Finding Your Way Out

 Edna St. Vincent Millay

The critical issue many face is trying to survive the next episode of depression or mania.  Somehow I think that cohabiting with something that is trying to kill you is especially disturbing.  Depression is my mortal enemy and here I am, giving in and actually allowing it to destroy me. How crazy is that?

Some of us get absorbed into a dark melancholy. We instinctively carry despair and despondency wherever we go. It’s hard, but I really believe it’s crucial for afflicted believers to begin to worship again (and again, and again).

I’m totally convinced that the Holy Spirit absorbs much of the venom Himself.

When my depression slumbers, life proceeds fairly well.  I can play with my kids, and be a good husband, friend, and neighbor.  Everything seems quiet and normal.  But when the dragon awakes, watch out, there’s going to be ‘hell to pay.’ 

There were many terrible, dark days that I simply couldn’t get out of bed. I was plagued with awful, dark thoughts. Meds didn’t seem to help me. I felt completely lost.

Depression might strike at any time, and exactly when, you can never be too sure.

“How will I handle it next time? Will I be in shape for Christmas, or will I lose it again this year? I just don’t know.” That’s the depressive way. But you know, the Holy Spirit ministers yet, and He will touch my heart again. He gently cares for the depressed.

2 Corinthians 7:6, AMP

My wife and I were missionaries in Mexico for almost three years.  We lived in a “burnt out” and very small trailer, with very sporadic electricity, and no running water. We had a 55-gallon drum for our drinking water, and we tried our best to avoid the mosquito larvae. And part of that time we had to park on the slanted slopes of a dormant volcano.

Sometimes it feels like that, I’m just waiting for the next eruption.

I am glad that God decided to intervene in my life.  Without question, I need Him to watch over me. I have to believe that He will keep rescuing me over and over. As a believer in Jesus, I know he has put his hands on me.  He shields me from the dragon. 

And I have to believe that He protects me from the worst of it. 

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Author: Bryan Lowe

Studying God's Word is my joy. I want you to understand that there is nothing greater than a life given to Him. I'm an ordained pastor who lives in Alaska.

4 thoughts on “Finding Your Way Out”

  1. I don’t have the eloquent writing style of the commenters before me. I am not at the point that I can write my success story.. nor do I have a diagnosis. I flourish at any new event be it a job or moving. I am able to budget,balance household chores, taking care of the kids, cooking, having a relationship with God. Then the other side of the coin falls I can barely take a shower, these days im thankful if the kids eat noodles for dinner and I make it to work. I am better with God I have complete and utter faith in his grace.l guess my question is how do you manic or a depressive state? THEN it takes me so long jus to get to the point where He is apart of my daily life and my cycle begins. A doctors help isnt an option..

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    1. Never believe it’s for ever, just as the Word tells us to count ourselves dead to sin, count these times of great pain dead to you. Even as we do wrong we can believe that God is bringing us out of our old habits and renewing us so we have a continual hope and the strength to press on and overcome. So when we see the darkness descending remember it came to pass, God is active in your life and as you trust and wait and believe He is there, the time will pass and you will keep walking and rejoice again. I know the deception is overwhelmingly convincing sometimes but it is a deception and not the truth that Jesus gives us. Praying for you, dear beloved one.

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