The Old Schoolhouse Magazine

Depression can set in when we are discouraged for too long.

Try to do simple things like get outside once a day or get a shower or take a nap. Your local health food store representatives can inform you about herbal helps for hormonal depression. Depression does not have to beat you down into thinking there is no hope. Find your encouragement in the Word of God and prayer. If you can’t even feed yourself the Word, then listen to the radio or audio Bible teachings and worship music.

Sometimes, list-making beats discouragement. Once you are able to write down what you need to do, and then get up and try doing at least two things on your list, you will start to feel better about yourself. Making a list is like writing your accomplishments down before you do them. Checking them off can take away the feeling of not getting anything done, and your brain will not be as weary but rather will move toward hope and joy.

If hope is not coming your way quickly enough, then find your hope in God. Hide in Him. He will never disappoint. When you are tempted to look down in depression or discouragement, turn your face upwards to Him. Psalm 121 is a good starting point—try memorizing it:

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills,
from whence cometh my help.
My help cometh from the Lord,
which made heaven and earth.
He will not suffer thy foot to be
moved: he that keepeth thee will not
slumber.
Behold, he that keepeth Israel
shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is
thy shade upon thy right hand.
The sun shall not smite thee by
day, nor the moon by night.
The Lord shall preserve thee from
all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
The Lord shall preserve thy go-
ing out and thy coming in from this
time forth, and even for evermore.

The Hurdles of Chaos & Clutter
Chaos and clutter can suffocate the best
attempts to stay sane. They muddle your
brain and make you feel on edge, almost
as if the chaos and clutter will overcome
you. Instead of letting yourself drown in
chaos or clutter, send out a lifeline. If you
are on the opposite extreme of always
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taking care of chaos and clutter and you
never get to the important things, then
you need a lifeline too.