tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3015299104362685233.post6008953668874612103..comments2024-03-24T12:24:40.363+11:00Comments on Do not let your hearts be troubled: Initial Reactions to the Return of Major Depressive DisorderPeter Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04896115247438514660noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3015299104362685233.post-82547309359541966252015-03-09T23:37:23.568+11:002015-03-09T23:37:23.568+11:00Dear Anonymous,
Thanks for sharing your journey w...Dear Anonymous,<br /><br />Thanks for sharing your journey with depression, and sharing how Jesus has kept you safe in Him through the ordeal. Thank you for choosing life over suicide, you have definitely made the correct choice, for it robs us of what God has in store for us, and truly destroys the lives of our family and loved ones. That's wonderful news that you are so much better now. <br /><br />May the Lord continue to sustain you and lift you up, and bring you to wholeness.<br /><br />God bless<br />PeterPeter Stonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04896115247438514660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3015299104362685233.post-83180528500983970512015-03-06T08:38:44.519+11:002015-03-06T08:38:44.519+11:00hi Peter,
I admire your faith and walk with God......hi Peter,<br />I admire your faith and walk with God...may God continue to bless you and help you touch more lives...<br />like you i suffer from depression and in remission...i was diagnosed as having Major Depression, Dysthymia and had several bouts of depression since my 20's...i am 44 now...my parents also both have depression, it just runs in the family...and like you it is mainly Jesus who keeps me "alive" physically and spiritually...i had suicidal ideation in my 20's in a bout of major depression but i read that the soul never rest when you die by suicide so this scared me so i chose depression over biological death...also just thinking of how my family will take my "death" make me have second thoughts about ending my life...i hold on to that little faith i have...through the years it is only God after all who can help...i took antidepressants too and read many self-help books, psychology and spiritual books as counseling is not very available in my country that time nor can i afford it...I still have some bouts of depression as i think it is also related to PMS...i also suffer from panic attacks but usually now it is low grade anxiety...but i am so much better now...i offer to God also all the burdens of this disease...i also pray for healing and deliverance always...yes, it's true...this disease does not disappear overnight and one needs preventive maintenance so to speak...if only people know it is only God who can ultimately heal...one needs to desire it and have faith...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3015299104362685233.post-76045222918426814242015-01-12T23:14:03.670+11:002015-01-12T23:14:03.670+11:00Dear Anonymous,
Thanks for writing. I am encourag...Dear Anonymous,<br /><br />Thanks for writing. I am encouraged to hear that you are seeking counselling. It will be a wonderful thing to see you set free from the fears that God will take away your joy. Here is a verse that my minister shared with me when I shared a similar doubt with him. "God's gifts and his call are irrevocable." - Romans 11:29. Joy is one of God's gifts, and therefore He will never take it back from us. (Satan uses deception and trickery to try to make us focus on fear instead of God's gifts.)<br /><br />To answer your question, over the past five years it has been a challenge to feel God's joy, especially during the blackest of the bad days, which sometimes tempt me to despair. However, I know these times are temporary, so I fix my eyes on Jesus, keep busy, and wait for them to pass. And they always do. Also, the joy of knowing Christ, of having Him always with me, of His salvation, are always close at hand. Sometimes I just need to remind myself of these wondrous truths. And though I often feel the blackness of depression, yet at the same time, I feel His presence and know He's with me, and I praise & worship Him, regardless of how I feel. <br /><br />God bless<br />PeterPeter Stonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04896115247438514660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3015299104362685233.post-14462511765666226542015-01-12T21:13:32.318+11:002015-01-12T21:13:32.318+11:00Thank you for the assurance, Peter. I have always ...Thank you for the assurance, Peter. I have always had the image of a Christian life as being thrown one trial after another, never being allowed to be happy for very long, a belief I am trying to modify, as I realize that is a lie from the Enemy to discourage people from committing their lives to Jesus. Not to say that Christians won't face hardships and trials because I know we will, but I know, as you say, our suffering will be used for good. Maybe non-Christians will face less problems in their lifetime than those who are living for Jesus, but I know the price is steep. There are many days I want to "run away" from God because I don't think He cares but I'm hanging on. And since God keeps his promises, I can be reassured that He will be faithful to me too as I go through this darkness.<br /><br />And yes, I am in the progress of seeking counseling.<br /><br />Peter, can I ask you, do you find it a challenge to be feel joyful, despite the return of your depression and the fact that it's been so long now? I know we are instructed to be joyful no matter our circumstances but boy, it is SO difficult.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3015299104362685233.post-4693339807497309952015-01-03T00:07:42.737+11:002015-01-03T00:07:42.737+11:00Dear Anonymous,
Please be assured that God keeps ...Dear Anonymous,<br /><br />Please be assured that God keeps no one perpetually depressed to draw them/keep them close to Him. Please recall the scripture - "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights." James 1:17. <br /><br />However, we can also be encouraged that God does use for good everything that happens in the lives of His children. "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28. So if we do become depressed, He will use it for good. Just like He will also use the better times for good.<br /><br />And to answer your question, if you are experiencing a time of happiness, no, do not fear that you have strayed from God or expect depression. That's a deception of the enemy, trying to rob us of our joy, by whispering lies in our ears that because we are happy, God's going to steal it away and replace it with depression. <br /><br />If you are not already receiving Christian counselling, may I please encourage you to receive counselling from a Christian counsellor/therapist/minister, and mention these fears that you have. Through Biblical teaching, and prayer, they help you to be set free from these fears completely.<br /><br />Hang in there, and please place your hope firmly in Jesus,<br />God bless<br />PeterPeter Stonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04896115247438514660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3015299104362685233.post-78538877220816619712015-01-02T22:03:45.207+11:002015-01-02T22:03:45.207+11:00It bothers me to see someone write that God thinks...It bothers me to see someone write that God thinks the only way to keep someone (and therefore, me, very possibly) close to Him is only by keeping him/her perpetually depressed. Which raises the question of if we are ever happy, then should we feel guilty or start anticipating that the happiness means we've strayed from God and to expect to be hit with depression? I'm almost afraid that if and when I feel any kind of happiness, that I'm somehow sinful and to expect the rug to be pulled from under my feet because God will want to test me with crippling depression...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3015299104362685233.post-84679029460978283372013-10-14T00:31:05.897+11:002013-10-14T00:31:05.897+11:00Dear Denise
Thank you for your comment, and for le...Dear Denise<br />Thank you for your comment, and for letting me know how the blog has been so helpful. I am greatly encouraged that the Lord is using my writings.<br />And I know what you mean about wishing depression was something physical, I've wished that myself at times too.<br />God bless you heaps,<br />PeterPeter Stonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04896115247438514660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3015299104362685233.post-16411699317421741942013-10-13T07:46:20.838+11:002013-10-13T07:46:20.838+11:00dear Peter, thank you so much for saying this is n...dear Peter, thank you so much for saying this is not my fault. I have suffered with anxiety/depression my whole life (I now realize). It is so hard to explain to people how it feels, especially to other Christians when they give well intentioned advice as to why they don't get depressed or have anxiety. I know God is using this to keep me close to Him but some days are so hard. I cannot thank you enough for writing this blog. I recommend it to everyone I know who has fallen into depression or anxiety. Clinical depression/anxiety run very strongly in my family and is no more my fault than having a physical illness would be. Sometimes, I wish it were something physical which could be seen, then people would understand. I read this blog all the time and it comforts me tremendously. Your suffering has not been in vain. You have helped many many people, and I thank you for it and pray for you. DeniseAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3015299104362685233.post-72727100223754448752013-08-11T23:21:47.721+10:002013-08-11T23:21:47.721+10:00Hi Mary,
Lovely to hear from you :)
I'm three ...Hi Mary,<br />Lovely to hear from you :)<br />I'm three years into this second major depressive disorder episode, but are well on the road to recovery. The 'bad' days can still be horrendously bad though. I'm so glad Jesus is holding my hand and guiding me through this.<br />God bless<br />PeterPeter Stonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04896115247438514660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3015299104362685233.post-70566481798883045492013-08-09T23:36:21.320+10:002013-08-09T23:36:21.320+10:00Wow, nothing triggers the disorder, it just return...Wow, nothing triggers the disorder, it just returns. May it never come back to you Peter and I hope you are feeling well.<br />Hugs,<br />MarySaleslady371https://www.blogger.com/profile/15962608799409882219noreply@blogger.com