Laziness vs Depression

[ciicii]

So I have been reading the wise sayings of proverbs. And I always have convictions about it when we get to the parts that speak about the fool, there is alwasy something to learn in there. But laziness has also alwasy convicted me.
To the point that rest does give me anxiety at worse or sever guilt at best.

PROVERBS 26:14
"As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed."

This single proverbs pretty much sums everything up in a nutshell. Because I go to work, I am doing things to makes sure I am responsible with finances and stuff as my life turns over. But it is a big push to do those things and I can't deny that most of my time is spent sleeping and roling in bed.

And I know that my current situation, it is normal to be depressed and devastated (forced divorce etc), but I serious am struggling to tell the difference between laziness and depression at this point. And don't want to end up being a victim to my situation and never healing becuase I am 'going easy on myself" for example.

Does anyone have experience with this, and scripture to guide me through this. I don't want to over think without scripture.

 

[ResidentAlien]

So I have been reading the wise sayings of proverbs. And I always have convictions about it when we get to the parts that speak about the fool, there is alwasy something to learn in there. But laziness has also alwasy convicted me.
To the point that rest does give me anxiety at worse or sever guilt at best.



This single proverbs pretty much sums everything up in a nutshell. Because I go to work, I am doing things to makes sure I am responsible with finances and stuff as my life turns over. But it is a big push to do those things and I can't deny that most of my time is spent sleeping and roling in bed.

And I know that my current situation, it is normal to be depressed and devastated (forced divorce etc), but I serious am struggling to tell the difference between laziness and depression at this point. And don't want to end up being a victim to my situation and never healing becuase I am 'going easy on myself" for example.

Does anyone have experience with this, and scripture to guide me through this. I don't want to over think without scripture.

Matthew 19:28-30 comes to mind: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

I'd suggest to someone in your situation to sell out to Jesus. Let Him care for you.

 

[passion84god]

So I have been reading the wise sayings of proverbs. And I always have convictions about it when we get to the parts that speak about the fool, there is alwasy something to learn in there. But laziness has also alwasy convicted me.
To the point that rest does give me anxiety at worse or sever guilt at best.



This single proverbs pretty much sums everything up in a nutshell. Because I go to work, I am doing things to makes sure I am responsible with finances and stuff as my life turns over. But it is a big push to do those things and I can't deny that most of my time is spent sleeping and roling in bed.

And I know that my current situation, it is normal to be depressed and devastated (forced divorce etc), but I serious am struggling to tell the difference between laziness and depression at this point. And don't want to end up being a victim to my situation and never healing becuase I am 'going easy on myself" for example.

Does anyone have experience with this, and scripture to guide me through this. I don't want to over think without scripture.

From what you have described here, and from being pretty familiar with your situation because of what you have described on other threads, I believe that your desire to spend so much time in bed is directly related to depression, and not to laziness. When we get overwhelmed, we can easily seek for what I would call "other saviors." In other words, things like sleeping and watching TV, which you also mentioned the other day, temporarily "save us" from thinking about our situations by either momentarily escaping them through sleep or momentarily pushing them out of minds through watching TV. I have been guilty of precisely these two things many times in the past myself. Being aware of it now, I force myself, if necessary, to pray instead because only Christ can truly save or deliver any of us. I offer this scripture as a recommended course of action going forward:​

Psalm 61:2​

2 From the end of the earth I will cry to You, When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

When your heart is overwhelmed, look upward, and pray to the Rock, Jesus Christ, who is higher than all of us and all of our problems. He is your merciful and faithful High Priest who is touched with the feelings of your infirmities or weaknesses in that he, in his humanity, was tempted and tested in all ways like we are, yet without sin. He forever lives to make intercession for you, so make your petitions known to him by casting all of your cares upon him because he cares for you, and the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your heart and mind through Christ Jesus. I alluded to several verses of scripture there, and I will now seek to sum up what I am trying to say in a single verse:​

Isaiah 26:3​

3 You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.

When we are going through fiery trials, we tend to focus on them or to have our minds stayed or fixed on them. Rather than magnify the problem, train yourself to focus on Jesus who upholds all things by the word of his power. If he is powerful enough to do that, and he is, then he is certainly powerful enough to get us through our situations. When Goliath challenged the armies of Israel, King Saul and his soldiers were defeated in their minds as they focused on Goliath's size, strength, and past history as a man of war from his youth. David focused upon God, and he found victory. It really is just a matter of focus.

https://ccmodesto.com/teachings/how-to-defeat-a-giant-1-samuel-17-1-54/

 

[Vucesa]

I would encourage you and say that being tired, depressed, sad, sick or crippled is not being lazy.

Here is a good rule of thumb I have used: If you are tired, laying in bed and all of a sudden a phone call were to come, your friend invites you to do something fun, would you immediately jump up full of energy? The answer to that question in my opinion is a good way to tell the difference between lazy and tired.

On a side note: The work ethic that is expected of many people in countries like the U.S. and Japan is completely unnatural and even medievel peasants didn't work as hard. Modern jobs are exhausting not necessarily physically, but also mentally, many jobs follow you home.

 

[ciicii]

Matthew 19:28-30 comes to mind: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

I'd suggest to someone in your situation to sell out to Jesus. Let Him care for you.

Yeah I am trying to do that, there are just a lot of new things always coming.
I think the issues is when i take the burden back without noticing. I often meditate on this scripture and it does help to remind me. I just want relief truly. there are a lot of fears i have that as of late have slowly become meaningless. idk to be sad about it or not but even today weeping i was able to say thank you to God so i think he is lifting me up, but it is very slow

 

[ciicii]

From what you have described here, and from being pretty familiar with your situation because of what you have described on other threads, I believe that your desire to spend so much time in bed is directly related to depression, and not to laziness. When we get overwhelmed, we can easily seek for what I would call "other saviors." In other words, things like sleeping and watching TV, which you also mentioned the other day, temporarily "save us" from thinking about our situations by either momentarily escaping them through sleep or momentarily pushing them out of minds through watching TV. I have been guilty of precisely these two things many times in the past myself. Being aware of it now, I force myself, if necessary, to pray instead because only Christ can truly save or deliver any of us. I offer this scripture as a recommended course of action going forward:​

Psalm 61:2​

2 From the end of the earth I will cry to You, When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

When your heart is overwhelmed, look upward, and pray to the Rock, Jesus Christ, who is higher than all of us and all of our problems. He is your merciful and faithful High Priest who is touched with the feelings of your infirmities or weaknesses in that he, in his humanity, was tempted and tested in all ways like we are, yet without sin. He forever lives to make intercession for you, so make your petitions known to him by casting all of your cares upon him because he cares for you, and the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your heart and mind through Christ Jesus. I alluded to several verses of scripture there, and I will now seek to sum up what I am trying to say in a single verse:​

Isaiah 26:3​

3 You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.

When we are going through fiery trials, we tend to focus on them or to have our minds stayed or fixed on them. Rather than magnify the problem, train yourself to focus on Jesus who upholds all things by the word of his power. If he is powerful enough to do that, and he is, then he is certainly powerful enough to get us through our situations. When Goliath challenged the armies of Israel, King Saul and his soldiers were defeated in their minds as they focused on Goliath's size, strength, and past history as a man of war from his youth. David focused upon God, and he found victory. It really is just a matter of focus.

https://ccmodesto.com/teachings/how-to-defeat-a-giant-1-samuel-17-1-54/

Thank you for this, i actually do feel so much more at peace and empowered when I read God's promises like this. I need to store them all in my heart so the Spirit can bring them back up in times of trouble.

My mine wants to make stories constantly about how it can be better or what everyone will go through, but my only job is to focus on him and his promises and hide in his wing for safety. I need that closeness and being tucked away under the lord's wing means i cannot see anything all i feel is God's warmth and trust in Him while I am being shielded from danger. I need to remember this and believe it with all my heart mind and soul.

Thank you for these verses. and the sermon I am going to add it to the list over the few days.

 

[ciicii]

I would encourage you and say that being tired, depressed, sad, sick or crippled is not being lazy.

Here is a good rule of thumb I have used: If you are tired, laying in bed and all of a sudden a phone call were to come, your friend invites you to do something fun, would you immediately jump up full of energy? The answer to that question in my opinion is a good way to tell the difference between lazy and tired.

On a side note: The work ethic that is expected of many people in countries like the U.S. and Japan is completely unnatural and even medievel peasants didn't work as hard. Modern jobs are exhausting not necessarily physically, but also mentally, many jobs follow you home.

If you are tired, laying in bed and all of a sudden a phone call were to come, your friend invites you to do something fun, would you immediately jump up full of energy?

Thank you for this example that actually helps a lot! quick and simple trick to judge.

countries like the U.S. and Japan is completely unnatural

it is funny you mention that, since getting my life together I have been in a lot of japanese and korean study groups daily work 6-12hrs of studying and then going to work and other stuff. I still do that work ethic sometimes when i have the energy, but it is unrealistic, and causes a lot of guilt. I have no idea how it started though tbh (like for me or anyone else)

 

[timf]

You might consider the example of Jesus. There were times when he sought to rest. The bible does not paint a picture of frantic activity. Rather, slow and consistent work seems more guided by the Spirit as both frantic and lazy activity seems more inclined to the flesh.

 

[Karlon]

So I have been reading the wise sayings of proverbs. And I always have convictions about it when we get to the parts that speak about the fool, there is alwasy something to learn in there. But laziness has also alwasy convicted me.
To the point that rest does give me anxiety at worse or sever guilt at best.



This single proverbs pretty much sums everything up in a nutshell. Because I go to work, I am doing things to makes sure I am responsible with finances and stuff as my life turns over. But it is a big push to do those things and I can't deny that most of my time is spent sleeping and roling in bed.

And I know that my current situation, it is normal to be depressed and devastated (forced divorce etc), but I serious am struggling to tell the difference between laziness and depression at this point. And don't want to end up being a victim to my situation and never healing becuase I am 'going easy on myself" for example.

Does anyone have experience with this, and scripture to guide me through this. I don't want to over think without scripture.

many people who are lazy have vitamin deficiencie's in vitamin D, B-12 & iron. & if there is no condition response built up for energy you'll have very little.. exercise, it's proven to produce a happier person. laziness can cause depression because you are not using what you have & in turn your body is talking to you. imagine how many times your brain told you to get moving, do something & you didn't listen? for most lazy people, it's 100,000's of times. too, think of when you are older & you look back at your life & the memories you have. there will be a partial empty space there. i have never experienced that. i always had enormous amounts of energy. i'm 67 & i can still work all day in 100 degree heat without any problem, ( i'm a landscaper ). i hope this encourages you immediately. memorize verses in your trouble areas. blessings to you.

 

[ciicii]

You might consider the example of Jesus. There were times when he sought to rest. The bible does not paint a picture of frantic activity. Rather, slow and consistent work seems more guided by the Spirit as both frantic and lazy activity seems more inclined to the flesh.

That's fair - especially the part about frantic and lazy being more inclined to the flesh. I didn't think about it in that way.

 

[ciicii]

many people who are lazy have vitamin deficiencie's in vitamin D, B-12 & iron. & if there is no condition response built up for energy you'll have very little.. exercise, it's proven to produce a happier person. laziness can cause depression because you are not using what you have & in turn your body is talking to you. imagine how many times your brain told you to get moving, do something & you didn't listen? for most lazy people, it's 100,000's of times. too, think of when you are older & you look back at your life & the memories you have. there will be a partial empty space there. i have never experienced that. i always had enormous amounts of energy. i'm 67 & i can still work all day in 100 degree heat without any problem, ( i'm a landscaper ). i hope this encourages you immediately. memorize verses in your trouble areas. blessings to you.

thanks I was checked out I don't have any deficiencies, but the comparison of your brain saying one things and the body doing another is true for sure.
My worry is looking back and seeing I have wasted time, that's why I dont' want depression to keep me from working, but rest is important to.
I have been memorizing scripture recently it has been a significant help for sure!! thank you for your advice and insight on your own life it is encouraging <3