If you are a Christian and you struggle with depression,
First off, I just want to say from the deepest part of my heart that I’m so sorry that you’re struggling.
I’m sorry that it’s a struggle to get through each day, to wake up, comb your hair and brush your teeth, to plant on a fake smile while the world outside can’t see your world falling apart on the inside. I so, so wish I could take your pain away, I really do. But I do want to encourage you to perhaps change your perspective for a minute with me and see what you are going through a different lense.
I can’t afford to feed you a plate of sunshine and happy vibes full of wishing your pain away. Unfortunately none of us are going to get through life without a few bumps and bruises. It’s alarming to me that in the world today suicide is the second leading cause of death in individuals under the age of 34, and the fourth leading cause of death in those individuals who are between the ages of 34-54. (nimh.nih.gov)
I could’ve been one of those statistics. Maybe, by the grace of God you are still here, but at one point you could have very well been one of those statistics as well. Many of the legendary individuals in the Bible also struggled with depression. These were men who LOVED the Lord and served Him with everything in them. They spoke, prophesied, and lived a life according to His will. Some of their pain was self-inflicted, (like David after he had an affair with Bethseeba) and some was just a product of living as a spiritual being in a messy world (like Elijah when he was running for his life from Jezebel.) Men like Job, Elijah, David, Jonah, and Jeremiah were all inflicted with internal pain yet they left an imprint not only on modern Christianity but the very world in which we live today.
As a believer in Christ, an influencer, a mom, and a wife, I strive to carry peace in my heart and to be joyful in the Lord. Still yet, I struggle with my own internal pain, just like you too. But there are these moments where the pain seeps in and all I can do is cry out to God and pour my heart on Him, the One who loves me and cares deeply for my soul.
But truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me! Psalm 66:20
I have to learn to love myself, to be alone with myself, and to understand that sometimes it’s okay to not be okay. There are seasons in life it feels like you are barely making it through, but we can find hope and reassurance in the fact that daylight is coming and we will know joy and find peace in our hearts like never before. Pain is only temporary.
So many times I just pray for the pain to stop. I pray for God to take it away from me because in the moment, it hurts so much. I don’t want to carry that weight. But looking back, I can honestly say I would not be the person I am today had I not been through the things I have been through, (and the same goes for you.)
In His word, God doesn’t promise us an easy road. In fact, John 16:33 tells us, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
In HIM and HIM alone, we find our peace, and we are not promised a bed of roses. BUT the good news for us is He promises to never leave us and to take the bad in our lives and turn it into GOOD that serves His beautiful purpose for our lives.
Romans 8:28 tells us that in ALL things God works together for the good of those who loves him, and Genesis 50:20 gives us this sweet reassurance of his grace on our lives, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”
Without the pain I’ve experienced, I’m not sure that I would be compassionate and understanding of others who are hurting. Had I not been through what I’ve been through, when I experience peace and pure joy, I’m not sure that I would thoroughly appreciate it had I not experienced the storm before the rainbow. We are not promised an easy journey, but we have been given the Holy Spirit as a comforter in our pain. He walks with us through life and promises to never leave. Someday as you look back, you will be able to see the beauty from ashes that became such a crucial part of your story. And I promise you it’s going to be a beautiful ending.
If you are not a Christian and would like to give your heart to Christ, all you have to do is say, “Jesus, I accept you into my heart and I want you to be Lord of my life.” In that, you will find the peace your heart searches for. We all have a God-sized hole in our hearts that nothing but He can fill, because deep callers unto deep and our hearts were made for so much more than this world could ever offer us.
So if you are struggling with depression, I want to encourage you to trust God through this season and know that this pain is only temporary, even if it doesn’t seem that way. Trust that God will bring something beautiful out of this and if you allow Abba to use it, through you others will be healed and made whole by the love and grace of Jesus. YOU will have your testimony of what God did for you.
Abba loves you.
Abba sees you.
Abba has chosen you.
You are cherished, treasured, and His son/daughter. You are so so loved, and you are going to make it through this. I want to pray for anyone who may be struggling with depression today.
Heavenly Father,
I thank you for your grace, kindness, and mercy towards us. Father, wrap your arms around the person reading this who feels like they can’t face another day. Love on the one whose experiencing loneliness, and heal the one whose facing trauma and pain that only you know. Bring beauty out of their story, Lord. Show them that there is more to their story, and more than what meets the eye. Give them joy in their hearts. Direct them with your love through the day, and let your song remain with them through the night. Show them that you will never leave, and you are the constant, good Father. I love you Lord. I thank you for the person reading this.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
♡
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