OVERCOMING DEPRESSION OVER FINANCIAL STRAITS

BH

Question:
Today I was so depressed. I was in bed lying there like a log for several hours, just waiting for my life to end. I am just overwhelmed with all the strains and difficulties in my life, especially the financial straits that I am stuck in. What to do?

Answer:
Firstly, we realize that Hashem is in charge of everything and responsible for taking care of us. Paraphrasing Rebbi Shimon Bar Yochai: "You [Hashem] put me in this world, then You have the responsibility of taking care of me". This is a fundamental of Faith and Trust in Hashem - that He loves us and that He won't ever strand us alone.

The problem starts when we sin and stumble and then the evil side brings us convincing arguments that we are no longer deserving of Hashem's benevolence. So that when a "tight" situation arises we are quick to make fatal and despairing conclusions that it is all over.

However, the real truth is that Hashem is still there. He is just waiting for us to do the right thing - i.e. to come back to and turn to Him for help. And if we don't do this, then He simply squeezes us some more until we get the message clearly.

Rebbe Nachman teaches (Likutey Moharan #56) that sighing over one's desperate and depressing situation can actually break the chain and release oneself from the influence of the evil sides convincing arguments. Give it a try and please get back to me.

Kol tuv and be well and don't ever give up, even if you are knocked down.