If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. Isaiah 58:10
For the most part, whatever depression, despair and anxiety I’ve experienced has been self-inflicted, resulting from my destructive behavior. I don’t know your situation. All I can do is tell you of my experience and what God’s word has meant to me in it.
In my drug addiction, I was depressed and anxious because I hated myself and I hated what I was doing. The only treatment for that, was to stop using drugs. In my recovery, I was depressed and anxious, even though I was sober, because I was suffering the consequences of my addiction. My life was a mess and I was at fault.
In both situations – in my addiction and recovery – I continued to indulge in the same self-obsessive mindset that got me into my addiction. What do I want? How do I feel? What can I do to make myself feel better?
In my recovery, I stumbled on the principle spelled out in today’s passage: Giving to others improves my mental health. As I volunteered at the local jail and as I started recovery meetings, my focus turned from me to those around me, dramatically altering my mindset. Self-obsession over my mood was eclipsed with love for others. Giving and serving was the antidepressant that I needed.
I’m not suggesting that all mental health struggles are self-inflicted and I’m not suggesting those who serve others will never be depressed or anxious. I know good people who follow God and still suffer from depression. I am insisting however, that, in our self-obsession, we cause much of our own misery.
I am saying that in whatever my struggle – addiction, recovery, depression, anxiety – I am responsible to go to God, asking him what I must do with it. God, what is my proper response here? Is there something I must abandon? Is there something I must do? Whatever our struggle, the answer is always to turn from ourselves, seeking God, and doing his will.