Flavia Guarino

Anyone who has known depression knows it has a pungent stench that repels others; it is often reminiscent of the hairy unwashed and defeated battle-weary soldiers of days gone by. In the same token anyone who has known the aromatic fragrance of overcoming depression knows the attraction of a sweet smelling life of victory; a life where each day is flooded with life’s little blessings that are a clear reminder and an affronting broadcast of victory.

It reminds me of that waft of perfume as I broach the outer perimeter of DJs and I am assaulted by the adhoc combination of perfumes sprayed frivilously throughout the cosmetics department. The fragrance differs each time I visit, yet it is unmistakable. To me, it is opulent and luxurious…now that I am dressed for the occasion and feeling good about life. However, in the not too distant past there would have been a time where, dishevelled and in my pyjamas, had I been placed in that environment those same smells would have declared defeat in my life. An offensive stench curling up my nostrils; uninvited and unwanted. They would have reinforced the hopelessness of my situation.

A couple of nights ago I had a dream, and although I won’t share all of it I was struck by a point where I was sitting with a Bible in my hands and it was open to a page that had a cross reference to a scripture. Printed on the page of my Bible in my dream was 2 Corinthians 2:15. It was The Message Bible…I laugh at it being so specific! This is the scripture:
…in Christ, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade. Through us, he brings knowledge of Christ. Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is recognised by those on the way to salvation- an aroma redolent with life. But those on the way to destruction treat us more like the stench from a rotting corpse.

It speaks of the way that returning soldiers would parade throughout the city with incense burning and the fragrance that declared victory for some was the very same fragrance that declared defeat for others in the crowds…depending on where their allegiances lay. It would cause some people to run out into the light to shout and celebrate and then others it would cause to cower and retreat to darker and safer places because the same fragrance became a stench of defeat to them.

It is the same for my perfume experiences; it has declared defeat in the past, causing me to run home to safer less exposed places and now it declares victory where I give a little cheer deep inside knowing how far I have come. That little unspoken cheer is worship to my Saviour who has brought me through some very dark times to stand in the light and opulence..of Djs…no less! And obviously on a more serious note…into the light of a full and satisfying life.

The Bible verse has inturn spurred the aspiration in me to have a life that declares victory. A fragrance that comes from having a personal relationship with my God that draws people in rather than the stench of defeat that chases them away. That beautiful aroma that wafts out the shop doors and is carried on the breeze of tomorrow’s hope.

What are the characteristics of such a life? Certainly not perfectionism! I am so far away from that mark and always will humbly remain there but my heart is true to my love for a Soveriegn and Mighty God. With that comes personal integrity and compassion for others who are hurting. I also know that whenever I find myself counting life’s blessings and being truly thankful to the God who sends them, my life is lived out in worship of Him.

That worshipful life of being thankful and caring for others is warfare in itself and that has an aroma all of it’s own. It’s a victorious battlecry that shouts I will live a life gravitating outwards towards others and supporting them rather than navel gazing my own troubles and becoming so inwardly focused that I cannot face life.

After all isn’t that what makes people contagious…a certain selflessness that says I care about you just a little bit more than I care about myself?
For more thoughts about depression go to the Mummy, Let’s Go!