Depression: Looking Up from the Stubborn Darkness

by Edward T. Welch

Resist depression on this point. Don’t let it excuse you from relationships and love; you will just deepen your despair. Loving others is not simply a duty; it is the way you are designed. God created you to trust him and love others. When you are not trusting or not loving, you are disconnected from your purpose, and hopelessness will thrive. Plan to love. It will look different when you are severely depressed, but as long as you are still conscious, you can find grace from God to love others in ways like these: Thank them Greet them Pray for them Listen to them Touch them If you stumble here, ask forgiveness of God and others. Ask others to pray that you would be able to love in a way that is noticeable, and set out to love again. If you are not even taking a step toward loving, your heart is being revealed.