I recently found out something about J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Askaban that I had suspected, but didn't know for sure. The story features demons known as Dementors. They attack by drawing out all happiness and joy, leaving the victim with only pain and darkness. The only defense is the Patronus Charm, an avatar created the caster's most pleasant memories.
This is a perfect description of chronic depression. Those of us who suffer from the condition can easily imagine the dark demons sucking every bit of pleasure and joy from life. Not surprising, the idea for the dementors came from Rowling's own bout with depression.
I was at the grocery last week when I was in a very down mood. I forget exactly what I was thinking, but it was along the lines of feeling abandoned. Ironically, I was setting in a truck that a person from church had loaned me because I was without a car. In this case, my patronus was a red 2001 Ford Ranger. Lets not forget I am living in a nice QUIET apartment thanks to help I received from my friends at church.
Maybe I don't see the dark wraiths of depression coming to attack me. That's probably because they are hiding inside me. And there is no magic spell to drive them away, except to think of the blessings God has given me.
"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praisworthy- think about such things. <Phil 4:8 NIV>
