As the Fifa World Cup fever is running high at the moment, people of those countries, which have been eliminated are not just down and out, but are also depressed.
It is, however, not just losing in football, hockey or cricket that causes depression. The state of disparagement can come about by losing out on several things in life, be they examinations, marriages, failure in business, poor health, loss of wealth, betrayal by trusted friends, losing one’s child to sickness or accident and other types of distresses and catastrophes in life.
It is believed that turning to God with genuine faith helps people in such situations bringing about a degree of healing. As Jesus went about sharing God’s love with his listeners and curing them of their sicknesses, sometimes caused by depressions, he also realised how much pain people truly endured in their lives. He is known to have even wept when one of his friends Lazarus died.
Empathising with people in general but with those who suffered pain in particular, Jesus once extended his invitation thus, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Since most people trotting this world are troubled and burdened in one way or the other, at one or the other time, one can find contentment and solace in God’s words.
Regardless of which religion one may belong to, each of us could always find great solace if we approached God or our ishta deva, bringing our worries and concerns to Him/Her in time. While we must certainly try all other means to overcome our pain and sorrows such as seeking medical, legal, financial or any other help, one sure shot formula that can help us in such desperate situations, whether caused by loss in football match or by any other more serious means, is approaching God, by whatever name we might call Him/Her. We may or may not find solutions to our problems, but we would definitely find peace and the strength to dribble our problems through various obstacles and eventually score a goal.
Father Dominic Emmanuel, a founder-member
of Parliament of Religions. He can be contacted at frdominic@gmail.com
