I'm feeling much better this morning. Living Room always does that for me. It's healing.
Yesterday we talked about being in the company of Jesus and what that means. Is being in company with Jesus enough? Or do we need people around us to show us Jesus' love in order to truly feel it? I'm not sure I got across what I really wanted to. Don't know how the session went down with people.
When I asked for hands to see where people were moodwise, about half put up their hands for feeling down. I just hope that our discussion helped somehow. I hope it didn't hinder.
One thing I tried to bring out was that what we need is not just the receiving of love. Just as much we need to give love - to share God's love with others. In that giving we receive as well. We are blessed when we give. Did I get that across? I hope so.
When we live with love and compassion in our hearts, God is in that. We are then walking with God. We are in the company of Jesus. I do believe Jesus was with us yesterday, sitting at the table with us, in company with us, helping us with our discussion.
There are so many ways to cope with depression. But although showing our love to each other must be one of the greatest, I seldom see that in lists of coping skills. Why not?
In the sharing time we had the opportunity to share God's love with each other - to listen to each other with compassion - to show we cared. This is what filled me with the peace I went home with. It's this that helped me wake up feeling better today. I feel blessed. I feel God was with us.
I hope the others went home feeling similarly blessed.
About Me
- marja
- As a person with bipolar disorder and a faith in Jesus Christ, I write about mental health issues, esp encouraging a more understanding view by the Christian church. In an effort to help my church give support to people with mood disorders, I started a support group called "Living Room." Now groups are starting up elsewhere. I'm in my mid-sixties and feel I have a lot to share - the fruits of a "long" life - and I love doing that.
A Firm Place to Stand
Riding the Roller Coaster
Riding the Roller Coaster
Marja Bergen
5 comments:
I think it is important to respect everyone's differing place in their path to their own spirituality (whether as a Christian or as a Naturalist, as you have lived and then explained in your latest book).
Aside from that, this quote really resonated with me:
"When you forgive,
You Love.
And when you love,
God's light shines on you."
Hi anonymous,
Thank you for visiting and for your thoughts. Actually, I'm not sure whether you're criticizing me or agreeing with me. But yes, we must respect, love, and accept everyone, no matter where they are on the road.
The quote is beautiful, but I would add that when you love, God's light also shines "within" you. It surrounds you, doesn't it?
PS: What I'm trying to say is, God's light shines within you and pours out of you. When we love, God is within us.
The quote at the top of your post said "Is being in company with Jesus enough? Or do we need people around us to show us Jesus' love in order to truly feel it?"
I think that having people around us helps, but there are people who lock themselves away from people, or who are in places being held captive where there are no other people. I believe that they can feel the love of Jesus just as much as the rest of us can.
I am really encouraged by The Living Room, and would LOVE to attend one of your meetings. I think it would be great! And, I to think that Jesus was sitting right there with you guys last night!!
You're right PJ. When we're in isolated situations we should be able to feel Jesus' presence. That probably should be enough. There was one lady at our meeting who did not have people around her to go to when she was depressed. She learned to pray for long periods and that became enough for her.
Myself, I do feel God close during my quiet times in the morning. Yet I also very quickly feel a need to share with friends by phone or email or on my blog. I have a great need to reach out. I would suffer so much without access to people and don't think I have the gift to pray long prayers - just me and Him. Perhaps, if forced to because of isolation, I could also develop such a gift. I just hope that never becomes necessary for me. I love having friends nearby - in good times and in bad times.
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