Day 29: Thanking God for Depression

There was a time in my life that I went through a very deep depression, and for that I have thanked God several times. Yes, you read that correctly- I THANKED God for that depression. You may be asking yourself, "Why?", but there are several different things that happened because of it.

I gained a larger understanding of the Bible and became much more familiar with its contents then I have ever had. The reason for this is that I searched for answers through His word from cover to cover which gave me a deeper understanding of the makeup of the Bible because I was constantly reading it every chance I could (2 Timothy 2:15).
I had to learn to rely not on my own understanding of things but to reach out to others to help me through my burdens (Galatians 6:2). There are several people that I have thanked God for bringing into my life to help me that I will never forget and will always hold close to my heart. I can look back on my life now and see how those individuals have become pieces that help complete a puzzle that has brought me to where I am today.
I now have this reminder in my life of where I was and where I am now. I am frequently reminded of the time of that depression but in a positive way. This reminder helps me to stay focused on the goal of Heaven and to hopefully share that experience with my children some day so that when they have their own struggles, they, too, can use that as the fuel that keeps their fires burning. We need to always remember that “power is perfected in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:7–10).
I learned to really “talk” to God and to be persistent and not to give up. I cannot tell you how much I prayed during that time. My prayers were very emotional and very persistent, and I was not about to give up on my God (Luke 18:1–8). My belief in prayer during that time flourished. I am not saying that I did not have belief before, but God helped me to believe more (Mark 9:24) and to really talk to Him as my Father and not as some entity that is just looking down on us.

One of the individuals that I mentioned from above once told me that we need to remember that God wants us to give thanks to Him for everything. That individual then said the word “everything” means for ALL the things we classify in our lives as being both good AND bad.

I will tell you- that evening, I thanked God for my depression and what He had allowed me to go through and what blessings it had brought me. My prayer today is that I can now use that experience to help someone else if it be God’s will.

I know that my struggles may not compare to the struggles that are going on right now in your life, but I would ask that if you can, please “talk” to God and see if you can thank Him for ALL things that are going on in your life. I know you will not regret it.

Written by Joe Brown, a deacon at Mt. Juliet

# posted by JP @ 12:01 AM on Sunday, December 12, 2010

Comments:

Joe, You have challenged us powerfully. "All" is a little (three letters) big (good and bad) word.
Also the way you dealt with a topic (depression) that receives so little attention is so beneficial. You are a blessing for many reasons, this blog being one of them! drs

# posted by

David R. Shannon : December 12, 2010 at 11:46 AM

Joe, I cannot tell you what depression feels like, but I can probably come close. In my life with the struggles I face, I find it everyday to be blessed with so many friends from church that would help at anytime. All I would have to do is ask. We are all working to get to our final home where our true friends and love ones will meet us there. Glory to our God! I try to pray for everyone at church and you will be in my prayers!! Joe, Thanks for the inspiration. In him Rusty Morrow

# posted by

Rusty Morrow : December 12, 2010 at 5:26 PM

Now I understand why I was drawn to your prayer group during the recent day of prayer we held at the church building. I have always loved the prayers you lead for our congregation because they are so sincere and heartfelt. Thank you for all the prayers you offer up for yourself and others.

# posted by

Anonymous : December 15, 2010 at 12:00 PM

Joe - I probably know more about depression than the average person. People of my generation & older would not talk about it. I have always tried to compare it to other illnesses. Most of us take medication for something. You have handled this topic very well & have allowed it to increase your faith in God. If the wind didn’t blow & bend the tree, it would not be as strong as it is. I think it is great that you not only have the confidence to speak openly about the topic of depression in your life, but can also relay how it has increased your faith in God. -Wayne

# posted by

Anonymous : December 29, 2010 at 9:41 AM



Day 29: Thanking God for Depression There was a time in my life that I went through a very deep depression, and for that I have thanked God several times. Yes, you read that correctly- I THANKED God for that depression. You may be asking yourself, "Why?", but there are several different things that happened because of it. I gained a larger understanding of the Bible and became much more familiar with its contents then I have ever had. The reason for this is that I searched for answers through His word from cover to cover which gave me a deeper understanding of the makeup of the Bible because I was constantly reading it every chance I could (2 Timothy 2:15). I had to learn to rely not on my own understanding of things but to reach out to others to help me through my burdens (Galatians 6:2). There are several people that I have thanked God for bringing into my life to help me that I will never forget and will always hold close to my heart. I can look back on my life now and see how those individuals have become pieces that help complete a puzzle that has brought me to where I am today. I now have this reminder in my life of where I was and where I am now. I am frequently reminded of the time of that depression but in a positive way. This reminder helps me to stay focused on the goal of Heaven and to hopefully share that experience with my children some day so that when they have their own struggles, they, too, can use that as the fuel that keeps their fires burning. We need to always remember that “power is perfected in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:7–10). I learned to really “talk” to God and to be persistent and not to give up. I cannot tell you how much I prayed during that time. My prayers were very emotional and very persistent, and I was not about to give up on my God (Luke 18:1–8). My belief in prayer during that time flourished. I am not saying that I did not have belief before, but God helped me to believe more (Mark 9:24) and to really talk to Him as my Father and not as some entity that is just looking down on us. One of the individuals that I mentioned from above once told me that we need to remember that God wants us to give thanks to Him for everything. That individual then said the word “everything” means for ALL the things we classify in our lives as being both good AND bad. I will tell you- that evening, I thanked God for my depression and what He had allowed me to go through and what blessings it had brought me. My prayer today is that I can now use that experience to help someone else if it be God’s will. I know that my struggles may not compare to the struggles that are going on right now in your life, but I would ask that if you can, please “talk” to God and see if you can thank Him for ALL things that are going on in your life. I know you will not regret it. Written by Joe Brown, a deacon at Mt. Juliet # posted by JP @ 12:01 AM on Sunday, December 12, 2010 Comments: Joe, You have challenged us powerfully. "All" is a little (three letters) big (good and bad) word. Also the way you dealt with a topic (depression) that receives so little attention is so beneficial. You are a blessing for many reasons, this blog being one of them! drs # posted by David R. Shannon : December 12, 2010 at 11:46 AM Joe, I cannot tell you what depression feels like, but I can probably come close. In my life with the struggles I face, I find it everyday to be blessed with so many friends from church that would help at anytime. All I would have to do is ask. We are all working to get to our final home where our true friends and love ones will meet us there. Glory to our God! I try to pray for everyone at church and you will be in my prayers!! Joe, Thanks for the inspiration. In him Rusty Morrow # posted by Rusty Morrow : December 12, 2010 at 5:26 PM Now I understand why I was drawn to your prayer group during the recent day of prayer we held at the church building. I have always loved the prayers you lead for our congregation because they are so sincere and heartfelt. Thank you for all the prayers you offer up for yourself and others. # posted by Anonymous : December 15, 2010 at 12:00 PM Joe - I probably know more about depression than the average person. People of my generation & older would not talk about it. I have always tried to compare it to other illnesses. Most of us take medication for something. You have handled this topic very well & have allowed it to increase your faith in God. If the wind didn’t blow & bend the tree, it would not be as strong as it is. I think it is great that you not only have the confidence to speak openly about the topic of depression in your life, but can also relay how it has increased your faith in God. -Wayne # posted by Anonymous : December 29, 2010 at 9:41 AM Post a Comment << Home	Mt. Juliet Church of Christ 1940 N. Mt. Juliet Road P.O.Box 248 Mt.Juliet, TN 37122-0248 (615)758-2274 Fax:615-754-2351 Email Worship Services: Sunday Early Worship: 8AM Sunday Bible Study: 9:15AM Sunday Late Worship: 10:15AM Night Worship: 6PM Wednesday Bible Study: 7PM Past Archives: November 2010 December 2010

Day 29: Thanking God for Depression

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