Today our pastor spoke about Depression and how it is spoken about in Psalm 42.
His sermons always are very inspiring and mainly because he does not talk down to us but in fact with us. He mentioned how many of our leaders of the church have dealt with depression. And how common this disease is. Many of us deal with depression on a daily basis, but with the Lord’s help we can overcome this sad disease.
I dealt with depression many times in my life. I actually asked the Lord, ‘why have you forsaken me?’, and ‘have you forgotten me?’. These are questions that I asked on a daily basis and actually went through a time when I did not ‘believe’. My childhood was not a pleasant one and then my mom passing at an early age, did not help matters. I found myself asking those questions of the Lord on a daily basis. I wondered why I had to go through what I was going through at that time. I found myself in a state of deep depression and not wanting to see or speak to anyone.
Many told me to have faith, but in all honesty, that is not what I wanted to hear. I don’t think there was an answer that would satisfy me at that time. I didn’t want to live because the pain was too strong. I did
however find solace in His word. I heard a song that touched my heart. It’s words mentioned how great is our God! And, that song was sung at our church service today. My heart rejoiced with the sound of that particular song. I have always worshipped the Lord with song and this particular song hit very close to home.
It was very interesting to hear of the many leaders that have dealt with depression. The one I was most surprised with was Mother Teresa. This woman gave her all to help others in the name of Christ and all along she dealt with depression. This made me understand that the holiest of people are still human and deal with this disease, but because of their faith are able to overcome it.
Thank you , Pastor Erik for enlightening me today and letting me know that it is ok to be depressed. That the Lord will always be there for me and to not think that I am alone in this battle. Depression is not easy but with people who care and a loving church family, everything is possible, especially with our heavenly Father. God bless.
The Chronicles continue….
Tags: depression, Faith, How great is our God, leaders, Lord, sermon
July 6th, 2008 at 11:34 pm
I was diagnosed with postpartum depression after my son was born 12 weeks early. Almost 3 years later I am still being treated for depression. As it turns out, it runs in the family - but no one talked about it. I rely heavily on my faith to get me through my ‘down days’. I think your Pastor is very smart to have touched on this topic - I had some help from my Pastor when I was first diagnosed, but she never spoke about it in a sermon. I think I’m going to send her an email right now…
Great Post Dr Daisy!!
July 10th, 2008 at 12:25 am
I have suffered with depression for many years and have just come to the point of release, thank God, in the last two years. Even still it was struggle and and sometimes it is still hard not to slip back into it. When I was diagnosed with anxiety disorder in 2006 it woke me up. I was given a prescription for Xanax and I did not like that way it made me feel. So I found alternatives in herbs. I was a lot like you and asked God those same questions. I was very bitter, angry, and distant from God but you know what, his grip of grace never left me and for that I am thankful.
July 13th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
Thank you for this wonderful post, I understand just what you are saying!
It is OK to be depressed and even more important to accept this as a journey in each other, not a disease.
I personally think depression can be a gift with an incredible silver lining because it moves us to seek out God and to reach into the depths of our souls and find a way to live authentically from our heart. The times when I was most depressed, in hindsight, were also times when I felt most disconnected.
Thanks again, I’m happy to have found your blog!