10 years ago this was me. I had lost all hope. Living a good life but completely miserable. I convinced myself that everyone else would be better off without me. Before I could act on it, Mike took me to the doctor, I checked into the hospital for several days, got meds, got counseling and began the healing process. The shame & pain that surrounds depression is very, very real. Even now, ten years later, its hard for me to talk about the details. Even now, when I feel down I start to fear going down into that deep dark hole again where I thought God couldnt possibly reach. Of course, He did & can, but it took time, medicine, prayer & the awareness that I am never, ever beyond help & love. Anyone who thinks depression is not real has never been there. I dont know for sure, but perhaps this is why we now endeavor to bring the hope of Gods closeness & care across the world. Not having hope that you can be loved, that you can survive, that you are alone is the worst possible feeling in the entire world. For some like me, counseling & meds are required. For others, it may mean that you, a friend, are just simply there and willing to go through the dark places with them. There’s no guilt in mental illness because depression is a kind of cancer that attacks the mind. You don’t shame cancer, you treat cancer. You don’t treat those with hurting insides as less than. You get them the most treatment.
Posted on: Wed, 13 Aug 2014 01:02:18 +0000