step is to be content--with who we are and what we have. “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation.”--Philippians 4:11-12
Third, we should be grateful for the blessings of life, especially our loving relationships. “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”--1 Thessalonians 5:17
Fourth, we should be good stewards of the things God’s given us, using them wisely, not wasting them. “Each one should use whatever gifts he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”--1 Peter 4:10
Finally, we need to be generous and share what we have with others--our resources of time, money, abilities, and knowledge. “Freely you have received, freely give.”--Matthew 10:8
If we trust God to provide for us, if we are content with the wonderful things he has given us and not always want more, if we are grateful for his blessings and faithfully use them to serve others, giving them to others as generously as he has given to us, we will have deep and abiding joy in our lives--even in hard times.
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