As a very emotional person myself, I really appreciate the points you made that we have a choice to stop our emotions from getting out of control and, instead, try to remain calm. In fact, when I have been able to remain calm in heated situations, it is a sign to me that I have the Spirit with me. I love these words from the great Prophet, Isaiah, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth thee." (IS 26:3) If I focus on my Savior, He will help me to be calm. However, I am very disappointed that when you spoke of CHOOSING various emotions, you casually threw depression into the mix. Certainly, learning to guide our thoughts and emotions will help in the battle with depression. However, the leaders of the church have been working diligently to teach us that depression is often a clinical illness, just like diabetes or other diseases. People do not CHOOSE to have chemical imbalances in their systems. They also did not CHOOSE the complicated and difficult experiences they have had as children that may contribute to depression. It would be simplistic and unrealistic to believe that we can just dismiss clinical depression. It is far more complicated than that, and deserves the proper treatment, care, and compassion that we give to other diseases of the body.
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Maryann TaylorFebruary 22, 2021
As a very emotional person myself, I really appreciate the points you made that we have a choice to stop our emotions from getting out of control and, instead, try to remain calm. In fact, when I have been able to remain calm in heated situations, it is a sign to me that I have the Spirit with me. I love these words from the great Prophet, Isaiah, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth thee." (IS 26:3) If I focus on my Savior, He will help me to be calm. However, I am very disappointed that when you spoke of CHOOSING various emotions, you casually threw depression into the mix. Certainly, learning to guide our thoughts and emotions will help in the battle with depression. However, the leaders of the church have been working diligently to teach us that depression is often a clinical illness, just like diabetes or other diseases. People do not CHOOSE to have chemical imbalances in their systems. They also did not CHOOSE the complicated and difficult experiences they have had as children that may contribute to depression. It would be simplistic and unrealistic to believe that we can just dismiss clinical depression. It is far more complicated than that, and deserves the proper treatment, care, and compassion that we give to other diseases of the body.
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