Please Note: This post is not intended as medical or professional advice. I am simply sharing my personal experience. You should seek professional help if you are feeling constantly depressed or dealing with suicidal thoughts.
As I mentioned in my previous post, in the coming weeks I will be sharing some of the factors that lead me out of debilitating depression. The first thing that enabled me to heal was re-establishing my relationship with God and receiving His love for me.
Learning the Truth
I grew up in church and knew that God “loved” me, but so what? He loves everybody, right? As I have read the Bible and talked to God in prayer, though, I have learned that His love for me is very personal and individual. He knows me and does specific things just for me. He truly is a loving Father.
Gaining a deep heart understanding that my Heavenly Father loves me unconditionally and uncontrollably brings peace to my mind and gives me a foundation from which I can handle the stress in my life.
If you have been wounded in childhood by your parents or other authority figures, it is safe to say that you have a distorted view of who God is. I did too, and I am still learning the truth every day. The good news is that God wants to reveal His love and compassion to us in meaningful, personal ways.
Meditating
Reading and meditating on encouraging Bible verses has really helped me to heal and to get to know God better. At first I would write individual verse on copy paper and tape them on my walls. I also added post-it notes to my bathroom mirror and taped index cards with verses to my car dashboard–anything to keep the truth in front of me.
A couple of my favorite verses:
Psalm 27:10-“When my father and mother forsake me, then the Lord will take care of me.” (NKJV)
Zephaniah3:17- “The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you. He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”
Listening
As I have continued in my relationship with God, I have learned that true worship music heals my spirit and draws me closer to Him.
Sometimes I will just lie in my bed listening to the music and thinking about who God is. When I’m done I feel fueled for whatever life hands me.
My relationship with God is the single most important factor in my mental health. Knowing that He loves me so deeply makes life worth living.
If you deal with depression, why not try reconnecting with God? He really does love you in ways that you can’t even comprehend. Rest in His love for you today.
Isn’t God amazing? His word, and His love sustain me too. The Holy Spirit led me to the verse, Psalm 27:10 twenty years ago, when I began my healing journey from my very dysfunctional childhood. Although I still stuggle with my depression, I have learned thru the years to TRUST in Him and REST in His Healing Grace. He is perfecting me in His perfect will and timing…Thank you for sharing His love on your blog. 🙂
I am so glad that encouraged you. I have had a long journey as well, but I have really experienced victory in the last year and I have had no depression. God is faithful!
Thank you so much for your encouraging words. I have been struggling with depression over the past few months and I, too, turn to God first. My parents didn’t wound me in childhood, but they wounded me severly a few months back. Psalm 27:10 is just the kind of verse I needed to hear. I have just recently found your site and I am trying very hard to be more frugal. Thank you for your many tips.
I am so sorry that you are dealing with depression, but so glad that something I wrote was helpful. I pray that God will continue His perfect healing in your life.