I was reading the Sword and Trowell, just recently, and read a rather interesting article on counselling. I thought it raised quite a few important thoughts, and points. Where does counselling come into feeling down? Well, many people these days seek counselling for the smallest things, and it seems to be creeping evermore into Christian circles with more and more books written all the time.

How often have we heard people being referred to counsellors because they have seen something or dealt with something terrible? Why, as a modern society do we seem unable to manage, as people have in the past with far greater calamities?

All of us have a problem sometime or another with feeling down, so what can we do to help ourselves?

1) We need to go to the Bible, and immerse ourselves in the word of God.

2) We need to be ready, able and willing to serve others.

3) Spend time in public prayer.

4) Do not complain, but reflect on God's blessings to us, and be reflective of this in our conversations with others.

5) Don't be idle, as it is the devil's home for temptation.

Richard Baxter the Puritan suggested that we serve others, and that will help us. We are required to live a life of service, and for many of us home educating, then that is our main calling. If we have any opportunities for hospitality, or to help out, then it can be beneficial, but not to the point where we exhaust ourselves, or neglec our families.

The Bible teaches us to apply the truth through the reading of the word, and applying it. The truth in the Bible is what sets us free.

So by putting others first and being unselfish (obviously not to the point of neglecting ourselves) we are actually helping ourselves.

We don't need expensive books on how to right this and how to right that. They can be filled with worldly psychology which looks at the problem, not the person. If we seek through God's grace to become better people, then in most cases that will be of great benefit.

Here is a link to Richard Baxters book on melancholy http://www.puritansermons.com/baxter/baxter25.htm