Counseling and Medication

Rick Thomas has some thoughts on the benefits of medication.

By the time I met with Melanie, she was objectively affected physically because of her unattended spiritual issues. Fortunately, she was a humble lady, who wanted to be taught God’s Word in such a way that she could apply it to her life. The medication was useful in the sense that it “stopped the bleeding” so to speak, in order to get her to a place where she could be helped.

The meds functioned sort of like the way a cast does for a broken leg. The cast is not a long-term solution, but there is some usefulness in a cast. If Melanie believed the cast was the cure, then it would have been problematic. If the doctor had said the cast was the cure then that, too, would have been problematic.

Fortunately for Melanie, she was willing to listen and learn. It would not have been wise to try to wrestle the “cast” from her or put her down for using a “cast.” I focused on the problem and God graciously freed her from these underlying issues that were the real problem.

One Step at a Time

Ed Welch shares Hope for the Depressed:

Take one small step at a time. Granted, it seems impossible. How can you live without feelings? Without them you have no drive, no motivation. Could you imagine walking without any feeling in your legs? It would be impossible. Or would it? Perhaps you could walk if you practiced in front of a large mirror and watched your legs moving. One step, wobble, another step. It would all be very mechanical but it could be done.

People have learned to take one step at a time in the midst of depression. It doesn’t seem natural, though other people won’t notice either the awkwardness or the heroism involved. The trek begins with one step, then another. Remember, you are not alone. Many people have taken this journey ahead of you.

As you walk, you will find that you must tap into every resource you have ever learned about persevering through hardship. It will involve lots of moment by moment choices: take one minute at a time, read one short Bible passage, ask for help, try to care about someone else, move outside yourself, ask someone how they are doing, and so on.

When in doubt, confess your unbelief, trust in Jesus, and look for someone to love. A wise depressed person once said, “The reason I get up—after years of depression—is that I want to love one other person.”

Haiti Earthquake Relief

In response to the Haiti earthquake, there are many opportunities to donate and help. Over the years, as needs like this arise, I have given to FAIR (Fellowship Agency for International Relief). One of the things I like about them is that they partner with organizations that are already involved in the area. In Haiti they are partnering with Emmanuel International to distribute aid through local churches. Bonus: Until February 12th, every dollar given through FAIR will be matched by the Canadian government.

Update: David Daniels provides a recommendation for Emmanuel International.

Why Missions?

Claude Hickman gives 14 Reasons for Missions.