Redeeming depression

Lunch break thoughts:

Sometimes I wake up with a gut-wrenching sense of guilt and depression. This used to bother me because I thought I was helpless to control my feelings/emotions. One of the greatest lessons I’ve ever learned is to submit my emotions to the Truth. Simply because I “feel” very strongly a certain way, does not make it true. I can feel rather strongly that I am a poached egg, but fortunately my emotions do not create reality. If I preach the truth to myself “you are not a poached egg,” it will be much easier to get out of the “pit” than if I go on feeling that way and accepting it as reality simply because my emotions have projected it.

I guess that would be a defensive tactic. As of late, I’ve taken a more offensive approach to dealing with depression, redeeming it for the Glory of God and my benefit. When I wake up and feel the least bit depressed, my first thought is, “is this conviction, guilt, or just undiscernable depression?” I believe guilt comes only from people, satan, and the past. God brings only constructive conviction, a loving, sanctifying means of demonstrating His Grace, Fatherly Love, and Mercy.

Satan’s aim is that I waste my morning, day, and life depressed and feeling sorry for myself, but instead I can use the depression for my benefit by finding a legitimate cause for it, and then proceeding to resolve that cause. I try to use the time as a moment to reflect on any sin in my life that I may have been hiding or ignoring. Any that is uncovered, I proceed to confess and repent of. I am now free to stand on the finished work of Christ on the cross and his imputed righteousness as my joy. Any sin has been forgiven 2000 years ago, there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ, I am counted fully righteous in Christ, so I’m free to rejoice in my Creator unashamed, guilt-free, by the cross, and for His Glory.