Learning from Depression

In this post from Lou Tice at the Winners Circle, he talks about how we can learn from situations we find ourselves in, even pretty dire ones such as a depression. And if we can learn from something as bleak as a depression, maybe we really can learn from everything.

Everything in life can be used to learn and grow from, even so-called negative things like depression. Now, no one seeks out painful experiences just because they want to be a better person, but the fact is that even difficult times have a bright side that can be used to our future benefit.

Depression is one example. I will bet that each of you knows of someone who has been through some form of depression. As Dr. David Viscott points out in his book, “Emotionally Free,” depression can be a clear sign that you can’t afford to ignore the yearnings of your heart any longer. You wouldn’t be depressed unless something is going on that is very important to you – usually a loss of some kind – so even though you may not like it, you have a special opportunity telling you to pay attention and make some changes.

If you’re feeling depressed, ask yourself, “What did I lose, and how was it important?” Then ask, “What could I have done to change things?” Don’t waste time blaming yourself – just see how you may have neglected to take responsibility for your actions or feelings.

Look at how you may have allowed your feelings to build up over time. If you sold out to something that doesn’t make you happy, you need to look more closely at that and begin to imagine exactly what your life would look like if you felt really fulfilled.

You see, if you can look at your depression as a time of mental housecleaning, and if you can remember the strengths that have pulled you through tough times in the past, you may emerge better equipped to create a good life for yourself and to value it more.

Lou Tice
The Pacific Institute

I think Lou is right in this, and we can learn from any situation, however negative it might be — even a severe depression. I have, in my life, suffered from just such a severe depressive illness. It isn’t something I want to experience again. And I certainly wouldn’t want to suggest that anyone seek out such an experience for what they may learn from it. But, having said that, I do think I’m a different person for having been through it, and possibly even a better person. I think I’m better-equipped for life now than I was in my care-free youthful days. And, maybe even more importantly, I think I’m better-equipped to help others too.

In the same way that we can learn from negative experiences, I think God can, and does, use negative and even bad events that happen to further his kingdom here on earth. And just as we shouldn’t be seeking out the bad things, I don’t think God makes the bad things happen. But he does use them to teach us, and to help us to grow into the people he wants us to be — if we’ll let him.

These posts from Lou Tice at the Winners Circle usually manage to set a beneficial train of thought going for me. If you think more of them might help you too, do please consider subscribing yourself, it doesn’t cost anything.