A change is in the air.
A gentle breeze is blowing.
Can you see it?
The sun is brighter.
The colors are alive.
Can you hear it?
The birds are singing.
People are making plans.
Finally spring is beginning to show faint glimmers of hope.
But not everyone will experience spring.
For some of you, spring is not joyous. You don’t notice the change in the air. The glare of the sun hurts and the colors are as gray as dirty laundry. Spring doesn’t offer hope. It only reminds you that it’s dangerous to dream.
Depression is an ugly word, especially in Christian circles.
We are supposed to have joy in our hearts. We aren’t supposed to feel down or sad or upset. If we do, we shouldn’t feel that way for very long. We should read scripture, sing a worship song, focus on God. Those are all wonderful things. But sometimes they’re not enough.
The reality is…
Christians do get depressed.
Christians do hurt.
Christians do feel hopeless.
How do I know? Because I’ve been there.
I have alluded to my walk in the darkness in previous posts. But I wasn’t ready to share yet. Some of it still hurt deeply. That has changed. It was a slow and painful process. But I can say the darkness is gone.
This was confirmed to me during worship last Sunday. I cried as I felt my sweet Heavenly Father reassure me that my journey through darkness is over. It is time to move forward. As usual, He’s right. I don’t hurt anymore. The wound is healed. I can dare to dream again.
My friend, I want to offer you that same glimmer of hope.
God doesn’t want you to stay where you are. He hasn’t forgotten you. He loves you dearly. He wants you to hope again.
Over the next few weeks I am going to share my story with you, including the journey into darkness, the struggle there and the escape into light. It’s a little A LOT intimidating. I don’t know all that I am going to say. But I have a burning desire to tell. As always, I hope to be real with you. I pray it will be a blessing to you.
In the meantime, I want to leave you with a scripture I found in the midst of the darkness. It meant so much to me that I memorized it right away. I’ve shared it before. But I never get tired of saying it.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
Take care my sweet friends!
BTW, if you have not entered my giveaway, there’s still time!
Thank you for the wonderful words and encouragement of hope! Spring definitely brings the joy back…but you're right saying when we should not ever let the joy go! Sorry to hear about your pain…but know that it can be such a light to others. Thanks for the scripture…something we should surely all remember…in fact…I will put that as my verse to learn!
Thank you for sharing your heart, Alicia. I do agree with this post. Even as believers, we will struggle with those things, but it's so comforting to know that God can refresh and renew us!!
Beautiful my friend. Simply beautiful. I know that the Lord will use your journey to help others. He always does.
And you're right, we as Christians suffer hurt and depression just like everyone else, but we have the joy of knowing that the Lord is ALWAYS right there beside us to help lead us into the light once again.
I can't wait to hear your story and see how it all unfolds!
I'll be praying as you share something so close and personal to you.
Hugs
Kim
Oh Alicia!
You are so wise…you speak such truth. Raw truth that needs to be told.
Sometimes we feel that as Christians we are not allowed to (or feel we shouldn't) allow "the world" know of our pain for fear that it would reflect our lack of faith. How refreshing that you are going to share your story….and reveal the power of The Holy Spirit in your life and His Victory!!!!!!
Twitter: Stop4chocolate
says:
Praise the Lord for bringing you through! I'm glad you will be sharing your story. I know you will bless so many women with it Alicia. Thank you for all your encouragement here! Have a lovely day sweet friend!
I know that God will give you the words to say, and many people will be blessed because of your honesty and vulnerability…
Twitter: DkqQsgeDzCgOuCSwoM
says:
One of the ladies in my bible study, just told us yesterday that she is struggling with depression. She actually has struggled much of her life so it is not surprising, but it is heartbreaking to hear. It is such a hard, lonely journey. I am looking forward to what you will be posting in the future. Perhaps it will help me in some way to minister to her.
Twitter: DkqQsgeDzCgOuCSwoM
says:
Praise God for His mighty power! I think I experienced light depression after Aaron was born last past October. I never want to go through that again. I can't wait to hear your story,I know it will minister to me,Alicia!
praise god for his faithfulness. i too have 'dabbled' with those feelings of depressions and it isn't fun. and it's something i think that we as christians try to hide because feel like we 'can't' feel that way. but we can. and god sees us through them. amen for that!
I'm SO sorry you've been suffering, Alicia. I'm looking forward to reading about your reflections on depression.
I have watched both my parents go through depression (for different reasons; blindness in one, mourning in the other). A real challenge. Funny you should be tackling this topic, because someone just recommended a book, "Laughing in the Dark" by Christian comic Chonda Pierce.
Bless you now as you move forward into the brightness of spring…
(((Hugs)))
Twitter: DkqQsgeDzCgOuCSwoM
says:
Beautiful post! I love the REAL-ness. Thanks for being so open and vulnerable. I will be back and look forward to hearing what God has done and will do in and through you! Love, Michelle
(And thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment!)
Twitter: getfitlbk
says:
Beautiful beautiful beautiful post!
What a beautiful and encouraging post! Thanks for being willing to share your life for others to gain insight from.
Twitter: DkqQsgeDzCgOuCSwoM
says:
Been there, too…
I wrote about it, too…
But, maybe have been scared to tell it…I won't have as many people reading it as you tho, LOL!
Please tell your story- it will heal many…
praying for you that you can express and share in the most profound way!
Blessings!
Thank you so much for being willing to share what you have gone through! Coming from one that is still on the climb up from depression.
Hugs!
Thank you! I have been there, maybe not to the extent of some, but while there it hurt tremendously. I still struggle at times and look forward to your testimony!
Twitter: DebraKaye2
says:
Alicia,
This touches me so. With what I am going through I am battling depression in a big way. I will look forward to hearing your triumphs.
Blessings to you!
Amazing post — such a good reminder. Each of us has our seasons of difficulty, but GOD does reign and can see us though anything. Yay!
Great post. I will be praying for you!
You always know how to encourage us with your words. So glad you allow God to use you in so many ways. Praying for you as you share.
Twitter: theungourmet
says:
Because of the hard times you've have gone through you are now able to touch others lives and help them to heal. I will be praying for God to speak through you as you tell your story.
Twitter: DkqQsgeDzCgOuCSwoM
says:
When I used to teach ladies classes I used to talk about those dreaded "D's" depression, disappointment, doubt, defeat, etc. It can be such a tough time, and I am sure God will use your candid words to encourage others. Always love your insight!!!
Twitter: DkqQsgeDzCgOuCSwoM
says:
Great post. I can feel how much bravery and courage it must have taken to just start telling your story. I can't wait to read more. Thank you for the blessing of sharing your story with us.
Twitter: DkqQsgeDzCgOuCSwoM
says:
I think so many people forget that we are human and we're not God; even if we comune with him.
hugs. thanks for sharing!
I'm glad that you have come through it now…I have been there too!! I hope that sharing your story will encourage others!
thank you for praying for my hubs' job, alicia, you are very sweet! I love this post, btw…love the pic…hints of spring and warmth!
I think it's important for us to know that just because we are Christians does not mean we are immune to things like depression. God never said that. And I think we would be arrogant to think that. We live in a fallen world, and Christians still get cancer, diabetes, and many other afflictions. Yes, there are different types/causes of depression, but we should know that whatever the reason/cause, God is with us. He promised to never leave us alone. For some of us, it will be a lifelong struggle. But God is still there. There's no 'one size fits all' cure because we are all individuals, and we may actually hurt someone more than help them if we say, 'if you do this, you will find your depression will be lifted.' They can feel shame and worse if that's not the case. Because only God knows the duration/severity. But what we can do is love them through it. Love them with Father's love. Love them like crazy.
Love these 'food for thought' posts.
Twitter: DkqQsgeDzCgOuCSwoM
says:
I do see Spring coming round the bend…and I praise you for having the courage to share your journey so openly with others. I had a previous boss who was diagnosed with depression…very tough for her.
I am glad the Lord has spoken peace and healed your heart. Blessings my friend…
Twitter: DkqQsgeDzCgOuCSwoM
says:
It's good to know you are experiencing Spring again and seeing the hope. Sorry that you were in a difficult time of depression.
I have experienced it through my sister's time of depression. It was difficult for me, I can't imagine what it was like for her, but I know it was horrible and she never wants to go there again.
Enjoy the spring and all God's glory,
Nannette