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Whenever I attend a ladies’ meeting I usually find two kinds of people. There are those who are depressed and there are those who are depressing. Believe me I know how you all feel. It’s to those of us I’d like to share this time.

Before I begin though I’d like to share with you some lighthearted things, then I’ll depress you.

During my bout with depression one of my most precious memories came at a ladies meeting where Liz Curtis Higgs was speaking. Have you had the privilege of hearing Liz speak? Her motto in life is Proverbs 17:22 "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine." She had us laughing from the time she got up till way after she sat down. I wish I had her talent, but unfortunately for you I don’t.

Now I can’t make you laugh--let’s face it I can’t even make my dog mind--but I came across some stuff that tickled my funny bone and I wanted to share some of it with you. If it makes those of us who are depressed or depressing crack a smile then I have succeeded in putting something fun into this lesson.

Some of you have probably already read some of this stuff as my sister-in-law got it off the internet, but try to pretend you are reading it for the first time anyway. It will be funnier, and if it’s one thing we need is more laughter.

These sayings are about getting older which whether we like it or not it is happening to us every day. It’s just that some of us refuse to grow up, but if we would we would discover some things along the way. For instance,

1. We started out with nothing and we have most of it left.
   
   
2. Our wild oats have turned to prunes and all bran.
   
   
3. When we finally get our head together our body falls apart.
   
   
4. It’s funny but I don’t remember being absent minded.
   
   
5. If all is not lost, where is it cause I certainly can’t find it.
   
   
6. It’s easier to get older than to get wiser.
   
   
7. Some days you’re the dog; some days you’re the tree, or as our cards says sometimes the mouse wins.
   
   
8. It’s hard to make a comeback when you’ve never been anywhere.
   
   
9. The only time the world beats a path to your door is when you’re in the bathroom.
   
   
10. If God wanted me to touch me toes He would have put them closer to my knees.
    
    
11. When I’m finally holding all the cards, everybody decides to play chess.
    
    
12. These days I spend a lot of time thinking about the hereafter...I go somewhere to get something and then I wonder what am I here after? Boy does that one sound familiar.

Have you ever heard the senility prayer? God grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway. The good fortune to run into the ones that I do, and the eyesight to tell the difference.

A lot of this stuff is negative so we who are depressed can really relate to it. Now, all fun aside let’s get to the depressing part.

What is depression and where does it come from? The root word depress means to cause to sink to a lower position-to lessen the activity or strength of-sadden-discourage. Now these are pretty accurate descriptions don’t you think? Did you notice someone or something has to cause the depression? I Peter 5:8 "Be sober, be vigilant: because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:" The one who causes depression is our adversary the devil. Of course if we happen to be a negative thinker we add fuel to that fire.

The meaning of depression that mostly deals with human involvement is a state of feeling sad or dejection (thrown down). All of us have felt that way at one time or another. We can go through a period of depression when we lose a loved one, have a financial loss or our dreams are destroyed. With God’s help and prayer we slowly go through the grief process and become stronger in the Lord. I Peter 1:7 "Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ."

Another meaning of depression that deals with individuals is more complicated, and unless you have been through this form of depression it’s a major mystery, that you may feel, doesn’t exist except in reprobate heathen or ungodly Christians. This form of depression is brought on by a chemical imbalance in the brain. This is marked by great sadness that can be seen in the face and in your bodily movements. There is a marked inactivity, difficulty in thinking or concentrating plus the feelings of dejection. There’s a reduction in vitality along with crying spells for no apparent reason other than you is sad. A chemical imbalance in the brain can cause a person to act or do things they would not normally do. They can withdraw from society and become a hermit or they can become a schizophrenic or worse if not properly treated. This form of depression can come from unresolved problems or prolonged emotions controlling the body aggravated by negative thinking. There can also be a chemical imbalance in the brain from hormonal changes or a great shock to the body.  This imbalance is where the brain becomes depleted of the necessary serotonin and norepinephine that is needed to keep it functioning properly.

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