I remember a time in my life when I believed I might be “joy immune.” Depression had stolen my joy. I learned through that experience that we sometimes have to fight for joy (and, some days, our fight is harder.) On the days when I have to fight for joy, these are promises that I stand on.
By 2020, depression will be our greatest epidemic worldwide. It already is our greatest cause for disability nationally. Nearly twice as many women as men suffer with depression. In fact, every year, almost 18 million women in the U.S. suffer. If you’re not one who does or has suffered from depression, I guarantee you know someone who has, who is, and who will. I’m one of them.
I’m going to be honest…I did it again. A couple days of slogging through my life as a writer left me in the familiar comparison mode.
As I spent the last couple days putting words on paper, I found myself crying out to God, “Is this making a difference? Is it worth it? Is there any eternal kingdom value in what I’m doing? Or are you done using me?”
That might have been okay, but I did what I know better than to do…compare. “God, so and so is doing such and such. Look at the impact they are having for the kingdom. Why aren’t you using me like that?” and on and on I went. It was a slippery slope down to feelings of inferiority, doubt, and frustration.
