Read What Others Have Shared
(January 2000)
There Is Hope In Knowing That You Are Not Alone
January 25, 2000
From : Jessica Sheerin
E-mail : SheerinJnJnJ@cs.com
Hi, Im Jessica and I am a 22 year old wife and mother of a seven month old baby. I have suffered from clinical depression for nearly 15 years already. My life has never been that easy, but God has helped me make it through to today. When I was 12 years old I tried to commit suicide. The psychologist at the hospital claimed I was only trying to seek attention and demanded that my family and friends stay away. The only kind of attention I was seeking was help, love, and guidance. I have been in and out of therapy for years, but due to lack of funds and my own misconceptions of what was wrong with me I never kept up with it. I always thought that I was just a weak, horrible, worthless person who couldn't handle anyhting. I thought if I could just have a better relationship, or car, or job, or frinds, or... the list goes on and on, that I would be OK. Not until recently that I completely handed my life over to Jesus Christ did I begin to see that there was truly something wrong with me that wasn't a character flaw,or lack of faith, or weakness, but actually a clinical illness. My months basically consist of MAYBE one week of a really good up period and then I go through different stages of sadness, to rage, to guilt and numbness. I thank God every day for showing me that although I will never be perfect he still loves me and will hold my hand along the way. I'm not through the depression yet, but I have hope in the Lord that it is getting better. Please keep myself and my family in your prayers as we, through Christ's power, succeed in this battle.
January 22, 2000
From : Betty Davis
E-mail : brdavis@erols.com
I am suffering from severe depression. It started when my mom died. Her death was in November 1990. I resigned from my job in March 1991, because of some bad experiences. I want to work again. It's hard to work when your heart aches. Now I am depressed because I have to move. This move will make me leave the church I love. My landlord goes to my church. My church wants to keep it quiet. I have moved so much. Who will help me move? I do have a faithful friend though. He is a four year old collie. His name is Badger. I didn't give him that name. He is a sweetheart. At times, I have had to take medication for the depression. I do go to a counselor once a week yet, once a week isn't enough. God has seen me through many moves. Why am I doubting now? Thanks for being there. My nickname is Susan. I live in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
January 21, 2000
From : Zea
E-mail : eagle@onthenet.com.au
I would like to encourage all those who are Christians and suffer depression of various types by sharing how I have been helped. The secret for me has been in identifying what goes on in my mind. I'd like to ask you, as I ask myself...
When last was it that you acknowledged the presence of the Lord Jesus right this moment with you? Phil 4:5-6 says 'The Lord is near. Be anxious over nothing.' We don't often notice that he first tells us He is near before He says not to be anxious. He knows the number of hairs on your head and bottles each tear you cry. Look up to Him, intentionally choosing to turn your attention away from yourself.
Second, when last did you acknowledge the reality of the gift of the Holy Spirit who lives in you? (Eph 1:13-14) You received the Holy Spirit when you surrendered your heart to the Lord Jesus for the very reason that God knows you and I are incapable of living the Christian life without supernatural power. (Gal 3:3) It is He who lives in us who equips and empowers us.
Third, don't fall into the dead-end trap of comparing yourself with others. God has made you uniquely. He has gifted you uniquely and has unique plans for you. He knit you together in your mother's womb, has chosen you, will help you, and says 'Do not be afraid'. (Isa 44:2) As you fully surrender to him each day, regardless of what your ideas are of how a Christian should look, He will bring his plans to pass in your life. Trust him, be patient, He is faithful.
Fourth, when you feel oppressed look up and once again choose the Lord Jesus Christ and His ways. Recognise the reality that the evil one roams about like a hungry roaring lion seeking whom he may devour and tear to pieces, and the way he does this most successfully is through our minds, planting doubts, fears and unbelief. He is the accuser - feeding our minds with accusing thoughts of our own worthlessness. Paul tells us 'be transformed by the renewing of your mind' (Rom 12:2). What we believe determines how we think. Our thoughts determine how we feel, and how we feel determines how we act.
e.g. 'I believe I have depression' 'I think I can't be happy today because of depression.' 'I feel awful because of this depression thing'. 'I can't do anything because I feel so low.' (It goes around in circles!)
By being able to identify the evil one's lies in our minds, our beliefs can be checked against God's word which is truth and we can choose to concentrate on His truth regardless of how we feel. We can take captive every thought (2 Cor 10:5) and check it against God's truth, and soon we will notice that we are being transformed.
e.g. 'I believe I have all I need for life and godliness in Christ Jesus'. (2 Pet 1:3) 'I think I have every reason to be happy because I am a daughter/son of the King of Kings and He is with me now. His Holy Spirit lives within me to guide, counsel, and comfort me. There is nowhere I can go that is out of His care or reach. I am safe.'
'I don't feel wonderful, but I choose to put that aside because I choose to focus on truth.' 'I can do loving acts for my children/friends/parents, I can reach out to my husband/wife regardless of how I feel, because I am so grateful to my Lord that He is the truth and cares for me. He will enable me as I take a small step at a time.'
It takes perseverence dear friends, moment by moment, day by day. Do you want to be well? Then will you choose each moment to walk as Jesus did? (1 John 2:5) You will be transformed because He is faithful.
'Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.' (Eph 5:10-18)
Love in Jesus
Zea (Queensland, Australia)