Sad, but Better: Four Things that Help

Last updated on: November 25, 2017 at 1:17 pm by John Mark N. Reynolds

Sad, but Better: Four Things that Help 2017-11-25T13:17:33-04:00 John Mark N. Reynolds

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

photo-1470632523110-361c51081417_opt Some people don’t see well, others of us have biologically based “sad.” Our “feels” are not in line with reality. Telling us to cheer up is distinctly unhelpful. Some people get help with medication, but for others of us that doesn’t help very much. What to do?

I am sure there is nothing that helps everyone who faces this problem, but here is some of what has helped me. You could marry someone named Hope, but that is not an option for everyone. Here are some tactics that most can try.

First, medical problems need medical solutions. Go to the doctor and talk. She has heard it all before now and can look into causes and ways to help. Just as you cannot treat an intellectual problem with pills, so you cannot cure a biological problem with words! Find out the cause of your “sad” and remember that those of us who are not medical doctors plus Google cannot a good diagnosis make.

Ignore the ill-informed “religious” person who forgets that people have bodies. We think with our minds, but our minds use organs to perform. You would not blame or fire the organist if his organ was busted and could not play the notes correctly, so you cannot blame the mind for problems caused by the body!

Can’t God heal? He certainly can. I have experienced divine healing, but God does not always heal us. We know this is true from experience, but certain foolish people forget this when it comes to issues like biologically caused sorrows.

Pray without ceasing and see the doctor.

Second, keep seeing the doctor. Over time your issues may change for good or bad. Keep talking. At some point, if your problems are psychological, see that kind of doctor. A good therapist has training your pal does not. Never ignore spiritual problems either: that is why you have a pastor. There is nothing better than a good team: medical doctor, psychologist, pastor, and you!

If your church cannot find a place for all these kinds of healers, leave. You are in a zany, fringe group.

Third, I have found it helpful to recall that my “feels” are real, but do not require action by me or anyone else. Feelings are also complex, I can have a background sorrow, but also be very happy. Two “feels” can exist at the same time, because they need not be connected to anything I should do or must do.

I cannot always change a biological disposition, but I can change what I do, consume, or consider. I can minimize sorrow from those sources, surely!

Fourth, having friends and family who help me do what is good for me is very helpful. I do not “closet” my feelings, but need not act on them either. I can do my duty, do what will provide pleasure to others, and put an emphasis on what is good, true, and beautiful.

Here is a bonus thought: just because some sorrow is biologically based, not all is. Learning to differentiate between the two matters. I must ask: “Is this sorrow tipping me off to something external about which I should act?” If so, then I must act. Again, being in a community is helpful.

God exists and is bending history toward the good. Until the Day when I see the full manifestation of His plan, I will deal with many problems. Sorrow, depression, or stress caused by a misfiring body is just one more way to learn and grow.

Thanks be to God!

Spiritual Reflections

Previous Post

November 23, 2017

Under the Mercy- the Piercing Joy of Embracing All of Reality

Next Post

November 25, 2017 What is Justice? Doing Justice to a Fine Comic Book Movie

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Apologetics Art Culture Education On Books On Education Philosophy Politics Pop Culture Spiritual Reflections Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2026 September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 July 2025 June 2025 September 2024 July 2024 June 2024 December 2023 June 2023 September 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

How many plagues did God inflict upon Egypt?

Select your answer to see how you score.

14 10 7 21

Books by This Author John Mark Reynolds

See All Titles »