Bear To Ants

     Ivanovich was visiting the Moscow Zoo for the first time and to his amazement he saw a little lamb sharing the same cage that held a big black bear.  Ivanovich expressed surprise to his guide.  The guide smiled and said, “That is peaceful coexistence.”  When Ivanovich doubtfully shook his head, the guide explained, “Of course, we have to put in a fresh lamb every morning.”
     Depression is like a big bear who gobbles up the joy of life.  Joy and depression cannot coexist.  Have you ever known of someone who was in the cage of depression, being eaten alive?  It was obvious that they were being devoured by a sense of hopelessness and fear.  Many beautiful people have become unbearable to live with after falling into the cage of depression. So the question is: how can a person get out of this cage alive? 
     First let me give you a very simple illustration.  A tiny ant has only two neuron fibers to guide its life along.  It is only slightly more complex than a white or red blood cell.  But when one ant with two neurons joins a colony of millions of ants, the neurons, according to their nature, organize, supervise, and deputize.  So when the army of ants marches across the forest, the elephants run from this fierce mobile brain. The cooperating neurons become so intelligent that the small ants climb trees, cut off leaves, form boats, ford streams, and ferry the army across. 
     As it is with tiny ants so it is with tiny neurons of the brain.  The brain cells have a tendency to organize to work together to bring about constant joy or chronic depression.  This depends upon what scouts we have sent out.  Bad memories of hurt, pain, and bitterness will come together as a relentless army.  One bad memory may not hurt, but too many of them will organize, program the brain, and become a fierce enemy marching through one’s life destroying everything that is good. 
     Who can save us from this death march? Since we have allowed the pain and bitterness to organize in our mind we also have the innate authority to stop the mad march of depression across our mind.  Dr. William J. Diehm, a clinical psychologist, has a proven method to this dilemma. 
     He says, (1) Make an album of good memories and every time your mind fixes on something depressing open it up and laugh.  Take charge.  (2) Read the Bible daily because it will lift you up emotionally and spiritually.  (3) Pray daily to your heavenly Father using positive words. You will see results.  (4) Turn depression in to joy by surrounding yourself with positive people and those who care for you.  (5) Fall in love with life and speak out loud every morning, “This is the day that the Lord has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it.”  (6) Smack your lips at a cool glass of water.  This may seem elementary but has effective results.  (7) Forgive and live for a better tomorrow.  The past hurts but the future heals.  Focus on the things that bring peace and fidelity.  For more info you can visit us at www.JoyChristianMinistries.com

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