Momentum For Monday, October 11th 2021

“…In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.” (John 16:33)

When I was nineteen I was diagnosed with depression from a Christian psychologist from the Church I was attending. That diagnosis was the last thing she told me on my final appointment with her. Honestly, all that label did was make me mad. There was no strategy in how to manage it. No prayer. No advice. Just a label. And nothing was solved mind you, I was still an utter wreck emotionally.

I understand why she diagnosed me that way. I just didn’t appreciate how things were left. I mean, what was I supposed to do with that information? Oh, and let me just make one point clear- I was saved. I had been in church for a couple years at this point (in leadership also). So salvation or being a part of a church does not prevent mental health issues and disorders- there is so much more to it.

A mentor I had would often say, “The years will teach you what the days will never know.” Years later, I understand that anxiety is a normal part of every person’s life. I’m stronger than I’ve ever been (not perfect, I have many flaws). There have been many things I’ve learned to help manage a common issue that people deal with (mind you I say common because many suffer from it, but it is not easy whatsoever).

Please hear me, God didn’t take my depression away. When Jesus said he came to give abundant life (John 10:10), he wasn’t just referring to joy and peace, but also the emotions we tend to try and avoid like sadness and pain. Abundant life is the courage to embrace the good and the bad. The laughter and tears. Numbing ourselves with alcohol, drugs, food, shopping, busy-ness, or anything else might temporarily keep you from experiencing the lows, but it also keeps you from experiencing the highs.

There’s many things I’ve learned that help handle my emotions. Depression is a soul issue, a common one, but also a heavy one. And no, I’m not a professional, but I’m speaking from my own personal experience. In fact, writing (such as this blog) is one of the tools that God has used in my life to heal and process. I don’t write because I have my crap together, but in writing, it helps me get my crap together (but also to reach out to those who can relate).

The best thing someone with anxiety or depression can do is partner with Christ. Scripture and the Holy Spirit have been the biggest ally in handling depression. The soul needs managed and having the mind of Christ through the deposit of the Holy Spirit is exactly what we need to start life not just eternally, but abundantly too.

If you’ve been diagnosed with depression or anything related, please know that you don’t have to live as a victim or that the diagnosis is not the final say for you. Nothing can keep a child of God bound or restricted if they commit all they are into His hands. However, there is wisdom that should be utilized to partner with God to properly steward your health (and this applies to many portions of our lives, not just emotional health).

If you don’t know where to start, just start with a simple, heartfelt, and honest prayer to God. “Help me” can be one of the most powerful ways to start coming back out of anxiety and all of it’s dysfunctional disorders that seem to accompany it. Your fight is not one that was meant to be done alone. Speak up- to God, to your family, and any healthy person in your life that you can trust.

Let me just throw one more thing out there- for those of you reading this that have tried what you call “religion” or church, maybe God drew you to himself in this crisis, to draw this issue out. I know for me, my issues got worse after I started going to church (and for years I was livid about it not realizing that God brought me to him to not fix it for me, but to learn to master it not be mastered by it instead). Again, this is a soul issue, and the enemy of your soul wants to steal, kill, and destroy you. Therefore, we are no longer talking about an emotional issue, but now spiritual warfare. And who better to be on your side than God?

Overcoming pain and anxiety is not a one and done thing. This is a life-time journey, a marathon if you would, and not a sprint. So, be patient as God works on you. Stop trying to evade it and welcome this as an ally that God can use to help you and others. You really are more than a conqueror despite how you may be currently feeling.

“No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.”

(Romans 8:37)