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trACker number364 Hopelessness has a Horrible Habit of Becoming Increasingly Hopeless the More You Harp on It
by Dudley Anderson trACker number364 The e-Devotional helping to keep you on-track GodTracker is online at www.godtracker.co.uk 24 June 2011 Dear God Tracker Hopelessness has a Horrible Habit of Becoming Increasingly Hopeless the More You Harp on It His best mate had been rushed to hospital after taking an overdose cocktail of anti-depressants. Geoff sat by Don's hospital bed, watching and waiting. The Monitors bleeped and narrow tubes extended from Don's arms up to drips next to his bed. It was all a bit too much for Geoff. This was the second time in as many weeks he had maintained vigil at Don's side after two attempted suicides. Don had been in severe depression for several years. His family life was stable and he had been securely employed in the same job for almost all his adult life. However, for some reason Don had become disgruntled with life. He continually complained about his health, though the doctors reassured him there was nothing wrong. Convincing his doctor that he was under stress, he had prescribed anti-depressants. Gradually the strength of the anti-depressants was increased until he was at maximum dosage. Don had convinced himself that he was severely depressed. His family life began to suffer. His work degenerated until eventually Don had every reason to convince himself that there was no longer anything to live for. Geoff maintained his visits to Don until Don had begun to improve. By now he had recovered from the overdose and, with proper council, was seeing the brighter side of life. On the other hand, it was who now Geoff who found himself on that awful slippery spiral downward. Somehow Don's angst had become contagious. Geoff found himself swept away by despair, though there was no real reason for it. He found grounds to blame his career, his family and even his faith for his depression. Now Geoff himself was in grave danger of swapping his hospital visitor's chair for Don's bed. God Tracker, hopelessness has a horrible habit of becoming increasingly hopeless the more you harp on it. Beware of the magnetism of misery! Misery, whether founded or not, leads to despair. Despair is a ploy of Satan and Satan is the father of lies. Lies are futile and hold no water. The truth is, knowing the truth sets you free from despair and misery. Jesus is the truth and the way to exchange a disgruntled life with abundant life. We need to, indeed care for and support others who are in depression but I have discovered that depression is contagious. Jesus came to heal the brokenhearted and set the captives free. Only he has the wherewithal to lift our spirits and meet our needs. So lift up your eyes and hold fast to the hope you profess. Guard against the lies of Satan by filling your heart and mind with God's truth and your days with his presence. There is no problem too great that you cannot overcome, in Christ. God-tracking is hopeful. Stay blessed Dudley >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> GodTracker is now also available as a blog. Check out: http://godtracker.blogspot.com/ Our hope is that, by sharing experiences in tracking the will of God, we will draw closer to him and discover the awesome value of walking with God. Let us know what you think by e-mailing [email protected] God knows the plans he has for you. So go ahead and track them! GodTracker now on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/GodTracker/133868249962785?sk=wall What is trACker? GodTracker and trACker owe their origins to an international Christian radio programme produced by Dudley Anderson called, OnTrack. Although OnTrack went off-air in 2005, trACker has continued to help people to track God's plans and purposes for their lives since July 2003. You can now hear Dudley Anderson on UCB UK Saturdays from 00:00 to 05:00 GMT and Sundays from 06:00 to 12:00 GMT Listen to UCB UK on DAB, Sky channel 0125 or online at http://ucbmedia.co.uk >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> VoW Verse of the Week Colossians 3:1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Quote of the Week A Sample of Dudley's Fave Quotes. "Oh, how true it is that despair is often the womb from which real faith is born." --- Duncan Campbell Don't Give-up, Look-up! Look-up and Fix Your Eyes On Jesus! I am Hidden With Christ in God Colossians 3:2-3 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. Pray "O Lord, I'm desperate. I have been caught up in the spiral of despair. Please forgive me for taking my eyes off of Jesus and looking intently at my circumstances. I deliberately choose to believe the truth now that you are the author of my life and in you I live and move and have my being. Fill me with your joy for mourning and praise for despair. Your word tells me that the joy of the Lord is my strength. Fill me now with your joy. Nothing is too difficult for you, my God. I set my mind on things above and claim that I am hidden with Christ in God. Thank you Lord. Amen." >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Why not recommend trACker to someone? Point them to www.godtracker.co.uk or click on http://www.godtracker.co.uk/tronline.shtml#recomend Born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa Dudley Anderson began writing for radio in 1994. Dudley currently writes a weekly e-mail Christian motivational thought called GodTracker and has complied 2 devotional books based on GodTracker. More information at surereaity.net Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |