MINISTER'S MOMENT
"Do not worry about tomorrow"
CHARLOTTE AUSTIN

"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other... But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:24, 33- 34 NIV)

Mental depression is a terrible feeling. It saps our energy and prohibits us from functioning properly as human beings. Depression can be a product of many things. Weariness, physical illness, emotional let-downs, unrealistic expectations of ourselves and others -- all of these can cause depression.

Maybe there is another reason for depression: divided loyalty. People who have a singular loyalty and commitment can proceed in life with a sense of direction and proper affection. Those who try to stand on two spots at one time have a divided mind.

Henry Drummond once said to a group of college students, "Gentlemen, I beseech you to seek the kingdom of God first or not at all. I promise you a miserable time if you seek it second" When we are not fully committed to a singular loyalty, we must watch out for depression. When it comes, it may produce drug dependency, alcoholism, neuroses, or even suicide.

When the sky seems so dark that it makes you whole world black, when the sun appears as if it will never shine again, when your insides feel as if they have dropped into a bottomless pit, pray for God to show you His face.

Depression can be a debilitating emotion. We may not be wrong to feel depressed from time to time, but that isn't the way God would desire us to stay. Let Him who is the Master of wind and waves become the Master of the tossing seas of our troubled minds and spirits. Put God first and do not worry about tomorrow.

Rev. Charlotte Austin McCary's Chapel United Methodist Church