“God-knowing individuals are not discouraged by misfortune or downcast by disappointment. Believers are immune to the depression consequent upon purely material upheavals; spirit livers are not perturbed by the episodes of the material world. Candidates for eternal life are practitioners of an invigorating and constructive technique for meeting all of the vicissitudes and harassments of mortal living. Every day a true believer lives, he finds it easier to do the right thing.” (156:5.13)
These “material upheavals” not only refer to financial problems, but also worldly events that take place on occasion, sometimes often, but they are still phenomena. The wise, stable person is not affected by such phenomena in the same manner as those who are not prepared for life’s ups and downs.
When we have a strong, spiritual foundation built on the teachings of Jesus, our spiritual immune system is strengthened and we are able to avoid the type of depression that plagues the world. This does not mean that depression is entirely unavoidable, as it is an organic disorder caused by various issues, but living in the spirit with Jesus as the cornerstone of our faith, we can be much better prepared to meet problems head on without placing too much focus on them. This demonstrates a well-grounded individual, meaning the person is has an intentional approach to living.
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