When Happiness Seems Far Away...

Sometimes when we are down, we just don’t feel God near.  We don’t want to praise Him or worship Him, we just can’t.  At these times, He is still God.  He never changes.  His love never changes.  He understands our pain.  Jesus suffered all of these pains, loneliness, fear, isolation, torture.  We have a King that has been through our sufferings.  He loves us and WILL comfort us during these times.  Reach out to Him even when you don’t feel like it.  As the song says, “I choose to say Blessed by Your Name”.

Remember we will have ups and downs in this world.  Stressors can make the depression worse.  If you are not feeling normal, can’t laugh, tired, cry for no reason, you may need to increase medicines or get up and get busy doing something.  Exercise can release endorphins that stimulate the brain.  Blessings to you on this journey we call life.

Deb

^“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34 (NIV)

 

Song of the day

“Blessed Be the Name of the Lord” by Matt Redman

Treatments for Depression

There are a number of ways to treat depression.  I have found that these things help me when I get depressed; anti-depressants, healthy diet, exercise, prayer, gratitude, and counseling or talking to friends.   I caution a totally natural approach for treating clinical depression.  If it works for you that is great but don’t be afraid to try medication.  Whatever makes you feel normal is what you need.  If you take an anti-depressant and feel a little woozy or 'out of body', 'disconnected', then you are either on the wrong drug or the wrong dosage.   I took Wellbutrin several years ago and later when I had another bout with depression, I tried it and the side effects were terrible.  That is when I switched to Cymbalta which worked great.  Folic acid has been said to help anti-depressants work more effectively.  I have started taking this to see if it makes a difference.  It does seem to help.

Medication works for me with very little side affect.  My head does feel clearer when I am off of it but when needed, it works great. Weigh the pros and cons of taking medication.  If the benefit is greater than the side effects, you should consider staying on it.  It is a personal choice.  Remember, you are treating an illness which should be treated as you would any other illness.  You will know when the medicine starts to work.  For me, it is like a switch that goes on and I feel back to normal, dread is lifted, decisions are easy, and I am able to laugh again, even at myself!  There are several medical conditions associated with depression as well such as low thyroid and hormonal changes in the body.  Your doctor can run tests to check for these conditions.

Exercise is an important part of helping the medications work to their full potential.  A brisk walk or bike ride is a great way to do something for the depression and yourself.  Remember to be grateful and reach out to others.  Having a Christian counselor to talk to has helped me immensely.  I encourage you to do the same.  Getting to the root of the problem that may be causing the depression and letting God renew your mind to His ways will renew your spirit and will allow you to experience His love for you. 

In life, we can get beaten up by those believing that they love us but show it in such a way that damages our spirit and our soul.  When we grow up without a loving parent to show us the affection that we expect from a parent, we believe there is something we must have done to cause this.  This can be traumatic to a child unable to understand the why, especially to little girls without a father’s love.  It usually spills over into the men they choose in their life as well.  God can renew our minds to help us heal from this.  Realizing that He is a father that can give us so much more than our earthly father could ever think of can help ease the pain.  I pray you can see Him as your Heavenly Father that loves you more than you can imagine.

Blessings to you on your journey,

Deb

My Journey

During the darkest days of my depression, I journaled many things that were happening to me in order to remember what it was like and to be able to help other women going through the same things.  There are so many things that went through my mind during those early days that it felt as if I was journaling constantly.  I knew if I did not, I would not remember them as our brains were created to block the horrible things in life.  

I am sharing some of these with you, mostly in the order as they happened to me, in hopes they will help you and give you comfort in your dark days.  My prayer is that you to realize you are not alone and others suffer as you do.  Remember God is stronger than anything you will ever go through. Lean on Him during these times.  He will go with you to the depths of the darkest valleys, He will never leave you.  That promise will give you comfort in your darkest days.

Today's Thought

Try to stay in the moment and not worry about the future.  Tackle one thing at a time. Don’t get overwhelmed.  Life is not a sprint, it is a marathon so pace yourself.  Prioritize your tasks and take them one by one.  Give yourself a break.  Remember how much God loves you and cares for you.

Scripture for Today

"Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me."  Psalm 23:4 (New Living Translation)

Thought For The Day

In my journey, I try to maintain balance so that there are no real highs or lows.  The ups and downs will come until the medication dosage is correct and takes affect.  Try and deal with the sumptoms of the medication.  In my case, they have subsided for the most part.  Try to be patient to allow the medicine to work.  It may take several weeks for them to completely get into your system and for you to feel like yourself.  In my experience, once this happens you don’t immediately realize it until one day you realize the lows are completely gone and you will be praising God all day long!!  Until then, stay strong and reach out to others for support and prayer.  "A friend loveth at all times." Proverbs 17:17

“But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.”  Isaiah 40:31

Songs

Amy Grant “Don’t Try So Hard”

Mercy Me “Your Beautiful”

Plumb “Need You Now” 

“FEARLESS”

                As I set out on this journey of thinking how to help other women overcome their fears associated with depression, I began to accumulate ways that I have battled depression over the years. Below are some of the ways I have combated the feelings of depression.  Satan’s attacks come when we are at our weakest.  These tips have helped me to realize we live victorious over this disease.  I hope this will help you to realize that you are a child of the Great King as a believer and no one can harm you without His permission.  If you are not a born again Christian, invite Christ into your heart today.  That has been a safe haven for me, knowing that He has his hand of protection over me.

Actions You Can Take to Combat Depression

-Care (antidepressants, herbs, natural supplements; counseling)

-Show compassion for others (Reach out to others and lend a hand)

-Create gratitude journal (Record things you are grateful for each day)

-Exercise each day, even a walk helps

-Have a pet

Know others care about you and treat it as the disease it is. There is no need to feel shame. Talk about it, do not hide it.   You may be surprised at the people who are suffering just as you do.  

Stay close to God through prayer, daily Bible reading, and fellowhip with other believers.  Ask others to pray over you. "Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].” James 5:16 (Amplified Bible)

2 Timothy 1:7 “ For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”