When you live with depression and anxiety nothing seems fair.
If you’ve ever been a victim of a crime or other injustice you’ll understand the sense of violation that arises. Your heart sinks. You feel nauseous. You grieve. You might be forced to change your life or make unpalatable decisions as a consequence of what happened.
In particular, you might begin to wonder why your deity of choice has abandoned you. Why you weren’t protected. And, how you can ever be safe again.
I’ve asked myself more times than I care to remember; why am I here? If there’s nothing more to life than pain and suffering; why do I exist? Then, in an attempt to understand more, I ask about other’s suffering and their reason for living. It’s not just about me, it’s about the number of people around the world who’s world view is one of very real desperation and dissatisfaction.
It’s too easy when we believe in God to also believe in the fairy god-mother principle. The belief in a creator who solves all our problems with a wave of it’s Disney inspired wand.
Perhaps it’s a confusion between wishes and prayers that has led us to a muddled perception of who God is. Christianity promises a loving and forgiving God who provides comfort and lightens our burdens. But I can tell you, that it takes a lot of spiritual growth to experience God in that way. To come to a place of understanding where God does not grant wishes, solve all our problems or correct injustice.
There is some deep theology behind here but I’m committed to bringing this home in less than 600 words. So if you think I’ve missed something important, I’ve probably left it out to leave room for the point I’m trying to make.
It’s common in Christian circles to hear the phrase “God’s ways are not our ways”. It basically means that “man” looks at the world and creation differently to God. Tragically, it’s often used as a way of trying to explain injustice. Tragically; because it doesn’t even begin to explain injustice which can be expounded by the more easily understood term; human greed.
Humanity’s greed can be viewed in all aspects of our interaction. From issues such as homosexuality and abortion through to capitalism and social welfare, we are tied to our self-serving choices. Choices that would deny the rights of others in order to establish judgmental self-righteousness and indignation if not an altruistic sense of our own greatness.
Sadly, I’m a bit “old school”. I believe in fairness and compromise. I believe in respect. I believe in acts of grace, selflessness and forgiveness. I believe in the biblical principles of morality and ethics and I believe in justice.
Not the justice that can be measured in terms of crime and punishment or right and wrong, because humanity doesn’t seem to have the capacity for “fair”. But the justice that conveys I have a right to exist because I was created to do so. Justice that allows me to hope for a future I may not deserve, but will nonetheless provide the opportunity for me to uncover who I really am, because I know my creator.
Today from actor Sidney Sheldon: I admire people who are, by nature, kind and fair to others.
Deb Shugg is an awarded business woman, wife & mother, author and a sufferer of depression and anxiety.
If you need help to deal with your symptoms see your doctor. If you need to talk to someone NOW call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
(Abuse of another person is NEVER okay. If you are being abused or, if you are an abuser please seek help.)
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