185 Coping with Sadness and Depression
185 Coping with Sadness and Depression
What does the Atonement of Jesus Christ mean to you?
In a very real and intimate way the Lord knows you and
understands you perfectly, because he lived all of your sadnesses, sicknesses,
and trials in an infinite and eternal atonement.
Jesus Christ Will Carry Our Grief and Pain
Our Heavenly Father loves each of us so much. He wanted us
to experience the joy of having a mortal body and of personal growth; but, He
also understood that we would deal with sadness, discouragement, disappointment,
and depression at times. He sent His Son for that very reason; not just so that
we can repent of our sins and one day return to Heaven, so that we could
receive Heaven’s help constantly, because Jesus was willing to suffer for us
and more especially with us.
Elder Holland:
Maybe it’s hard for you to believe that Jesus would be
interested in helping you as only one among millions who are the same age. If
you ever think He has better things to do than strengthen you in your times of
need, think of Him in that garden, think of Him on that cross. “He suffered, he
bled and died” for you because He knew that you were worth it. He still knows
that. He is extremely interested, willing, and able to
help you—right now and forever. He gave His life
so He can strengthen you as you accept His life-changing invitation: “Come unto
me” (Matthew
11:28).
Matthew
11:28–30 28 ¶ Come unto me, all ye that labour and
are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of
me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall
find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my
burden is light.
Alma 7: 11-13: 11 And he shall go forth,
suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every
kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take
upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
12 And he will take upon him death, that he
may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take
upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according
to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his
people according to their infirmities.
13 Now the Spirit knoweth all things;
nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he
might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out
their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold,
this is the testimony which is in me.
Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will help us endure
feelings of sadness and depression. The Holy Ghost can help us feel Their love,
peace, and support.
How many of you have gone hiking, and/or backpacking? Did
you enjoy it? Have you ever seen someone with a backpack load that was too much
for him? How could that hurt him or slow him and maybe the group down? How
could it be a blessing to him, or even to the group?
What are some emotional backpacks that we carry?
There are some emotions or feelings that sometimes feel way
to heavy for us to carry alone. But if we have had some seasons of heavy
emotions, we become so much more sensitive to others who are struggling and
their needs.
Since Jesus felt all of it for us, we are of supreme interest to Him, and He is
super sensitive to our needs and willing to help us. If we pray to the Father
in His name and ask for help, He will help to carry our load. Even when we
cannot form the words or the thoughts, even we turn our hearts to Him and speak
His name, He will be there to help us.
Feelings of overwhelm can even turn into frustration and
depression. What kinds of things do you do when you feel overwhelmed with the
tasks that you have to do, but don’t know where to start or how to start?
How can Jesus help us when we feel overwhelmed or depressed?
What has the Spirit helped you to do during times of overwhelm or sadness?
Isaiah
53:3–5 3 He is despised and rejected of men; a
man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces
from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4 ¶ Surely he hath borne our griefs,
and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and
afflicted.
5 But he was wounded for
our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities:
the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we
are healed.
Alma
7:11–12 11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of
every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take
upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
12 And he will take upon him death, that he
may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take
upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according
to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his
people according to their infirmities.
President Nelson: I plead with you to come unto [Jesus
Christ] so that He can heal you! … He will heal you from sadness
and fear. He will heal you from the wounds of this world.
Whatever questions or problems you have, the answer is
always found in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Learn more about His
Atonement, His love, His mercy, His doctrine, and His restored gospel of
healing and progression. Turn to Him! Follow Him!
video “Mental
Health: Compassion for Those Who Struggle: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2018-10-0400-mental-health-compassion-for-those-who-struggle?%5D=&lang=eng
Elder Soares:
The Savior can, better than anyone else, heal the effects of
any challenging circumstances of mortality. On certain occasions, we may not be
immediately healed physically from our pain or sickness, but we can be
spiritually healed as we receive strength, understanding, and patience to bear
the burdens placed upon us. So as we turn our heart to our Savior, He will work
wonders in our lives.
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