Written By: Francesca Hendrieth
Have you ever introduced someone as a “good” friend? When evaluated, what does that really mean?
I vividly remember going to a house party surrounded by a few good friends. As I sat around watching everyone dance and talk amongst themselves, I felt the loneliest I had ever felt. On the outside, I was engaging in conversation and busting the latest dance moves but inside I felt lonely because no one around me knew the depression that I was going through deep down inside.
Ironically, my friends never seemed to ask me how I was feeling. Transparency was not part of our toxic relationship. However, I knew that if I shared the reason behind my depression with them, I would only be greeted with chastisement.
How many of us can say that our environment truly uplifts us even in our darkest hour?
When I realized that my so called “good” friends couldn't help me overcome my current state of depression, it was time to reevaluate my environment.
Establishing a healthy environment is the first step to overcoming depression. This can be done by establishing a biblical prayer life. With a new refreshed and consistent prayer life, “good” friends are replaced with “great” friends. I recalled Luke 21:36, a passage in the bible that states:
"Be sure you watch. Pray all the time so that you may be able to keep from going through all these things that will happen and be able to stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:36NLV
This caused me to be more alert about who I let in my inner circle also, this made me more aware of others who needed prayer in their darkest hour.
It didn’t take long before my environment went from good to great!
Surprisingly, my friends didn't even notice that I had stopped hanging around as much. That’s how you know that your friends might really be convenient acquaintances.
They only seemed to noticed me again when everything from my job to my living looked better. This was another sign that I didn't need people who would only notice my absence when things started to look better for me.
My acquaintances quickly became replaced by the great friends who prayed for me, with me, and through my depression. Some of which are still my friends today.
In a matter of time, I didn't feel lonely in a party full of people. I came to the realization that the reason why I had felt depressed was because I had a bad habit of surrounding myself with convenient acquaintances in order to mask my depression.
When I established a better environment, I was left with a group of encouragers who wouldn't allow me to sink into any type of depression. Their constant positive motivation uplifted me out of my darkest hour and propelled me into a better life.
Therefore, don’t take take this life for granted. Afterall, God has given us a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). Let’s use this time to make a good life, a great one!