For the last few days, I have wanted to blog but have been unable to find the words. I will probably find myself confessing some things that will bring criticism while others will find that they can relate.
For most of my life, I have struggled with something. Earlier in life, it was more difficult to hide. Now, I can mask it with some humor and other diversions. Still, behind closed doors, the struggle exists. Many days are great, but others can be very unbearable. It took me a long time to admit this to anyone, but I now use it as a tool to help others. That thing I fought so hard to hide is anxiety and depression.
I know some of the extremely spiritual folks who read this might be scrambling through to see how they can fix me or maybe how I should fix myself with some good old-fashioned repentance. For those who have studied it medically, they understand the truth of chemical imbalance and how depression raises its ugly head at the weirdest times. I am thankful that I experience very few extremely low seasons, but they still come. It doesn’t matter how intense media prayers become or how many verses I quote and even scream, it still exists.
Maybe you are experiencing a dark season of life. People are telling you that you must be disobeying God in some way – lack of faith, prayer, Bible study, church attendance, etc. But you know that you are fighting through and being obedient to God and still have this dark cloud over you. When you can’t form the words, Romans 8 says that the Holy Spirit can make sense of it all.
Don’t feel guilty for this! Take this from someone who knows: you will arise from these ashes! God is your Deliverer! This is not the way you would choose, but He will use your depression to help others. Don’t waste this hardship! Use it to God’s glory!
Matthew Winters (Honest Thoughts from a Pastor) 
Praying for you brother. Many in my life deal with that same struggle. God will see you through. Blessings.
I’ve been there brother. My son also suffers from anxiety and bipolar depression. No need to hide it or feel shame, that’s the enemy talking, share it and we all can pray for eachother and direct eachother. 😊👍❤☝
This runs in my family from my dad’s side. I have it, my daughter has it – I get it! People who think they know what you should do may be well-intentioned, but they are more like Job’s friends.
Jesus pointed out that those who were killed when the Tower of Siloam fell on them were no worse than anyone else. I always see that as Jesus telling us we won’t always completely understand. It’s a sinful world and poo just happens.
Hang in there!
I no longer post often. But I read your blog regularly. You are genuine. You struggle. You suffer. You talk about it. I like that. Thanks.
It took me a long time to get to this place in my life. God has brought me a long way!
Yes very true friend, God loves us all, and He wants us to be Happy. God bless you all. Hallelujah God Bless.
Michael,
We all have a cross to bear in life. Each has its own identity and weight. There are Simon of Cyrenes in life, as you are one, who share a particular burden, and put an understanding shoulder to another’s cross to lighten the load. Christ never tells us to get healed before following Him. We deny ourselves of Him because we feel that we may be unworthy of His friendship. That is the very reason why He calls us to Him; because we “are” unworthy.
He tells us to take up our cross and, in spite of it, follow Him. Our cross may be of a physical/mental nature or is born of sin. It matters not, for in being with Christ, and making His will ours, the former becomes joyfully bearable and the latter forgiven and amended when we allow the love of Christ to overtake us; forsaking all else.
God Bless,
-Alan