Keeping The Faith During Depression
Isn’t this a peculiar season? I spent half of last week with the windows open, curled up under a blanket, enjoying the fresh Fall air. This morning, my makeup melted off my face and I’m watching a summer storm come across.
The unpredictability of the weather in Michigan this time of year means that I can count on nothing. I’m daily asking if I need to bundle and prepare for the winter ahead or enjoy little lingering bit of summer on my hammock with a book.
Fall isn’t the only season causes me to fail reevaluate where I stand and what sort of day I’ve been handed.
I haven’t been quiet about my struggle with depression, I haven’t written about it in awhile. For the most part, it is managed well but some days, some seasons, I still wake up wondering what today will bring.
Will this be a day when I feel alive or where I struggle to fight through the fog?
Battling through depression has taught me many lessons but, perhaps most importantly, it has taught me to confront my existential crises with reality and truth. #depression Click To TweetBattling through depression has taught me many lessons but, perhaps most importantly, it has taught me to confront my existential crises with reality and truth.
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It’s hard to wake up, again and again, feeling like the psalmist whose closest companion is darkness. And it’s hard to wake up wondering who the companion will be today.
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces – Isaiah 53:3, ESV
It is easy to become overwhelmed, but it’s crucial that I used these times of despair to take my mind captive to the truths of Scripture. When when I face my depression against the Word of God, I see the lies it tells me and replant in my heart the truth that withstands the storms of life.
Depression makes me feel alone, but I am not alone.
Sorrow is an isolating thing to endure. It deceives me into believing I am not alone or that depression means I am less faithful. But the most faithful Man who ever walked the earth was called the Man of Sorrows. If this was one of the names He was given, surely He knows my sorrow intimately.
Depression makes me feel abandoned, but I am not abandoned.
God has promised that all who call upon His Name shall be saved. Although this life may be hard, I can trust that God has not abandoned me and that, in the fullness of time, these trials will become clear as I trade the weight of this sorrow for the weight of glory He has ordained.
Although this life may be hard, I can trust that God has not abandoned me and that, in the fullness of time, these trials will become clear as I trade the weight of this sorrow for the weight of glory He has ordained. #depression Click To TweetDepression makes me feel out of control, but I can always trust the One who is in control.
I desperately want control of my life. Depression reminds me again and again that I don’t have the control I desire of my life. I cannot control the death nor can I control how depression will affect me.
Depression sinks into my heart and mind, it pops up at unexpected times. It tries to make me believe that nothing matters, that my life is pointless, and that the state of this world will have the final say.
But none of that is true.
The suffering of depression calls me to Christ’s work on Calvary. While He hung from pierced hands, covered in blood, bearing the weight of a world full of sin, He cried out that He had been forsaken by God.
But it was in that mournful time, in the act that made Him cry out forsaken, that He was fulfilling the Father’s purpose for Him.
And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. – Philippians 2:8-11, ESV
Christ’s words on the cross, His identity as the Man of Sorrow Isaiah foretold, it gives me hope in the midst of seasons of despair.
And when I look at Him, I wonder how my struggles and pain today will look in light of eternity.
I might not know what today, or tomorrow, or that day after that will bring. And living with the day to day burden of depression can be hard.
I might not know what today, or tomorrow, or that day after that will bring. And living with the day to day burden of depression can be hard. So I have to remind myselves of the truth I know. Click To TweetDay by day, sometimes moment by moment, I can walk through my day reminding myself of the truths I cannot see. Like the saints Hebrews 11 who greeted the promises of God from afar, I can draw my attention away from myself and turn my eyes upon the Lamb of God.
Depression forces me to confront daily the brokenness of the world and the temporal nature of my life here. While it is a burden, it is one that has drawn me closer to the heart of the Man of Sorrows and reminds me daily that He has worked and is working on my behalf.
Daily, I rely on Him to help me hold those truths close to my heart when I am discouraged and downtrodden. And He does. Because even when I don’t feel it, I trust His promise that He is near to the brokenhearted.
The Comments
Married to a Pastor.Com and GodsyGirl.Com
I thank God for you. Your post is not only transparent, honest, NEEDED, but also practical. Depression is a real thing. We really have to have more conversations like this one so people don’t feel they are alone. God bless you for helping so many.
Bailey
Married to a Pastor.Com and GodsyGirl.ComThank you. Depression is a real thing and it is such a burden to carry alone.
mylittlegreenboutique
Depression wants to steal our hearts and fill our minds with lies. But as believers we are born again and have a new way of thinking. We are changed, fought for and worthy. Thank God we only need a faith of a mustard seed to block the lies out that depression wants to fill our lives with.
Bailey
mylittlegreenboutiqueYes, we need to focus on filling our minds with the truth of God!
Kristin Cook
Amen to that, Bailey! This is so true! I struggle with anxiety, and these truths are ones I need reminding of frequently too!
Bailey
Kristin CookThank you for sharing, Kristin. This are heavy burdens to carry and it’s so important that we remember God’s truth.
Jessica
This is beautifully written.
Bailey
JessicaThank you, Jessica.
Jenny Morrison
What a beautiful post. I have several friends who have faced the challenge of depression in their life. Taking it day by day, and calling upon the Lord has been their greatest strength. Thank You for sharing this post.
Bailey
Jenny MorrisonIt’s such a challenge but God is still good, even in our dark days.
DrKLeeBanks
I will pray for you and for God’s continued strength and comfort as you go through this difficult time. I can relate to the struggles and challenges of our faith when circumstances of life overwhelm us.
Bailey
DrKLeeBanksThank you for your prayers.
Emma
Thank-you this really helped me
Bailey
EmmaI’m so glad, Emma.
Kiersten
Thank you. I really needed this today. I just went through a bad breakup and my depression has really flared up. It’s horrible but I’m trying to remind myself of God’s love for us. It does make things better.
Bailey
KierstenIt really does, Kierston.
Waynna
Such a great topic to address for Christians & hopefully for people who are not stew where to turn when facing this.
Bailey
WaynnaI hope that it can be an encouragement to many!
Mommy & Mia Homeschool Chronicles
Depression is real and sadly often overlooked. Thank you for shedding light on this subject.
Bailey
Mommy & Mia Homeschool ChroniclesIt is so unfortunate that we avoid difficult subjects. I hope that by confronting it, I can encourage many.
Jen Enoch
I have a few people in my life who deal with depression and reading the words you wrote helps me to understand their struggles a bit better. Your daily reminder to look to the Creator is a beautiful truth I will gently try to remind them of. This also encourages me to reach out to them and remind them they are loved, especially at random moments, not just special occasions. Thank you for sharing with honesty.
Bailey
Jen EnochThank you so much, Jen. I’m so glad you can use this information to help love your friends in their struggles.
Carmen Brown
Thank you for your honesty and transparency! I battle with depression too. I too wake up not knowing what day it will be. Every morning I rise up, I have to make a conscious decision to be self aware and ready to fight against anything that will try to take my joy that day. This post was encouraging and well needed to be spoken to Christians. Depression is real and speaking about it boldly gives us the upper hand against the enemy and against our own minds. Thank you for this post!
Bailey
Carmen BrownIt is such a struggle. I am praying that Christ strengthens your heart in this pain, Carmen.
DrKLeeBanks
Bless you for opening up about your experience with battling depression. It is real and can be overwhelming, but constantly returning to scripture and to the Father’s loving arms certainly can help us manage and overcome the battle.
Bailey
DrKLeeBanksThank you. It can be such a battle but I think it helps to know we’re not alone.
tweilbacher714
Yes, yes, YES!!! “I can draw my attention away from myself and turn my eyes upon the Lamb of God.” If we could all do that each and every day, so many lives would be changed!! No matter what our struggle is, or how painful, we must always turn our eyes to Jesus and focus on Him and His purpose for us, instead of our pain. Sometimes that’s easier said than done, but it’s always the answer. Thank you for being so honest, Bailey. So many people need to hear your story, and that may just be the purpose for your pain – to encourage those who don’t have quite the hope of the Lord that you have. ?
Bailey
tweilbacher714Thank you. God is good and I’m grateful for the opportunity to use my pain to help others.
Stacy
Psalm 91:4 He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Ephesians 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
These two verses show us that it is God’s truth that we should use to fight the lies that our flesh & the enemy feeds us. His words reminds me that He is close to the broken hearted and that He has never been unfaithful to His own, so why would He start with me? I can and should trust that He is faithful. I am going through a low point in life right now, but my life is being carried by the Most High. His Spirit constantly reminds me of this truth. Thank you for posting this – we don’t have a High Priest that doesn’t know what we are going through, so we can run boldly to Him. I will pray for your struggle with depression. May God bless you & yours!