What do you guys do to cope?

[fearGod102501]

Just curious....

 

[Brightmoon]

I dance , read fiction and non fiction as , paint , draw, create other stuff, learn new science stuff . I’m currently trying to learn basic naked eye astronomy . Do yoga and tai chi . Of course,not all at once

 

[archer75]

Silent prayer, verbal prayer, thought-stopping, music.

 

[com7fy8]

Hi God bless you, howsoever He now pleases I am Bill, pleased and honored to meet you

Now . . . what does Jesus want us to share?

We have various very kind and compassionate people here in Christian Forums; welcome to Christian Forums

But a number of these caring people might not read in this section, but you could meet them in our "Christian Advice" place. So, you might share something of your experience in "Christian Advice" and see what people there say to help you. Plus, they will be praying for you.

And already you now have people here praying for you.

So, how do I cope with depression and crazy thinking and stinking stuff which comes and does not ask permission to mess with me?

Now I be quiet and trust God to correct me however I need, that He knows, and please make that nasty stuff go away . . . or at least not to have power to effect me. Instead, please have me obeying how You rule us in Your peace.

And in the case of people I imagine and have a problem, I do well to trust God to make me caring and kind to the person in my imagination and pray His blessing to the person. As I get more into loving problem people, I am stronger in God's love which keeps stuff from messing with me.

But I need to keep at it, because my character still can make me available to immoral and uncompassionate and defensive stuff. And I consider the wrong stuff to be Satan and his nasty spirit attacking and violating me. And only God is able to handle this. So, I trust Him accordingly, as the One who is able and there is no one and nothing else, including myself, which can really clear and change me and have me loving, instead.

So, I don't waste any time guilt-tripping and criticizing myself, or staying fooled by the imagination characters. And I don't waste time with excuses; because God alone is able.

But yes God does use people and things to help us. Trust Him without limits But as we do better, the ones who are supposed to help us can become the ones we love and reach to. And then we become able to feel for others who are troubled. And the strength of this loving makes us strong against the things which would mess with us.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

Some number of years ago, I found out that various deficiencies lead to various problems, problems that I did not want to have nor even to think about,
so I started taking various supplements to prevent the deficiencies, and was delightfully surprised at the changes in my mood or attitude that occurred without even realizing it! (others (co-workers) pointed out that I was significantly and obviously happier, and wanted to know why.... when I found out why, a couple months later, I told them) .

 

[Brightmoon]

Eating healthy also does helps your tiredness and your mood. Lot of veggies and fruits. Stay away from red meat for a little while and see if your mood changes too

 

[Rescued One]

I started trying to cope when my parents divorced; I was nine. What I learned over the years (even the worst ones) was that I'd never make it without God. God isn't my crutch; He's my loving Friend. The first thing I do is pray, pray, pray.

During the most stressful times, I read the Psalms. David experienced some of the feelings we do at times. Lies from relatives in the past were that I wasn't good enough. I was never able to reach the bar!

If we go through life and meet God, we start living for Him. The lies come from our accuser (Nasty ol' Satan). He was just using my relatives. But God wins and I'm glad to be on His side.

 

[Jeshu]

i filter my depressive thoughts through God's word and i listen to God's word being sung to me 24/7 to help me stay in His truth and not fall for the lies of my depression. This has proven to be essential for my survival.

 

[Tempura]

I love music, so that's a great help for me. Some people use happier music against negative feelings, but I do the opposite. I guess it lets me "wallow" in it, in a good way. Beautiful, melancholic, a bit hopeful music always works for me.

Sometimes I read about other people's experiences and struggles, or even talk about such things with them. And sometimes it's good to be around "normal people", meaning that I get out of my dungeon and see how life goes on outside. A little perspective, perhaps hope too.

I'm a lazy bum, but whenever I exercise, or manage to go for even just a walk, that helps.

Loving and comforting Bible verses are always good, as well as spending some time in prayer.

Many loving brothers and sisters here have been a big help, they've lent me their ears.

The cycles and spirals of depression are so familiar to me now, that if my condition gets worse, I can focus and remember the times when I got better. I have experience of better days, I have to remind myself that they were real, and they will come again.

There's a kind of mantra I have too. Where I tell myself that I don't have to be a slave to my feelings. I must feel them, but I don't have to obey them. I try to step out of the box, so to speak, and look at the whole depression/anxiety as a machine, and see how it operates. Easier said than done, I know, but entirely possible.

 

[ItIsFinished!]

I study, sing, write, and praise God .
There are several other things that I do to cope as you have asked , but they are the three main things .
Not necessarily in that order.
Usually simultaneously.

 

[Lilyj]

I will use basic methods like- cleaning, writing, focusing/forcing myself to work on a hobby (even if my head or my heart doesn't feel like it) EXERCISE, (like dancing, hiking, a sport, or simply going outside to soak in sun.) and eating healthy food. I have a huge vitamin D deficiency and if I don't go outside for at least 20 minutes everyday, I loose myself.

Prayer is huge. If I don't feel motivated to read the Word, I will at least pray and work myself up to it. Having a community of friends or family to talk to that also have experience with depression is extremely important... because you need people to check up on you and other people that you can serve and make yourself involved with...Especially small bible study groups in your church that you can ask for support from.
.
. and reading books/quotes from C.H. Spurgeon.
.
Spurgeon had depression, and knowing that such a man existed and STILL: pursued Christ is one of the greatest things to ponder about for me.
.
Christian Podcasts/ videos that specifically target depression. It helps me think logically, and get through each slump when it suddenly sparks up. It makes me think in terms of; This is NOT me speaking, this is my brain speaking. My value and worth is NOT based on how well my brain functions. etc.
.
Also people like Tessa Violet and Dodie Clark (who are not really Christians.. but promote health and good morals) will cover depression in their vlogs and speak specifically about how they live day-to-day life and STILL remain productive and healthy while dealing with depression. Their topics are usually about how therapy helps them.
.
That's all for now

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

Doctors, licensed MDs in the USA, (or elsewhere?) ,
who used to test for pellagra, almost forgotten about everywhere today, were very helpful finding, identifying, and then changing the balance(s) in the body,
correcting imbalances naturally with food, distilled water, and food grade supplements, and if needed with drugs too. The positive results before 1950 excelled compared to the epidemic proportions across the country today, and the information available then is still available today.