I am excited to share with you the behavioral tendencies of depression reflecting our soul or mind through this blog. In the previous blog we shared glimpses on behavioral tendencies of depression in the physical body. I suggest you read the previous blog before you continue reading to understand better and get along with the series.
Play The Blame Game
We get too high on judgmental attitude towards everyone and everything when mentally afflicted. You raise complaints, criticisms or blame on certain people, circumstances and few of our nearest relations. Gossiping and spreading rumors are some extreme behavioral tendencies in a depressed person which probably can break some beautiful relationships, completely forgetting the good little favors, support and all the good times you had with them in the past days. Proverbs 16:28 says,
A deceitful person stirs up strife, and a slanderer can separate even close friends..
The Holy Bible
Proverbs 16:28
Such deeds further develop as egotism or resentment causing to corrode soul and spirit. Everything would have begun in a stressful or depressed mind, although we need to be conscious of the actions we involve during the distress times so as not to deceive ourselves. James 1:26 says,
If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.
The Holy Bible
Proverbs 16:28
Finally, you would find yourself hating yourself for being blameworthy and that is how the devil awaits to see. Always be reminded that the devil is a good prankster who never wants you to prosper spiritually. If you are reminded of any person whom you think has become a victim of complaints or gossip by you, I pray the Holy Spirit would encourage and strengthen you to connect with them again.
“This Message was Deleted”
Although anxiety is part of daily life in concern with money, health, job and family, Overthinking can cause anxiety disorder in teens and adults. Do you remember when you had received text message notification from that person as you avidly unlocked the chat window and you read ‘this message was deleted’ I can imagine the level of anxiety rushing inside. It may also vary with association you have with that person. Roughly I can say on a scale of 10 if you are anxious for a deleted message the level of overthinking generally you may have is above 7.
Trigger factor of overthinking may differ in each age group with the responsibilities they carry. When it comes to teenagers, social media, relationships, physical appearance and academics can be the most trigger factor for overthinking. They get obsessed on comparing and watching others lifestyles, maybe posting new photo, creating an identity, finding a boyfriend or girlfriend, anxiety on tele-series episodes, stalking on crush for waves of love, reading out text messages or re-thinking to extract the real meaning of a particular conversation, winning a conflict and so on. In the case of adults overthinking triggers can vary. They are more concerned about career building, presumption on rivals, colleagues or friends, family issues, income sources, health and a promising future. In cases of married couples the insecurity watching your spouse talk to another man or woman are probably the result of increased overthinking.
Despite the age group or trigger factor, overthinking can lead to anxiety or depression and become a behavioral pattern in life. The root cause of all these thinking patterns is when we put our mind into things of the earth which have temporal values. Probably we have missed the balance in prioritizing those which have eternal value in life. Take time to realize if those thoughts are really worthy of your time or energy. What causes you to overthink? Is it jealousy, fear, selfish desire, inferiority or covetousness? And if you can do something about it. Romans 8:5 asks
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
The Holy Bible
Romans 8:5
“Battery Low, 10% Charged”
All of us have got positive and negative thoughts in view of our daily life. But only when the positive thoughts surplus the negative it makes a great difference in a person’s living condition.
But a pessimist always views the negative part of every single life event. For example; a pessimist waves hand in excitement, who finds his acquaintance walking on the other side of the pavement but unfortunately he doesn’t respond back. This triggers the pessimist to think he is ignored and less regarded not knowing the fellow who walked away is short sighted. Pessimists are presumptuous of the worst that could or could have happened to them at certain occasions. Extreme negative thinking, worries or anxieties can lead into depression, mental disorders or OCDs.
In certain marital relations one of the partners assumes the other as unfaithful or unloving and continues to live in the lie of negative thoughts. Though there are no particular reason for developing negative thinking pattern it may be developed due to hormonal variations, hereditary, any previous trauma, witnessing violence, physical or sexual abuse.
Overcoming negative thinking to see the world, the people and everything else more beautifully is off course quite challenging and not impossible. Holding hatred, bitterness, raise or deceit is the way of a corrupt mind. A pure heart willfully forgives, loves and graciously pursues patience all the time.
Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.
The Holy Bible
Proverbs 28:26
Not recognizing at the earliest to change the thought pattern is obviously at risk which can probe relationship issues within family and towards other people. Most importantly we need to accept the negative thinking triggers and explore how I can help myself overcome. I have put down few tips for you:
- Be grateful for everything you have and you have been doing.
- Involve in more genuine conversations.
- Accept everyone is unique and you are unique in your own way.
- Offer to help someone without expectation of getting it back.
- Practice encouraging and appreciating others likewise appreciate yourself.
- Spend time actively involved in riding, shopping, creative arts, cooking a new dish and never being upset if it fails, attending gym or physical activities.
- Challenge yourself to do something good that you have never done.
- Practice forgiveness and loving everyone unconditionally.
- Develop a personal relation with God.
In the light of Bible, quoting from Genesis 37:23,
So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe- the ornate robe he was wearing- and they took him and threw him into the cistern.
We understand in this scenario, Joseph was rejected by his brother for being deeply loved as father’s favorite boy child, he was plotted to be killed by his brother. At his very young age who had gone through such rejections would surely have had mental struggle, stress or pain. Looking into the later years of Joseph’s life
- Because he was rejected he was thrown into cistern,
- Because he was thrown into cistern he was sold to Ishmaelite,
- Because he was sold Joseph was taken to Egypt,
- Because he was taken to Egypt, Joseph was appointed at Potiphar’s house
- Because Potiphar’s wife attempted to seduce him, Joseph was made guilty and put to prison,
- Because of the prison he was called out and raised to be the ruler of Egypt until his death.
Joseph’s life may seem a series of tragedies at the initial phase. He underwent some serious rejections, insults, and shame, unreasonably guilty and finally separated from family. Isn’t that enough for a teenager boy to go into deep distress? And yes, Joseph underwent deep hardships and suffering mentally (soul) and physically (body).
Despite of the opportunity he got to revenge his brothers during famine. Instead Joseph had a favorable heart towards the brothers forgetting of what they have done to him in the past. What could have probably helped Joseph to glide over each distressful situations?
Stay Tuned for the next blog to know more on it.
Stay Blessed, Stay Loved
GOD BLESS YOU!
