Love Fulfills the Law

"Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor."

Romans 13:7

Paul shares with you in Romans 13 the importance of giving to others what is due to them. Respect then Respect. Honor then Honor (Romans 13:7). Loving others, fulfills this request. For those who are experiencing depression and anxiety: feeling loved is a common desire; feeling love for themselves; feeling love for others; feeling love from others. This lack of love, or the perception of a lack of love may lead to more experiences of depression or anxiety. Not because the love is lost, but rather the space where it exists is now being filled with the experiences of depression and anxiety. The perception that depression and anxiety can have. For example. You may perceive that you are unloveable as a result of your depression or anxiety. Therefore you perceive that no one could love you, or does love you, because of who you are. This space where love exists, is then filled with the negative perception and thoughts that arise when feeling depressed or anxious.

One of the take aways from Romans 13 is that you are due love because He loves, not because you do anything that deserves the love. A person's mental health status is not a criteria for being loved by others. It is sometimes hardest to love during these times because of the responses to depression and anxiety. You may behave in such a way that is upsetting to others and to yourself. You may respond by being angry, uninterested, unmotivated, unwilling. You may respond by not following through with tasks. You may respond with outbursts. These responses to the experiences of depression and anxiety can make it hard to love yourself, to love others, and to be loved by others. You may perceive that your mental health is a qualifier, but it is up to those around you to remind you that it is not. You must learn to allow others to remind you; to accept the loving feedback that your friends and family offer. When experiencing depression and anxiety it is important to recognize when others are being supportive and allow them to be. A support system (as we learned in Managing Depression It Takes Village) is one of the key components to decreasing depression as well as managing anxiety.

Loving God changes the way that you love others

--Unknown

Scripture:

Romans 13

Romans 13:7

Questions:

How do you accept love when experiencing depression and anxiety?

How do you acknowledge this from others?

How do you love yourself during these times?

What would it be like to allow others to love you and show you love during the times you experience depression and anxiety?

Prayer:

Lord, you taught us to love and you show us love daily. You show us a love that has no end. I pray that this loving example can be the love that others show and feel for themselves when experiencing depression and anxiety. I pray that when loved ones notice a decline in mental health that love is their first response in supporting their friend and their family. I pray that those who experience depression and anxiety, can acknowledge the love that is around them. And while it may be hard at times to receive it, I pray that it fills their space. I pray that those who see their friend or the family struggling have the strength to extend love, as an extension of your love. The love that you showed us and taught us through sending your son. I pray this in His name. Amen.