Happy or Sad?

Do any of you have to deal with recurring depression?  I know I do.  I'm not talking about the kind that requires lots of counselling and doctor prescribed medication (clinical depression) although, I have had counselling and have taken medication from time to time.  I'm talking about a mental and emotional pull towards sadness.  A hundred years ago it was called "melancholy".  Some of the greatest Christian thinkers and pastors had ... melancholia.  They, like us, just had to deal with it.

I've done a little study on this and have heard (and I somewhat believe) that some depression is genetic ...that genetics has a significant role in our "happiness quotient".  Pshchologists say that maybe 40% of our sense of happiness or sadness is determined by our gene pool.  These same experts also say that the remaining 60% has much to do with our own determination and understanding.

My father, my deceased brother, myself and one of my daughters all struggle (stryggled) with depression but I don't consider myself sad or depressed and it is mainly because I work on it ...I fight it.  I usually get through the rough spots in a day or two.

One of the greatest exercises I do on a regular basis ...2 or 3 times a year is to read through the book of Ecclesiastes ...non-stop in one sitting.  To take bits and pieces from this strange book is counter-productive to combating dark feelings and sadness but to read it straight through is one of the most encouraging things I've learned to do. 

Here's what I'd like those of you who are relating to this post to do.  Next time you are having feelings of "woe is me" or "I wish I had" or "if only ..." read Ecclesiastes ...all of it.  Write down what Solomon said was the greatest source of inner peace and joy.  It's better than Zanax.  Try it.

Other may want to watch "Happy" on NETFLIX.  Watching or reading something that is not necessarily based on God's Word contains both truth and error.  I liken learning from these sources to eating fish.  I love fish but I spit out the bones.  Happy has a few bones in it but it has a lot of meat too.  It will definitely get the mental juices flowing.