I have a confession to make: I have wrestled with the torrent of depression. Fortunately now, I am on the other side. When I look back on the dark night of my soul, there are things that I wish people had said to me back then to offer me hope.
When my depression was the darkest, I felt alone, helpless, and hopeless. I thought no one else understood, and I felt ashamed. I was the doctor who had treated patients with depression for twenty years…somehow I thought I should have been able to prevent myself from slipping down that avalanche into the dark hellish pit.
Recently, I’ve encountered many people who are right where I was. God keeps bringing others across my path who are in that very same valley…in need of His help, hope, and healing. People who are ashamed to admit that life isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. People who are ashamed to admit that they struggle with depression. Ashamed to admit that their doctor has prescribed them medication to help them cope. And so they do just as I did: they walk around with a smile on their face and an “I’m fine” on their lips, even on Sunday morning as they walk into church.
I hope you’ll join me as I share the rest of my story at GinaKellyPA’s site.
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For a Free eBook on How to Help a Depressed Loved One, click here: http://drmichellebengtson.com/how-to-help-a-depressed-loved-one-ebook/
For more helpful information about what you need to know when you have a depressed loved one, read here: http://drmichellebengtson.com/10-things-to-know-if-you-have-a-depressed-loved-one/
For more about what not to say to a depressed loved one, read here: http://drmichellebengtson.com/what-not-to-say-when-a-loved-one-is-depressed/ while here are suggestions about supportive things you can say to a depressed loved one: http://drmichellebengtson.com/what-to-say-when-a-loved-one-is-depressed/
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Thanks so much for sharing so transparently. I tend to suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder which can make me feel depressed at times. Lately it’s born more out of loneliness. But I read a verse and insight from Anne Graham Lotz that was so profound to me. She quoted from Psalm 13 verses 2 and 5 where David says, How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart?… But I trust in your unfailing love. Anne went on to say that every day we must choose to trust God; to believe God. It doesn’t mean we won’t have feelings of despair, but in the end we know in Whom our Salvation in all things comes from.
I love 1 Corinthians 10.13. First of all it reminds me I’m not alone in whatever my struggle. Others have gone and are going through it. It also reminds me that if I keep my eyes on HIm, I’ll come out the other side. He is our hope and our light in the darkness no matter how dark it seems, at times.