You may spend more time, than you would like, feeling in the dumps. You would like to have the joy of the Lord, but it seems to be a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow; it is forever illusive. The harder you try to not think about the emptiness, the deeper that melancholy grips your soul.
Alfred Adler made a significant contribution to the development of psychology. His theory, simplified, states that humanity is motivated primarily through social relationships. Some psychologists practice this philosophy today. In dealing with depression, he has this to say, “You can be cured in fourteen days [to patients afflicted with melancholia] if you follow this prescription. Try to think every day how you can please someone.” Yes, every pastor that took pastoral counseling knows that the best way to overcome depression is to get involved serving others.
The Holy Bible teaches that a believer is set free from the bondage of legalism. Legalism is the strict adherence to a set of rules in order to gain approval from God. The Word states that you are set free and gives instruction as to how you are to live that life of freedom—“For you were called to freedom, brethren, only do not call your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13).
Your life is to be one where you serve other Christians. According to Alfred Adler, this service eradicates depression., This service to others is good for your soul (from Galatians) and is good for your emotional state (from Adler’s observations).
Go out into your world and set your mind on ways to serve others. Don’t be surprised that as you serve other, then you eliminate the blues!
