My struggle with depression

[jsimms615]

I just want to take a moment to share with those on here my struggle with depression. I share this in the hopes that it will encourage you. Since I was pretty young, 13-15, I have struggled with depression. I am 46 years old now, married and have two kids. I have been on antidepressants since 06.

I was bullied often as a child. I can remember running home from school afraid of other kids beating me up. I remember taking another way home than the other kids just because I was afraid of other kids. I was painfully shy and had really low self-esteem. I didn't like myself.

I was saved when I was 16. I got into the word and read the Bible cover to cover. And this helped, but the depression has never truly gone away for good. I still have my bad days when I get down on myself. But, now I work hard at paying attention to not speaking to myself in a negative way and trying to focus on something else when I get down rather than on myself.

One of the things about depression is that it robs a person of energy and vitality. It can make it tough to get out of bed. It can make it tough to see any good that happens. But, I found I can alway find someone worse off than me and that it helps me to help someone else. I've spent the better part of the last 15 years trying to help people.

And I have tried hard to remember that God didn't promise that this life would be fair or peaceful. That sometimes it is pointless to ask "why". Rather, than waste my energy doing that I try to focus on what I can control and give the rest to God. Sometimes that is the best that you can do. I can't change other people. I can only change myself.

And to remember that God loves me even when it doesn't feel that way. God can seem so silent sometimes. All the really great theologians and God's men who wrote wrote about God's silence. It isn't something that is unique. I hate it when I need a word the most it seems that heaven is quiet. But, I am called to walk by faith and trust that when God is silent that doesn't mean he is gone.

I know this is a tough time of year for people. It has often been that way for me. Try to remember that more than gifts or lights on a tree this season of Christmas is about Jesus. He came to redeem and to set us free.

 

[Krissy Cakes]

Thanks for telling us your story.

Its nice to know that people go through what we go through and come out the other end stronger.

 

[Chaplain David]

I just want to take a moment to share with those on here my struggle with depression. I share this in the hopes that it will encourage you. Since I was pretty young, 13-15, I have struggled with depression. I am 46 years old now, married and have two kids. I have been on antidepressants since 06.

I was bullied often as a child. I can remember running home from school afraid of other kids beating me up. I remember taking another way home than the other kids just because I was afraid of other kids. I was painfully shy and had really low self-esteem. I didn't like myself.

I was saved when I was 16. I got into the word and read the Bible cover to cover. And this helped, but the depression has never truly gone away for good. I still have my bad days when I get down on myself. But, now I work hard at paying attention to not speaking to myself in a negative way and trying to focus on something else when I get down rather than on myself.

One of the things about depression is that it robs a person of energy and vitality. It can make it tough to get out of bed. It can make it tough to see any good that happens. But, I found I can alway find someone worse off than me and that it helps me to help someone else. I've spent the better part of the last 15 years trying to help people.

And I have tried hard to remember that God didn't promise that this life would be fair or peaceful. That sometimes it is pointless to ask "why". Rather, than waste my energy doing that I try to focus on what I can control and give the rest to God. Sometimes that is the best that you can do. I can't change other people. I can only change myself.

And to remember that God loves me even when it doesn't feel that way. God can seem so silent sometimes. All the really great theologians and God's men who wrote wrote about God's silence. It isn't something that is unique. I hate it when I need a word the most it seems that heaven is quiet. But, I am called to walk by faith and trust that when God is silent that doesn't mean he is gone.

I know this is a tough time of year for people. It has often been that way for me. Try to remember that more than gifts or lights on a tree this season of Christmas is about Jesus. He came to redeem and to set us free.

God bless you brother. If I can help just let me know in a pm. I don't always follow the threads because of my chaplain work.

You have a good knowledge about what is going on with you. I bet you're extremely helpful when relating your depression and recovery to others that are suffering. One of the things I did when I was seriously depressed was to find a good counselor and talk with him once a week. Do you have a counselor?

Getting out of our thoughts is important. One of the best ways is by doing service or charity work. For example, there are a lot of hurting souls on CF. Providing support to them not only helps them but also helps us.

The following is a short article about depression from a Christian perspective. It is not meant to take the place of how to cope with the illness of depression. But it gives some pointers that I think are important. Here is the link: What does the Bible say about depression? How can a Christian overcome depression?

God bless you and yours this Sunday.

Faithfully,
CH Sacerdote

 

[jsimms615]

God bless you brother. If I can help just let me know in a pm. I don't always follow the threads because of my chaplain work.

You have a good knowledge about what is going on with you. I bet you're extremely helpful when relating your depression and recovery to others that are suffering. One of the things I did when I was seriously depressed was to find a good counselor and talk with him once a week. Do you have a counselor?

Getting out of our thoughts is important. One of the best ways is by doing service or charity work. For example, there are a lot of hurting souls on CF. Providing support to them not only helps them but also helps us.

The following is a short article about depression from a Christian perspective. It is not meant to take the place of how to cope with the illness of depression. But it gives some pointers that I think are important. Here is the link: What does the Bible say about depression? How can a Christian overcome depression?

God bless you and yours this Sunday.

Faithfully,
CH Sacerdote

I think service to others, even when i don't feel like it, is the most helpful thing to me. I grew up fairly sheltered with two parents that loved me and we never seemed to struggle much financially or otherwise. It was a real eye opener when I started working in hospitals and community mental health centers and seeing people live in poverty and at the homeless shelter. It made me appreciate what I have more.

I don't have a counselor right now because my insurance isn't really that good. I have in the past done that from time to time.

I think the antidepressant can help, but it doesn't solve everything. It helps me from wanting to get on the edge of a cliff and end it all, but it doesn't take it all away. Exercise helps also. I try to go the gym 3 or 4 times a week and that helps get those natural endorphins going.

 

[Greenleaves]

And I have tried hard to remember that God didn't promise that this life would be fair or peaceful. That sometimes it is pointless to ask "why". Rather, than waste my energy doing that I try to focus on what I can control and give the rest to God. Sometimes that is the best that you can do. I can't change other people. I can only change myself.

Yes, that's right! Thanks for sharing your story and by doing so gave me some hope!

I felt so really down this morning, prayed and asked for God's help. Then I remembered this forum. I think God wants to strengthen me through fellow Christians!

 

[jsimms615]

Yes, that's right! Thanks for sharing your story and by doing so gave me some hope!

I felt so really down this morning, prayed and asked for God's help. Then I remembered this forum. I think God wants to strengthen me through fellow Christians!

I'm glad that it helped.

i think that God often uses our dark places to help others. At least it helps to know that we are not alone.