We are entering a season of change.

Gone are the days of endless sunshine.

Soon the leaves will be turning & falling.

Days will become shorter & colder.

It is a season of rest for nature.

For some it can be the beginning of a depressive episode.

Fall is followed quickly by the holidays, which can also be a trigger.

It’s no secret that I have had my own struggles with depression.

I still cringe at putting it out there so bluntly.

But my desire to offer hope is stronger than my fear of what someone might think.

If you are going through a dark time, please know that it absolutely will not last forever.

It may feel endless, but joy will fill your heart again.

God has not abandoned you.

He is a God Who Stays.

Muster up the strength to talk with someone.

Call your doctor.

There is absolutely no shame in taking medicine.

Be honest with yourself & someone you love.

Tell the truth about how you are feeling.

Talk therapy, meds, exercise, prayer, all of these have a place in recovery.

Hold on. It will get better.

I know. I have walked through these dark times.

Now I want to speak to those who are loving someone through their depression.

Love them.

That might look like a text.

It might look like a funny email.

It might look like dropping something on their front porch.

It might look like a card in the mail.

All of those things have at some point been done for me & they were blessings because they required nothing from me.

Please don’t tell them to prayer harder.

Please don’t downplay how they are feeling because you don’t understand it.

It’s the most awful, wrecking, terrible feeling in the world.

If you are worried that they may hurt themselves please over step your bounds and do something.

It hurts my heart to hear of another pastor who took his own life recently. How alone he must’ve felt. I’m so sorry that he couldn’t see around the corner.

Let your loved one know that you are there through the ugly times.

Let them know that you don’t care if they’ve showered or changed their clothes.

Sit with them in their pain.

Don’t get your feelings hurt if they don’t want you around.

Get over yourself. This is about them, not your ego.

They will love you for it when they make it through to the other side.

And they in turn will be able to be that person for someone else.

Look out for yourself & your loved ones.

Depression is strong, but we are stronger together.

Depression should not get the last word.

I’m attaching a great story that I ran across today. There are so many good nuggets in it.

I know this is more serious than my normal blogs.

But if sharing my pain can help just one person, it’s worth it.

I promise I will get back to entertaining you with funny things my kids do.

You are so loved!

https://www.lovewhatmatters.com/no-one-asked-if-i-was-ok-i-was-15-when-i-attempted-suicide-i-went-to-church-sat-alone-i-cried-the-entire-service-woman-urges-christians-to-discuss-mental-health/