Victory Over DepressionSample

Staying Better Longer

As you move away from the grip of depression, you may be fearful of symptoms returning. This is where I want you to focus on leaving those breadcrumbs and pebbles for yourself. In the story of Hansel and Gretel, the brother and sister wander from home but leave a trail behind so that they can find their way back. As the story is told, at one point they leave breadcrumbs that are eaten by birds so they have difficulty finding their way home and become lost in the dark woods. However, when they leave white pebbles, they more easily find their way back.

In most countries, bread is a staple for life. Though temporary, it helps sustain life for the time that it is available to be consumed. There are coping methods that you have used, and although they provided temporary satisfaction, they helped lift the veil of depression long enough to provide hope to make it to another day. I honor whatever you have done to bring you to the place that you are today. You did not quit on life, and life has not quit on you. Recall the words of Christ, who said “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35). Meditate on this as one type of bread that provides a permanent trail to be followed.  

The pebbles from the Hansel and Gretel story are an example of a more permanent source back to health. These tangible reminders were helpful and not as easily removed by external factors. Have there been things you have used that provided temporary relief but were unhealthy? Instead of leaving pebbles for yourself, you have used breadcrumbs and lost your way. If so, make a decision to replace those unhealthy coping methods with healthier thought patterns and behaviors.

Much of your system may still be of use. No experience is wasted experience. Write down methods that have helped you previously, but really focus on the things you want to keep as pebbles to return to again and again. Here are three active exercises that I want you to begin putting into practice to further develop healthy thought patterns. Start with one at a time and add on until they are second nature, like a new comfort blanket that you take with you everywhere you go.

Step 1: Take each thought and assess if it is worthy of space in your mind. If it is not positive and encouraging, get rid of it. This will take practice, but is worth the effort.

Step 2: Begin building a list of positive things about yourself to replace negative teachings that you may have had in the past. Start with scripture and what God says about you. 

Step 3: Identify common emotions that you have been experiencing and then work to replace emotions that will not help you succeed with emotions and feelings that will propel you forward towards growth.