5 of 42

No

Write now Article Tools

Depression is invariably linked with fear, not money. A person who is depressed is usually focused on the fear of his or her inadequacies, be they real or imaginary. Now if said individual fears that he or she is less than adequate, the resulting anxieties are bound to affect his or her effectiveness on the job. If left unchecked, those negative attitudes can lead to problems at work, including job loss-which means no paycheck and no money. Not having money can lead to anxiety, especially when the rent is due and "the cupboard [is] bare" ("Old Mother Hubbard"). However, having money can also lead to anxiety if someone is afraid of losing it-and then being unable to pay the rent and fill the cupboard.

It is important to note at this point that money is a tool, not an emotion. As previously mentioned, because money can be used to purchase life's necessities, money is often equated with security, but this is a mistake because money can be lost. Even worse, someone could have all the money he or she could ever need, yet still have an impoverished soul that is unable to think of anyone but self. Jesus put it best when He stated, "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matthew 16:26 King James Version).

So what is the answer to depression and anxiety if money offers no lasting solution? Get your mind off yourself. I personally struggled with anxious thoughts for years. I was raised by a single mother who suffered from depression so badly it stunted her self-confidence and left her struggling from paycheck to paycheck. So I feared the same would happen to me. Then I learned to turn my focus away from myself and start to look to other people's needs. I recently experienced a job change that in times past would have emotionally decimated me. However, because I was looking to help others, I saw the change as an opportunity to have more time to be of service to others.

That service began with visiting a local soup kitchen. I was not there serving food. Instead, I sat down to eat and talk with the guests like they were human beings. As I listened to their stories, I started to realize how blessed I was. After watching people eat hungrily, an ordinary loaf of bread in my "cupboard" became a precious reminder of God's faithfulness to provide my "daily bread." Talking with a man who talked about living in his car helped me appreciate my own roof. In all this, I forgot to be worried about work since all my gratitude did not leave room for fearful thoughts. Rather, my gratitude makes me "hungry" to serve people even more, telling them how loving others helped set my soul free from anxiety and depression.

Learn more about this author, Ariel Bauder.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Is money invariably linked with depression??
We want to hear your view. Write now!