But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

Dear Depression,

There are some days that you torture me so much that I am ready to tear my insides out.  The emptiness and loneliness inside me becomes an all consuming fire.  And that’s when I know that I need to check back into reality.  I know, for a fact, that God has put people in my life who pour out His love me to me.  And, most importantly, God chose me.  I wasn’t an accident.  He hasn’t forgotten me.  And He hasn’t discarded me.  No, the truth is, He chose me.  I am precious in His eyes.  Loved.

Sincerely,

Child of God

But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;    1 Peter 2:9

…to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit….

Dear Child of God,

I cover you in ashes and darkness and whisper hopelessness into your life.  But it’s lies.  And deception is  the only power I have over you.     But, your God is greater.  Your God is stronger.   Just focus your eyes on Him through it all .  Through the darkness.  Through the ashes that cling to you.  Through the emotions of hopelessness.  And when you emerge on the other side,  you will clearly see fingerprints of God woven through your struggle.  And where you thought you were covered in ashes and darkness, you will finally see God’s light shining through every crevice…. lighting your way as you struggled your way out of your darkness and shame and into the very arms of your Heavenly Father.

Depression

To grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.

Isaiah 61:3

 

God is Light; in Him there is NO Darkness at all

Dear child of God,

       I know this is a hard day for you.  You miss your Dad.  Like Crazy.  And Father’s Day brings exposes a lot of raw grief.   And I will take advantage of you when you are so vulnerable.  You wish you had one last hug, you replay the moments that he was coherent and responded with the determination that he always had.  You have a thousand “what ifs.”   But right here, child of God, is where you make your choice.   You can recall these moments with bitterness and believe that God was cruel.   Or you can see God’s light shining through those last moments – even when your heart was so astray and hurting.  You can choose to keep your eyes upon Jesus.  And trust that He is good and perfect.  And choose to rejoice that your dad is not in the darkness of this world but in the perfect light that Jesus shines upon him.

 So, dear child, this may be a difficult day.  But don’t let me rob you of the joy you can feel looking back upon his life.  You can choose to rejoice.  

                                   Depression             

 

God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all.  

1 John 1:5

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