Dejection - why is it a sin?
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Dejection is a mortal sin for a reason. Firstly, it can manifest itself in different forms:
- Yearning. Vivid signs of it are often expressed in laziness, constant sadness and boredom. There is also a loss of interest in everything around and a manifestation of the desire to live in a world of one’s own creation.
- Laziness and indifference to spiritual enrichment. In this case, the manifestation of other related external signs is not necessary. Often a person, on the contrary, is very cheerful and feels joy. However, he stops regularly reading scriptures, prayers and everything that leads to spiritual enrichment.
However, despondency does not occur for no reason. Often it affects people who do not believe in God. This is a consequence of the fact that there is spiritual emptiness in their soul.
Dejection is the worldview of the devil
Despondency leads to neglect of the Christian life. Very often, a person in despondency begins to envy people who live far from the Church and are not bound by the commandments, and forgetfulness of heavenly blessings occurs. Dejection turns into relaxation, and in some cases it is overcome by work, and in others, work serves as an excuse to quit praying in despondency.
Bishop Panteleimon noted that for modern people, the memory of death is not associated with the expectation of the Last Judgment and a meeting with God. Suicide out of despondency is disbelief in eternal life. Such a person does not believe in meeting God and is ready to commit suicide just to end the difficulties.
The essence of the phenomenon
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Sadness is also called depression. A state when a person is depressed. And no one is safe from it, not even a believer. After all, laziness as such is not the only side of the manifestation of despondency; despair can also be included here. And if for people who do not believe in God, the cause of its occurrence is hopelessness, then for believers it is spiritual weakness.
It manifests itself in the fact that some begin to feel as if their prayers will never be heard. First they stop reading them, then they slowly forget about other holy books and finally they completely leave the church. It seems to them that everything is useless. They are overcome by laziness, which is familiar to many, but on a more serious scale.
Even St. Gregory of Sinaite recognized the fact that laziness is another side of despondency. In his monologues, he interpreted the feeling of despondency as the same “death,” but in the vector of spiritual objects. He noticed that in this state the desire to go to church, read prayers and work on the purity of the soul disappears.
Dejection is one of the most difficult passions
“The darkness of despondency is thickening in the world,” noted Bishop Panteleimon. – People, thinking to dispel despondency and the seal, try to have fun, but only expose themselves to an even greater passion of despondency. Although there are also people who never lose heart.”
The Bishop said that Saint Gregory of Sinai, out of the eight passions, identifies the two most cruel and severe: fornication and despondency (“laziness”, in the saint’s terminology). According to St. Gregory, these passions are connected with each other. When they take possession of the soul, they lead it into relaxation. Therefore, it is difficult to fight these passions, and it is impossible to completely overcome them even for an ascetic of a high spiritual life, not to mention an ordinary person.
In the soul, as St. Gregory of Sinaite, there are three forces: “irritable” (to push away from evil), “lustful” (love) and rational (knowledge of God and peace). The devil distorts them. Fornication is rooted in the lustful power of the soul, but spreads sweetness to all members. Dejection refers to the rational power of the soul and, “holding the dominant mind,” entwines both soul and body like ivy and paralyzes the mind and will.” These passions are driven away when the soul in prayer receives joy, strength and deep peace from the Holy Spirit.
There is another scheme in which the main passions are gluttony and pride. Bishop Panteleimon says that it is impossible to arrange the passions in order with mathematical precision. He recalled the expression of St. John Climacus, who compared passions to a ball of snakes, in which you cannot tell whose head is and whose tail is.
Returning to despondency, we can say that it deprives the soul of the will to resist evil and makes it defenseless against other passions.
If we do not strive for joy, we will not be able to get rid of sins. There is a lot of darkness in the world, but let us remember the Chinese proverb: “You cannot stop the birds of sorrow from hovering over your head, but you can stop them from making a nest in your hair.” Therefore, we should have good, bright thoughts under our hair, and our soul should rejoice. After all, Christ’s first greeting to the myrrh-bearing women was: “Rejoice!” The Apostle Paul commanded us to “Rejoice always” (1 Thess. 5:16).
Ways to get rid of despondency
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Anyone can overcome despondency in any of its manifestations, especially if a person clearly understands the nature of the problem. And the best way to resist it is to start doing business.
The effectiveness of this method is clearly demonstrated by the story of a father and son included in the Fatherland. The point is that the son was supposed to cultivate the field, but when he came to it he simply became lazy. The entire week that his father allotted him for this, he lay there doing nothing. Coming on Sunday and seeing that not a single centimeter of the area had been cleared, I naturally asked the question about the reason for the work not being done. She felt despondent because her son became sad when he saw how much work needed to be done. His father answered him only by saying that if he cleared at least a small piece of land every day, then by the end of the week about half of the work would be done. After this, the son began cultivating.
This story does two things well:
- Discouragement is a problem. It is akin to a disease that consumes a person and needs to be gotten rid of. Under no circumstances should you despair and leave everything to the will of fate.
- Efforts are not useless. Yes, the son will not be able to complete all the work by the end of the week, but those small steps will produce results. And instead of the work not done, half will be completed.
The main thing that is recommended to do when trying to get rid of it is to eliminate excuses and accusations. The first will only increase the power of despondency, which already consumes the soul. The second will weaken it, because the person will consider himself guilty. You need to accept yourself. Realize that man, although not an omnipotent being, is not a powerless being.
A little trick
The Monk John Climacus also proposed a small trick, thanks to which a person could “deceive” despondency. He suggests just a little comfort to the belly after another attempt to overcome laziness. This trick also works in cases where, as a result of unsuccessful attempts, the mind is overshadowed by anger.
In conclusion, we note that it is the depressed state of a person who does nothing that is a sin. Dejection here acts only as a reason. The Lord can condescend to a person who is physically lazy, because this resource is limited for everyone. However, mental laziness, when a person does not even try to fight negative thoughts, makes the situation hopeless.
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Depression
Depression (from the Latin deprimo “to press down, suppress”) is a mental disorder, the main symptoms of which are low mood and a decrease or loss of the ability to experience pleasure (anhedonia).
Some of the following symptoms are also usually present: low self-esteem, inappropriate feelings of guilt, pessimism, poor concentration, fatigue or lack of energy, sleep and appetite disorders, and suicidal tendencies.
Severe forms of depression are characterized by the so-called “depressive triad”: decreased mood, inhibition of thinking and motor retardation.
Why are you depressed, my soul?
Are you familiar with despondency and fatigue? When problems, worries, fears constrain the mind and heart?
Yes, we are looking for rest, trying to calm ourselves down, pamper ourselves. But what to do when fatigue accumulates from month to month and the long-awaited vacation does not relax you?
Depression and stress are not just a loss of mood, but a long-term burden that needs to be dealt with.
Depression - how can Christians deal with despondency?
Bible verses can encourage us. One has only to turn to God in prayer and the comforting words “will appear on their own.”
Here is an example of how the Bible encourages us to seek help and support in difficult times. One of the inspiring psalms when despondency has visited our hearts.
Psalm 41:1-5
1 To the director of the choir. Teaching. Sons of Korah. 2 As a deer longs for streams of water, so does my soul long for You, O God! 3 My soul thirsts for the mighty, living God: when will I come and appear before the face of God! 4 My tears were bread to me day and night, when they said to me every day: “Where is your God?” 5 Remembering this, I pour out my soul, because I walked among the multitude, entering with them into the house of God with the voice of joy and praise of the celebrating multitude. (Ps.41:1-5)
Let's take a closer look at the words from the Bible. The psalmist was talking to himself.
Faith spoke with fear, hope spoke with despondency.
Rest: 3 ways to relax in a constantly working world
- How long will this sorrow last?
- Is there any basis for the ridicule of enemies or are they all empty words?
- How long will my absence from celebrations and festivities last?
- Where does this despondency, this disbelief, this cowardly despair come from?
One of the believers said that here “David convinces himself to perk up.”
This is what everyone who struggles with despair should do.
The best cure for sadness is to understand its causes.
Ignorance of oneself deprives a person of bliss; in the case of David, such ignorance would have been a real disaster.
In the darkness of ignorance our troubles seem enormous; daylight turns all monsters into harmless shadows.
“Why are you embarrassed?”
Why is my soul tossing about? Even if I cannot celebrate the Sabbath in the temple, why deny myself the Sabbath of the heart? Why am I excited like a stormy sea? Why are my thoughts noisy like a street crowd?
Trouble is not a reason for despondency. Arise, my soul!
What weighs on you? Be courageous! Sadness will turn into jubilation, and despondency into serenity.
"Trust in God"
Even if all possible misfortunes fly out of Pandora's box, there will still be hope at the bottom.
Hope does not drown even in a stormy sea. God is unchangeable, and in His grace we have unshakable hope. Even if it’s night all around, day is getting closer every minute. Hope shines for us as bright stars in the night sky.
The lamp of hope needs no oil; its light is sustained by secret visits from God that strengthen the spirit.
"For I will still praise Him"
My sighs will give way to songs, mournful tunes to solemn psalms.
When we do not feel the love of God in our hearts, this does not mean that it is not with us. The diamond is still on our chest, although we cannot see it.
Nadezhda knows her inheritance, even if she cannot read the will. She expects the promised blessing, although at the moment she does not see God's gifts.
"My Savior and my God"
Salvation is in the favor of God, and the Lord will truly look upon us with His bright face.
Notice that what David longed for most was to see the smile of the Most High.
He wanted with all his heart to see the face of God and knew that this would heal his soul, shame his slandering enemies and return to him all the joys of those bright and happy days to which his memory carried him.
There is no greater joy than the joy of seeing the Lord smile. This verse breaks the chains and shakes the prison walls, like the song of Paul and Silas (Acts 16:25). Whoever can say these glorious words in the hour of sorrow is truly a winner.
In the garden of hope grow laurels of future victories, roses of approaching joy and lilies of future peace.
David Psalm 41:7-12
6 Why are you sad, my soul, and why are you troubled? Trust in God, for I will still praise Him, my Savior and my God. 7 My soul faints within me; Therefore I remember You from the land of Jordan, from Hermon, from Mount Zoar. 8 The deep calls upon the deep with the voice of Your waterfalls; all Your waters and Your waves passed over me. 9 By day the Lord will show His mercy, and by night I have a song to Him, a prayer to the God of my life. 10 I will say to God, my protector: why have you forgotten me? Why do I walk around complaining about the enemy’s insults? 11 As if bruising my bones, my enemies mock me when they say to me every day, “Where is your God?” 12 Why are you sad, my soul, and why are you troubled? Trust in God, for I will still praise Him, my Savior and my God. (Ps.41:6-12)
Self-Inquiry . David calls himself to account for his spiritual despondency and bad mood.
Related article: Be positive. 5 tips
Reproach . David reproaches himself for his lack of hope and lack of faith.
Recommendations
Recommendations for dealing with depression/stress:
- Even a righteous soul can fall into sinful despondency.
- When we are depressed, we must speak to our soul and direct it to the only true source of comfort.
- A conversation with the soul is useful only when it ends with an appeal to God.
What advice can you give to combat depression and stress? How do you inspire your soul?
Truth Today. Journal - Elijah. Lessons - How God Healed Depression
Let's summarize
- If Catholics have 7 deadly sins, then Orthodox Christians have 8, and the last one is despondency (deep, unending sadness).
- Dejection is dangerous because it pushes a person to other mortal sins, makes him lazy and unable to grow spiritually, and fences him off from faith in the power of the Lord.
- The church can help overcome this sin, and if a dangerous condition has already developed into depression, it is also worth contacting a psychiatrist.
This video will tell you more about the remaining mortal sins, as well as the demons “responsible” for each of them:
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Prayers for loneliness
- The only way out is constant prayers and avoiding loneliness.
- In no case is it recommended to withdraw into yourself, but, on the contrary, to begin to lead a more active lifestyle.
- Visit new places, relax in nature with friends, go to the movies, theaters or exhibitions.
What psychologists advise
- Psychologists agree that incipient depression can be avoided only through sports activities and an active lifestyle.
- Physical exercise can relieve the accumulated negative load on the brain, helping to become a self-confident person.
- The Church, for its part, calls to let faith into your heart, sincerely turning to God daily with words of prayer.
In the church canons there is a special prayer for this:
Risk of suicide
Lack of confidence in our abilities, refusal to try to improve things, or inability to change our lives paralyzes us so much that we ourselves give up the fight.
If these feelings penetrate deeply into our brain, then there is a risk of suicidal tendencies.
How not to lose heart in a difficult life situation and learn to cope with the adversity that arises, which it is not clear where it comes from and where it goes? And it is imperative to do something, because ultimately, the thought may become deeply ingrained in our minds that all attempts made are useless, and nothing can be changed.
Find the cause of depression
Before you begin to get rid of negative emotional outbursts, you should identify the reason for this state of affairs.
It can be quite serious:
- long-term illness
- falling down the career ladder,
or the most common one:
- a daily routine at work or at home that no longer makes you happy.
Rule of joy 1. Reproach yourself
According to Abba Dorotheus, “the main reason for embarrassment is that we do not reproach ourselves.” Without reproaching oneself, a person will never stop being offended and offending others, losing his calm.
But what if you are reproached unfairly? If someone tests himself, he will find that he has always given some reason for offense, in word, deed or even appearance. Perhaps the offense was inflicted earlier, or even he offended another person and had to suffer for it, but was not punished. The Bishop said that he knows many cases when people suffered seemingly for nothing, but began to understand their conscience and remembered their grave sins, for which they were not held accountable in the past.
It is an illusion to think that you were calm, and someone from the outside angered you. “Well, why was I so calm, I took communion of the Holy Mysteries of Christ, and you’re driving me crazy!” Abba Dorotheos calls this opinion “ridiculous” and “devilish seduction.” A quarrel only showed the passion that was in a person, which means it gives a chance to see it and repent of it. It's like breaking bread that is rotten inside. Abba Zosima of Palestine, known from the life of St. Mary of Egypt, suggests considering the offender a doctor. If you are offended, then you seem to say to God: “I don’t want to take Your medicine, but I want to rot from my wounds.”
Sometimes we mourn what we don’t have: a fiancé, health, an apartment. We must say to ourselves: “Christ knows more than I whether I should get what I want or not. Let Christ be for me instead of this thing or this food.” He can be our Friend and the Bridegroom of our souls. It may be space, and we won’t feel cramped in one room with five children and parents.
It’s the devil’s business, after reading the Gospel, to begin to measure everyone except oneself with it. Two brothers, the elder and the younger, came to Abba Dorotheus. The elder complained that the second did not listen to him. The younger one said that he would have listened if he had spoken to him with love and not ordered him. Each of them placed the blame on his neighbor and did not reproach himself. “That is why we do not receive any benefit, but torment ourselves all the time,” wrote the reverend father.
Rule of Joy 6. Joy is multiplied by division.
“Sharing joy does not mean selfishly, without paying attention to others, pouring out a stormy stream of delight in euphoria, thinking to convince the sad and mourning that everything is good and nothing can be better. Sharing joy means descending into the depths of other people’s misfortune, accepting their pain into your heart and tactfully and tenderly helping them to extricate themselves from the networks of despondency,” continued Bishop Panteleimon.
He invited everyone who wanted to learn how to increase joy by sharing it with those in need to participate in volunteer church projects.
Chagrin - Sadness - Grief - Dejection - Despair
Both passions have the same cause - dissatisfaction, irritability and anger of a person.
The mechanism of development is quite simple: a person becomes dissatisfied with something, he becomes sad, irritated, angry. With the help of anger, Divine Grace and all the peace that it has accumulated in itself are fleetingly washed away from the soul, the soul is emptied, and immediately the soul is filled with despondency, which can very quickly reach the stage of despair.
Discontent manifests itself from the love of worldly things and the presence of cowardice.
