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(from DepressedandCatholic)
How many Saints thanked God for their illnesses, trials, and mental and spiritual anguish? Lots. One of those Saints was Elizabeth Seton. Towards the end of her life she was quite open about the fact that her history of irrational self-demeaning thoughts and fears, part of her depressive tendencies, were part of her cross. “I have indeed been a sufferer, partly from the strong impressions of the mind which I could not efface, and also from causes sufficiently real.”
St. Elizabeth Seton’s coping strategy for all her sufferings including her tormented mind was to constantly work towards turning her attention to the Savior. “My heart is lifted, feels its treasure…God is with me and what can I fear?”
Can we embrace our cross of depression? Can we use it as a means to develop the virtues of perseverance, patience, and compassion for ourselves, and others rather than beat ourselves up every time we fail to subdue the relentless sadness, negativity, or self-conscious paranoia about how our symptoms sometimes drive people away? By the way, that is called “depressed about being depressed,” or “double depression.”
Imagine being able to say like St. Elizabeth (as well as St. Josephine Bakhita, Jane Frances de Chantal, and Augustine of Hippo), “Blessed a thousand, thousand times be the One who governs all, and will bring light out of darkness.”
Let’s follow the Saints’ attitude toward mental and spiritual anguish as well as sufferings “sufficiently real.” Let us practice patiently the discipline of focusing our attention on the Redeemer rather than our suffering so that we can also say, “I was not only willing to take up my cross but kissed it too.” Quotes by St. Elizabeth Seton are from 15 Days of Prayer with Saint Elizabeth Seton by Betty Ann McNeil, DC. Chapter 11. Picture of All Saints is public domain due to age. Found on Wikimedia Commons.
Blessings to all readers!
The title of this article is what caught my attention, as it should have. Thanking God for depression? Would that mean putting asside hopes for recovery? There are so many dimensions to depression this illness. While reading this article, I was especially struck by the term “double depression” because of an article I just read finished reading. The article was about PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). A point was made that I had never heard about and would not have considered on my own. Persons who suffer with depression for extended periods of time or who experience suicidal feelings at some point in their lives, will oftentimes develop symptoms of PTSD. It makes perfect sense. With this knowledge, there is another avenue of helpful resources one might explore for help. For those of us dealing with (or have experienced) depression, it may be beneficial to look through info about PTSD. The very experience of living with ongoing depression is, rightfully so, traumatic and can carry the similar marks of a PTSD diagnosis, opening up another window in seeking healing. Trust in the Lord, always, and let Him lead the way!
Thank you Celeste! I haven’t seen that article and would be glad if you send it to me. Also, and this is for everyone. I welcome written and blog sites to review on other topics than depression. I’ll review them and if they seem helpful, supportive, and not in the business of selling I’ll put them in the helpful links tab. PTSD, anxiety, OCD, ADHD, and spiritual sites are lacking here. Obviously I’d have to be careful or the tab will be overwhelmed! Thanks again Celeste, for your comment.
And yes, the Saints accepted treatment. Hmmmm, that would be a good post. Will work on it.