Timing is underrated. We want what we want when we want it, yet when opportunity knocks we run away in fear. We hurry up and wait, but when the waiting is over we never follow through with the ask because we think we don’t deserve it. That’s what depression does to me.

It’s sinister in nature not because Satan is orchestrating it, but because he uses it to undo me. He most definitely can orchestrate it, but when one fights a chemical imbalance he’s won part of the battle. The only thing left is the perfect antagonist within the storm. His pot stirring skills cannot be ignored. Boundary drawing against people and situations that drag out the worst is a skill that must be used.

Life has gotten harder since the 50’s. The sociologists are right. Gone are the days of Ozzie and Harriet because family in that form is few and far between. Family is still vitally essential, and single, co-habitating or married family units must create loving stable environments for children and teenagers. Those first 18 years of a person’s life are life transforming.

Even in the crucible moments of “normal” families the ground can be laid for depression. It’s no respecter of persons. Just like cancer or any chronic illness depression should never be taken lightly.

My counselors and health care providers certainly did not, and I sit here in my office across the street from Lipscomb benefitting from their hard work.

God is the great Healer to state the obvious, but I am eternally grateful there are those who answer the call to help broken people like me get back to “normal.”

As I drove from Medical Center East back to my office I thanked my God for the people who discovered the meds that have helped me powerfully in seeing life without tears streaming down my face or fear engulfing me at the prospect of going to pick up a loaf of bread.

For those of you fighting the good fight with me through depression know that our Jesus goes before us with groans that words cannot express.

One of my favorite songs is Jesus Loves Me, and it’s the second verse that makes it so.

Jesus take this heart of mine. Make it pure and holy thine. Thou hast bled and died for me I will hence forth live for Thee.

I don’t know how the Father, Son and Spirit enters our hearts and minds. It doesn’t matter because it happens. Good is of God, and even when bad things happen God miraculously brings good out of it.

Depression is no exception.

May His name be praised.