Dear One, I know you are in pain…
You feel as if you can’t sink any lower, and that no-one understands.
But I do. I’ve been there…you know I have.
On the other side of depression’s valley, I encourage you to persevere.
You won’t always feel this way (Psalm 103:9),
there are brighter days ahead! (Proverbs 4:18, Job 11:17)
What a strong team you and God are together…
He is such a faithful provider! (Philippians 4:19)
You cannot see clearly through your searing tears right now, but…
God has been with you every second of every minute of your despair (Psalm 121)
and you are not alone! (Hebrews 3:5)
You just want your pain to end, but…
Good really can come from your pain. (Romans 8:28)
You will see the day when…
You will know God deeply and intimately,
appreciate joy (Acts 13:52, Galatians 5:22-26, James 1:2-4), savor peace (Philippians 4:6-7),
and relate to others with a knowing compassion (2 Corinthians 1:4).
God has divinely purposed good work for you to do…
You are a partaker with Christ in a heavenly calling (Hebrews 3:1, 14).
You have an enemy who seeks to steal, kill, and destroy, but…
You will be victorious (1 Corinthians 15:57)
because God is greater than any foe who rises against you (1 John 4:4).
Your enemy doesn’t want you to celebrate your ultimate destiny, but…
You are accepted in the beloved (Ephesians 1:6),
a citizen of heaven (Ephesians 2:6, 19, Philippians 3:20, and Colossians 1:12),
and a joint heir with Christ (Romans 8:17, Galatians 4:6-7)!
Your enemy seeks to demean you and devalue you, but God’s truth is…
You are a loved child of God (John 1:12, Romans 8:14-15, 16-17),
a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 2:20),
and a worthy friend of Jesus (John 15:15, 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12)!
You may feel like God is distant and angry with you, but that is another lie…
God is for you (Romans 8:31),
He loves you completely and wants to lavish His love on you (1 John 3:1, 1 John 4:16)!
We are all failures, but Jesus took our imperfections on Himself on the cross…
You are redeemed and forgiven (Ephesians 1:7, 4:24, Colossians 1:13-14, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19)
and God considers you a saint (1 Corinthians 1:2, Ephesians 1:1, Philippians 1:1)!
When you feel weak and are tempted to believe the lie that you aren’t good enough…
The truth is that with God’s help, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26)!
Striving to meet all your needs and earn the love of others is a load too heavy for you…
Give your burdens to God who has promised
to provide everything you need (Matthew 6:31-33).
The enemy has deferred your hope and your heart is sick, but…
You can re-engage your hope that the Lord will restore
what the enemy has taken (Joel 2:25)!
You will rise up out of this pit, proclaiming His word over yourself and your life!
You will share the good news, trade ashes for beauty, mourning for joy (Isaiah 61:1-3)!
No weapon formed against you will prosper (Isaiah 54:17)!
My desire is that you will know how much God loves you!
You are His treasured possession (Exodus 19:5)
and He loves you with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3)!
It is my prayer that “the God of hope will fill you with all joy and peace” and that…
You will abound in hope (Romans 15:13)
and believe that God’s plans for your future are bright (Jeremiah 29:11)!
God is going to bring you out of this desperate place, and when He does…
You will have such hope to share with others (Psalm 81:10)!
You are Loved,
Me (& God)
If you are struggling, or know someone who is, I’d love to hear in the comments below what helps you. I’d also encourage you to check out some of my other popular posts about depression.
15 Top Blog Posts on Depression
- 10 Verses of Hope for When You Are Down or Depressed
- Depression Feels Like a Broken Heart
- What Not to Say When a Loved One is Depressed
- What to Say When a Loved One is Depressed
- Combat Depression with Truth
- Ask Dr. B: When a Spouse Is Depressed
- Don’t Treat Depression with a Band-Aid
- 10 Scriptures for Mothers Suffering from Depression
- 3 Things Depression Does To Us Spiritually
- 3 Hope-Filled Ways God Limits the Impact of Depression in our Lives
- There is No Shame in Depression
- How to Help a Depressed Loved One
- Is It Exhaustion Or Depression?
- Thankful for Depression
- How to Share About Your Depression With Your Loved Ones
Resources on Depression: Recommended reading on depression
October is Depression Awareness Month. Would you consider sharing this or my other posts about depression to help educate, and let others know they aren’t alone, and there is help, hope, and healing.
Because I treated patients for 20 years, and then went through a terrible bout of depression myself, I felt compelled to write my award-winning book “Hope Prevails: Insights From a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression” and the companion “Hope Prevails Bible Study” to help others be victorious and overcome.
Because of Him, #HopePrevails!
Hello Dr Michelle, I have struggled with depression, anxiety and insomnia for many years. I have tried natural therapies a few times but I sink low again and the side effects of going back on the medication are awful but I do find lasting relief. Depression is prevalent in my mom’s side of the family. I can’t go off them again – the toll on me physically, emotionally and spiritual is too much. Somehow – by God’s guidance I saw a post about your book and ordered it. Sharing your story has been most helpful to me. To be honest, if I were to admit it – even though I know Gid’s Word to be true, I do feel shame for feeling like this. In my head I know that isn’t the truth but the enemy is getting into my head. And you have shown me how to combat these lies with Gid’s Truth. Just on this past weekend I was listening to a well known Christian author and she stated that medication is useful short term but it shouldn’t be used long term. So there are many stigmas today even within Christian circles and Christian leaders about using medication.
for depression. Thank you for your regular emails. Lynn from Canada
Lynn,
I’m very honest in my book, and the companion “Hope Prevails Bible Study” that I went on medication for a while to help get through depression. I hold no judgment against those who try medication to help. I think the key for me was learning that with a few exceptions, medication only treats symptoms of illness rather than curing. So that made me more determined to do the work to help treat it. I pray that our loving Father will help you see just how much you are loved, so that you can remind the enemy to leave you alone because you are a daughter of the Most High God! With hugs and hope, Dr. Michelle
This is a wonderful letter. It’s a wonderful reminder as I start to feel the pull of depression coming my way.
I pray this letter blesses you and all who read it. There is an expanded version in my book “Hope Prevails: Insights From a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression.”
Thank you for the tools to fight depression. This was a wonderful, compassionate letter.
Laurie, having treated patients for 30 years with depression and having gone through it myself, I want to do everything I can to help others who are currently suffering. Thanks for stopping by!
Michelle, as usual this is full of compassion and wisdom. I so appreciate the way you use your clinical experience and your personal experience to help others. I’m keenly aware that the upcoming holidays are really difficult for some people, so this letter comes at an excellent time.
Thank you for joining the Grace at Home party at Imparting Grace. I’m featuring you this week!
Thank you Richella. I’ve been thinking a lot about the holidays too. I pray this letter comforts and blesses those who need it this year.
Thanks for the feature!