dəˈpreSH(ə)n/
noun
1.
feelings of severe despondency and dejection.”self-doubt creeps in and that swiftly turns to depression.
Have you ever been there?
Depressed.
Alone.
Isolated.
Hopeless.
I can remember a time in my life when I actually thought I was untouchable. There was no way a guy like me would ever struggle with depression or be diagnosed with cancer. It was just not possible… or so I thought.
It’s hard to admit our weaknesses. We don’t want people to see us for who we really are:
Broken (but not in a bad way.
Messy.
Needy.
Scared.
Lonely.
Jamie has struggled in the past with depression. She talks very candidly about it, and how God has brought healing to her life. Does depression try and wrap it’s coils around her every once and a while? You’re darn right it does! But she keeps fighting! We have had many interesting, and difficult conversations on this topic throughout our marriage. In the past it was a topic I struggled to identify with as depression wasn’t something I had experienced before.
That all changed recently…
I don’t know the exact date when it started, but it was like wearing a 250 pound soaking wet wool blanket everyday. It was horrible. I had absolutely no motivation, and my outlook on life had become pretty bleak. Depression had moved into my life.
One hour would be long enough – let alone having to live with depression for a month or two. I couldn’t imagine what it would be like if it was a life long battle. My heart goes out to those who constantly and consistently battle depression. No one should have to ‘do life’ alone, but that’s what depression does – it separates and isolates.
Talking about it was the last thing I wanted to do.
Thankfully it didn’t last long. I didn’t have to take any medicine for it, or didn’t see a doctor about it. There is absolutely nothing wrong with seeking out help. For me, it was like someone had removed the soaking wet, wool blanket from me. It feels like I can finally stand up straight. I am motivated to get back into the swing of things, and my outlook began to change. My heart is full of vision again!
It’s only been a few weeks now since I started feeling better, but I am SO thankful for His grace & mercy!