Everyone gets the blues sometimes. But what do you do when the blues don’t go away? Is it the blues or something else? It can be hard to tell, but there are some signs and symptoms that give us clues. I want you to know that there is hope and you are not alone.

~~~

I looked in her eyes, really not needing to ask the question, but wanting to give her a chance to voice what was on her heart, “How are you, really?”

“I don’t know.”

“You don’t have to share if you don’t want to, but I might understand better than you might think.”

She looked up through her long brunette hair that hung down almost entirely covering her face. She lifted an eye-brow. I nodded in return, before adding, “It’s up to you, but remember, I keep confidences for a living.”

She gave an almost imperceptible smile before starting, “Some days I just feel down. Some days I don’t feel anything. Some days I can hardly wait for the day to end. Basically, I just don’t feel like myself and I hate it.” She paused, wiped a couple of tears that had started to roll down her cheeks before continuing, “Everyone on Facebook posts about their picture perfect lives and I just want to throw my computer across the room because that shattered screen would look more like my heart feels right now.”

“You’re right. It’s hard to compete with everyone else’s highlight reels when you’re surrounded with all your own blooper reels on the cutting room floor of your life. Can I just caution you though, that comparison is the thief of joy. Just like you were hesitant to open up about your own pain, so are most people that you are comparing yourself to. It’s one of the main reasons I wrote my book, “Hope Prevails,” so that others, you included, would know you aren’t alone in your pain and suffering.”

“But everyone gets down sometimes, right?” she asked. “How do I know if it’s more than just a case of the blues? And what do we do when it doesn’t go away on its own?”

“Everyone has bad days, and everyone has those speed bumps of life. You’re right—it can be hard to tell, but there are some signs and symptoms that give us a clue. The good news is, is that there is help, and you don’t have to keep suffering alone.”

With that, she smiled for the first time since she walked in. She now knew that there was hope. That’s what hope does—it gives a fresh perspective.

I want to encourage you, if you haven’t been feeling like yourself lately, take these next few minutes for yourself {even if you have to hide away in the bathroom or in the corner of a local coffee shop}. Think about the last couple weeks as you look over the items on the following list, and place a checkmark beside any item that applies to you.

Let me also encourage you: no one else is going to see your answers, and there is no judgment or condemnation here, so be honest with yourself. Don’t read the questions and answer how you wish things were; just answer the questions as they apply to you in the last couple of weeks. And don’t worry, we’re going to offer you a {completely free} resource after you finish the checklist if you find you need it. {Or if you have a friend or loved one who might.}

Is it The Blues? Checklist

• Do you feel deflated, lacking in joy?
• Do you feel down, sad, or just overall unhappy?
• Do you look at others and wonder how they stay so happy, and wish you could too?
• Does it seem no matter how hard you try, you can’t get your joy back?
• Do you feel like this year won’t be any different than last year?
• Do you find yourself feeling guilty, over things you have or haven’t done?
• Do you have difficulty starting tasks, or seeing them through?
• Do you feel overwhelmed or paralyzed, unable to do what you want or need to do?
• Do you lack direction?
• Do you find it difficult to enjoy some of the things you used to?
• Are you hard on yourself? Or critical of others?
• Are you more frustrated {or irritated} than usual?
• Do you find it difficult to make decisions?
• Are you lacking in energy?
• Do you ever daydream about what it would be like if you weren’t around?

So here’s what you want to keep in mind, if you answered yes to three or more of these questions, you may be struggling with something a little more than the everyday blues. But there is hope! I want to give you free access to the replay of a webinar where I share from personal and professional experience, “10 Tips to Beat the Blues.” And the great news is this: I’m not selling anything prior to, during, or after this webinar – it is completely free. I just have a heart to equip you to live a life of joy. Head over here to find out more: 10 Tips to Beat the Blues Webinar.

If you find that you want more information for finding help, hope, and healing for depression, you may want to check out my book, Hope Prevails: Insights From a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression, where I share more of my story, and give both personal and professional insights about how to overcome depression and recover your joy, reclaim your peace, and re-establish your depression-free identity. You can purchase a copy here: Hope Prevails Book.   The companion Bible Study is also available for a deeper drive: Hope Prevails Bible Study. My newest book, Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises from God to Start Your Day Off Right, is filled with promises that I stood on as I overcame depression. Read more about my new book below.

There is hope!

Because of Him,
#HopePrevails!
DrB

 

 

Every day can be a good day when you trust the promises of God.

Today is Going to be a Good Day

Now Available!

My newest book, Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises from God to Start Your Day Off Right is now available!

This uplifting devotional helps you make each day a good day no matter what is going on in your life.

When life conspires to drag us down with all of its troubles, it can be hard to keep our spirits up. In times of severe illness and depression, I learned that when I stand on God’s promises, despite my circumstances, every day can be a good day.

Each reading includes Scripture, reflection, prayer, and a recommended playlist song designed to help you live out Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.”

 

 

For more information on the book visit: Today is Going to be a Good Day Book