A smile formed on Amy’s face as she spied their dog, Ginger, lying lazily on the floor. No words were necessary as the sisters looked at each other their eyes bright with mischief. They dove into the pile of old clothes sending the discards flying looking for clothes for Ginger. “Let’s put her in this coat!” giggled Jacquelyn.

Ginger looked at them with soulful eyes as they approached with the coat hidden behind their backs. The girls continued giggling as they quickly slipped the coat on the unsuspecting dog and buttoned it up. “Aww! She looks so cute!” Amy giggled.  Ginger wiggled, rolled and pawed at the coat trying to throw it off, but to no avail.

Do you ever dress up your pets?

Our girls, Jacquelyn and Amy, dressed Ginger in bath robes, hats, and all sorts of things.  Of course, there are many people who often dress up their amiable pets. Although momentarily compliant, Ginger was not pleased.

How would you feel if someone snuck up and fastened a coat on you?  Even if we are momentarily compliant, we would not be pleased to wear the coat I’m thinking about. It is not part of our usual winter wardrobe, but is a coat of depression.

Life has changed. With all the changes, depression can sneak up on us draping over us like a coat.  Before we realize it, disappointment, hurt and fear have buttoned the coat of depression in place. When we recognize it is not a coat we want to wear, we wiggle, roll and do all sorts of gyrations trying to throw it off.  Like Ginger, some attempts are successful, some not so much.

SO HOW DO WE THROW OFF THE COAT?

1. CHOSE TO GIVE THE COAT AWAY

The coat may have snuck up on us, but we aren’t stuck with it. We can give the coat away!  Who will take our coat? Only someone with a deep love for us; Jesus. When we cast all our cares on Him, He helps us unbutton the coat of depression one button at a time.

Casting all your care upon Him,
for He cares for you,
1 Peter 5:7

2. UNBUTTON DISAPPOINTMENT WITH THANKFULNESS**

What do we have to be thankful about? We may not be able to think of anything when disappointment has buttoned us into depression. Yet, God has a different perspective.  He sees our future and knows how He will work it all for good in our lives and perhaps the lives of others, (Romans 8:28).  It may not be easy, but we can unbutton disappointment with thankfulness. By faith, we give thanks not necessarily for the disappointing event, but for how He will use it for our good and His glory.

In everything give thanks;
 for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you,
1 Thessalonians 5:18

3. UNBUTTON HURT WITH FORGIVENESS**

Has anyone hurt you?  By forgiving, we unbutton the hurt on our coat allowing the Lord to heal us, refresh us and bring us peace.  Would you like to sew that buttonhole closed? Then ask the Lord for compassion for the offender and pray for them to be blessed.  Whether we have been offended by an enemy or unintentionally been hurt, the practice of blessing offenders prevents our hearts from hardening with unforgiveness.

But I say to you, love your enemies,
bless those who curse you,
 do good to those who hate you,
and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,
Matthew 5:44

4. UNBUTTON FEAR WITH PRAISE**

Praise is an act of faith which pops open the button of fear. If we don’t know what to say, we can recite the Psalm or turn on praise music and sing along.  Praise will lift our spirts encouraging our faith for His victory to set us free from the coat of depression.

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come into His presence with singing!
Know that the Lord, He is God!
It is He who made us, and we are His;
we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise!
Give thanks to Him; bless His name!
For the Lord is good; His steadfast love endures forever,
and His faithfulness to all generations,
Psalm 100:1-5 ESV

IT MAY NOT BE EASY,
BUT WITH THE LORD WE CAN
THROW OFF THE COAT OF DEPRESSION!

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors
through Him who loved us,
 Romans 8:37

REFLECTION

Would you like to remove a coat?

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, as I write 1 Peter 5:7 and say it aloud, I give you my coat of depression. Help me to unbutton the disappointment, hurt and fear so that I have victory to throw off the coat.  In Jesus name, Amen.

BY FAITH, THROW OFF THE COAT!

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*For information on making Jesus Christ your Savior, email me or visit, http://www.peacewithgod.net/

** For more information on thankfulness, forgiveness & praise, check out these blogs;
Faith – THANK YOU! – DianeLese
There’s Faith In Forgiveness – WHOSE SHOES?! – DianeLese
Faith – WHAT’S IN YOUR HOUSE? – DianeLese
Photo bulldog, person, K. Winegeart