Let's Talk: Depression

6 Feb 2018, this is the day I shared on a topic for my Sociology class that is really close to my heart,
Let's Talk: Depression.

A lot of people who I know ARE having depression right now, and so did I! Every now and then it turns on and off and never leaves me alone. Well, some of the days they do, but mostly, it doesn't.

Depression somehow became a very sensitive topic to talk about in the society. The moment we hear the word it feels like there's this dark side of it that you don't want to go into, a negative aura following it wherever it goes. And that is what people face no matter what age group you are in.

Countless stars face depression like Chester Bennington, Marilyn Monroe, Kristen Bell, Lady Gaga, Demi Lovato, Cara Delevigne and the most unexpected Dwayne Johnson.
Countless news about depression keep on surfacing and you will be surprised with how many people in your life could actually be going through depression at this very moment.


As we grow older, our priorities change. The things that occupy us, the things that concerns us, it all changes throughout our lives. Stress and anxieties that you have from work, studies, debts, loans, money, body, fear and fame. The fear of being judged, the fear of being made fun of, the fear of being seen as weak. Divorce or failed relationships and marriages and death of a loved one.

Depression creeps on you quietly. People ask you how you are and you say you are fine but you are not.

They'll know they'll never know...

Fear comes in maybe you have doubt in your life, maybe you don't know for sure what's going to be happening in the future and it scares you, a lot. So you sort of put on this mask and say, "I'm fine".
You go home and lay on your bed and no one is looking at you, and you don't have to impress anyone. Because if they don't like you then who will? If they don't accept you then who will? Then you feel all alone. And somehow at some point of time you feel tired. And that is when you decide to end your life, cause when you end life, you end pain.

When you are about to end your life, you ask yourself,
"Is there any hope?"

Then there's this spark, slowly lighten up, and it gradually becomes bigger the moment you start to believe again. So you decide to take that spark. You reach out to take that spark with much hesitation, cause you think that if you take it you will have to face life again.

Then there's this assurance, a calm voice telling you, "It's ok, I've got your back. Have faith and take it".

You believe in that voice. And so you take that one step of faith and everything changes.

In life you might not find any hope or anyone to lean on. But there is this divine being that will never change no matter what you do, and that is Jesus.

He is the Only One that can fill the void,
He is the Only One that listens anytime you need someone to talk to,
He is the Only One that can save you.

"I am The Way, The Truth and The Life. No one comes to The Father except through me." ~ John 14:6

I don't care what you think of me after sharing this cause I just want you to know, Jesus is there for you always. Give Jesus a chance to prove His capability.

WORSHIP

A new day, a new beginning, a new chapter of your life! An encouragement for all:

I really thank God for my life and for all the lives that has been brought back to God! It's time for us to use our lives as a worship and offering to God.

Many of us tend to think that worship is singing to God, praising Him for all His goodness. However, worship is more to that. Singing to God and praising Him is only a part of worship!

The meaning of worship is a living sacrifice. What is this living sacrifice? Well... it's YOU! You yourself, you are a worship to God! Anything that you do, it is a worship to God. It gives glory and honor to Him and His kingdom.

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We as Christians should do things that will glorify Him. And how do we do that? In anything that you do, ask yourself this question:

~ "Will God be pleased with my actions?"

~ "Will God be happy about my decision?"

~ "If I do this, what will it bring to the kingdom of God?"

~ "Will God do this?" or

~ "Will God do that?"

We as His disciples should understand the truth and the Word of God. Here's a reference from John 4:21-24
“Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

We worship Jesus because He saved us from our doom. We worship Him because He gave us life. We worship Him because He loves us as His own.

God is spirit, you can't see Him, you can't touch Him, you can't smell Him, but you can feel Him. Just like an energy, you can't see, touch or smell it. You can feel and even know that the energy is present because you know that particular energy well. 

So? What's next?

Get closer to God! If you ask, "How do you feel God?" "How do you know that He is there?" "How do you recognize His voice?", it means that you are not close enough to Him! It means that you are not talking to Him. A child can only recognize his father's voice when the child spends time with his father.

To go deeper in worship, you have to know God well, your relationship with God has to be close.

"Abide in Me and I will abide in you."

Cheers and God bless!

Relationships: My Way or His Way?

Are you having a hard time in your relationship? Have you been in and out of relationship? Are you being "played" for in your relationships?

         A lot of people are facing   SERIOUS  problems in their relationships. Be it due to the different culture, different opinion and many more. Sometimes, even the differences in religious views affect their relationships.

WELL AS A TEEN, I FACED THE SAME THING TOO! 

Curiosity kills the cat, I've been in and out of relationships. But because of an internal feeling that overwhelms me, because of the desire to feel whether "true love" really exist in the physical world or not filled me, I "explored". And because of this, I just accepted whoever that asked me out. Well, as a Christian, I knew that it was wrong of me to be like that. But, I've always ENVIED those whose relationships seem to be "perfect". Because since young, I lived in a single mother family.

Right after I was caught by some of my church leaders that I am in a relationship that REALLY displeases God, I was forced to break up with that guy, which was and is actually a good thing. And because of this, I was being counselled and I was told NOT to go closer to guys, even those in the church.

So there are actually a few questions that I have in mind at first. And praise God, He answered me through one of the leaders in the church.

IS IT WRONG FOR A CHRISTIAN TO DATE SOMEONE OF ANOTHER RELIGION?

"14 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?…" - 2 Corinthians 6:14-15

Meaning:  Don't team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness?

So here, it clearly states that it is actually wrong for us as Christians to be with the unbelievers. If you don't know why, here are some reasons:

1. Different religions have different view on things
2. Different religions set their priorities differently
3. We might be misled by other religions

There are actually more reasons, but the ultimate reason is because it is  NOT OF GOD.


You might disagree with me on this but this is based also on my personal experience. In my opinion, a true relationship is a relationship brought together by God. It might come sooner or later, but eventually, God will put two people together either in a same ministry or in the same leadership. I've heard stories of how God put couples together even though they have totally opposite interests or hobbies or even ministry.

Conclusion:

My way: Doing things that seems fit to me (myself)

His way: His = God's; Doing things in God's way

Don't worry about being single. Don't worry about not having a boyfriend or not being married for a long time.

For the youngsters, you might say "This is just an experiment", "This is so that I am more experienced so that I can deal with any heartbreaks or breakups."

DON'T BE!

You are only hurting yourself and making yourself more and more like a rock, a rock with no emotions. This also goes to the working adults or those older than me. Just uphold your life unto God. Pray and ask God to strengthen you and help you go through this life together with you. The Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.

I hope this helps you. If you have any questions, leave your questions down at the comment section or tweet me. God bless!