In the Peanuts comic strip, Charlie Brown comes up to Lucy who is seated behind her lemonade stand. She is offering psychiatric help for five cents. Charlie asks her if she can cure depression. Lucy says, “Sure.” Charlie asks, “Can you cure deep down, bottom of the barrel depression?” Lucy says, “Sure. All for the same five cents.”
Now I don’t know her secret, but if she really had a five cent cure for depression, the world would line up at that lemonade stand. Depression is something we all occasionally experience to one degree or another. It is a devastating illness that affects the whole man physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
I don’t have a five cent cure, but I believe there is a way to cope with depression. There’s no easy way out, but we can begin to deal with it, even learn from it.
Just for today – just for now – here’s a start. Instead of an inward look, take an outward look. Instead of focusing on the negatives of life, turn your attention to the positives and be grateful. Paul said, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7, ESV).
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