I have greatly struggled with depression this past month. I am not sure it could be narrowed down to any one specific factor. There are many things, which can cause one’s mental illness to “flare up”. When undergoing trials, the holidays can become a difficult season. The holidays can bring up many emotions, regardless of life circumstances.
Wherever you are, I see you. As I face my own struggles, I see you. I see you and I want to encourage each of you, so you don’t go through this time feeling isolated or alone.
Depression can become quite thick around this time of year. I don’t know where you are, but I want to encourage you to press on. All the while, I am trying to encourage my own self to press on.
How so? For myself, I just finished reading the book of Genesis. I seem to do well pressing on in my Bible reading right now. My prayer life is where I seriously need to see growth.
In Genesis 22, God instructed Abraham to give his son Isaac in sacrificial worship. His precious, long-awaited, son needed to be fully given to God. But, would Abraham trust God… love God, even here? Will you and I surrender?
‘Sometime later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.
. . . ”The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time and said, “I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you . . . because you have obeyed me.”’
~ See Genesis 22
As I am reminded of Abraham’s great act of surrender, I know, there are many things I need to surrender to the Lord Jesus in my own life. When I willfully give my circumstances to our great God, He will take care of them. I need to give God each day and keep trying to dig into His Word – despite the trials I face. I have been talking a lot about that, in my daily Bible checkup time on Instagram | Facebook.
My goal behind the daily Bible checkup time is: to help each of us to fight back in our battles and read our Bible’s (and pray) – even when it is hard.
But they delight in the law of the Lord,
Psalm 1:2-3, New Living Translation
meditating on it day and night.
3They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
and they prosper in all they do.
How about you – dear friend? What do you need to surrender to the Lord Jesus today? How are you struggling and in need of prayer or encouragement?
Featured image: Markos Mant
Forever His,
Stace
Gracefully Overcoming 
9 responses to “Fog of Depression”
Praying for you, Stacey. This time of year sucks if you’ve got PTSD, as well.
PTSD makes everything harder, unfortunately. I suspected it for quite a while, and it was confirmed earlier this year. God is still good, and I am still here – and writing through the pain of it all. Hang in there. Our great God will get us through it.
I pray for you every time I read your blog, dear Stacey. Yes, this time of year is difficult to say the least. But O our God, when we surrender it to Him. He can make the purest of aromas squeeze forth from our pressed lives! Never forget, we are being carved into shining jewels for His crown!
You are absolutely right, thank you. <3 <3 Appreciate the prayers. The depression isn't as bad as it has been. Thankful! Just continuing to surrender.
Beautiful. 💕
Was happy to meet you on Friday December 21 at the Women’s Christmas party. We were sitting next to each other. I’m sending up prayers for you and hope you will pray for me. May God’s love surround you and bear you up during the difficult times (as He has for me). Terry
Thank you soo much, Terry!! It was a joy to meet you as well. Praying for you. Thank you for praying. ♥️
I understand your struggle with depression. I frequently get a bit depressed over my struggle with Parkinson’s, and you have so much more to deal with. You’re faith never fails to inspire me. Like you, part of my ministry is encouraging others. In order to do that I need a little encouragement now and then. I can always depend on getting that from you.
Thank you, Chuck! Praying for you.