Depression (Hello, Gentlemen…” )
We’ve heard it said that “depression is anger turned inward.”
Therefore, it’s not surprising that many inmates who are incarcerated are depressed.
Anger has turned inward.
Anger from abuse, neglect, poverty, and too many seemingly insurmountable obstacles has turned on these individuals, creating even more of a bleak portrait of their future.
It makes sense, then, what scripture tells us to visit those in prison...
“Remember those in prison as if you were bound with them, and those who are mistreated as if you were suffering with them.”
Hebrews 13:3
It’s even further amplified as Our Savior personalizes this directive even more…
“‘When did we see You sick or in prison and visit You?’ And the King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers (or sisters) of Mine, you did for Me.’”
Matthew 25:39-40
We never know what a gesture can do: a visit, a letter, a card. There are different ways that we can “visit.”
And depression can be alleviated.
Concerning these inmates, loving them, as Our Savior and Shepherd loves us, shouldn’t we do something to help?
(Hello, Gentlemen…” Book Excerpt):
…Are you depressed? Feeling like there is nothing ahead of you to hang onto?
How hopeless are you right now? How close are you to giving up?
A lot of people think that depression is all about sadness. And, yeah, there’s so much sadness to it.
But depression often starts out as anger.
“Does it do you well to be angry?”
Jonah 4:4…
…My mother was the obviously depressed one. She found herself trapped in an abusive marriage to my dad. She was stripped of so much: independence, freedom, creative outlets, and joy.
She became obese, eating too many traumas and painful feelings. She was stifled in her life.
Years ago, I discovered a diary she wrote when I was about five. In it, she wrote, at least three times, at different points, during the year, “I’m depressed.”
Unfortunately, like too many people out there, she never got the help she needed. Her obesity, eventually, created a massive stroke that took away her ability to walk, and placed her in a care facility for the rest of her life until her death.
She was angry: fearful, frustrated, and hurt with her life. She felt trapped, could not express that anger.
So, she turned it in the only acceptable direction she knew of: she turned it on herself.
Does any of that sound like what you do?
My mother was the “obviously” depressed person. Abused, feeling trapped, and obese.
Most people would look at her life, as a whole, and think, “yep, that tracks.”
But, like I said, I have “Mommy AND Daddy Issues,” now, don’t I?
So, let’s move on to “Dear Old Dad.” He was depressed, too.
But his depression may have been more difficult to spot. Maybe you can relate to him somewhat.
My dad was terrified of life. He was a bachelor until his late forties. Except for a brief stint, serving in World War II, my dad never lived anywhere else, except in the house he was born in, with his immigrant parents, and his eight siblings.
Yep. Eight. A motley crew, huh?
When my parents married, a shotgun wedding, mostly due to the reality of yours truly, he was still terrified. He did not know how to operate in relationships.
I am guessing he learned abuse from watching his parents. He put it into practice with Mom and me.
He raged. We usually never got “the warning shot.”
He just exploded in our direction. Destruction. Chaos. Fear. Pain…
“Remember those in prison as if you were bound with them, and those who are mistreated as if you were suffering with them.”
Hebrews 13:3
