The high-pitched whirring of the car matched the acceleration of my heart, a rapid ta-tunk, ta-tunk, ta-tunk as I pressed the accelerator. Thoughts ricocheted in my mind, rapid-fire like a motorized, ball-pitching machine.
They’d be better off without me.
This hurting wasn’t part of my plan.
I don’t think God knew what He was doing when He gave me life.
The messages repeated again and again as I rounded the edge of a mountain. Temptation rose large, whispering its poison as I imagined what it might feel like to launch off the earth at 13,000 feet.
You can stop it all. Right here. Right now.
2 Corinthians 10:5 joined the panoply of others.
Take every thought captive. Take every thought captive. Take every thought captive.
And God’s word, sharper than a two-edged sword, guided me home. Safe. Settled. Soothed.
Still, depression held on.
Depression. Even the word sounds threatening, doesn’t it? Like so many others I’ve lived it. I’ve walked through depression with friends and family. And I’ve discovered that depression is no respecter of persons.
Age? Irrelevant. Gender? Immaterial. Status? Insignificant. Faith? Unrelated. Time? Inconsequential.
[bbctt tweet=”Depression disguises itself as disinterest. Detachment. Despair. It swallows hope in its black, gaping mouth and casts its shadow on even the happiest moments. You feel alone. Alone in the pain. Alone without purpose. Alone without Peace.
If you are in that place right now, please hold fast to the truth. Jesus. Never. Leaves. You.”]
If you aren’t that woman, you know someone who is struggling right now. She may not tell you. She may not share the pain. But, you do know at least one dear soul who–in living with depression feels lifeless inside.
Oh, how the chains of depression drag and pull like a treacherous rip current at low tide. Its power seems overwhelming and the thought of catching a breath grows ever dimmer.
Is there any hope?
[bbctt tweet=”Sweet friend, Jesus can shatter the chains of depression. He’ll walk through the deep valley with you now–shoulder to shoulder–and lead you to an open space where you inhale deeply of life and laugh in delight.”]
In the Bible, our Father provides examples of other people who loved Him and struggled with depression.  Job. David. Solomon. Elijah. Naomi. Most of these people were spiritual giants, yet they experienced hopelessness. They also provide us with insight as we take up our scriptural sledge hammer and prepare to destroy depression.
Depression and Spiritual Warfare
As with Job, depression can be a result of trauma and grief. After all, the enemy knows our vulnerabilities and, while restricted, he seeks to steal, kill and destroy anything of promise in our lives.
Job’s story (Job 1-3; 38-42) teaches us:

• that the Enemy targets those who love the Lord and live out their faith.
• God was with Job–even when Job was angry and accusatory.

Depression and the Importance of Community
Naomi’s husband and two sons died, leaving her a penniless, bitter refugee. Still, her daughter-in-law, Ruth, remained a faithful companion.
Naomi’s story teaches us:

• even when we feel as if God has abandoned us, He remains near.
• not to isolate ourselves. We all need a ‘Ruth’ to speak words of truth and encouragement.

 
Depression and the Challenge of Ministry
Regardless of our circle of influence, we are vessels through which God’s love is meant to flow. But, ministry–whether to our husband, children, colleagues, or women’s group–is challenging. Elijah was depleted and depressed because his ministry seemed ineffective and there was a price on his head.
Elijah’s story teaches us:

• we must care for the needs of our body by resting and eating well.
• that we are never alone. It’s important to seek community and trust in His faithfulness despite circumstances.

Depression and the Importance of Prayer and Thanksgiving
David might have been a man after God’s own heart, but he understood the suffering of betrayal and the heartache of losing a child. Honest and vulnerable, David’s prayers typically end in praise and thanksgiving.
David’s story teaches us:

• God doesn’t expect us to recite pithy, sanitized prayers. We can be honest about our situation. Honest about how we are feeling. Honest about the pain.
• praising and thanking God reminds us of the truths we know about His goodness and love.

 
These scriptures provide us with wonderful, encouraging truths. However, depression is a form of illness. [bbctt tweet=”If you struggle with depression, you need support and treatment for that sickness just as you would any other. Beyond addressing your spiritual needs, please seek help for your depression in other important ways.”]
These include meeting with a counselor or therapist, sharing your struggle with a few trustworthy friends who can pray for and minister to you, caring for your body with a healthy diet and exercise, and possibly considering the use of medication for a time.
If you or someone you know is struggling with self-destructive thoughts as I had been, seek help immediately. Call a hotline or go to the hospital.
[bbctt tweet=”The enemy is a great deceiver and he is adept at convincing us life will never get better. He is lying. Jesus came that we might have life and live it abundantly.”]
With prayers for peace and holy strength,
Tammy

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