(Today’s post is a guest post by Rachel Newman about the revelation God gave her with respect to her experience with depression.)
Not long ago, I listened to a sermon about depression. I hadn’t recognized depression in my life and wouldn’t have consciously considered myself depressed. But I had just shared with my husband that lately I felt sad more often than I felt happy. When this timely sermon came on the radio, it targeted this emotional weight and began to tear it away.
The message was this: if you are struggling with depression (and it is not a result of a chemical imbalance), it is because you are believing a lie. The sermon focused on God’s great love for us. First John 4:10 tells us, “This is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us” (KJV).
So often we focus on the first commandment, love God; but we forget that He loved us first. He gave Himself for us. He paid the highest price heaven could offer. You don’t pay a price for something unless you think it is of equal worth. You aren’t going to pay $50 for a purse unless you consider that purse to be worth at least $50.
Do you realize that God paid for you with Jesus? To Him, you are worth as much as the life of His Son. “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32 KVJ). Wow!
I had received great revelations about God’s love and grace in my life already. I knew I wasn’t believing a lie in that area. But obviously depressed, I had finally reached the point where I needed to find a way out. So I asked, “Lord, what lie am I believing?”
In His gentle and clear way, He showed me that I did not doubt His love, but I doubted my husband’s love. Certain areas of our lives were not going the way I thought they should go. My husband did not react to my needs the way I thought he should. I had begun to entertain thoughts that if he really loved me, he would behave differently. I judged his actions based on the way I show love. And the resulting reward was my new constant companion—sadness.
Instead, God reminded me of the ways my husband and I are different. He created us differently on purpose. My husband naturally shows his love for me in his own way, not my way. God brought back to mind all the things my husband does to demonstrate his love in his own way.
The moment I accepted God’s words as truth instead of the deceptions I had allowed, the blanket of depression vanished. Now when those pitiful thoughts tempt me again, I go back to that moment when God spoke His words of truth to me and it renews my strength and confidence that I am loved.
Have you been struggling with feelings of sadness? Pray this prayer with me:
Dear God, please show me the lies that I have believed and replace them with your truth. Give me a new revelation of your love for me. Help me to rest in you as you complete your work in me. In Jesus I ask, amen.
Growing in truth with you,
Rachel Newman
Freelance Editor and Indexer
Certified Paralegal
MrsMatthewNewman@gmail.com
I would love to meet you! Join me May 1–2, 2015 in Austin, Texas at PENCON 2015, the only convention for Christian editors. Learn how to enter the editing field (you love editing, so why not make some money at it?) or enhance an already established business. Network with other editors, and meet with the speakers one-on-one. Visit: http://thechristianpen.com/convention-2/
(If you have a question you’d like Dr. B to answer, contact her here now. Your name and identity will be kept confidential.)
A short brief about Hope Prevails.
Hope Prevails
Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey through Depression
Dr. Michelle Bengtson
Speaking from personal and professional experience, a neuropsychologist unpacks what depression is, shows how it affects us spiritually, and offers hope for living the abundant life.
Neuropsychologist Offers Hope to Those Struggling with Depression
-By 2020, depression will be our greatest epidemic worldwide
- An estimated 350 million people worldwide suffer from some form of depression
- As with the bestselling My Stroke of Insight, the author experienced the same condition she treats
- Helpful features include personal stories, biblical truths, prayers, and music recommendations
In Hope Prevails, Dr. Bengtson writes with deep compassion and empathy, blending her extensive training and faith, to offer readers a hope that is grounded in God’s love and grace. She helps readers understand what depression is, how it affects them spiritually, and what, by God’s grace, it cannot do. The result is a treatment plan that addresses the whole person—not just chemical imbalances in the brain.
For those who struggle with depression and those that want to help them, Hope Prevails offers real hope for the future.
Hope Prevails is available now wherever books are sold. To find out more, see: https://drmichellebengtson.com/hope-prevails-book/.
That is such an insightful revelation you had about your husband, and I love how God gave you such a clear message about that particular lie you were believing. It’s something we all can truly investigate whether we feel a sense of depression or not, I believe!
I would agree — we need to investigate the lies we fall prey to believing whether in depression or not!! Good point!
Thank you! It was amazing how instantaneous the change was in my heart. I’m so grateful God shows us these things when we ask. His love for us is truly more than I can comprehend.
How many need this tip, Michelle. Even if they don’t have depression. Seems we grab onto lies easier than we do truth, and believing we are unloved is one of the biggies. And so is assuming our husbands should love us according to our expectations. Dang. You nailed it.
Susan, we so easily grab onto lies…lies about our worth, our identity, our position, our influence. His truth is greater than all the lies. Thanks for stopping by!
You are so right, Susan. I truly hadn’t recognized the enemy’s strategy. I had thoughts and scenarios running through my mind almost subconsciously. Once God’s light hit those dark places, they were exposed for what they were. Thanks be to God who is so gracious to us! And thank you for taking the time to comment.
I found this post so helpful and encouraging!
I too am not a depressed person by nature, but in the last few years, I can feel like Charlie Brown and say to myself, “I know I should be happy, but I’m not…
I never thought of these feelings as actually believing a lie. But it is so true!
Thanks for sharing!
Our feelings are only the outward manifestation of the thoughts we believe. So, many of our negative feelings are the result of a lie. Great tip to keep in mind.
Karen, I am praying right now that God’s truth becomes so overwhelming to your mind that the lies break and crumble to nothing. May His joy and peace keep your heart and mind with thanksgiving and celebration! You are His beloved child, the favored daughter of the King. And all of heaven is open to you!
Thank you so much for your gracious heart lifting me up in prayer. 🙂
You are welcome. I hope you are having a very blessed day!
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Great post! I appreciate that she distinguished between chemical and situational depression. Thank you for making that distinction clear from the beginning. Sure wish I knew about the editor convention sooner. I am a Christian editor. Blessings from “Espressos of Faith!”
So glad to have you here Bonnie!! Perhaps something for you to tuck away for later. Blessings!
Thank you for the post, Bonnie. For those who suffer from a chemical imbalance, I would also encourage seeking truth from our Savior. I have found him to be my physical healer as well as my emotional healer. He loves to make people whole. It is who He is . . . my Jesus.
We will be hosting PENCON 2016 around the same time next year in Colorado. If you can’t make it to PENCON 2015, perhaps I will meet you in CO next year. I’d also like to invite you to join the Christian PEN: Proofreaders and Editors Network. It is an online network of Christian editors and it has been a great support and resource for me.
Oh, thank you, Rachel. I will look into that. Thank you so much for the invitation.
Yes, I agree that chemical depression can be healed by Christ. I had physical healing of two decades of migraines on the same day my son was healed of several life-threatening food allergies. I just appreciate people making the distinction because much damage can be done in church culture when churches/pastors/ministry tells those who struggle with chemical imbalances that it is because of sin or that they don’t have enough faith, or believe Him enough. (I don’t think you are saying that.) 🙂 I know many who felt they couldn’t take much-needed medication for this reason. He absolutely can heal them. If He chooses to heal, He does. If He doesn’t, I just am always careful to make the distinction that nothing is wrong when medication is needed for those imbalances. Hope that makes sense. This wasn’t meant to contradict anything you said, just to be clear about my comment. I think we’re on the same page. 🙂
Thank you for sharing that healing testimony, Bonnie! I love to hear about our Papa working in the lives of my Christian brothers and sisters. Yes, you are right that medicine can be a great blessing and Christians should never feel guilty for using it when it is needed. That is an important truth. Jesus never comes to us with guilt and accusation. Instead, He became sin and endured shame so that we could be free from any condemnation. Whoever the Son sets free is free indeed! These are our kingdom rights: righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
We are in agreement. 🙂
Amen! Thank you for responding. 🙂
Love the “Kingdom Rights” line! So so true!
You’re welcome! This is all part of the truths God has been continually showing me. The more I discover, the more amazed I am at who He is and what He has done. The Word is truly a treasure trove of immeasurable value.
This is so true! How we want everyone’s love language to sound just like ours – but how much color would our world lack if that were the case!
Yes, multiple love languages give life a great variety. And God uses all of them to lavish His love on us! Thanks for commenting, carol525.
Isn’t it wonderful how God so perfectly designed us uniquely! He is good.
Next to you at Women with Intention…love how you realized you were believing a lie! God is so good the way He gently anoints our eyes so we can see and begin to live truth. His heart really is set on you!
Thank you for that encouraging comment, Jeannie! Many blessings on your day!
Yes Jeannie, isn’t it comforting to know that His heart really is set on us? He is good! Blessings.
Thanks for linking up at MeetUp Monday!
–Krista
http://www.thequinntessentialmommy.com
Thanks for visiting Krista!
This is great…I can associate with her! Pinning! Thanks for sharing with us at Home Matters linky party. Hope you join us again!
Thank you for the comment and for pinning, Zan!
This is beautiful. And something I’ve definitely needed to hear. Thanks so much for sharing, it was such a blessing.
Found you at Growing in Grace Link Up
I’m so glad it touched you with a note of encouragement when you needed it Lorey!
Your comment really touched my heart, Lorey. Thank you so much for leaving it.