Has depression touched your life? Maybe it’s a family member or friend struggling with it. Or maybe it’s got a hold of you. If so, you aren’t alone. Our very own Kevin Groves of “Hope in the Morning” has dealt with depression. Today, he’s got some wisdom and encouragement just for you.
YES, DEPRESSION IS REAL
Depression is vile. It’s darkness without hope. It is a deep ocean at night with no shore to be seen. Depression is the lowest point of human emotion and no one was ever meant to experience it when God created the heavens and the earth.
Those who’ve never experienced it don’t know what I’m talking about. And those in it right now just said “Amen!” I wrote those words above knowing full well what depression is like. Years ago, I treaded water in that bottomless black ocean. Millions of men, women, boys and girls have experienced depression. It can be caused by many different triggers, but the feelings are pretty much the same. Some don’t survive it. Before I knew what depression was like I thought, “Why don’t they just get over it” or “They have so much to be thankful for, why are the so down?”
I was ignorant to say the least.
NO, DEPRESSION SHOULDN’T BE TRUSTED
The reason for this particular blog is to share this with anyone struggling with depression. Please take this statement to heart:
Depression is a lying emotion.
Feelings, good and bad, come and go. We can’t trust feelings. We have to trust God. He is a constant. He is an absolute. James 1:17 says “There is no shadow of turning with God.” This means that He doesn’t change. He has no need to change because He’s perfect. Depression is a lying emotion, but God is a never-changing constant of Hope!
YES, THERE’S STILL HOPE FOR YOU
Of course the question remains: “What do we do when an all-powerful, all-knowing, sacrificially loving God doesn’t make sense?”
Here’s the answer:
When you can’t trace God’s hand, trust His heart
Satan would love nothing more than to overshadow us with circumstances and feelings in order to block our view of God’s heart. It worked when Peter was walking on the water. The situation was louder than the Savior. It was true when Elijah wanted to die in a cave because he perceived an angry queen was bigger than God. Depression is a lying emotion. As a believer, we can trust God’s heart even when our circumstances don’t make sense. God sees our whole life, from beginning to end. Nothing sneaks up on God. God doesn’t expect us to enjoy our time in the desert or the wilderness, but, He does call on us to trust Him.
The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.
Remember, God loves you, and God has a plan for your life.
-Kevin
HAVE YOU DEALT WITH DEPRESSION?
If so, what truths have encouraged you as you walked through it? Tell us in the comments!
If your depression has you experiencing suicidal thoughts, please call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or go to 988lifeline.org
2 thoughts on “I’ve Had Depression. There’s Still Hope for You.”
Thanks Kevin. So well written.
Thanks so much! God Bless!