Depression. Fear. 3 steps forward…2 steps back. Sometimes the journey is long. Sometimes the way is dark. I walk sometimes amidst the shadows and feel like there is a cloud surrounding me sometimes. I know, depression. Ugggh. I don’t like this valley. I don’t want to be here. The negative thoughts bombard my mind. Where is the switch?
“You are not going to make it” 
“You will always be poor”
“This marriage will never last. He doesn’t love you.”
“Your kids don’t even want to be with you.”
“You are too fat and too ugly.”
“You can’t sing. You can’t play”
I know these thoughts are not from God. They are old battles that I have already won with God’s help. Yet they still come knocking trying to come in to my head. These are the times that I must take a stand, leave the door shut, and speak the Word of God over my thoughts, over my life. Just like Jesus did when He was in the wilderness with the Devil. The Word shuts up the Devil every time!
Yet I know who stands beside me and leads the way.
The Lord the Shepherd of His People
A Psalm of David.
The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever. (Psalm 23:1-6 NKJV)
Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
You will revive me;
You will stretch out Your hand
Against the wrath of my enemies,
And Your right hand will save me.
The Lord will perfect that which concerns me;
Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever;
Do not forsake the works of Your hands. (Psalm 138:7-8 NKJV)
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.” ( John 14:1-4 NKJV)
Related articles
Excellent. Yup, let it starve!
lol, thank you Seeker!
[…] Depression: 3 Steps Forward – 2 Steps Back […]
I really like this. I want to do a reblog if that’s ok, but it wont be until this summer when I cover this topic.
Ok course Ana, feel free. Lots of us have dealt with or are dealing with depression. I am glad we can talk and share and learn from each other. I look forward to your insight my friend.
Diana, thank you for considering my post worthy enough to be linked.
I know about depression. As a matter of fact, I am like the alcoholic who is always “recovering” from an addiction – depression always haunts me, lingering around every dark corner. The only way I can deal with depression is with the Truth of God’s Word. Medicine never helped. Counseling rarely did. Only the Truth clung to like a life preserver in the midst of a crashing sea can keep me afloat. Metaphorically speaking, I shine it’s light into the darkness when I fear the future and into the past when I feel it breathing down my neck. For the person who had been dangerously depressed, there is always the temptation to return. However, depression can be seen as a thorn in the side that keeps us humble and dependent upon our Savior – and Shepherd.
You are welcome, your posts always brighten my day. I see you have travelled through the ‘valley of the shadow’ as well. We are blessed. God has delivered us. To those of us who have seen death face to face in the darkness, it is often a familiar spirit. Yet not one we can afford to ‘entertain’. I pray the Blood of Jesus over your thoughts and mine tonight. And the Light of the Word-yes! Thank you Jesus!
Dearest Diana, this is the pit I find myself in over and over once more. It scares me so often. I am so thankful for your writing and for God’s beautiful promises to us. I hesitated since you posted it to read this because I hate admitting being in this place when some days are so good. I am glad I finally did. Thank you, Love. I will keep you in my prayers.
Dear Skye – you are not alone my friend. Truthfully, I think we all have stuff. Thank you for sharing your heart with me – I am praying for you too, and that all of our clouds disappear. I know when I’m feeling this way, there is some room I need to let God into to be healed. Deep calls to deep. I may not even know why or what He wants to do, yet I trust Him. It has been a process for me. I wish there was an easier way, but alas, He knows what He is doing.
“Deep calls to deep” So very true, dear friend. Thank you, again. <3
Love your strength. I too have walked this path of darkness and have to stand on His Word to get through from the attacks that come. God bless you, my sister. You are an inspiration to many! Love you, my sister!!!
God bless you too Angel, you always remind me what God has done already 😉
We are all still a work in progress… everyone of us. Love you, my sister!!
Love love love that you use God’s Word as the weapon and do not rely in human “strength”.
I too still get occasional “attack” thoughts. Even if I have to go to God 10 times in a minute and stand in His Word, I do it. He understands.
They are not my own. They are not from Him.
Love you, Sister!!
Thank you Heather. Yeah, got tired of being leveled in my own strength, lol!
Have a blessed and sunny day beautiful, Diana
Diana, thank you for sharing such a beautiful message which is so very meaningful. I think we all go through the same things in our lives, and it is wonderful to know His spirit is always with us along with the power of His word.
Hugs and blessings to you always my sister!
Amen Wendell thank you.
These are the times when we must avail ourselves of God’s great and unending love. We must remind ourselves that we are His child; that He is not only our Shepherd, but our loving Father who will never leave us. He walks with us through dark valleys, but He also picks us up gently, and carries us when we cannot walk. He embraces and comforts us when we need to weep upon His shoulder. He nestles us under His feathers and protects us with His feathers when we are afraid or in doubt. He provides shelter from the storm until we are strong enough to venture out, and stand upright beside Him again.
Thank you Susan. What a blessing you are – thank you for reminding me. I’m just holding onto Him. I know the storm will pass. And yes, sometimes I feel like that little girl crying on Daddy’s shoulder. What a beautiful picture. God bless you my sister.