Above the Waves

Have you ever thought you were drowning? Drowning in debt, drowning in sorrow, maybe for you it’s work or a hectic schedule with your kids, for me it’s waves of sadness. A whirlwind of sorrow that has developed over these last few months. So, how does a person who is saved by Grace and filled with the Spirit allow such sadness into her life and not just snap out of it? I have more than once heard by preachers that if you are a true believer than you do not suffer with depression, anxiety or fear. So, does that mean I’m not a true believer? That I’m not truly saved? I think not….

I know the key to survival for me in staying in His word, in His presence, even if I don’t feel Him there I know He is because His word says so. I got a text message this morning from a sweet friend who is going through her own bouts of sadness and loss and the Lord reminded her that His presence is not in her feelings, but in His word. At all times His word stands above the water and the waves. For me, I must daily remind myself of Psalm 40:1-3 I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry.  He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.  He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him.

Lately, I have battled various stages of depression. I know it’s not something that most Christians will admit too, because if they do than they feel like it makes them look ungodly, unfaithful to His word. Depression is real in the body of Christ and needs to be addressed more frequently. We serve a God who heals. In His timing and in His way of doing things, on earth or in heaven, but He does heal. For me, it started a few months ago when I received a long-awaited surgery. One that has so many great outcomes to my health and well being, but with all the great medical and physical outcomes also comes the many emotional, hormonal and psychological side effects that they don’t inform you of. Not to mention the vitamin deficiencies that come with their own side effects.  Not all people suffer through it, but unfortunately, I am. I have also been going through peri-menopausal symptoms for the last 3 years that was not diagnosed until last year.

You see, although my depression and my sorrow was brought on by medical issues, it doesn’t make it any easier than someone who is clinically depressed. I have very deep dark days of sorrow that have me in tears for hours. Sometimes, even days. I only share all this with you because I need to let you know that depression and sadness are a real thing in this world, even for Christians like us. Although, there is a way to deal with it that is much different than the worlds way of dealing with it, and that’s through constant prayer. There are times that even medication is needed and that’s okay too, but stay persistent in your prayer life and always start and end your day in His word. Jesus is the Author and Finisher of your faith and only He determines how your story ends if you’re completely surrendered to Him. Again, in Psalms 34:17 the Lord say’s: The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. He is constantly reminding us that He hears and sees our pain and that He will deliver us from our struggles. So, again I encourage you that no matter how deep the waters are, dive into His word and lean on His promises, He will bring your head above the waves and at some point, you will breathe again.

                                                                                       *Aleeza*