We depressed and anxious Christians

I am speaking to you as a Christian who suffers depression and anxiety amongst other diseases.  It is so hard to get the help you need when you aren’t on medication.  It can be hard even when you start medication.  You can fall prey to the clichés of pull up your big girl panties, tighten your boot straps, just get over it and the many others that people may say to you.  If only it were that simple.  The truth is that depression and anxiety may be considered a mental illness, but it has very physical causes. 1  We ARE Christians and we do suffer from depression and anxiety!  We are no less a Christian because of a disease God has placed in our path.  

I suffered along with my husband and son for so many years before, I finally overcame the guilt of not being able to get myself together and sought medical help.  I suffered many years before I was married as well.  It is not one where you suffer alone.  Your loved ones may not suffer first hand, but they definitely feel the effects of you struggling.   

I want to speak to all the Christians out there who feel they are less of a Christian for having depression or anxiety.  We look so much that we should be able to handle this and not need anyone’s help.  We know that God doesn’t give us more than we can handle.  We take too much time looking at the beginning of 1 Corinthians 10:13 where it says, “ No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.”  There are so many times we fail to see the end of the verse, “But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”  That is where going for help comes in.  God is providing your way out.  I don’t understand why Christians feel that we don’t need medication and doctors.  God is providing us a way to overcome.  Luke was a physician, clearly God felt it was an acceptable occupation, why else would he allow a doctor to be one of the twelve.  Let me clarify and say that yes there are times that over medication happens, but we need to work on not going to extremes. 

I have been thinking lately of when I came to a time where Steven had a very bad night and I felt so far gone, that I couldn’t pray.  I literally couldn’t pray, set my mind to concentrate on God or be hopeful that God was there for me.  I sat and sent a message to several friends asking them to do the praying for me.  That happened probably a year ago.  I felt tempted beyond what I could bear and that God didn’t provide a way out.  I am realizing as I am typing this that messaging my friends was God’s way out for me.  He had them pray for me and let me just be there waiting for the calmness and blessings he was going to send.    I sit here and cry with this revelation.  How did I not see this before now?  God is great!!! 

God works so much on our side that we don’t even know he is doing it.  In this day and age, you are never truly alone.  Matthew 18:19-20 says “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.  For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”  We don’t have to physically be together to gather in God’s name.  I had sisters in Christ praying for me at their homes, but God was with us all as they agreed together in praying for me. 

I pray that everyone on this earth has the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual support that I have.  The Lord has blessed me with a wonderful physical family, church family,  Master’s Hands family and friends.  I know that unfortunately not everyone has these blessings that I do.  But please know this, you are not alone.  We may have different trials and triggers, but WE are not alone.  If you are reading this, I am there for you.  I am serious when I say reach out to me.  I can be an ear to hear your cries, an eye to help you look for solutions, a hand and voice to reach out to God on your behalf.  You and I make two agreeing on earth and going to God.  He will be there with us.  I know of others that I can reach out to on your behalf and they will go to God for you as well.  Please if you ever feel alone and you have no way out of what you have to bear, please reach out to me and let me be the way out.  I can be reached at these places.

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God bless you,

Sherri

1 http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/basics/causes/con-20032977  

one of my many blessings from God