Pray from Depression to Hope
Everything is different right now. With a global pandemic, changes have been made to life as we know it. Young people are experiencing the same pandemic and have lost a number of things they used to count on. In some ways, they are mourning the end of a chapter in their lives. A life they used to know.
During this time, it’s easy to say it’s all going to be okay, that everything happens for a reason, or to simply not talk about their feelings at all. Yet, right now more than ever, teens are experiencing deep grief and ignoring that pain, not dealing with it in a healthy way, can lead to depression, stress, and anxiety.
If your teenager seems sad, don’t simply ignore it, brush it off, or try to cheer them up. Talk to them. Make it a safe space for them to share how they are really doing without fear of judgment. Ask them questions:
- How are you really doing?
- What do you miss the most right now?
- On a scale of 1-10, where are you emotionally right now?
- How are you spending your free time?
- How often do you feel sad right now?
- When are you going to bed every night?
- What is one of your biggest fears right now?
Once you ask, don’t try to fix it, don’t try to make them feel better, don’t tease them for feeling that way. Listen. Share how you’re feeling too. Tell them it’s okay to feel this way. Grieve together.
During this season, it could be easy to slip into depression when life seems fairly idle and we’re looking at screens all day as our only way to connect. Let’s remember that depression and deep grief are natural, human emotions to experience. Jesus grieved many times in the Bible. However, we were never meant to do it alone.
Remember:
-Invite your student into a conversation about how they are feeling,
-help them find a good routine, and
-share how you’re feeling with them.
Join us in praying against depression in the lives of teens in our communities. Pray by name for those you know who struggle with depression and are isolated in this season. Pray for hope.
If you or your teen is struggling with depression, someone to talk to check out:
Boys Town (for both teens & parents) 1-800-448-3000