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Last week I had the opportunity to talk with Patty Mason on an episode of Your Hope-Filled Perspective Podcast called Hope for Freedom from Depression – Episode 45. But we just barely scratched the surface, so I invited Patty to join us on the blog to share a bit more of her story including her new perspective on life, depression and faith.
Read to the end for a book giveaway!
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A New Perspective of Life, Depression, and Faith
By Patty Mason
At the peak of life, I felt despair. How could this be? I had everything I set out to accomplish since I was eighteen-years-old—a husband who loved me, three beautiful, healthy children, a nice home, and a successful career—yet I was depressed.
For months, I wore a mask that told everyone around me I was fine, while behind the scenes I tried to fix myself. Finally realizing I needed help, I turned to family, friends, and eventually doctors to get better to no avail. Believing the darkness was never going to end, I became suicidal. Since I was abusing our oldest daughter, and spent my days sleeping, screaming, and crying, I convinced myself my family would be better off without me.
On the day I planned to take my life, I cried out to God. Sobbing through every word, I laid my heart bare and allowed myself to be vulnerable. I had exhausted every earthly option I could think of. God was my last resort. “Help me,” I cried, “No one can help me. Only you can help me.”
That was the day God reached into the darkness and pulled me out, and when I came out of that well, I came out a different person.
You see, prior to the depression, I knew of God. I attended church and believed in Jesus, but I had no relationship with Him. Going through the depression brought me to a place where I finally started to cry out to Him. I believe God used that dark season in my life to get my attention, so He could reveal His heart and draw me to Himself. When God delivered me, it brought me to a place where I not only wanted to know His healing touch, I wanted to know Him. Getting to know God has taken me on a journey that changed everything—my perspective on life, depression, and of God.
LIFE
I used to think life was about more—getting more, doing more, being more. In an attempt to “be somebody,” to find happiness, I pursued everything I thought would fulfill me as a person. A man, family, achievement, money, success, but none of these things gave me what I was looking for. Once I accomplished everything I set out to find, do, and be, it only left me feeling empty and void of life.
Now I see life as a gift from God. We are created in the image of a God who loves us and desires intimate fellowship with us. Life is not about striving to get more. It’s about intimately knowing and making known the One who created us. When that happens, when we come face-to-face with Him, we discover the life, purposes, and plans He has for us in Christ.
DEPRESSION
I used to think, if I tried hard enough I could shake off the bonds of depression. Having a get-fixed-quick-mentality, I thought, “If I could just get a pill I’d be fine.” And when the depression deepened, and suicidal thoughts filled my mind, I began to believe there was no hope, and no other way out of the darkness then to die.
I used to think depression was the end, but now I see depression as an opportunity for a new beginning with God. Depression was not the end of the story; it was only the beginning of a life that was transformed to bring hope to others.
GOD
I used to think God was something our family did on Sunday mornings. I thought God was somewhere up in heaven watching and waiting for us to mess up. Due to childhood abuse, I believed God was angry, harsh, and would treat me the same way others did. I think that is why I made Him my last resort. I was afraid to come to Him.
Now I see the heart of a God who longs to have intimate fellowship with me. He is not angry or harsh, or anything like what I had made Him out to be. He is a good Father whose unconditional love only wants what is best for me.
Because of this shift in perspective, I began to see there is always hope, even when situations appear hopeless. I began to see that no matter what I go through, I am never alone. God is always with me, loving me and caring for me, even if I don’t feel His presence. I began to see there is a reason for everything I go through. Every day I am given is a gift from God, and even the days that are boring or mundane, they are all filled with glorious purpose.
About Patty Mason
A wife, mother, grandmother, author, national speaker, and founder of Liberty in Christ Ministries, Patty Mason has shared her story of God’s redeeming grace and deliverance from depression before numerous audiences, in several books, blogs, and magazines, such as Lifeway’s “Living More,” as well as radio and television programs, including American Family Radio, Moody Radio, and The 700 Club. She currently lives in Nashville, TN, with her husband of 31 years.
Stay connected with Patty Mason:
Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Website
Book Giveaway!
In conjunction with this post and the podcast interview, Hope for Freedom from Depression – Episode 45, Patty Mason is giving away a free copy of her book, Finally Free: Breaking the Bonds of Depression Without Drugs.
Leave a comment below sharing with us one thing you’ve learned about the hope that is available for those who experience depression and you will be entered into the contest.
You could also share this blog post on Facebook or Twitter then comment here to tell us where you shared it and you’ll also be entered into the drawing.
The winner will be selected at random and announced next Monday, March 2, 2019, here on this post. Continental United States only.
I would like to know more about breaking free from depression without drugs.
A reminder that God is not angry or harsh towards us when going through depression.
Kat,
Patty’s book, and mine, “Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression” are a great place to start. I also did several podcast episodes (“Your Hope Filled Perspective with Dr. Michelle Bengtson”) on this very topic. Just enter depression in the search bar on my website and you’ll find lots of information.
I know there is hope for my husband, who struggles so!
Sarah,
There absolutely is hope for your husband. That’s exactly why I wrote my book, “Hope Prevails: Insights From a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression.” I wanted others to know there is hope, even when our feelings tell us otherwise.
I enjoyed so much the podcast and this blog. Patty Mason has shared what almost every woman has experienced sometime in their lives as we all try to do everything in our own strength without knowing the ONE WHO gives us strength. She is so transparent and full of the love of Jesus. Her heart comes through in tremendous hope and that the answer is Jesus. Michelle, your insights and your testimony of how you dealt with depression has encouraged and given hope to so many and you two together are a tremendous witness for giving our life to Jesus. Thank you so much for the podcast and this blog. Knowing about God and Jesus just isn’t going to give us the help we need but KNOWING them, having relationship with them, will.
Karen,
I’m glad you enjoyed what Patty shared. We have worked together for quite a few years trying to help others struggling with depression find help, hope, and healing. She has a beautiful testimony that gives glory to God.
Thank you for sharing Michelle and Patty! These points are so helpful for anyone suffering from depression!
Pinned & tweeted.
Thank you for linking up at InstaEncouragements!
Patty, thank you so much for being so vulnerable and sharing so transparently your testimony of how the Lord redeemed your depression. Blessings,
I loved the truth Patty shared about rhe heart of God toward us. There is much healing that happens when we truly believe we are seen by God, loved by God, and cherished by God. Thank you for sharing your story with us!
Thank you to everyone who listened in on the podcast and read the post. What a blessing to hear your responses and how the Lord ministered to your souls. There is no one like our God who is able to reach us in our time of need, touch our lives with whispers of His love, and bring us through, even when it doesn’t look possible. No matter the circumstances, there is always hope. Our God is faithful.
Excited to hear who will receive a free copy of Finally Free. Hugs to you all, Patty