What can cause sadness and depression? The burden of a sinful life and often unconfessed and unrepentant sins. It’s hard to walk with such a load. Because conscience, that voice of God, speaks from every man.
A younger woman turned to a well-known psychotherapist with a complaint of worry and depression. Her youth was very turbulent: a large number of lewd relationships, failed marriage, divorce … At the same time, she was brought up in a traditional, patriarchal family, in which they tried to instill (true, without success) strict moral principles. The situation is completely clear: the voice of conscience and shame because of a sinful and depraved life expose a woman, and she, not knowing how to act, falls into despair. In addition to sadness, she is tormented by fears. It seems to her that something must happen and that she will surely be punished for the sins of her youth.
And what does the doctor advise her? He comforts the patient with the words that youth should be like that – stormy and cheerful, and that she is not guilty of anything or anyone. He does not remove the problem, but only “covers it up”, ie. “he paints with paint,” lulling her conscience with his protection. It is clear that such “treatment” will give only temporary consolation. The problem, that is, the burden of past sins, remains. Even the voice of conscience cannot be completely muffled. And indeed, the depression caused by the shame of sins can be overcome only by repentance and purification at confession. If a person sincerely repents, confessed sin becomes just an ugly dream. It is very useful if we receive some penance from the priest and, of course, if we start on the path of correction and the fight against sin. It is said that sin has been confessed, but its destructive consequences remain. It is, of course, possible to stifle the conscience as a spring that was covered with stones and filled with concrete, but sooner or later it will still come to the surface.
To summarize our topic. The struggle with sorrow is waged with the help of establishing faith in God and hope in Him. We need to learn to notice His countless good deeds in our lives and to be grateful for them. Fighting that passion is a constant effort. And that is our personal. Because “saving the drowning is the work of their own hands.” Sadness and depression are a weakness of the will, and only a person can bring it up. God does not save us without ourselves. He sends us help and tools, and we need to use them. By the way, there is an instructive story on that topic, also for a drowning man.
A man’s house was in the flood zone. And behold, the water is coming higher and higher, and the drowning man is moving to the attic. However, he believes that God will save him. People pass by in boats and shout at him: “Jump in with us, we will save you!”, And he resolutely answers them: “No, God will save me!”. During that time, the water level is getting higher … The man has already moved to the roof. He also misses a raft, but again he misses the opportunity to be saved, thinking that God will deliver him. The unfortunate man, now standing in the water to his throat, sees a large board floating, but he also misses it, thinking that God will help him in a miraculous way. And in the end, man dies, and his soul comes to God for the truth. “Lord, why did You not deliver me from trouble, when I believed so persistently and prayed so fervently to You!” And God answered him, “Three times I sent you the means of salvation, and all three times you refused my help.”
The passions of sadness and despondency, although close and related, are not one and the same.
Here is how St. Ignatius (Brianchaninov) defines and exposes the sin of sorrow: “It is resentment, sorrow, loss of hope in God, doubt in God’s promises, ingratitude to God for everything that happens, discouragement, intolerance, absence of self-reproach, sorrow for one’s neighbor, grumbling , a renunciation of the feat of a very difficult Christian life and a hidden intention to descend from its scene. ” Deviation from the burden of the cross – struggles with passions and sin.
And here are some characteristic features of depression: “Laziness for every good deed, especially for prayer. Ignoring the church prayer rule. Losing consciousness of God. Abandoning continuous prayer and soul-beneficial reading. Carelessness and haste in prayer. Negligence. Lack of awe. Idleness.
Excessive soothing of the flesh with sleep, lounging and care of all kinds. Seeking salvation without sacrifice. Moving from place to place in order to avoid difficulties and sacrifices. Frequent walks and visits by friends. Nonsense. Blasphemous statements. Neglect of prostrations and other bodily feats. Forgetting your sins. Forgetting Christ’s commandments. Neglect. Losing the fear of God. Rage. Insensitivity. Despair.
Taken from the book: “Orthodox asceticism for the laity”