Oftentimes those in the grip of depression fail to see any hope that can move them beyond their despair. Yet hope is the one thing that buffers depression offering substance for an otherwise dismal outlook. In Jesus of Nazareth by Pope Benedict XVI he describes the despair of Judas after his betrayal of Christ in this manner:
Now he sees only himself and his darkness; he no longer sees the light of Jesus, which can illumine and overcome the darkness. He shows us the wrong type of remorse: the type that is unable to hope, that sees only its own darkness, the type that is destructive and in no way authentic. Genuine remorse is marked by the certainty of hope born of faith in the superior power of the light that was made flesh in Jesus.
Christians in the throes of depression are often remorseful for no apparent reason succumbing to false guilt that truly brings destruction into their lives. We must seek the light of Jesus never giving up hope knowing that faith in Him is our victory. Faith is not a feeling. Faith is hope in action. Let faith, hope, and love defeat depression even as Christ defeated death.
To God Be the Glory! Amen.
Now he sees only himself and his darkness; he no longer sees the light of Jesus, which can illumine and overcome the darkness. He shows us the wrong type of remorse: the type that is unable to hope, that sees only its own darkness, the type that is destructive and in no way authentic. Genuine remorse is marked by the certainty of hope born of faith in the superior power of the light that was made flesh in Jesus.
Christians in the throes of depression are often remorseful for no apparent reason succumbing to false guilt that truly brings destruction into their lives. We must seek the light of Jesus never giving up hope knowing that faith in Him is our victory. Faith is not a feeling. Faith is hope in action. Let faith, hope, and love defeat depression even as Christ defeated death.
To God Be the Glory! Amen.
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