Depression and Hope…Part 2

Welcome back, friends! I’m glad you came back for Part 2, and that Part 1 didn’t scare you off! It was definitely a hard one for me to write, because I don’t always like being so personal. I’m such an introvert, and doing these things scare me! But I have learned that God has given me things to say through lessons that I’ve learned, and I believe I was meant to share the things that I’ve learned. Hopefully they will help someone! I have also had to learn that I can’t be afraid of what others think. I have always been a people pleaser, which has gotten me in so much trouble, and has also done some damage on my confidence. So thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for coming to my blog and reading these words that I have to say.

In Part 1 of Depression and Hope, we looked at the different relationships that depression can damage in our lives. they were: Our spouses/significant others, our children, our friends/extended family, our church family, and our relationship with the Lord. Some of these were tough to admit, at least for me they were. I always assumed that my depression only affected me. Besides, I was the only one who could feel what I was feeling, and think what I was thinking. It wasn’t until my husband said to me once “I don’t know what to do anymore. You need to figure out something!” That I realized I had to do something. Here my husband begged me to do something. He wasn’t sure what had to be done, but he knew that something HAD to be done. As supportive as he was, and still is, I was too wrapped up in myself to realize I was damaging my relationship with the man that I am madly in love with. I’m not perfect at overcoming my depression by any means. However, I have been working hard on trying to control it, and I am hoping what I have learned will help you, if you are struggling with depression, or if you have a loved one who suffers from depression as well.

In the past I have shared with people about my struggle with depression. A lot of the times I would get the response “Just pray more, or spend more time in the Word of God”. While yes, that will indeed help significantly, that isn’t going to automatically take my depression away. There is more to it then just a lack of spending time with the Lord. I am one that does believe that clinical depression is real, I believe that some people have a chemical imbalance in their brains that can cause depression. You may not believe me, or may not agree with me, and that’s okay! We’re all entitled to our own opinions! I also fully believe that’s it’s okay to go on medication for help, it’s okay to get that help that you need! You may not agree with me on that either, and that’s okay! We’re sinful people, we’re not perfect. So, if we’re sinful and not perfect then can’t some of us be more easily affected by depression? However, I believe medication is a starting point for helping to deal with depression. I believe that there needs to be more steps, especially if we’re believers, to truly overcome our depression.

Tell someone you can fully trust about your depression. Whether that be a significant other, your spouse, your parent, a friend, a sibling, someone! When someone else knows, you are able to reach out to them whenever you’re feeling depressed, and they can help in any way they can. It keeps you from feeling like you’re alone to deal with all of these strong emotions. They can help keep you accountable during the times that you’re struggling. They can check in on you, and ask if you’re okay. If they know you’re going through a time, then they can check in on you every day. It’s so important to have someone you can turn to, someone you can trust that won’t go around telling everyone that you’re struggling with depression! Get the help you need, whether it be from medication, or counseling, whatever it may be, get the help you need. There is no shame in getting medication to help. It doesn’t make you less of a person, or a believer. If someone has a problem with it, oh well. You’re taking care of yourself so that you can take care of the people in your life!

The headline is Depression and Hope. So what is the hope I am referring to? It’s Jesus Christ! As a believer I have the knowledge of knowing that I have a God who loves me, and is there waiting for me to run into His arms. I have the knowledge of overcoming trials because I have the Lord on my side. I have the hope of knowing that this is only temporary, and when I get to Heaven I will no longer have to deal with depression.

Psalm 9:9 says “The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.” The Lord is our REFUGE. He is there for us whenever we are feeling defeated, or upset. He helps us, and wants us to turn to Him when we are struggling with our feelings of depression.

Psalm 30:11 says “You turned my wailing into dancing; You removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy.” I love this verse because David (who wrote Psalms) is talking about how the Lord changed all this sadness that he was feeling, into joy! David said that the Lord took his wailing and turned it into dancing. Sounds like one of those musicals. The character is sad, crying, then suddenly there is a song that breaks out, which usually is accompanied by a dance! How great would that be? We start off wailing and crying, but then the Lord turns all that pain into something that makes us want to dance? He turns it into a celebration, something that we can learn from, and in the long run celebrate! Then David goes on to say how the Lord took his sackcloth, and clothed him in joy! While David doesn’t mean this literally, he means that the Lord just gave him a joy where his sadness wasn’t going to control all. David was able to wear clothes of joy because the Lord was there besides him!

Psalm 34:17-18 says “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” I love this verse! As believers we are able to cry out to the Lord, and to tell Him when we are feeling sad and depressed. The best part about it is, the Lord WANTS us to. He wants us to cry out to Him, and to turn to Him. He wants us to lean on Him. He wants to deliver us, and He does when we turn to Him! How amazing it is to know that we have this Lord who longs for us to turn to Him like we do to people who are physically in our lives. He wants us to look to Him when we are in need, or when we are upset. I love the part that says “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” What an amazing feeling! To know that not only does the Lord know when we are brokenhearted, but He is also close to us! The Lord knows that we humans have that sinful nature to get upset and depressed, so when we are, He is right there with us. The best part, He saves us! He is there to wrap His arms around us, and to turn our wailing into dancing, and to turn our sackcloths into joy! How amazing it is to know that we have this powerful God who is there for us to run to!

The last verse I want to look at is Isaiah 40:31 “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” What an incredible verse that I feel truly captures the Lord, and what He can do for us! When we hope in Him, we will soar on wings like eagles. Have you ever seen an eagle soar? They’re such beautiful birds, I love watching them! We have two of them that live close to us, and on really nice days we are able to see them high in the sky soaring! The way they don’t have any cares in the world, but they are enjoying their flight! That’s how I long to be! I don’t want to waste any more time going through life waiting for my depression to hit, I want to soar, and enjoy my flight, because I know the Lord is there to grab me when I am feeling upset. I know He is there to help get me through the toughest emotional times! “They will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” Uh…yes please! I don’t run, I am not a runner. I can get from my house to the end of our road and be huffing and puffing! Let’s face it, I probably can’t even make it to the end of our road before I feel like death! But we know that with the Lord, we will not grow weary! “They will walk and not be faint” I love taking long walks, but after awhile I do feel tired, and there are times I want to stop and give up. We can easily relate to both parts of this verse, but here is the best part! The Lord doesn’t promise us that all our pain and depression will go away when we rely fully on Him. Instead, He tells us that our situations can be a bit more easier because He will be walking with us, and running besides us. He will be there to hand you a water, He will be there to help you walk over some rocky areas. He will be there whenever we are feeling overwhelmed and exhausted!

We have an amazing God that just longs for us to turn to Him, and rely on Him. The Lord doesn’t promise us that we won’t ever have to go through hard times, or even that we won’t have to deal with depression. But What He does promise us is so much better! He promises us His help, His strength, His love, His protection!

Depression is real, and depression can truly be hard to overcome. It can affect all the relationships in our lives, if we let it. Honestly, it can destroy us. Friends, I beg you to find the help you need. I beg you to let someone know how you’re feeling, to let someone in. Going through this alone is not easy. The Lord has given us family, friends, and doctors for a reason. Use them. Don’t do this alone. But even with all of them helping you, turn to the Lord. Friends, His love is greater than anything in this world. His arms will wrap around you so tightly, if you let them. Dig into His word, go to Him in prayer. Allow the Lord to bring a peace to your heart that you aren’t able to obtain on your own, or by others, or by medication. I can’t stress enough that those are important as well, but the Lord provides a hope that is far more than those. Lean on Him, friends. Run to Him. He can defeat your depression, and be there to wrap His arms around you. But you need to let Him!

I pray that this has been helpful to you, and if any of you are struggling with depression please feel free to reach out to me. I am here for you, and I understand what depression can do to you! So I will be here to help you, and to help point you to the Lord!

Until next time, friends!