Read What Others Have Shared
(November 1999)
There Is Hope In Knowing That You Are Not Alone
November 29, 1999
From : Kristen
E-mail : kris_66@msn.com
I hardly know where to begin... I have suffered the effects of severe clinical depression for most of my life. Even professionals had practically given up on me labeling my depression as "Treatment Resistive". But God never gave up on me. There is a story in the New Testement about a woman who had been bleeding for 12 years, yet she had faith that if she could only touch the hem of Jesus' garment she would be healed. So one day she made her way through a crowd and did just that and was healed. I came to God with about that much faith a few months ago. I said, "Lord, I know they've all given up on me but if I can just touch the hem of your garment I know you'll make a way for me out of this darkness". To make a long story short through a combination of ECT (Elctro Convulsive Therapy) and the right Antidepressant Medications I have been virtually free from depression since September 1999 (IT'S NOW ALMOST DEC.)
But when I tell people about the ECT (better known as SCHOCK TREATMENTS) they associate it with something out of One Flew Over The Cockoos Nest, thus intensifying the insanity stigma even more. The reality is that I asked God for a way out of the darkness and He gave me one.
I still struggle with the guilt and shame of being a Christian who requires treatment for clinical depression. In some ways it's even worse for me because my Dad is a minister. My sister the extremist says its demons, and that if I had more faith I wouldn't be depressed. I say if I am a Christian how can I have demons inside of me? Because scripture specifically says that Satan and God cannot cohabitate in the same body. My mom the fundamentalist says I need to read my Bible more, marry a nice Christian guy from church etc... Over the years I have had people lay hands on me while screaming and yelling in tongues, I've been told I'm everything from weak to possessed and frankly it is infuriating. If we cannot find safety in the body of believers where can it be found?
So once again I layed my problem at the foot of the cross, and now God has provided me with a safe Church that loves and accepts me for who I am no matter what.
DEPRESSION IS A PHYSICAL DISEASE. IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT. YOU ARE NOT A BAD PERSON. AND JUST BECAUSE YOUR DEPRESSED DOESN'T MEAN THAT YOU LACK IN FAITH. IF ONE TREATMENT DOESN'T WORK KEEP TRYING UNTIL YOU FIND ONE THAT DOES. "GOD WILL NOT TEMPT YOU BEYOND WHAT YOU CAN BEAR". "ALL THINGS COME TOGETHER FOR THE GOOD FOR THEM THAT LOVE THE LORD."
DEPRESSION DOES NOT HAVE TO BE A DEATH SENTENCE. THERE IS A LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL(AND NO IT'S NOT ANOTHER FREIGHT TRAIN). IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE ME OR YOU NEED SOMEONE TO TALK TO PLEASE EMAIL ME AT kris_66@msn.com
THANK YOU JESUS FOR GIVING ME A WAY OUT OF THE DARKNESS!
November 12, 1999
E-mail : eslabau@yahoo.com
Hi I am 31 years old and have been struggling with depression for a long time but only recently hit the bottom. I am now in that dark black hole and i just got out of the physchiatric ward in the hospital after a 12 day stay for suicidal thoughts and medication adjustments. I feel very low at this time and yes I have heard people say you just are not trusting God enough and The one thing i wish all people could see is that this is an illness and how much pain goes with this illness. I am currently on 4 medications and have been diagnosed with major depression, recurrant, severe and also am suspected of being bi-polar but am not yet sure. I am in therapy and also see a physciatric doctor and am eager for feed back from others. I am as I said at a very low time right now but hope to get better. Thank-You
November 1, 1999
From : Leslie
im 19 and have depression i am praying for healing. please if you have any biblical help tell me. i feel like im in darkness and i want clarity and healing. may all of us thru depression come to know God better. His will will be done so please pray for healing without medication for me "ask and it shall be given unto you, seek and ye shall find.."