When one has a Godly remembrance of death, that person will not suffer from depression. This is so because when he or she remembers death, and that the sufferings of this life will end, instantly joy is felt; joy of the hope that they will soon be near their beloved Lord and Father. Those who have remembrance of death, resemble emigrants who remember the time that they will return to their country, their home, their own people. Then their heart is filled with inexpressible joy. Christians who learn to love the Lord, look forward to the time of their being united with Him exclusively and completely; and this can only happen after death. There the remembrance of death is a constant joy.
Familiarization with the remembrance of death, surely drives away the fear of death, which is one of the main causes of depression, as already mentioned. Those who have in mind the godly remembrance of death, do not fear it and do not loose courage.
We read in the Gerontikon: "The man who manages to see death before him incessantly, overcomes the loss of courage". Furthermore, the remembrance of death greatly contributes to the realization of the vanity of material goods, and of the certainty that they are temporary and worthless. How then can he be overcome by greed, gluttony, jealousy and envy or the feeling of being unsatisfied, which are certain causes of depression?
The remembrance of death supports man. It gives him the power not to commit sins, because he believes that he will have to account to the Lord for every transgression of His will. And it is sure that the fewer sins we commit, the less we will feel remorse and guilt. Therefore, the chances of suffering from depression are less, since as already mentioned, remorse and guilt induce depression.
Abba Isaiah the Solitary writes that "The man who manages to tell himself every day, This is the last day of my life,' will never commit sin ".
Abbott Spyridon
Depression
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