Our Beliefs Don't Always Line Up (Welcome to Day 1 of our challenge against seasonal depression!) - EncouragementMama.com
*Please note that I am not a licensed physician or medical professional of any kind. All advice, tips, and resources on this blog are given purely from personal testimony, Biblical wisdom, and encouragement. If at any time, you feel hopeless or in despair, please do not hesitate to call your physician, seek medical help, or call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. (Find out more HERE.)
What is Your Truth? (And does it align with God’s TRUTH?
Welcome to day one of our challenge!
I am honored and grateful to walk this 10-day journey with you. Below, is our 10-minute challenge for today. I promise to keep each day’s challenge short and to-the-point. I only ask that you don’t skip any of the steps! By completing each lesson and action, you will hopefully gain a new perspective regarding seasonal depression. And most of all, you will gain wisdom from God’s word for your journey.
So, without further delay, let’s begin!
Your truths:
*Answer each of the following questions honestly to reveal your beliefs about seasonal depression:
Do you feel alone or isolated during your seasons of depression?
Do you sometimes feel like even God has turned a blind eye to your situation?
Do you believe your faith is weaker than other Christian women because you are depressed?
Do you feel stuck in a cycle of depression, unable to overcome it?
God’s TRUTHS:
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 1 Peter 5:8&9
“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9
O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O Lord, You know it altogether. You have hedged me behind and before,and laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain it. Psalm 139:1-6
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15
For I, the Lord your God will hold your right hand, saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’ Isaiah 41:13
Takeaways:
The enemy will always try to make us feel alone and isolated.
You are never alone in ANY season.
Shame has no power to overcome your depression.
Guilt has no remedy to heal it.
God’s power is made perfect in your weakness.
The Lord knows everything about you.
Jesus is able to sympathize with your struggles.
The Lord will hold your right hand and help you through this season.
Action for Day One:
If you answered YES to any of the questions under Your Truths, I want you to write them down as personal statements. For example, if I answered YES to question #1 about feeling alone in my depression, I would write, I feel alone and isolated in my depression.
Next, I want you to search the Scriptures for one or two verses that clearly state God’s truths in opposition to your false beliefs about depression. For example, I would write Romans 8:39, which counteracts my false belief that I am alone and isolated.
“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Sisters, today’s challenge is crucial in making sure that our beliefs align with God’s word. And the only way to do that is to read the Scriptures. Cling to the Word of God during your seasonal depression and find out what He has to say about your life and your journey.
Let’s pray…
Gracious God, thank You for each woman who has decided to challenge her feelings of depression with truth from Your Word. Lord, I ask that You break through the lies we have believed, and fill us with Your absolute truth today. We want to have clarity, Lord. We long for deliverance. And we rely on You to guide us through this season and every season. In Jesus’ name…amen.
*If you feel led, please email me at jennifer@encouragementmama.com and share the truths God has revealed to you from His word today. I can’t wait to see you for day two of our challenge!
Always an email away,
Jennifer
