I suffered from depression most of my life. My mother died when I was only 9 months old and my father let my grandparents raise me. I had no real connection with my father until the year before he died when I was in my 40s. I was always running mentally and emotionally from this lingering feeling of despair and gloom. It was like I was living life behind a veil. I had everything—a loving, supportive, faith-filled husband and three beautiful children, but I was stuck. Jesus showed me I had to walk through the valleys, not run away from them and that he would walk with me and “prepare a table in the midst of my enemies.” Jesus met me right where I was, but he didn’t leave me there. He showed me that I was meant to “have depression” to learn how to trust him with my life and lean into how to process depression and anxiety, and in doing so, walk through and overcome these areas that held me captive. It wasn’t done in an instant and took hard work and effort on my part along with years of therapy, but God is faithful! To him be the glory! Amen!

My favorite Bible verse comes from Psalm 23:1-6!

"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever."