Chapter 52—Depression
[
See appendix A and appendix B.
]
Many Diseases Result From Mental Depression—A contented
mind, a cheerful spirit, is health to the body and strength to the soul.
Nothing is so fruitful a cause of disease as depression, gloominess,
and sadness.—
Testimonies for the Church 1:702
(1868).
Many of the diseases from which men suffer are the result of mental
depression.—
The Ministry of Healing, 241
(1905).
Removing Depression Hastens Recovery—Because God’s love
is so great and so unfailing, the sick should be encouraged to trust in
Him and be cheerful. To be anxious about themselves tends to cause
weakness and disease. If they will rise above depression and gloom,
their prospect of recovery will be better; for “the eye of the Lord is
upon them ... that hope in His mercy” (
Psalm 33:18
).—
The Ministry
of Healing, 229
(1905).
Depression Produced by Iron Dignity—Some preserve a cold,
chilling reserve, an iron dignity, that repels those who are brought
within their influence. This spirit is contagious; it creates an atmo-
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sphere that is withering to good impulses and good resolves; it chokes
the natural current of human sympathy, cordiality, and love; and under
its influence people become constrained, and their social and generous
attributes are destroyed for want of exercise.
Not only is the spiritual health affected but the physical health
suffers by this unnatural depression. The gloom and chill of this
unsocial atmosphere is reflected upon the countenance. The faces of
those who are benevolent and sympathetic will shine with the luster
of true goodness, while those who do not cherish kindly thoughts and
unselfish motives express in their faces the sentiments cherished in
their hearts.—
Testimonies for the Church 4:64
(1876).
Mental Depression From Poorly Ventilated Rooms—The ef-
fects produced by living in close, ill-ventilated rooms are these: The
system becomes weak and unhealthy, the circulation is depressed, the
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