“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord.

Dear Child of God,

             I steal hope from you.  And without hope, you are powerless, burdened, and ashamed.  You are broken.   You stare blankly into my eyes, and all you see is your fear staring back at you.    That fear breeds an emptiness that aches so deep in your soul that you can’t see a way out.   You FEEL defeated.  You FEEL alone and worthless.   But that’s not truth.   You do not have to be enslaved to that fear and emptiness.  God has better plans for you.   Down in the deep of depression, the best and most precious gift that He gives is hope.   And with God,  there is always hope.   Child of God, don’t surrender your gift of hope.   You are worth so much more.  God has great plans for you.  He gives you, just as you are, a hope and a future.  

                       Sincerely Yours,

                                      Depression

 

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”  Jeremiah 29:11

You will know the Truth and the Truth will set You Free

Dear Child of God,

Sometimes I whisper in your ear.   Disguised as your own internal monologue.    But sometimes, I use others to sabotage you. I’ve already convinced you that you do not have worth.   But then, I enlist others to do my work for me.  I don’t even have to whisper “worthless”  or  “broken” in your ear anymore.  I use the judgment of  others.  And after being the sounding board of  criticism and judgment for decades – you believe that’s how all other people think. You think judgment and condemnation are normal and it lays heavy on your shoulders wherever you go.  It is hard  to wrap your brain around an alternate reality.  The true reality.  Not a warped vision of the truth.   A reality that says that those who are so judgmental are also deeply hurting and sick.  A reality that says that you are NOT broken beyond repair or worthless in God’s sight.   A reality that is kinder and gentler than one you had ever envisioned.    And a reality in which, when those judgmental people do come, you can dismiss them.  A reality in which you have a choice.  You can choose to believe what the sick world says or what the word of God says about you.  The truth that God dearly loves you.  Hold that truth close to your heart.   And when I try to contradict that truth… when I try to twist it – hold it up next to The Truth.  And you will be set free. 

                                            Sincerely,

                                                Depression

 

Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.  John 8:32  NIV

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Dear Child of God,

When I find you crying, sobbing and alone, I smile.    Especially when you dry your tears, put on a strong countenance, hide the emptiness inside…… and act as though you are perfectly healthy and strong.   I smile because I know as long as you pretend to be strong, it’s a lie, and that lie isolates you.  And you were not created to be hurting alone.  But when you finally allow yourself to be vulnerable, I cringe.  Because I know how God works. Transparency eventually finds healing as you as reach out and your shame dissipates a little at a time.  You will see all the hurting around you.  And your heart will be softened and encouraged as you let others into your story.   Into the raw places of your soul.  Your tears are no longer alone.  The aching in your heart, the emptiness, the shame – it’s shared.   And when it’s shared, you WILL overcome.  God will heal your breaking heart.  And your story, well, it’s no longer in vain.  The shattered, broken pieces of your life are restored, in the glorious light, to life.

 Faithfully Yours,

                    Depression                                           

 

                                                                                                                      

                                       

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.  Galatians 6:2