Despondency is the biggest sin. Despondency is a sin. How to overcome this condition

If we consider despondency, based on the biblical canons, then at all times it was ranked among the category of mortal sins. For what reason is despondency a sin, and if it is a sin, then how to overcome it? It became very interesting for me to understand this issue and I invite you to do it together.

Falling into a state of melancholy, sadness, despondency, sadness - a person does not think at all about the possible consequences that these negative, destructive emotions are fraught with.

Some even attribute to this state some subtlety of the mysterious Russian soul. But experts in psychiatry say that when a person is depressed for a long time, depression develops, which means a serious danger to his health and even life. Different researchers call the figure 20% - exactly how many people around the globe suffer from a depressed morale.

As for the Church, it has long since added despondency to the list of major sins. Next, we will understand what caused this.

What is despondency in Orthodoxy

Let us turn to the statement of the professor of the Russian Orthodox University, John the Theologian Viktor Trostnikov, who says the following:

“Despondency is included in the category of mortal sins exclusively in Orthodoxy. For comparison, Catholics included sadness in this list, but only in Orthodoxy is despondency singled out as a single sin.

It is for this reason that in Orthodoxy there are only 8 deadly sins, and not 7. At first glance, it may seem that sadness and despondency are one and the same. If we look in more detail, we establish that sadness is some passing sensation relating to some unpleasant incidents, but this feeling is temporary, passing.

And if we are talking about despondency, then we should note that it acts as a protracted, chronic condition, and for it there are often no obvious factors. Despondency is precisely a state of mind, it is quite capable of visiting you even if outwardly everything looks quite safe. At the same time, a person himself will not be able to give an intelligible answer to the question of what he really needs.

Be that as it may, the Church calls both sadness and despondency mortal sins. A layman must perceive all the types of trials sent to him, having a whole soul, being filled with faith, hope and love in his soul. In the opposite case, he begins to renounce the whole, does not recognize this whole, and therefore condemns the doctrine of God, the world and humanity. This is one of the variations of the lack of faith. When the spirit is left to itself, and the individual is automatically doomed to various pathologies and suffering.

All mortal sins have a destructive effect on the physical and spiritual shells of a person. It is not in vain that despondency is known as "evil debauchery." When this passion begins to influence an individual, he becomes lazy, it is difficult for him to motivate himself to perform any actions. Also, he does not experience any joy and consolation, loses faith and hope for the best.

It is not in vain that there is a saying that "a dry spirit can dry up bones."

A despondent spirit dries up the bones

• sleep is disturbed (a person suffers from insomnia or increased drowsiness);
• appetite changes (increases or is lost);
• bowel problems (constipation);
• markedly reduced sexual potential;
• the general energy state decreases, the person begins to tire more of the usual physical and mental stress;
• there are various uncomfortable pain types of sensations in the trunk.

As a result of such a conflict with oneself, even organic pathology can arise. Thus, sin begins to penetrate into the physical body of a person.

In modern medicine, methods of healing from depression are offered, however, the famous specialist in this field, Polishchuk, who is a doctor of medical sciences, also advises using spiritual and religious methods of psychotherapy.

He expresses the following opinion about the treatment of despondency: “If someone who suffers from depression turned to me and asked for a way out of this state, I would definitely recommend him not just to visit the temple of God, but to search for his personal spiritual mentor in one of the monasteries.

Of course, this option will be more difficult, as it requires efforts to search, but as a result, they will not just listen to you for a couple of minutes, but will try to establish the true source of mental suffering. Conversations with spiritual mentors last for several hours, and sometimes the applicant is offered to stay within the walls of the monastery for a certain time in order to endure the fast and begin to heal his soul.

Father (Berestov), ​​acting as a hieromonk and head of the Orthodox Counseling Center of John of Kronstadt, as well as a doctor of medical sciences, is sure that a person who dreams of healing this ailment not only on a bodily, but also on a spiritual level, must definitely seek help from Holy Church.

After all, it is Orthodox medicine that is called upon to save a person, to free him from internal sins that destroy the body with the soul.”

Although from a different position, believers who have suffered from depressive states should not neglect official medicine, because, according to St. Theophan the Recluse, “medicine and medicines were given to us by the Almighty and to refuse them means to reproach the Creator.”

What can lead a person to the mortal sin of despondency?

It becomes clear that despondency can seriously harm both our physical body and cause damage to our immortal soul.

But why does this passion arise? Among the main factors that provoke despondency, the following can be distinguished:

1. Loss of the meaning of life.
2. A state where a person is not in control of his life.
3. Lost faith in yourself and in God.
4. Laziness.
5. Lack of responsibility.
6. Loss of joy.
7. Disappointment (in oneself, other people, ideals, life in general, and so on).
8. Constant guilt.
9. Unwillingness to admit their own mistakes.

Of course, perhaps the most important point of all of these is the meaning of life. Until a person has found the answer to the question why he lives on Earth, what is his true destiny, all attempts to achieve happiness will fail.

As a result of this, internal blocks of consciousness begin to appear, manifested in the form of irresponsibility, disbelief in one's own strengths, hatred of oneself and a complete refusal to move forward, neglect of one's capabilities.

For what reasons does the sin of despondency arise according to Orthodoxy

The Orthodox Church names its specific factors for the appearance of this passion:

• trials sent to man by God so that he can improve spiritually;
• self-loathing;
• vanity;
• loss of faith;
• godlessness;
• little spiritual life.

Due to a disturbed way of life and unwillingness to observe moral morality, people find themselves in a state of spiritual crisis, getting out of which is already quite problematic.

Despondency provokes a vicious circle: the individual is in a depressed state, he has no desire to perform any actions, such idleness plunges him even more into a state of despondency, makes him do even less something, which, as a result, is fraught with an even greater state of despondency.

The Holy Fathers say that from time to time each of us may encounter a state of natural longing. Due to mental suffering, moral benefactors are cultivated in a person. And when a person copes with the state of despondency, he begins to improve himself spiritually and becomes closer to the Creator.

Therefore, we can consider the sin of despondency as a test sent from above, which must be dealt with.

How to deal with discouragement

If you do not take any action, then the state of despondency can provoke a deep depression. Doctors note that it is often quite problematic (sometimes impossible) to get out of depressive states without outside help.

Modern psychology and medicine offers various methods and means that eliminate such conditions. But the church has always advised people who have undergone despondency to find a way out in prayers. But after all, as a rule, all prayers are said alone, which means that a person unconsciously closes himself even more from the outside world. Loneliness is complemented by an inner sense of guilt. The effect of such "therapy" will be very doubtful as a result.

What do modern doctors advise people in the fight against despondency? Famous psychoanalysts, psychiatrists and psychologists strongly recommend improving your life with active activities - rest, dating, entertainment. It is very easy to trace the effect of such a recommendation - you simply do not have enough time to be sad and yearn.

Of course, there are especially neglected situations when a person came to the doctor too late and drug therapy is already required. In the fight against despondency, one should not forget that it often reaches a protracted depression, and it can end very badly.

Therefore, contact a specialist as soon as you notice in yourself or one of your relatives and friends the initial symptoms of this pathology.

How to protect yourself from discouragement?

The most effective remedy for despondency is moderate exercise and maintaining an active lifestyle. When a person is subjected to stress, he gets rid of all the negativity accumulated in the body, and becomes calm, plus more confident in himself and his abilities.

In addition, in the life of every athlete, no matter whether he is a professional or an amateur, there is always a goal. In some cases, it does not manifest itself as clearly as in others and has more of the character of a struggle with oneself.

But even novice athletes, when they leave the gym, think: “Today I managed to perform such and such a load. And tomorrow I can do even more (run faster, lift more weight, and so on). And this is the goal, which is the main salvation from the state of despondency. And it doesn't really matter what the goal is.

Also try to surround yourself with positive in all its signs - let there be exceptionally cheerful people, good kind films and exciting incidents in your life. If life sends you little positive, start attracting it yourself.

Interesting expert answers to questions about despondency

It is very interesting to receive information from smart people who understand the topic of the issue. We present the cognitive reasoning of Yuri Shcherbatykh, who is a professor of psychology at the Moscow Humanitarian and Economic Institute, as well as a doctor of biological sciences and the author of the monograph "The Seven Deadly Sins for Believers and Unbelievers."

— Who is tempted more often than others by the sin of despondency?

- Basically, these are melancholic people with reduced energy. For example, factors that lead to long-term sadness and despondency in melancholic people will cause fits of rage in choleric people, and only fleeting dissatisfaction in sanguine people.

Many famous personalities have been subjected to bouts of blues. Of the latter, famous writers and poets can be named - Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol, Nekrasov Nikolai Alekseevich and Guy de Maupassant.

- Besides temperament, what else influences the development of mental suffering?

- The main factor can be called the people around us, especially those close to us, who can unjustifiably hurt us, insult, slander, or simply be inattentive where we want to get attention to our person. Speaking specifically of the latter case, the real cause of discouragement is a completely different sin of pride.

In addition, our physical well-being often leads to a state of hopeless longing: apathy, pathologies, regular lack of sleep. It also happens that a person falls into a depressive state when he begins to make increased demands on the Universe.

Another passion of despondency often attacks people on the eve of a certain age limit - at forty, fifty or sixty years. At such moments, a person suddenly feels that she has lived her life absolutely in vain and in her failures exceeded successes.

- What is the danger of despondency for physical health?

- The state of despondency becomes dangerous if it reaches a depressive disorder. After all, as a result of such a depressed state, various types of biochemical disorders begin to appear in the central nervous system - first of all, the exchange of neurotransmitters (substances that affect mental performance) worsens.

It is noteworthy that very vivid and characteristic symptoms of depression are shown in the Bible by King David: “I am all bowed and drooping, I complain all day long. I am exhausted and lament beyond all measure, I scream, as my heart is constantly tormented. My heart begins to tremble, my strength has left me, I do not even have light in my eyes.

Have doctors managed to cure depression?

- Yes, American researchers were able to establish serotonin, which is a biologically active substance that affects a person's mood. And on its basis, many drugs have been invented to help fight depression.

- How to eliminate this pathological defect?

- Do not forget that depression cannot be cured with antidepressants, alcohol or drugs, on the contrary, the condition will only worsen. Also remember that your enemies and competitors will easily take advantage of world sorrow. Do not be surprised if more cheerful colleagues easily “jump” you up the career ladder, and your beloved girl cannot stand the constant grumbling and complaints and finds herself a more cheerful and active guy. Therefore, try to live in such a way that your enemies lose heart, and you be a complete optimist.

Make changes to your lifestyle - instead of the usual sedentary work, find yourself something more interesting and mobile, stop drinking alcohol and spending time on the couch, actively expand your social circle. And, of course, let there be a maximum of sports and walks in nature in your life.

Set a life motto for yourself: "Less self-pity and as many smiles as possible!".

And at the end of the topic, watch an interesting video:

Let me remind you that we will consider the problem of despondency from an esoteric and spiritual point of view (we will dig into the depths).

There are many reasons why a person can become discouraged, and in each case you need to look individually so that help in getting rid of discouragement is really effective. But there are always general patterns and the most common causes.

Despondency, as a rule, is preceded by apathy, and if despondency drags on, then it runs the risk of developing into. Let's start with definitions and get to the bottom of this unpleasant problem.

What is Despondency?

Esoteric understanding of despondency:

Despondency– loss of the Spirit, connection with one’s own and with the Higher (with God), a state in which the mind loses the ability to think, the soul decomposes from spiritual laziness, structures begin to disintegrate and the process of self-destruction of the personality takes place.

sad man - fallen in spirit, having lost faith (his core), life support and strength, having lost the meaning of life. The one who refused to develop and fight for his soul and destiny, refused to search for answers and attempts to solve the problem (surrendered).

Some scriptures say that St. George the Victorious killed the discouraged and discouraged with his own hand with a sword right on the battlefield, because. considered despondency to be one of the gravest sins, the essence of which is the betrayal of one's Soul, and hence God.

Despondency- this is primarily a spiritual problem, and its root causes must be sought not in the external world and events, but inside the person himself, in his erroneous beliefs, ideals, worldview.

Despondency is one of the main obstacles to human development, like pride, vanity and other mortal sins. In yoga, discouragement is also considered one of the main obstacles.

Other definitions characterizing Despondency:

From Wikipedia: Despondency (lat. acedia) is a negatively colored mood, a depressed state of mind, accompanied by a general breakdown. Severe despondency is characteristic of depression and may precede suicide.

Despondency is the gravest passion that can destroy the soul. The word "despondency" ("acedia" - from α - not and χήος - diligence, work) literally means - carelessness, negligence, complete relaxation, discouragement. This passion lies in the relaxation of all the forces of the soul and body, the exhaustion of the mind, laziness in all spiritual deeds and work, the abandonment of all Christian, saving feat, despair.

Rev. Ambrose Optinsky: Despondency means the same laziness, only worse. From despondency you will weaken both in body and in spirit. You don't feel like working or praying, you go to church with negligence, and the whole person weakens.

“Just as thieves at nightfall, having extinguished the fire, can easily steal property and kill its owners, so the devil, instead of night and darkness, bringing despondency, tries to steal all guarding thoughts in order to inflict countless wounds on the soul, deprived of them and helpless” .

Science of Joy (Kora Antarova): Remember that joy is an invincible force, while despondency and denial will destroy everything, no matter what you undertake ...

Another simple description that I really liked: this is the state of mind of arrogant people who are prone to when something doesn’t work out for them.

Main Causes of Despondency

As religious people describe the causes of despondency:

A person gives himself up to a heavy spirit of despondency when he loses all hope in God (Faith). Despondency is a grave mortal sin that contains hidden blasphemy, distrust of God and resistance to God (pride,). From unconscious resistance to God, the soul comes to despair and impotence. Despondency is terrible because it leads to despair. Despair tries to finally destroy a person, moving him to. Despondency happens for various reasons, but is based on the mother of all sins -. The strongest reason for despondency is also impenitence in the accumulated, especially in difficult ones.

Despondency also comes from various reasons: from offended pride or from what is not being done in our own way; so also from when a person sees that his equals enjoy great advantages; from embarrassing circumstances that test our faith in God's Providence and hope for His mercy and all-powerful help. And we are often poor in faith and hope, and that is why we lose heart.

Esoteric Causes of Despondency:

1. or loss of faith above all faith in God. Loss of faith always leads to loss of connection with God, His protection and protection. And when the patronage of God is lost, a person (his Soul) is taken into circulation. In this case, you need to find out why the loss occurred, because of which Faith was destroyed, on what internal weakness the person stumbled.
2. Loss of joy and connection with your Soul. This happens for various reasons: disappointment in oneself, unforgiveness of oneself, or when a person has lost faith in himself (lost confidence), non-recognition of his own sins (insincerity before himself) and unwillingness to repent.
3. Loss of the meaning of life, disappointment in or when there are none at all. A man without a goal is like a ship without sail and wind. The meaning of life is revealed to a person in the process of searching for his destiny, vocation. This is the answer to the question - Why was I born on this earth? Until a person has found at least some satisfactory answer, he may be prone to discouragement.
4. Disillusionment own control over their own destiny and the lives of others. This happens with powerful and proud people who are accustomed to keep everything in life under personal control, to subordinate everything and everyone to personal power, only to their will. For such people, the most important thing is that everything is as they want. And if fate lays out the cards differently, then at the beginning such people are very nervous, furious, and when they realize that what is happening does not obey their only will and desires, they often become discouraged and depressed from impotence. In this case, you need to study.
5. The collapse of ideals, idols, idols. In other words, disappointment in someone or something. For example, you strongly idealized some person, authority, defending his infallibility, holiness, uniqueness, etc. before other people. And at some point you saw your idol from the negative side, realizing that he was not a god descended from Heaven at all, but an ordinary person with his own weaknesses and vices. When false ideals collapse, a person almost always falls into disappointment and despondency. In this case, you need to shake off the fragments of false ideals, an illusory value system as soon as possible, so as not to be buried under them, and turn your tragedy into a victory, thanking God and fate for the shed Light and open eyes.
6. Spiritual laziness and irresponsibility for oneself and one's destiny. Spiritual laziness - unwillingness to make efforts to solve pressing problems, unwillingness to develop one's soul, get rid of shortcomings, achieve goals in life. - unwillingness to even admit that it is you who should solve these problems, by the efforts of your mind, your soul and will. Spiritual laziness is often the result of refusing to fight for one's soul, refusing strength and moving forward (from development). In this case, despondency and depression for a person are, which can lead him to insanity (loss of reason).

There are other reasons for despondency, which, as I wrote above, must be considered and removed individually in each case with or.

esoteric features. What strikes despondency?

As already mentioned at the beginning, despondency affects both the mind and soul of a person.

Despondency oppresses and blocks: for violating the principles of distinguishing between Good and Evil and Struggle (for refusing to fight, etc.).

Also, negative blocking effects are exerted on (irresponsibility, renunciation of power), on and (for a negative attitude towards oneself), in addition, despondency depresses a person’s individuality -.

First of all, we need to understand that we must cultivate the positive in ourselves when we are freed from despondency:

• Pure, like the bright creative power of your soul.
• as the ability to appreciate the Valuable that is given to us in life by God and fate.
• The meaning of life, corresponding to the destiny of the human Soul. If a person's goals do not correspond to his destiny, he may become discouraged.
• Formation of a true system of values ​​and ideals, where the Eternal, Spiritual values ​​are at the head.
• The real light is the ability to gladly accept what is happening, everything that is not subject to our own will.

It is also necessary to say that it is quite difficult to overcome despondency on your own, since in this state the human mind is affected, and in order to solve this spiritual task, it must be in working condition. However, difficult does not mean impossible. If you have a strong Soul and have real Faith in God, you will succeed.

But the most effective way to overcome despondency or depression is to get outside help, preferably the help of a specialist who will quickly help you find the individual root cause of your problem, which is often karmic, rooted in past incarnations of the human soul.

Algorithm for working on yourself:

1. Identify the most likely causes of discouragement (see Causes section).
2. The next step is to deal with specific causes. You follow the links indicated and find practical articles on our website with techniques and methods, for example, how to remove disbelief or laziness. Make appropriate recommendations.
3. It is important not only to get rid of this or that disadvantage, but also to form a corresponding dignity. If disbelief was removed, Faith must be strengthened. If you got rid of irresponsibility, you need to form responsibility.
4. When the main cause of despondency is eliminated, all the others need to be worked out. Because it is not a fact that after a while you will not step on the next rake.
5. And in order to be guaranteed to forget from such phenomena as apathy, despondency and depression, you need to start the process of continuous development and growth in your life and soul. So that development and work on yourself become your way of life, so that step by step you rise closer and closer to God, to the Light, to your highest destiny.

And if you decide that you need the help of a mentor or healer in solving such problems -! I can recommend you good specialists for individual work.

Despondency is a mortal sin, which is the seventh mortal sin in the Christian doctrine. Before talking about how to deal with this vice, it is worth understanding what the sin of despondency is.

In the Roman Catholic there is only the sin of sorrow. In the Orthodox canon, the division into the mortal sin of despondency and sadness is accepted.

Despondency is characterized as a depressive, depressed state of mind. A person who has fallen into despondency loses the desire for any kind of labor and activity: physical, mental, spiritual and moral. The Christian church describes despondency as a state of spiritual crisis in a person.

The following are the main properties of the sin of discouragement:

1. Laziness, idleness, unwillingness to work. A person subjected to despondency loses all interest in his activities. Despondency makes a person apathetic to duties and work, makes him concentrate all his attention on his grief. It is worth noting that very often a person who suffers from despondency cannot in any way and in no way explain the reasons for this phenomenon.
2. "Cooling" to the spiritual life. A discouraged person spends less time solving moral issues. He visits church and takes communion less often, reads less spiritual literature.
3. Health deterioration. Mental and physical are closely connected in a person, and the “sickness” of the soul can lead to physical illnesses. For those who are discouraged, sleep is disturbed, appetite disappears, fatigue increases and energy decreases.

It would seem that a person who has fallen into despondency does not do anything negative in relation to his neighbors. He does not offend anyone, does not lie, does not steal, does not kill, but nevertheless, despondency is numbered among mortal sins. It is recognized as a mortal sin for the following reasons:

• can make a person fall into despair, and despair can lead to suicide, which is the most serious sin in Christianity;
• takes a person away from God and moral self-improvement, forcing him to focus only on his own grief;
• deprives a person of the will to do his work, which leads him to laziness, inaction, abandonment of his duty.

It is difficult for a person to resist despondency. It deprives him of vitality and the will to act. Fighting despondency is sometimes difficult, but it is necessary for the spiritual purification of a person.

The Christian Church identifies various reasons for the emergence of despondency: a test sent by the Lord for spiritual cleansing, wounded pride, vanity, a person’s loss of faith, godlessness, insufficient participation in spiritual life. Wrong way of life and unwillingness to follow the moral law lead people to a spiritual crisis, a way out of which can be difficult to find.

Despondency can lead to a vicious circle: a person is in a state of despondency and has no desire to do anything, from his idleness he falls more and more into despondency, from this he works less and less, which leads to even more despondency.

Priests say that longing is natural for a person. The suffering of the soul helps to cultivate moral benefactors in it. Overcoming despondency, a person spiritually improves himself and approaches God. Despondency can be a test sent to a person from God, which must be overcome.

How to deal with the deadly sin of despondency?

The Orthodox Church identifies the following ways to combat despondency:

1. The best way to counter discouragement is to do what you can. Work, the fulfillment of one's duties help a person get out of an oppressed state.
2. Do not lose heart and do not succumb to sin.
3. Pray hard, .
4. Read spiritual literature, reflect on eternal moral issues.
5. Attend temple and church services. Participate in church sacraments.

Despondency is a painful mortal sin that a person needs to fight in order to improve morally, draw closer to God, fulfill his work and duties, and lead a lifestyle appropriate for a true Christian.

Despondency is a state of a person when nothing pleases him, does not give him pleasure. Also in this case, there is complete apathy and depression. Usually such emotional experiences are reflected in health. Religious literature describes this state of the human soul, clerics refer it to mortal sins. Therefore, falling into despondency is considered a bad act. Why not dwell on the negative? Consider the topic both from a religious point of view and from a psychological one.

Negative influence

What dangers for a person hides despondency?

1. The main thing is that longing extends to both the mental and physical state of a person. He does not want to do anything, meet with anyone, talk and so on.
2. As a rule, people of an egoistic temperament are subject to this state, since most of their time they are busy with their person. They think about themselves, engage in soul-searching, and so on.
3. The danger is that if you do not try to get out of this state, you can fall into complete despair.
4. One of the symptoms of sadness is depression. This condition is considered a disease in some countries. It should be treated under the supervision of specialists.
5. If you can not get out of such a state as despondency, this can lead to thoughts of suicide.
6. In a depressed state, a person's thoughts can come to the conclusion that he is nothing and that life has no meaning.
7. This condition leads to a decrease in work capacity. It also brings a lot of trouble to people around. Communicating with a person who is in a state of despondency is quite difficult. Not everyone is able to patiently treat a person with such an attitude.

What are the signs that a person is sad?

Despondency is a state that can be identified both by external and internal signs. There are two main gradations. They can also determine the presence of despondency. The first includes emotional features that are inherent in this state. The second is the physical manifestations.

What is the emotional state of a person when depressed?

1. Feelings of pity and resentment for oneself.
2. The impossibility of expecting something good. A person who is experiencing despondency is doing poorly.
3. Anxious mood.
4. Bad feeling.
5. Underestimation of oneself. A person thinks that there is no happiness in life.
6. What used to bring positive emotions, in a state of despondency, does not bring any joy.
7. There is an indifferent attitude to everything that happens.

What are the physical characteristics of depression?

1. There are problems with sleep.
2. A person begins to eat a lot or, on the contrary, his appetite decreases.
3. There is rapid fatigue.

Behavior change

What behaviors are present in a person in a state of despondency?

1. Passive life position.
2. Unwillingness to communicate with family and friends.
3. Alcohol or drug abuse may begin. This is done in order to escape from reality.

Changes in thoughts

What changes in consciousness can occur in a person who is depressed?

1. It becomes difficult to concentrate on anything.
2. A person cannot make informed decisions, hesitates. Even after the choice made, he doubts whether he did the right thing.
3. Pessimistic attitude, there is no happiness in life.
4. There is a slowdown in thought processes.

We defeat the disease

How can despair be overcome? This can be done through three main practices that can help a person cope with this condition.

1. The help of a specialist, namely a psychologist. If a person is depressed, the doctor may prescribe special drugs. They will help you get out of this situation.
2. Religion and faith in God help people reassess their values ​​and look at life differently.
3. Spiritual support through sports activities. You need to exercise and lead a healthy lifestyle.

Despondency is a state in which a person feels depressed and useless. At the first manifestations, an effort should be made to get out of apathy. You can’t give in to despondency, you need to force yourself to switch to other activities and stop introspection.

Despondency in modern society

Unfortunately, today it is not uncommon that for all the outward well-being of a person, he does not experience a sense of joy. There are cases when a citizen is financially secure, he has a family, he goes to expensive resorts, but nothing gives a feeling of satisfaction. Moreover, people who have more money, despondency and depression are observed more often than those who experience any material difficulties. There are also situations when a person is always dissatisfied with something. For example, it seems to him that he has a bad wife, or that if he had a car, he would be happy, and so on. But in fact, it turns out that the change of residence, the purchase of a car and the appearance of a new wife still do not bring satisfaction.

From the point of view of psychology, this state of a person is called depression. Today it is considered the most common mental disorder. There are psychological services for people. If despondency is at the initial stage, a psychologist will help a person find a way out of his condition. But it happens that psychological support can only have a temporary effect. Therefore, after some time, everything returns to the person again. If we talk about religion, then despondency is considered a mortal sin. In this regard, there are certain explanations for the reasons for its appearance and how to deal with it.

Despondency is a sin. Religious point of view

There are two kinds of sadness. The first type includes a state that completely absorbs a person, there is a decline in spirit. And the second kind of despondency is associated with anger and irritability. Regardless of the type, discouragement is a sin.

A person who is in this state may begin to blame other people for his misfortunes. The more he dives into himself, the more he blames others. Also, the number of people who are considered the culprits is increasing. A person develops anger and hatred towards all the people with whom he contacts in one way or another.

It should be understood that everything that happens to us is the result of our actions. If someone finds himself in a situation that makes him uncomfortable, then he himself created it. In order to get out of it, you need to start acting differently.

You also need to remember that the more you get angry at circumstances or an unfavorable situation, the worse it will be. And if you accept everything humbly, the situation will resolve itself. There is no need to drive yourself to despair. It can lead to thoughts of suicide.

External signs

A person who is depressed can be recognized by outward signs. He has a sad face that expresses sadness. Also, such a person will have lowered shoulders. He will have low blood pressure, lethargy. If he sees another person in a good mood, this may cause him bewilderment.

Reasons for the appearance

What could be the causes of depression?

1. Pride. If a person painfully perceives any failures or statements in his direction, he can easily become discouraged. It hurts his self-esteem. But if a person does not take everything to heart, then he will not fall into despair. Then he calmly relates to what is happening around him.
2. Dissatisfaction of desires can also lead some people into a state of despondency. Moreover, the more a person succumbs to it, the more desires themselves lose their meaning.
3. In addition to the above reasons for despondency, there are also those that can appear in people who are strong in spirit. These include the absence of grace, the cessation of a person of any activity. Boredom may set in. Also, sad events can cause despondency. For example, the departure of a loved one or the loss of something. And even in this case, one should not fall into sad thoughts about the injustice of the world. Death is the natural end of life, and we all lose something or someone in life.
4. Despondency can arise due to diseases that accompany a person.

What are the ways to deal with this condition?

The main cure for despondency is faith in God and work. Even if a person does not have the strength, it is necessary to start doing something, to act. Over time, the desire to live on will come, sadness will go away.

What is the danger of discouragement?

First of all, you should know that a person in despondency cannot realize his potential. This is due to the fact that he does not see what horizons life opens up before him. Since all a person’s thoughts are associated with depressive experiences, he sees only negative aspects in everything and is sad. A person with his attitude deprives himself of the opportunity to lead a full life and enjoy the simplest things.

How to overcome such a state?

How to overcome despondency? Now the tricks will be listed:

1. First of all, it is necessary to understand that negative thoughts can be "transformed" into positive ones. It does not matter, as a result of which a person began to think that everything is bad. Perhaps someone inspired him, or thoughts revolve around childhood experiences. It is necessary to find out what causes despondency and depression. To do this, you need to ask yourself: "What thoughts bring me into a state of sadness and longing?" The answer to this question should be written down. Next, you need to read what was written. After that, you should convince yourself that this list is limited by your perception. In fact, the world is much wider. You should not think only about the clouds in the sky, it is better to remember that there is the sun, blue sky and white air clouds. Then you need to cross out the bad thought and replace it with a good one, which is filled with positive and joy. Next, you should repeat positive statements until you believe in them. If this is difficult to do, you can tell yourself that this is a game, and you will imagine that you believe in these thoughts. You need to convince yourself and set yourself up for positive thinking.
2. You should learn to understand that if hopeless sadness sets in, it is only due to your narrow perception of reality at the moment. In fact, everything is not so bad. As soon as sadness sets in, it is recommended to think that this is a temporary phenomenon, and it will soon pass. You also need to take care and take care of yourself, pamper yourself with something that can distract from a sad mood. Water treatments help a lot. They will help to relax physically and distract from sad thoughts. You can also take a walk in the forest, take a quick step in the fresh air.
3. Despondency, melancholy - these are quite bad states. You should not fall into them, even if it seems to you that something was done wrong in the past. The past is our experience, a lesson. Positive conclusions should be drawn from it. We need a positive attitude about the past. There are lessons to be learned from everything. For example, a person thinks about some episode in his life that he broke or knocked him down. Such a conclusion is fundamentally wrong. You need to change your mindset. You should think about any incident from such positions: "it made me stronger, I gained experience thanks to which I can overcome such situations with ease."
4. You should learn to enjoy every moment. Probably, many have heard that in old age people talk about how quickly life has passed, and remember the positive moments. This means that you do not need to waste yourself on depressing thoughts that lead to self-destruction. Everything should be treated with joy and a smile. Then there will be no time for melancholy and sadness. It must be remembered that thoughts about the past or plans for the future do not allow you to enjoy the present. First of all, you should relax and live in the present time. It is necessary to give yourself such an attitude: it doesn’t matter what happened in the past and you don’t have to be afraid of the future or live in anxious expectation of something. You need to live the present moment with a sense of joy and gratitude, enjoy every moment.

A small conclusion

Now you know what depression is. As you can see, this is a bad state. It negatively affects a person, his psychological and physical health. In our article, we have given good tips to help you get rid of discouragement. Thanks to them, you will be able to cope with this condition. And remember that the best way to deal with sadness is work. Therefore, spare no effort, work for the good of yourself and people. We wish you good luck and positive mood.

What is the sin of the despondent?

My heart is disgusting
And I live without joy.
V. S. VYSOTSKY.

1. Church about the sin of despondency.

1.1. The place of the sin of despondency in the church classification of sins.
1.2. Religious recipes for the sin of despondency.
1.3. Approach to the sin of despondency in modern Orthodoxy.

2. Depression is synonymous with despondency.

2.1. The medical meaning of the term depression.
2.2. Depression is a disease of millions.
2.3. Main symptoms of depression.
2.4. Mechanisms of depression.
2.5. Depression is not a life sentence, it is treatable.
2.6. Modern ideas about depression (briefly).

3. Three consequences.

3.1. The dogma of the sin of despondency is dangerous to the health of believers.
3.2. Theological inconsistency of the sin of despondency.
3.3. The sin of despondency is a worthless moral criterion of good and evil in society.

1-

When the blues come, do not forget to reproach yourself: remember how much you are guilty before the Lord and before yourself, and realize that you are not worthy of anything better, and you will immediately feel relieved. It is said: "many sorrows are for the righteous," and "many wounds are for sinners." Such is our life here - all sorrows and sorrows; and it is through them that the Kingdom of Heaven is attained.

Rev. Ambrose of Optina. (1812-1891).

With a special effect of absent-mindedness, sadness, despondency, laziness, it is very useful to perform the Jesus Prayer publicly: in response to the public Jesus Prayer, the soul is gradually awakened from a heavy moral sleep, into which sadness and despondency usually plunge it.

Saint Ignatius Brianchaninov. (1807-1867).

When you are overcome by despondency, melancholy, then force yourself to mentally say: “Glory to You God, Glory to You God! heart and after a while you will feel relief in your heart, peace and tranquility, firmness and patience.

Hegumen Nikon (Vorobiev). (1894-1963).

Emotional manifestations

• melancholy, suffering, oppressed, depressed mood, despair
• anxiety, feeling of inner tension, expectation of trouble
• irritability
• guilt, frequent self-blame
• dissatisfaction with oneself, decreased self-confidence, decreased self-esteem
• a decrease or loss of the ability to experience pleasure from previously pleasurable activities
• decreased interest in the environment
• loss of the ability to experience any feelings (in cases of deep depression)
• depression is often combined with anxiety about the health and fate of loved ones, as well as with the fear of appearing incompetent in public places

Physiological manifestations

• sleep disorders (insomnia, drowsiness)
• changes in appetite (loss or overeating)
• bowel dysfunction (constipation)
• decreased sexual desires
• decreased energy, increased fatigue during normal physical and intellectual stress, weakness
• pain and various discomforts in the body (for example, in the heart, in the stomach, in the muscles)

Behavioral manifestations

• passivity, difficulty engaging in purposeful activity
• avoidance of contact (tendency to solitude, loss of interest in other people)
• giving up entertainment
• alcoholism and substance abuse providing temporary relief

Thought Manifestations

• difficulty concentrating, concentrating
• decision making difficulties
• the predominance of gloomy, negative thoughts about yourself, about your life, about the world as a whole
• a gloomy, pessimistic vision of the future with no perspective, thoughts about the meaninglessness of life
• thoughts of suicide (in severe cases of depression)
• the presence of thoughts about one's own uselessness, insignificance, helplessness
• slow thinking

To be diagnosed with depression, some of these symptoms must persist for at least two weeks.

2.4. The level of development of modern science and technology makes it possible to determine the true causes of depression. Various manifestations of external symptoms (2.3) are caused by internal restructuring of the body. This is confirmed by biochemical analyses. Thus, a number of substances have been discovered that are produced in the body and directly affect the mood of a person. It has been established that a decrease in the concentration of these substances, disturbances in their synthesis and metabolism lead to depression ( despondency). In some cases, these changes may be genetically determined. For example, researchers have been able to isolate and study serotonin, which directly controls a person's mood. Its concentration in the body does not depend on confessional affiliation or religious experience. The disorder of physiological functions in the body of a depressed person is accompanied by a decrease in the level of serotonin, which leads to despondency. The action of many antidepressant drugs is to normalize disturbed neurochemical processes in the production and metabolism of serotonin.

2.5. Depression is treatable. Based on scientific data on depression and its mechanisms, a number of antidepressants have been developed, tested and successfully used to help combat the disease. The drugs can achieve both a significant reduction and a complete cure for depression in patients. These pharmacological agents bring real relief of suffering, not imaginary. You can read more about this on numerous specialized medical websites.

2.6. Summing up what has been said (2.1-2.5), it can be noted that modern medicine quite rightly considers depression (despondency) not just a protracted bad mood, but a clearly diagnosed disease that requires the intervention of specialists and is quite treatable. Even the mildest depression (despondency), which believers naively believe will pass by itself or with God's help, can go very far with such a careless attitude. Even less conducive to recovery are numerous church-mystical writings on the topic of getting rid of despondency. Everyone knows about the harm and perniciousness of self-medication, which is the Orthodox approach to the issue. It should be remembered that the earlier the correct diagnosis is made and the correct treatment is started, the more likely it is for a quick recovery, that depression ( despondency) will not be repeated again and will not take a severe form, accompanied by an obsessive desire of the believer to commit suicide!

Trust in God, but don't make a mistake yourself!
Proverb.

3.1. Believers faced with despondency At the instigation of the Church, they begin to inadequately explain the reasons for the poor state of their own health, and take actions opposite to those required. The reasons for this behavior become clear if you read the background. So, even in ancient times, John Cassian (360 - 435) outlined in the book "ABOUT THE EIGHT MAIN PASSIONS" following views on despondency:

":There are eight main passions: gluttony, fornication, avarice, anger, sadness, despondency, vanity and pride: these eight passions, although they have different origins and different effects, however, the first six, i.e. gluttony, fornication, love of money, anger, sadness, despondency, are connected with each other by some kind of affinity or connection, so that the excess of the first passion gives rise to the next. For from the excess of gluttony necessarily comes fornication, from fornication the love of money, from the love of money anger, from anger sadness, from sadness despondency; and therefore it is necessary to fight against them in the same way, in the same order, and in the struggle we must always pass from the previous to the next. ...so to win despondency, you must first suppress sadness; to drive away sadness, anger must first be suppressed; to extinguish anger, it is necessary to trample on the love of money; in order to expel the love of money, it is necessary to tame the prodigal lust; in order to suppress prodigal lust, one should curb the passion of gluttony: So, all passions, both from the strengthening of the previous ones, are born, so they are suppressed by their decrease ... Therefore, we should fight these passions in such a way that everyone, experiencing any passion, especially against it and directed weapons, using every effort and care of the spirit to watch her and suppress her, directing spears of daily fasts against her, every minute throwing arrows of heartfelt groaning and sighing at her, constantly shedding tears in prayer to God, constantly asking the Lord to stop his struggle.

This point of view of Cassian on the causes of despondency and ways to curb it - more than a thousand years. Such reasoning can testify to anything but a claim to truth. Modern science has gone far ahead, such naive statements can cause nothing but a smile. However, even today, on the official website of the Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra, they continue to develop the church tradition and, in all seriousness, write about despondency, as if about demonic temptations:

For reference (sanatorium "Barvikha", December 2002) - the total duration of the tour is 24 days. The cost of a full-time stay is: Single Suite - 132000 rub. One-room double suite - 120000 rub. (from each). The cost of the ticket includes most of the services of the sanatorium. There are a number of additional paid services.

Words of Jesus "Do you have and the hairs on the head are all numbered" (Mt. 10.30) relate primarily to those who carry God's word to people - the priests. The main church hierarch - Alexy II clearly showed how much he trusts the biblical promises of the savior. For the sake of maintaining his own health, he did not spare any money or time for quality medical care, and in between medical procedures, he was happy to talk to journalists about singing with a guitar and the work of such writers as L. Tolstoy, M. Bulgakov and A. Solzhenitsyn. It is clear that in order to pray for one’s health, worship miraculous (healing) relics and other zeal in serving the Lord, it is not at all necessary to stay in expensive luxury hospital and sanatorium wards, and the baptized person needs to think during illness (according to church teaching) in a slightly different direction - not about secular writers and worldly entertainment. Ordinary Orthodox do not interfere with parting with illusions about biblical miracles of healing and following their spiritual leader - to be treated not by prayers at the icons, but in the offices of doctors who really heal. This is undoubtedly required in the case of depression (despondency).

Guilty is the one whose words or deeds are obviously false,
and not the one who honestly and sincerely believed in this lie.
Chesterfield.

3.2. Secondly, the concept the sin of despondency so internally contradictory that its religious comprehension becomes impossible, leads to logical dead ends.

Above (2.1-2.6) it was found that depression (despondency) is a disease. Diseases in the biblical interpretation are sent to believers for the sake of punishment for previously committed sins:

14. But if you do not listen to Me, and do not keep all these commandments,

15. And if you despise My statutes, and if your soul abhors My laws, so that you will not keep all My commandments, breaking My covenant,

16. Then I will also do this to you: I will send on you terror, stunting and fever, from which the eyes are weary and the soul is tormented, and you will sow your seeds in vain, and your enemies will eat them up;

15. But if you do not listen to the voice of the Lord your God, and do not try to do all His commandments and His ordinances, which I command you today, then all these curses will come upon you and overtake you.

21. The Lord will send a pestilence on you until he destroys you from the land where you are going to possess it.

22. The Lord will strike you with sickness, fever, fever, inflammation, drought, scorching wind and rust, and they will persecute you until you perish.

27. The Lord will strike you with the leprosy of Egypt, weeping, scabies and itching, from which you will not be able to be healed;

28. The Lord will strike you with madness, blindness, and stupefaction of the heart.

35. The Lord will strike you with an evil leprosy on your knees and legs, from which you will not be able to be healed, from the sole of your foot to the very crown of your head.

59. Then the Lord will strike you and your offspring with unusual plagues, great and constant plagues, and evil and constant diseases;

60. And he will bring upon you all the plagues of Egypt, which you feared, and they will cling to you;

61. And every disease, and every plague, not written in the book of this law, the Lord will bring on you until you are destroyed;

It is absurd when, in punishment for past, already committed sins, a new, 100% inevitable sin is awarded, for which punishment will again be required. This is exactly what happens when depression occurs ( despondency). In principle, nothing prevents God from punishing a particular believer for sins every time with the same depressive disease. God works in mysterious ways! As a result of church verbiage about the sin of despondency, the image of the eternal sinner is born. By the will of God, such a believer will never get out of the vicious circle in which the old sin is punished by the forced commission of the next sin. All sense of religion disappears, because mortal sin of despondency(see above) means spiritual death. Salvation of the soul for unstoppable sinners becomes an unattainable peak. In addition, being forced to continuously sin, a person will change daily, not for the better, but for the worse.