Light in the Darkness

I hope someone that may be struggling with depression/anxiety hears this and believes this...You Are a Normal Human Being responding appropriately to difficulties, loss and trials in your life. I share this because I’ve recently been caught off guard by depression and anxiety that I thought would never return. I thought “I’d been there, I’ve done that and I overcame!” I share this because I cannot be helpful to others if I don’t share my own real struggles. It’s a blessing really, because God is allowing me to step into the darkness in a way I can truly empathize and connect to those who think they are alone in that dark prison. I was in that dark prison years ago, so I know what I must bring with me...Light! The only true light that can get rid of the darkness. “I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark.” John 12:46 “The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” John 1:4-5 I can also bring hope...because I know it won’t last forever! So you see, hiding our weaknesses and brokenness from a hurting world only serves to alienate yourself and others. So with that being said, here’s what I was reminded of this morning, that I hope helps someone else out there. When we go through trials and loss we usually all go through 5 stages of grief. And I fortunately it’s not an organized clean process. We tend to navigate through these stages kicking and screaming, all the way until we can honestly accept the things we cannot change or fix. The stages are: Denial Anger Bargaining Sadness Acceptance Sometimes this can last decades because we get stuck in one of the stages. If you’re stuck, you must get help. Going to both a good counselor and going to God and His Word can help more than you realize. I know from experience after the death of my mom and a divorce when I was about 30. So don’t be embarrassed or ashamed to ask for help...if you had a disease that needed a doctor you’d go, right?! Well, depression and anxiety are a sickness and there is help. To get back to the revelation I got this morning after being reminded of grief and the stages. It was a relief to me! A sort of light shining in the darkness. I share my my journal entry below in hopes of helping shed light in someone else’s darkness: I’m not crazy...I’m grieving!! I’m not bad...I’m angry! I’m not an ungrateful Christian I’m hurting. I’m not a bad wife and I’m not a bad Christian woman. I’m just a little broken right now. Life is not out of control because God is good and He is always in control! 🎶 “If it’s not good, God isn’t finished yet.” 🎵 “ And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” Philippians 1:6 I am grieving as anyone would when going through major losses and life changes. It wont last forever, as long as I have the courage to walk with God through the various scary stages and have the faith to surrender it all to Him! Stop striving and rest in Him! I encourage you to trust God with your emotions and feelings as He leads you toward healing and acceptance of unfavorable things in your life. Yes, it can be an ugly battle as we kick and scream through these stages but in the end, there is peace and joy aswe accept the losses and circumstances that are beyond our control. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 Surrender your pain and disappointment to God! Fall on your knees and give it all to Him! He cares...He really does!! He can help!!! 💕 https://youtu.be/mPCBz2YSGo4 “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 #depression #anxiety