I know I can say I’ve been seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I think I’ll always fight depression, but I’ve been wrong, and I wouldn’t at all mind being wrong on that assumption. Anything is possible with God. My faith rests in that.

I came across a small poster I laminated a short while ago that I hung above my desk in my previous office. I want to share it with you.

HOW TO BE MENTALLY STRONG

1. Don’t fear alone time.
2. Don’t dwell on the past.
3. Don’t feel the world owes you.
4. Don’t expect immediate results.
5. Don’t worry about pleasing everyone.
6. Don’t waste time feeling sorry of yourself.
7. Don’t waste energy on things you can’t control.
8. Don’t let others influence your emotions.
9. Don’t resent on other people’s success.
10. Don’t shy away from responsibilities.
11. Don’t give up after the first failure.
12. Don’t fear taking calculated risks.

Sleep is an amazing time of healing for me. I took a nap yesterday afternoon, and when I woke up I washed some laundry and dishes. Sometimes I have to take a nap to have the energy to do things like that. I know some people who seem to have an unlimited amount of energy, and they would not have had to take a nap like I did yesterday. That’s ok. They have struggles I don’t have to contend with. Comparison is the enemy of contentment, and though sometimes comparison can motivate us to become better most of the time it’s a dead-end street that leads to paralysis. I say to myself that there are too many destroyed relationships, failures and my sickness is too great that I’ll never amount to anything worth while. That’s a lie. When Jesus breathed his last people thought it was over. It was just the beginning. There were a plethora of followers who thought the LORD came to establish an earthly kingdom to replace Pilot. They thought they were going to conquer the Roman Empire the way Allied Forces took down Hitler. Jesus did not come to establish an earthly kingdom. He came to establish something much more powerful that is creating a New Earth that will not have sin, sickness or death. Political and military power doesn’t hold a candle to the power of God working through the hearts of mankind. When will we get it through our thick skulls that the truth is found in that?

Humans have been getting it backwards since Israel asked for a “king.” My hope is not in my desire for God to take my depression away. My hope is in God conquering the obstacles I face as I go about living in the ways of Jesus. That looks dramatically different than the ways I’ve made it look. It calls for repentance every single day from the way I think life should go. I’ll get it right sometimes, but most of the time I’ll get it wrong, but it’s not about getting it right. It’s about walking with the One Who is right. When we believe that He declares us right because of our faith (Genesis 15).

My theory is that King Saul fought depression like the prophet Jeremiah, so I think it’s correct in saying that since ancient time followers of God have fought mental illness. It’s not a statement of faith lacking when someone struggles with illness as ignorance has tried to spread it’s false propaganda.

You are not less of a Christian if you get cancer or PTSD. Don’t ever let anyone convince you God loves you less because you are sick. In case you’ve forgotten Jesus came for the sick. The well do not need a doctor.

He is the Great Physician, and He always will be.