Let The Hurts Go!

            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."  And comparatively, depression is like a bear that gobbles up the joy of life.  It is impossible for joy and depression to coexist.  In fact, you may know of someone who has dropped into the cage of depression and been eaten alive with fear, stress, and low self-esteem. 
            So, how can a person get out of this cage?  Let me explain something to you first that is very important.  The 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 nest of millions of ants, the neurons , according to their nature, organize, supervise, and deputize.  So, when the army ants march across the jungle, 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 the ants so it is with the neurons of the brain.  The brain cells have a tendency to organize and work together to bring about constant joy or chronic depression, depending on what scouts you have sent out.  Bad memories of hurt, pain, and unforgiveness will come together as an army. One bad memory probably won't hurt but too many bad ones will organize, program the brain, and become a fierce evil force marching through one's life destroying everything good in a person.  So, who can save us from ourselves?  Well, we ourselves, allow the sins and unforgiveness to organize into bad memories.  And we, ourselves, have the ability to stop the madness of depression from marching across our minds. 
            Dr. William J. Diehm, a clinical psychologist, has a proven method to get out of the bear cage alive. He says: (1) Make an album of good memories and every time your mind fixes on something bad open it up and laugh a lot.  (2)  Get the Word of God and read it daily because it has healing properties.  (3)  Pray daily with confidence to your Heavenly Father.  (4)  Turn depression into faith and joy by surrounding yourself with productive people.  (5)  Teach your mouth to speak positive words rather than doom and gloom.  (6)  Fall in love with life by saying daily, "This is the day that the Lord hath made and I will rejoice and be glad in it."  Get excited about the little things.  (7)  Be forgiven by giving forgiveness to others.  Sure, you may have been hurt, but don't let that stop you. Let the hurts go and the wounds will heal.  You will annihilate the pain and regain your confidence.  But most of all you will live life at its fullest.  This is peace!  For more info you can visit us at www.JoyChristianMinistries.com

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