Hello Friends,

It's been a long time.  I am going to try to write regularly again.  We shall see how this goes.

Depression and anxiety are hard.  But the Devil is the real enemy.  We know that the devil is the master of lies.  He knows what to say to make us feel worse.  Depression tells us we are lonely, anxiety tells us it will never get better, and the devil tells us it's all our fault because we are worthless.  But this is not true.  We ALL have worth.  The devil wants us to feel alone; to think we are the worst, that there is no hope and that life is all downhill from here.  

Growing up, I remember teachers would always make it sound like life was going to just get worse.  In elementary school they said, "if you think this is hard just wait until you get to middle school" in middle school they said, "just want until you get to high school" in high school it was "wait until you're in the real world."  As an adult, I can confidently say that life most definitely gets better after middle school and life is exponentially better after high school.  Sure, there is still drama, there always will be, but so far it has never been as dramatic as middle school.  (I remember three girls "dated" the same guy three days in a row just so they could all take a turn having a boyfriend).

What does this teach us?  Growing up doesn't HAVE to mean life will get more depressing, lonely, and anxiety ridden.  Psalm 28 starts out with:

To you, Lord, I call;
    you are my Rock,
    do not turn a deaf ear to me.
For if you remain silent,
    I will be like those who go down to the pit.
² Hear my cry for mercy
    as I call to you for help,
as I lift up my hands
    toward your Most Holy Place.

David is crying out to God, asking God to hear him. Then a few verses down he says:

⁶ Praise be to the Lord,
    for he has heard my cry for mercy.
⁷ The Lord is my strength and my shield;
    my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
    and with my song I praise him.

⁸ The Lord is the strength of his people,
    a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.
⁹ Save your people and bless your inheritance;
    be their shepherd and carry them forever.

David turns to God when he feels weak.  He depends on God for Strength.  He trusts God to help him.  Read verse 7 again ("The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.")   Even in depression God is there.  He is our strength and our shield, our hearts must trust Him, and He will help us.  When he does, we must praise Him.

Do you believe in Jesus, do you trust that God is always present?  Sometimes it's easy to get lost in the lies of the devil and allow those lies to overwhelm you.  Perhaps you need to call a friend for support, find a Christian Counselor, or visit even a pastor.  Either way, if you feel lost in a pit of despair, please find someone to talk to, a strong Christian to help pull you out of the pit.  You don't have to stay there.  Keep your faith and remember to gather with fellow believers.

I am a follower of Christ, I am not perfect, but I love Jesus.

Until Next Time,

Liz Allen