VICTORY OVER DEPRESSION, BOOK SAMPLE

PREFACE
I think many authors will tell you that writing content is not their greatest problem, it’s organizing their content so that it flows and has some logical progression or stream of thought. When I am ready to move on to a new chapter, God’s love and forgiveness often deserves, or demands, another mention. The thought that God loves us, and any content that helps us understand this, is relevant all the time, every moment. This is because we are never far from needing it. We are never far from failure either in action, mood, or understanding. It is His love, forgiveness, and faithfulness that is central to everything we discuss and it is the foundation for anything we hope to overcome or become.

I am not able to keep God’s love contained in a single chapter. Your depression is not lifted because in Chapter Two I tell you that God loves you. You are transformed as you begin to understand all the ways God cares and provides for you. It is His overwhelming love and dedication to us that gives us hope when we find ourselves in all matter of difficulty.
Have others been dismissive? Are you out there by yourself? Perhaps you realize eating isn’t the answer and moping around doesn’t help. Have you lost hope and are you resigned to simply trying to make it from day to day? Is it getting harder and harder to do? Does this seem like a cruel fate?

There is hope for your feelings of abandonment and hopelessness because God’s love cannot be contained, it goes everywhere, even where you are at the moment.

It is also true that people get stuck, frustrated and depressed for many different reasons. We are complicated and have many different, and often wrong, thoughts racing through our heads and influencing our hearts. I may say something a few different times, and in slightly different ways, because people get stuck for a variety of different reasons and everyone learns differently. Some examples or illustrations are meaningful to one individual and not to another. (Usually, I am adding a perspective or an observation and am building on what I have already stated.) I try to find and approach a specific thought or difficulty that keeps an individual anchored where they are, then I give them, “Building Blocks.” to help them.

It takes a few pages to find and put down all the verses and Building Blocks God has for us. This book is, therefore, longer than I had anticipated. Read what you want and then take a break. Don’t make reading all this, “part of the problem.”

I also don’t know which Building Block(s) will be particularly meaningful to you, so I don’t know in exactly what order they should be presented. The Building Block(s) that works for you may be at the beginning or it may be toward the end.

My hope and prayers are that some or all of these “Building Blocks” will take you deeper as you probe all God has for you. And if I repeat myself and tell you again how much God loves you, it is because Gods’ love deserves and demands it.

INTRODUCTION
A brief examination of the book’s title will tell you a great deal about what’s inside. (I guess that is the way it is supposed to work.) The simple fact is this: We are depressed because we are born into the “human condition.” In this book I explain this condition and the remedy. Abandonment and loneliness are replaced by friendship; hopelessness is replaced by hope and meaning; and depression is eased with love and confident expectation. All these can be yours as you grow closer to God, gain wisdom, and walk in a fashion that brings these wonderful facts and feelings your way.

I believe that most of us are hesitant to step out and get the help we need, especially if we are depressed and poorly motivated. Guys tend to “power through” or “hit the gym” when there is a problem. A good bike ride, or game of tennis may help relieve the tension. I know that when I am frustrated I tend to hit the softball a little farther. I have decided that golf does not relieve tension for me, it creates it! (Word to the wise.) Of course, gals also suffer from mistreatment, misunderstanding, disappointment, tension, and depression. They have ways of coping and some of those adaptations are similar and some are a bit different.

Releasing tension somehow or hanging-in-there is not the same as solving the problem. Ask yourself: Have you lost touch with your faith? Do your friends seem distant? Are you depressed? Is your job not filling that void the way it used to? If that twinge of concern is now feeling more like an overwhelming hopelessness, then this book is for you.

I looked on the internet and found this advice.

1. When you’re feeling depressed:
   • Embrace the magical powers of tea.
   • Remember to take a break.
   • Put on your emergency tiara in times of stress.
   • Surround yourself with inspiring things.
   • Write down all the reasons it was worth getting out of bed
   and look back at these lists.
2. Here are some positive ways to deal with sad feelings:
   • Bounce back from disappointments or failures.
   • When things don’t go your way, don’t give up.
   • Think positive.
   • Think of solutions.
   • Put yourself in a good mood.
   • Go on a solo date.
   • Watch a movie.
   • Volunteer.
   • Adopt a cute pet.
   • Read fiction.
3. What you can do to cheer up:
   • Have a warm drink. It turns out the British might be onto something.
   • Cuddle with an animal.
   • Look at positive quotes.
   • Call someone you love.
   • Watch a Disney movie.
   • Go outside.
   • Get creative.
   • Take a hot shower or bath.
4. 
   I included these suggestions to show you that many folks don’t have any idea what is at the center of your anxiety, anger, frustration, and depression. They have no clue how to help you. The answer to your struggle is straightforward and it has nothing to do with tea, cute pets, or Disney movies.
   Your mental, spiritual, and emotional health are important. We will work on your perspective and help you keep your balance. The great news is that the stuff we need to discover and understand is just “basic stuff”. Not especially complicated or difficult to find.