Through my experiences as a neuropsychologist and my own journey through depression, I’ve learned that even in hard times, including depression, cancer, or relationship difficulties, you can still rejoice! If I can rejoice, you can too! Whatever hard times you are going through, you are not alone! God is with you!

Nobody wants to be the poster child for depression. But now that I have gone through that and am on the other side, I’m thankful for my experience. Truly thankful.

As a doctor, as a neuropsychologist, I was always filled with a lot of compassion and empathy for my patients. Now that I have journeyed through the dark night of my soul myself, I have even more compassion for others. Even more empathy. I can step into that place and say, “Me too.”

I really do get it. I really do understand. Now I have a much better appreciation for so many in the Bible who suffered. Not that my suffering was as great or as prolonged as theirs, but to read the stories of Jonah, and Elijah, and Job, and David. I have a better appreciation for what they went through.

You are not alone! God is with you!

I have found that even when you’re in the valley, whether it be the valley of depression, or cancer, or relationship difficulties, you can still rejoice because you are not alone. God is with you. If you had told me that when I was in depression’s pit, I might not have believed it myself. Yet, even with the circumstances I face today, I am rejoicing.

God knows the anguish of our soul

“I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and you knew the anguish of my soul” (Psalm 31:7).

 

In Psalm 31:7, even when he was suffering, King David was able to rejoice because God saw him, God knew him, and He knew what David was going through.

 

Isn’t it a comfort to know that even as he was suffering, David was able to rejoice because God saw him, He knew him, He knew what David was going through.

I want to encourage you today. Maybe you’re not going through depression, but you’re going through some other difficult circumstance. I’ve been there. Cancer. Job loss. Relationship heartache. Caring for parents or an ill spouse. Raising children. So many I know are experiencing many difficult, hard circumstances. But we can rejoice despite the circumstances because God is there and He knows the anguish we are going through.

People have commented many times, “Michelle, I don’t know how you’re getting through all you’ve been going through. I don’t know if I could do that.”

My answer is always the same: “I don’t know how I would get through this without God. I don’t know how people make it through such difficult life situations if they don’t know God, if they don’t have Jesus as their personal Savior.” He is my strength when I am weak. He is the rock on which I stand. He is the strong tower I run to.”

My hope is in God

So I can rejoice, because I have Him. My hope is in Him.

 

I don’t know how I would get through hard times without God. He’s my strength when I am weak. He is the rock on which I stand. He is the strong tower I run to.

 

Rejoice! You are never alone! God is with you!

Can I tell you a little secret? When we rejoice despite our suffering, it makes the enemy mad. I love making the enemy mad. There’s nothing better.

So rejoice. Even if you are in the pit of depression, or cancer, or financial woes. Rejoice because you have a God who knows you and sees you, and God is with you. You are not alone in this.

Rejoice. That pleases God, and it shifts your focus back to Him and off your difficult circumstances.

Even in your heartache, you can still rejoice. Rejoicing may not change your circumstance but it will change your attitude about it.

 

 

Because of Him, #HopePrevails!

 

 

Related Reading:

Never Alone: 15 Bible Verses to Assure You When You Feel Alone
Depressed? You’re Not Alone
You Are Not Alone

 

Extended for a few more days!
Sign up for the Free 6-week Online Hope Prevails Bible Study

 

Join the first time ever Online Hope Prevails Bible Study

 

Readers have been asking me to lead an online version of the Hope Prevails Bible Study for a while now. God has spurred my heart to offer it in late January to help get through the winter months as we anticipate the joy of spring.

Depression is no laughing matter, but it can be easier to cope when we’re surrounded by the support of friends and mental health professionals.

I would love to have you join us, and perhaps even consider inviting a friend to join with you. Everything is better with a friend!

Join us for this 6-week Online Bible Study that begins on January 23, 2023 by registering at:  Online Hope Prevails Bible Study

We’ve decided to leave the signup form open until Friday. Each session will be recorded and a replay is available. You can still catch up on Week #1!

 

Through my experiences as a neuropsychologist and my own journey through depression, I’ve learned that even in hard times, including depression, cancer, or relationship difficulties, I could still rejoice and you can too! Whatever hard times you are going through, you are not alone! God is with you!

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