Author: Nomthi

Depression

by Nomthi

Although almost everyone at one time or the other experiences a period of sadness, most people get over it within a short time. But for some people, the sadness continues and degenerates into depression. Studies show that the rates of depression in women are twice as high as they are in men. This is due in part to hormonal factors; could be premenstrual syndrome (PMS), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), postpartum depression, pre or post-natal depression and peri-menopausal depression. The good news however is that depression can be contained.

Now, depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity that can affect a person’s thoughts, behaviour, feelings and sense of well-being.

Some people describe depression as “living in a black hole” or having a feeling of impending doom. However, some depressed people do not feel sad at all—they may feel lifeless, empty, and apathetic, or in the case of men, may even feel angry, aggressive, and restless.

It is important to note that depressed mood is not always a psychiatric disorder. It may also be a normal reaction to certain life events, a symptom of some medical conditions, or a side effect of some drugs or medical treatments.

The truth is that there is no single cause of depression. You can develop it for different reasons and it has many different triggers. For some, an upsetting or stressful life event – such as bereavement, birth, divorce, illness, redundancy and job or money worries – can be the cause. Other causes include abuse (physical, sexual, medication); conflict; death or a loss; and genetics.

After giving birth, some women experience postnatal depression, and it has led to a number of maternal deaths. Often, different causes combine to trigger depression.

Whatever the symptoms, depression is different from normal sadness in that it engulfs your day-to-day life, interfering with your ability to work, study, eat, sleep, and have fun. The feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and worthlessness are intense and unrelenting, with little, if any, relief.

If you identify with several of the following signs and symptoms, and they just will not go away, it could be depression: insomnia or oversleeping; inability to concentrate or finding that previously easy tasks are now difficult; feeling of hopelessness and helplessness; pessimism or uncontrollable negative thoughts; persistent sadness, including fits of crying either uncontrollably or being set off easily; feelings of anxiety or emptiness; unusual weight gain or loss, overeating or appetite loss; irritable, short-tempered, or more aggressive than usual; forgetfulness, or feeling a sense that life is hopeless, pointless and futile; recklessness or suicidal thoughts.

Depression is a major risk factor for suicide. The deep despair and hopelessness that go along with depression can make suicide feel like the only way to escape the pain.

However, as terrible as it sounds, there are ways to overcome depression:

  • Accept that you are depressed.
  • Recognise the cause of the depression; knowing the cause will make dealing with it easy.
  • Keep company of happy people. (Proverbs 13:20)
  • Seek medical care (if necessary).
  • Fellowship with God. Edward Welch, a licensed neuropsychologist and faculty member at the Christian Counselling& Educational Foundation in Philadelphia, encourages the people he counsels to speak to God, and “if the pain is too strong, and there are no words, to read from the book of Psalms.”He suggests that they “speak the hard things from our hearts to the Lord.”
  • Other suggestions include limiting the consumption of caffeine and alcohol because they can aggravate anxiety or trigger panic attacks; eating healthy and exercising often (this not only helps keep you fit, there is also the release of a rush of endorphins which makes you feel instantly happier).

James 1:2 asks us to “Consider it all joy when we fall into various trials.” Notice that James does not tell us to feel joyful; he tells us to reckon, to choose to think about our situation from a joyful perspective.

Even when you experience unpleasant situations, either at work or in the home, it does not have to degenerate into depression. If you are however depressed, understand that suicide is not the solution. Seek solace in the Word of God and the company of those around you who are happy. As the scripture commands, “Rejoice always,” regardless of what is happening around you or to you. You can make a commitment to be joyful!

 

 

February 2015: Your month of Supernatural Triumph

by Nomthi

Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. (2 Corinthians 2:14)

For triumph to take place, there must be some form of battle or struggle. If you are alive, you need constant triumph because there is hardly a day without a struggle. Those struggles only differ in nature and magnitude.

Recently, I have been studying the book of Exodus – the story of the children of Israel’s struggle in Egypt and their triumph over Pharaoh. A few points made an impression on my spirit man.

The first one was when God told Moses to lift up his hand. Immediately he obeyed, there was darkness everywhere on the Egyptian side of the town but there was light on the Israelites’ side.

God explained to me that when we lift our hands, it’s not just a motion; it is a significant spiritual act. Lifting your hands is a sign of surrender to God inviting Him to take total control of your situation. And He always does a wonderful job.

The second point I noticed was that after the deliverance from Egypt, their enemy did not rest. Pharaoh sent his army after the children of Israel, causing them to panic because they thought Pharaoh’s army would annihilate them. This is a reminder that the devil never gives up, so we should never let our guards down, especially after a major breakthrough. The truth is that this pursuit did not catch God by surprise; He planned it to reveal His glory. It might not be easy to understand, but what you are going through is because God wants to reveal His glory in your life.

Do you know that God is an invisible actor in our life story? The main actor does not die in a movie because the storyline is centred on him. Our story is centred on God and we know that He has never lost a battle. The way He won the battle for the Israelites was phenomenal. The pillar of cloud, which had been moving in the front, changed position and stood behind them. Do not lose heart in your situation; God has got your back. It may seem like the enemies are close but be assured that God is with you, separating you from them and making sure that they can never get to you, just like it happened for the Israelites.

Then Moses lifted up his hand and the Red Sea parted; water turned into a SOLID WALL so they could cross over. Any shaky situation in your life is getting stable this month of Supernatural Triumph. Elements are changing their nature for you, sticky mud is becoming hard ground, ice is melting and even the rock is turning into liquid.

After they had all crossed over, Moses lifted his hand again and the sea came together, drowning Pharaoh’s choice army. Lifting up your hand is a declaration of victory and triumph. Beloved, let us practice His presence like never before, lifting our holy hands in worship and see God causing us to triumph.

Lift up your hands! It’s a new month!

Welcome to 2015, your year of Supernatural Harvest

by Nomthi

 

 “Yes indeed, it won’t be long now.” God’s Decree. “Things are going to happen so fast your head will swim, one thing fast on the heels of the other. You won’t be able to keep up. Everything will be happening at once — and everywhere you look, blessings! Blessings like wine pouring off the mountains and hills.  I’ll make everything right again for my people Israel: “They’ll rebuild their ruined cities. They’ll plant vineyards and drink good wine. They’ll work their gardens and eat fresh vegetables. And I’ll plant them, plant them on their own land. They’ll never again be uprooted from the land I’ve given them.” God, your God, says so. (Amos 9:13-15 MSG)

Fortunately, I have physically been in a field to harvest maize. So I have a full understanding of what harvest means. My great grandma had a huge field where she planted maize, and I remember that when I was younger, we would go and help out during the time of planting and harvest. I witnessed when the oxen ploughed the field and we had to plant the maize. I saw every stage of sowing and reaping. If we had video cameras as they are readily available on phones now, I’m sure I would have recorded these experiences and you would have seen how enjoyable the whole experience was. Well, I like maize so I was excited about the eating part too. We would roast or boil it. But one thing my great grandma ensured was that we kept some maize aside which would be used as seeds for the next planting season.

Let me quickly point out that as you enjoy this season of harvest, remember to set aside some seeds for the next planting season. Don’t eat your seed with your harvest.

We are in the season of supernatural harvest as declared by the servant of God. My experience of harvest cannot be compared to the one we are going to experience this year and beyond. This one comes with supernatural increase and favour.

This also brings to mind the story of Ruth. When Ruth and Naomi got back to Bethlehem, it was the season of barley harvest. Everywhere you go, it will be the season of harvest in Jesus name.

The truth is that Ruth was not even qualified to be in the field because she didn’t plant any seed, but she decided to glean behind the reapers. She strategically positioned herself not only for harvest but for greatness (in the same field Boaz saw her). You are already planted in the family of God, so you are strategically positioned. Momentarily, it looked like things were slow for her as she gleaned from the leftovers. But in no time, God decided to restore all that she had lost and even promoted her. Ruth ended up doing better than gathering behind the reapers: she got married to the owner of the field and God placed her in the lineage of Christ.

In this season of harvest, nobody will be able to compete with you on any level if you understand that you have a covenant with the maker of the universe. Whilst others struggle to set up businesses, you already have been promised in His Word that He gives seed to the sower and bread to the eater. It means you already have supernatural speed. Just as Ruth was taken from the back of the field to the forefront, you will jump queues and break protocols as you reap where you did not sow.

It sounds so good that it almost feels like cheating, but that is how we operate in the realm of the supernatural. If God did it for Ruth, He can and will do it for you as well.

Happy new month!