I am reading Linclon's Melalncholy: How Depression Challenged a President and Fueled His Greatness, by Joshua Wolf Shenk. Lincoln's depression was well-documented in his lifetime, and he had at least one, possibly two nervous breakdowns before he became President of the United States. Historians tiptoe around these facts, or ignore them completely. Historians go through phases in which it is trendy to view history through one kind of lens, and years later different historians may use another lens to view the same history. Throughout most of the 20th century, historians were prone to view "just the facts" while not attempting to interpret much beyond what could be verified, or ingoring what was not pertinent to the historical record. So, often, Lincoln's depression was viewed as irrelevant, with the result that those of us who were educated in the 20th century don't know a whole lot about Lincoln's "melancholy."
There is no way to know for sure if Lincoln was clinically depressed, but he did experience on-going depressive moods which began in his adult years and lasted all his life. There were times when he just had "the blues," and there were times when he would spend hours or days in despair, not able to function until the spell had passed. And there was at least once when he and others feared for his life when he had a nervous breakdown and was of a mind to harm himself.
These days derpession is often viewed as an illness or defect. When someone is "sick" with depression, they need treatment -- through therapy or medication. For those who suffer severe, ongoing, clinical depression, I am thankful when they are able to find relief through therapy or medication so that they can function and live their lives.
Many of us are not clinically depressed, but we do experience depression, or melancholy, from time to time. Lincoln did not view his depression as an illness or a defect, but accepted it as part of his personality. His goal was to see it as it was, and allow it to be a source of strength in his life. It is possible that the skills he used to work through his own stormy emotions gave him the patience, strength, wisdom, and tenacity to face the larger issues of his day, such as war and slavery. Studies in the late 20th century show that those who experience depressive moods from time to time are more likely to have realistic views of themselves, their abilities, and the people around them than those who are not prone to "melancholy."
Again, I am not talking about those who suffer from clinical depression and who find relief through treatment. I am addressing those of us out there who have personalities that are prone to experience melancholoy from time to time. There is nothing wrong with you. Each one of us must come to terms with who and what God created us to be, and with each person, each personality type, there comes certain strenghts and weaknesses. I encourage you to embrace both and learn to accept the reality of who you are. Lincoln's depression gave him the skills he needed to lead the nation through its darkest time. You are also equipped in special ways.
Scripture is filled with a wide variety of people and personality types. We know that Moses, Samuel, David, Elijah, and others went through blue periods, as did Peter, and Paul. It would be a stretch to say with certainty that they experienced depression, because we just don't know, but scripture does detail many an emotional struggle - powerful emotions. Just read the Psalms. Better yet, read the book that bears the name of my good friend Jeremiah. Yowza! These people were not deficient, or lacking, or abnormal. They were just people, like you and me. So, if nothing else, draw strength and comfort from the reality that you are not alone, and that God completely understands how you feel. And remember that your pastor loves you, and I am ready to listen whenever you feel like you are ready to talk.
There is no way to know for sure if Lincoln was clinically depressed, but he did experience on-going depressive moods which began in his adult years and lasted all his life. There were times when he just had "the blues," and there were times when he would spend hours or days in despair, not able to function until the spell had passed. And there was at least once when he and others feared for his life when he had a nervous breakdown and was of a mind to harm himself.
These days derpession is often viewed as an illness or defect. When someone is "sick" with depression, they need treatment -- through therapy or medication. For those who suffer severe, ongoing, clinical depression, I am thankful when they are able to find relief through therapy or medication so that they can function and live their lives.
Many of us are not clinically depressed, but we do experience depression, or melancholy, from time to time. Lincoln did not view his depression as an illness or a defect, but accepted it as part of his personality. His goal was to see it as it was, and allow it to be a source of strength in his life. It is possible that the skills he used to work through his own stormy emotions gave him the patience, strength, wisdom, and tenacity to face the larger issues of his day, such as war and slavery. Studies in the late 20th century show that those who experience depressive moods from time to time are more likely to have realistic views of themselves, their abilities, and the people around them than those who are not prone to "melancholy."
Again, I am not talking about those who suffer from clinical depression and who find relief through treatment. I am addressing those of us out there who have personalities that are prone to experience melancholoy from time to time. There is nothing wrong with you. Each one of us must come to terms with who and what God created us to be, and with each person, each personality type, there comes certain strenghts and weaknesses. I encourage you to embrace both and learn to accept the reality of who you are. Lincoln's depression gave him the skills he needed to lead the nation through its darkest time. You are also equipped in special ways.
Scripture is filled with a wide variety of people and personality types. We know that Moses, Samuel, David, Elijah, and others went through blue periods, as did Peter, and Paul. It would be a stretch to say with certainty that they experienced depression, because we just don't know, but scripture does detail many an emotional struggle - powerful emotions. Just read the Psalms. Better yet, read the book that bears the name of my good friend Jeremiah. Yowza! These people were not deficient, or lacking, or abnormal. They were just people, like you and me. So, if nothing else, draw strength and comfort from the reality that you are not alone, and that God completely understands how you feel. And remember that your pastor loves you, and I am ready to listen whenever you feel like you are ready to talk.
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