Christians with depression

Today I started working on my latest page, "Tough Times." And my first topic? Christians with depression. Not exactly a light topic, is it?

But the truth is, this is so close to my heart. I have depression, too. Actually, in my case, it's seasonal affective disorder... as in, I get depressed from October to about May, but I have a great summer!

Over my nine years as a christian, I've learned so much about depression. I've been through sudden healing of it (when I first let God into my life -- what a spring that was!), I've been through guilt as I wondered why my depression had returned (was I a bad christian to be feeling that way?), and I've come to understand a lot about depression and what on earth to do when I start feeling that way again. It's been such a process, and I still have to deal with it every winter. I guess I just want to encourage everyone out there that it's something that can be overcome. Mostly. :)

I still get all the physical symptoms (confusion, irritability, tiredness... actually, it's a lot like PMS!), but I'm learning how to manage them. I take medication, too. That helps a LOT. But the good news is, I've addressed most of the underlying issues that were making my depression even worse.

So now, as October finishes up, and I'm back on my meds again, being a christian with depression is something I'm thinking about. So here I am, blogging away, and praying that God will speak through me to encourage everyone who comes to my site.

I think this verse says it all for me:

"All praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the source of every mercy and the God who comforts us. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us."
2 Corinthians 1:3-4