Depression is a nasty disease that affects the body, mind, and soul. It can be difficult to fight because it has so many ugly heads. This blog focuses on the positive impact that my faith had on my battle with depression. I look forward to sharing with you in the next two months the impact of depression on the body and the mind.
My Journey with Depression
In 1974 I started to show signs of depression but it wasn’t until 1991 that it had a name. It wasn't until a few years later that I began to understand the full weight of it. There was an important moment where I cried out to God to take my depression away. His answer? Silence. The battle became my own. Along the way I studied diet, exercise, allergies, supplements, aromatherapy, light therapy, sleep, the Bible, cognitive behavior therapy, and read countless books. I learned a great deal about mental health, physical health, and faith. This uphill climb taught me many things as I kept fighting, kept searching, and did not give up.
What I’ve Learned About God and Depression
Why was God silent to my plea for help? Why did He leave me to wander through the wilderness for years before I even knew what I was fighting? How about all those years of trying new things? Two steps forward, one step back. I now understand that the silence of God was
‘My dearest, Cathy, I have things to teach you. This is going to be painful and difficult. It will take some time and I am not going to let you know the full extent of the battle now. I’m going to walk with you through each of these difficult years. I am creating a strong woman and I love you more than you will ever know.’
The struggle was all part of God’s perfect plan.
My faith in God gave me a reason to beat this monster and to keep moving forward. The lessons I learned were physical, mental, and spiritual. Those lessons are invaluable to me now. I am stronger and healthier because of the process. My faith kept me going based on the belief that there was a God in heaven who loved me and valued my life.
My Hope for Those With Depression
For anyone reading this suffering from depression, here is a great big hug for you. The weight can seem overwhelming. I want you to know that the battle against this illness can be won. You will have to put up a fight. It’s worth it and you’re worth it. There is a much better you on the other side of this disease. Enlist help, keep searching, and learn to love yourself.
Soul Lessons
- My life is a journey.
- I do not know what is around the corner. It is not reasonable to believe that it is all bad. Living in the present is a much better place to be.
- There are questions I have no answer to. That's where my faith comes in.
- Having the belief that there is someone bigger than this universe who 'works all things out for good' is a useful belief to have.
- God wants me to be involved in the process of my life. He doesn't just give me things unless it is the best for me.
- I thought my faith had limits, but I'm still here! God and I have had our wrestling matches to be sure, but we have always worked things out. Sometimes it has taken years.
- God speaks through other people and through circumstances. Sometimes He speaks directly to me.
- Faith is personal and can have a profound impact.
- My faith in God helped to keep me going when my life felt so very hard.
- I know that the process of battling depression was necessary to become who I am today.
- God is love.
I am truly grateful for my journey with depression.
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