“You’re not alone…I understand.”
Those are perhaps the two most comforting sentiments we long to hear in the midst of a trial. It was what I needed to hear, but didn’t, when I was in the midst of the valley of depression.
The opposite was what the enemy of my soul whispered in my ear so loudly it was deafening: “You’re all alone. No one else understands. If you tell anyone, they’ll know what’s wrong with you and run the other way.”
Depression does not make you flawed
That’s what perpetuates the stigma: the belief that suffering with the pain of depression or anxiety means there is something inherently flawed about you, any more than you would be flawed if you had allergies or heart disease. No one is shunned for those health conditions. Yet, for some reason, we think a mental health concern makes an individual inherently flawed.
The enemy made sure to use my own knowledge and training against me: “you’re the doctor. If you couldn’t save yourself from such an affliction, why would anyone trust you to treat them? In fact, if anyone finds out, you’ll lose business and be the laughingstock of your profession.” He wanted me to believe that my worth was dictated by my condition and that I was flawed because I had walked in the valley.
Yet the enemy is a liar—the father of lies in fact. God’s truth says that what the enemy intended to harm us, God will use for good. It also says that we will be able to comfort others with the comfort that we have been given (2 Corinthians 1:4).
You are not alone; someone understands
In my award-winning book, “Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression,” I not only share from my experience, both as a doctor who treats depression, but also as an individual who suffered.
In preparation for the book release, I took a small group of women through the book with me in a book study format. At one point as we were going through one of the chapters, one of the women messaged me and said, “THIS…Is. Me! You’re telling my story for the past 25 years…Now I know why God connected us.” But the not-so-strange part is that she wasn’t the only one to share such sentiments with me. Many women have told me similar statements, yet each one has felt alone, and each, in their own way, has worn a mask afraid to share their suffering; afraid to let anyone see their pain; afraid no one else would understand.
It was my story too. And it’s the story of countless others. And the enemy convinces so many that it is true…that they are alone and that no one else will understand. But I’m here to tell you that it is a lie. You are not alone. Someone does understand.
4 Scriptures to stand on in the valley of depression
Even if you do not have someone in your close circle that you can open up to and share your heart with, you are still not alone. I didn’t have anyone when I was in the darkest part of the valley of despair, but still I was not alone.
- God promises in His word that He never leaves us alone. “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you” (Deuteronomy 31:8 NLT).
- He hears our cries and He promises to heal the broken places in our hearts.
“He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds” (Psalm 147:3).
- He also promises to comfort us in our suffering, after which, we will be able to be there to extend comfort and compassion to others.
“He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us” (2 Corinthians 1:4 NLT).
- When I was in the valley of depression, the enemy’s lies were so loud and so convincing, but ultimately, it was standing on and trusting in God’s truth that made all the difference.
And His word reminds us that “they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony” (Revelation 12:11 NLT).
It is for this reason that I am willing to share my story, to give others hope and to help silence the enemy’s whispers in their ears, pointing them to God’s truth and His faithfulness.
Have you experienced God’s faithfulness in the lonely times? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below. You just might encourage someone else in the process!
Because of Him, #HopePrevails!
Today is Going to be a Good Day
Now Available!
Exciting News! My newest book, Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises from God to Start Your Day Off Right is now available!
More information on this uplifting devotional that 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:
Michelle…your post is so true. I have experienced all that you say and am grateful for your efforts to break the stigma of mental illness.
Julie, I hope that using my voice will help break the stigma. It’s by the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony that the enemy is defeated!! Because of Him, #HopePrevails!
My father had depression and anxiety. His anxiety was so bad, he wouldn’t leave his house for months at a time.
I also have Major Depressive disorder and anxiety with borderline agoraphobia. If I leave the house I have panic attacks. They are so very painful! I hope to line up some counseling and am going to make my first appointment tomorrow. It’s not as bad as it use to be. It used to be so bad that I drank and did drugs. God put people in my life that helped me see what a mess I was making of my life. The weird thing is, He put people who were doing exactly what I was doing in my path, and then cleared my mind to see what I was doing.
Today, I still fight depression. I’m in a tough place right now but I know that I will see an end to this episode. Til then, I’ll just write in my journal and work on the counseling!
Beth, You are Not alone! The God of the universe is with you and will see you through this! He is no respecter of persons and what He has done for me and countless others, He will do for you. Stay in His word, continue to do the work in counseling, write in your journal, and if I may suggest, pick up my book when it’s released this summer. He knows the plans He has for you. Sweet Girl, and they are for good. They are to prosper you and not to harm you. They are for a future and a HOPE!! Because of Him, #HopePrevails!
Your story sounds a lot like mine. If it wasn’t for the support of my husband close friends, I would not have sought help so quickly. Thank you for your honesty and transparency. 🙂
Samantha, I share my story so that others will be helped and so that others will see how faithful and good God is. I would not be where I am today if it were not for the mercy and grace of God! Because of Him, #HopePrevails!
2 Corinthians 1:4 has pulled me througj many of my lonely times! The Lord’s plans are so much higher than my understanding… In my lowest points, He has been there for me and has used my past experience to comfort others!
He has you exactly where you are for a purpose! Beautiful words and Scriptures, Michelle! Thank you for sharing with #mommymoments ?
Amy, God is always faithful to His word. We just have to believe. I’m glad you have found it to be true! Because of Him, #HopePrevails!
My daughter has suffered greatly with depression, anxiety, and panic attacks. As her mom, my heart breaks when she is suffering. I feel so helpless, but I comfort her, sit with her, pray for her, whatever I do, I never turn away from her. She has been doing so great in recent years, and has been free of the struggle. I pray she continues down this road and never has to feel those feelings again.
You are so right when you say that society doesn’t see this as a disease like cancer or allergies, they see it as weakness, or someone seeking attention. However they see it, they are so wrong! That is why I am so excited for the release of your book, Hope Prevails. The closer it gets, the more excited I get, because I know how many people this book is going to help!. 🙂 <3
You have been such a blessing in my life. I admire your strength, your faith, your determination to finish the race, and fight the good fight. <3
Sweet Rachelle, it truly takes a village. I wouldn’t have gotten this far had it not been for the faithful prayers of friends like you! I’m so sorry for the suffering your daughter has had to go through. But now she, too, will be able to comfort others with the comfort she has been given. When the book comes out, I pray it will be a source of comfort for countless others, and a source of TRUTH to break the hold the enemy has had over many! Thanks so much for your support. It makes all the difference in my life!! It won’t be long now! 😉 Because of Him, #HopePrevails!
There is such stigma attached. Thanks for clarifying this issue and offering hope and comfort for those who know this valley so well! Glad you are (telling) #TellHisStory by telling yours, Michelle!
It’s my hope that by telling my story, especially as a doctor, that it will help tear down the walls of stigma brick by brick. It’s in sharing that real people struggle, real people hurt, real people find victory, that the stigma comes down and we lift others up. Because of Him, #HopePrevails!
sharing your story is exactly what God wanted you to do – thank for being brave and vulnerable for the sake of His family.
Looking forward to the release of your book! Blessings, Michelle!
Sharing your story and your expertise will bring hope! I’m praying your ministry and book will be a conduit for God’s great work! Thank you so much for sharing your message of hope alongside me at Moments of Hope!
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
Dear dr Michelle, your words are so sweet to my heart…I don’t know if I’m depressed, some days I’m so happy, some days i ask myself why I’m in this world…I’m tired…I feel wrong…I’m very sensitive and very introvert and I just want to find a way to feel ok with others…
Thank you for your blog…it is a safe place…
Have a good day
Francesca
You know, I have read both of your books and listened or read your blogs and Hope-Filled Perspectives and heard or read your testimony several times and only NOW did I apply this to me. Years ago I was treated with prozac for depression in my premenopausal days but I never told anyone that is what was happening. I would tell them about having to take thyroid and going through menopause but I never mentioned the depression. Isn’t that interesting in light of what you are sharing? I do not remember the enemy telling me those lies but I must have had those thoughts in order to keep that part of my life a secret. Thank you for helping me look at that time and season through a clearer lens and realizing I never want to go back there and I always want to recognize when the enemy is trying to isolate me through his lies. I want to join you in standing on Father’s truth and His Word and Promises. I so love and appreciate your messages, your books and your life.