ONE of the most encouraging things any of us can do for
another person is to tell the truth about how we feel.
We love it when we can be our real selves, especially
regarding the struggles we have. And this
applies much more so to the Christian than it does to everyone else, because
there is this double-barrelled truth:
Although Christians are commanded and empowered to tell the
truth, they’re also more likely to hide their truth, for shame and guilt that
perhaps their faith doesn’t work.
We know that depression and other mental illnesses don’t
discriminate, and that they’re incredibly complex. Having depression doesn’t whatsoever
correlate with weak faith.
In fact, it takes stupendously greater faith to keep stepping with the Lord through the dark
nights of the soul. And it’s this faith, if only others knew what we
were dealing with, that would inspire others.
It’s good to be real about our depression because an
unnecessary burden is immediately relieved; we no longer have to carry the
arduous weight of a lie!
When we live openly in the light of the truth — that life is
hard, each and every day, or most days — then we stand to be encouraged by
others for the courage we’ve shown. This
equips others to employ their
courage.
Being honest about where our mental health is helps to
inspire others to be honest. And when
two people can be honest with each other, they give each other permission to be
real, and there is no greater gift or blessing.
Perhaps the purpose of your depression is to be real about
it, by trusting God; He may have a purpose in it for you. It might help others to their freedom.
Now, I can tell you I’ve been depressed several times, and I
doubt whether I’ve had my final bout.
Isn’t that encouraging? You and I
are not alone.
© 2016 Steve Wickham.
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