Real Women: Real Life ~ Depression #6

Take Six would like to thank our dear friend, "Real 4 Him".  She obeyed God's prompting and opened her life's journal on depression to share with us.  This is her final entry and we know that it not only encouraged women today, but will continue to do so as it is pondered over time.  

                                                                    *****

My heart is thankful and content as I share with you once again.  This experience of sharing my journey with depression with you has only been rich and positive for me, not in the least overwhelming like I anticipated, thank you, Jesus!  I’m a little sad that it’s my last one, but have a feeling that God may provide me with more opportunities to share in the future.  I’ve had a lot more good days than bad days this fall – I’m sure a lot of it has to do with fall being my absolute favourite time of year. Those of you who enjoy structure and routine along with incredibly vibrant fall colours, rich scents, crunchy leaves and old-fashioned cooking and baking know exactly what I’m talking about - plus October is the season of Thanksgiving and every year I feel my heart swelling more with gratitude to God with a longer list of things that I’m thankful for.  Looking back I’m thankful for each bout of depression I’ve had during this past year.   As painful as those times were, I’ve grown deeper in my walk with the Lord, which is so worth it!  I am learning the art of living simply, thankfully, contentedly and reaching out to others who are in need of God’s love.

  I’m also learning to let go – that’s a really, really hard thing to do because I feel the need almost constantly to be in control.  Over this past week the Lord has reminded me of how important it is to surrender.  I read about it in two different books, through a song and through spoken words so I concluded that God really desires for me to completely let go and trust Him in all things even on those dark, cloudy, crawl in a hole kind of days where I feel down about everything and everything seems so negative because I’m in a depressed state – the thing I struggle with the most.   God wants me to surrender every single thing to Him: my health, finances, family, job, along with each talent and ability He’s gifted me with.  My life is not at all what I envisioned it to be, but neither did I ever imagine I would be so deeply in love with Jesus and only craving more of Him every day – may that hunger and thirst for Him never go away.  I’m learning to surrender every day to the Lord, to wake up in the morning and say, “Lord, this day is yours, use me in it, this part-time job is yours, use me in it, these children are yours, use me in a powerful way as their mom,  these moments running errands are yours, use me to brighten someone’s day with a smile, kind word or gesture.  This ministry for young moms is yours, use me to be a positive influence in their lives.  This depression, which strangles me at times is yours, use it, for your honour and your glory rather than falling prey to the enemy.  I don’t know what you’re going through, but I do know that we all go through tough stuff in our lives.  God loves you and wants you to surrender whatever burden presses on your heart.  He’s the ultimate helper and healer.  He’s the mender of broken pieces.  He’s up to something amazing and new in your life like He is in my own.  It is when we are at our lowest low and feeling our weakest and understanding our inability to go on on our own strength that God is able to step in and fill us with Him to do whatever in life we need to do (Phil 4:13).

Once again, it has been a joy to share my heart with you and I pray that each of you will allow God to use you wherever you’re at and with whatever you’re going through.   

(Psalm 121: 1,2)

“I lift up my eyes to the hills- where does my help come from?   My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

(Isaiah 43:1-5)

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine, When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.  For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour. . . Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you. . . . Do not be afraid, for I am with you. . . “

(Phil. 1:6)

“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

(Eph.3:20)

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.”

         Blessings,
Real 4 Him :)

If you have not already had the opportunity please read...

Entry #1- HERE
Entry #2 - HERE
Entry #3 - HERE
Entry #4 - HERE
Entry #5 - HERE