From Depression to Peace & Joy

Psalms 16:7-11 (NKJV) I will bless the LORD who has given me counsel; My heart also instructs me in the night seasons. I have set the LORD always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope. For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

I came to the Lord at just 11 years old. At that young age I already had a lot of baggage to shed. Pain and abuse had left me hardened, rebellious and angry. Though I was passionate for Jesus and shared the gospel every opportunity I had, I still hadn't fully surrendered...

Fast forward to 18 years later. I'd been married since I was 17 and had 2 kids. I was depressed and questioned myself as a child of God, a mother and a wife. Depression can be such a dark and lonely hole. At a women's conference on my 12th year of marriage a made a vow to Jesus, to seek Him with my life. I committed to spend quality time with Him every day and to study His Word.

The Holy Spirit was moving in a very strong and profound way in that meeting. Committing my life to the one who touched me so deeply and overwhelmed me with His Love, was not difficult. I was trading my weaknesses for His power, love and strength! My broken heart and mind for His peace and joy!

It was a crucial turning point in my life. I knew the gravity of making a vow and no matter how I felt, I always made sure I had time for Christ.

You see, it wasn't my strength that brought me closer to Jesus, but my complete and utter brokenness, desperation and weakness. The results...a greater life than I had ever imagined! Though at times it's still been riddled with trials and painful circumstances, that peace... the love... His presence... it never ceases. It was always there before I committed my life to Him, but I was too distant to realize it and too focused on the obstacles to see it.

I'm human, I still feel the pain of the attacks, but every evening, as I enter the Secret Place... His glory overwhelms me, the focus is changed and healing waters flow!

Don't wait till you think you're good enough and have it all together to seek Jesus. Press in today! Push through the pain, sorrow and darkness until you get a glimpse of His Glory and become totally wrecked in His presence! He's waiting, with arms opened wide, to do for you what only HE can do!!

Make a commitment to spend time with Jesus every day, in prayer, worship and studying His Word. Take baby steps, just a little at a time, but make it your priority. The more time you spend with Him, the hungrier you'll get and soon you'll find you're passionately seeking Him and nothing else can satisfy you! You too will soon go from depression to peace and joy!!!

Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT) Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 1:7-9 (NLT) These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.

Matthew 16:24-25 (TPT) Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If you truly want to follow me, you should at once completely reject and disown your own life. And you must be willing to share my cross and experience it as your own, as you continually surrender to my ways. For if you choose self-sacrifice and lose your lives for my glory, you will continually discover true life. But if you choose to keep your lives for yourselves, you will forfeit what you try to keep.

Matthew 6:33 (KJV) But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 (NLT) When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it.