Mind, Character, and Personality Volume 2, page 482, paragraph
1
Chapter Title: Depression
Many Diseases Result From Mental Depression. --A contented
mind, a cheerful spirit, is health to the body and strength to the soul.
Nothing is so fruitful a cause of disease as depression, gloominess, and
sadness.--1T 702 (1868).
Many of the diseases from which men suffer are the result
of mental depression.--MH 241 (1905).
Removing Depression Hastens Recovery.--Because God's love is so great and so unfailing, the sick should be encouraged to trust in Him and be cheerful. To be anxious about themselves tends to cause weakness and disease. If they will rise above depression and gloom, their prospect of recovery will be better; for "the eye of the Lord is upon them . . . that hope in His mercy" (Psalm 33:18).--MH 229 (1905).
Depression Produced by Iron Dignity.--Some preserve a
cold, chilling reserve, an iron dignity, that repels those who are brought
within their influence. This spirit is contagious; it creates an atmosphere
that is withering to good impulses and good resolves; it chokes the natural
current of human sympathy, cordiality, and love; and under its influence
people become constrained, and their social and generous attributes are
destroyed for want of exercise.
Mind, Character, and Personality Volume 2, page 490, paragraph
1
Chapter Title: Depression
No Need to be a Slave to Depression.--Remember that in
your life religion is not to be merely one influence among others. It is
to be an influence dominating all others. Be strictly temperate. Resist
every temptation. Make no concessions to the wily foe. Listen not to the
suggestions that he puts into the mouths of men and women. You have a victory
to win. You have nobility of character to gain; but this you cannot gain
while you are depressed and discouraged by failure. Break the bands with
which Satan has bound you. There is no need for you to be his slave. "Ye
are My friends," Christ said, "if ye do whatsoever I command you."--Lt
228, 1903. (MM 43.)
Mind, Character, and Personality Volume 2, page 490, paragraph
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Chapter Title: Depression
Dwelling Upon the Disagreeable.--When you see iniquity
all around you it makes you all the more glad that He is your Saviour,
and we are His children. Then shall we look at the iniquity around us and
dwell upon the dark side? You cannot cure it; then talk of something that
is higher, better, and more noble....
Now we may go into a cellar and stay there and look around
into its dark corners, and we can talk of the darkness and say, "Oh, it
is so dark here," and keep talking 491 about it. But will it make it any
lighter? Oh no! What are you going to do? Come out of it; come out of the
dark into the upper chamber where the light of God's countenance shines
brightly.
Mind, Character, and Personality Volume 2, page 492, paragraph
1
Chapter Title: Depression
My sister, if you would obtain precious victories, face
the light that emanates from the Sun of righteousness. Talk hope and faith
and thanksgiving to God. Be cheerful, hopeful in Christ. Educate yourself
to praise Him. This is a great remedy for diseases of the soul and of the
body.-- Lt 322, 1906.
Mind, Character, and Personality Volume 2, page 492, paragraph
4
Chapter Title: Depression
I Will Not Be Depressed.--I am sometimes greatly perplexed
to know what to do, but I will not be depressed. I am determined to bring
all the sunshine into my life that I possibly can.--Lt 127, 1903.
I have much to make me sad at heart, but I try not to
speak discouragingly, because someone who hears my words may be sad at
heart, and I must not do anything to increase his sadness.--Lt 208, 1903.
Mind, Character, and Personality Volume 2, page 493, paragraph
1
Chapter Title: Depression
By Faith Reach Through the Darkness.--If I should look
at the dark clouds--the troubles and perplexities that come to me in my
work--I should have time to do nothing else. But I know that there is light
and glory beyond the clouds. By faith I reach through the darkness to the
glory. At times I am called to pass through financial perplexities. But
I do not worry about money. God takes care of my affairs. I do all that
I can, and when the Lord sees that it is best for me to have money, He
sends it to me.--MS 102, 1901.
Mind, Character, and Personality Volume 2, page 494, paragraph
1
Chapter Title: Depression
Playing Into Satan's Hands.--Don't go to others with
your trials and temptations; God alone can help you. If you fulfill the
conditions of God's promises, the promises will be fulfilled to you. If
your mind is stayed upon God, you will not go from a state of ecstasy to
the valley of despondency when trial and temptation come upon you. You
will not talk doubt and gloom to others. You will not say, "I do not know
about this or that. I do not feel happy. I am not sure that we have the
truth." You will not do this, for you will have an anchor to the soul both
sure and steadfast.
When we talk discouragement and gloom, Satan listens with
fiendish joy; for it pleases him to know that he has brought you into his
bondage. Satan cannot read our thoughts, but he can see our actions, hear
our words; and from his long knowledge of the human family, he can shape
his temptations to take advantage of our weak points of character. And
how often do we let him into the secret of how he may obtain the victory
over us. Oh, that we might control our words and actions! How strong we
would become if our words were of such an order that we would not be ashamed
to meet the record of them in the day of judgment. How different will they
appear in the day of God from what they seem when we utter them.--RH, Feb
27, 1913.
Mind, Character, and Personality Volume 2, page 495, paragraph
2
Chapter Title: Depression
No Disposition to Speak of Doubts.--Through the merits
of Christ, through His righteousness, which by faith is imputed unto us,
we are to attain to the perfection of Christian character. Our daily and
hourly work is set forth in the words of the apostle: "Looking unto Jesus
the Author and Finisher of our faith." While doing this our minds become
clearer and our faith stronger, and our hope is confirmed; we are so engrossed
with the view of His purity and loveliness and the sacrifice He has made
to bring us into agreement with God that we have no disposition to speak
of doubts and discouragements.--5T 744 (1889).
