The lights are out.

Tonight, the electricity went out after a brief rain shower.  The lights were out for about an hour or so.  Right around bed time.  So my girls were treated to books in bed with daddy and flashlights.  What could be better?

Unfortunately, for those who suffer with depression, there are no flashlights to illuminate our heavenly Daddy sitting along side your bed stroking your hair, singing you to sleep.

Have you ever been surrounded in deep darkness?  You know, when it’s pitch black out and you try to put your hand up in front of your face?  But you can’t even see something that is clearly there?  It’s scary.  It’s lonely.  Logically, you know that you have your hand right in front of your face.  But all you can see (and especially feel) is darkness.

Ladies, that is why I can’t stress enough, the importance of getting to know God when the lights are on.  Because if the lights are to blind you with darkness, there is no way to seek your way out.  You’re left sitting in a fetal position in the corner of your bathroom, helpless, waiting for someone to hand you a flashlight.

To me, that’s what depression is like.  It might not be the same for you.  You may see it or have experienced it totally different.  But those are the words I have today to describe my experience.

When you seek the nature of our awesome God, you find out that He is always present, He never changes, and He promises to never leave us. 

James 1:17-18:

Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens.  He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.  He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.

Deuteronomy 31:8:

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.

When you KNOW God you can be assured that He is there - even though the devil may shroud you with a blanket of darkness.  I love how James says we God’s prized possession.  Out of all of creation.  The beauty of the stars, the sky, the oceans… yet NOTHING makes God smile more than YOU.  YOU are His treasure. 

I am not trying to tell you that it’s easy to hang on to hope in the midst of suffering.  I will be the first to admit that I turned my back on God during my last round of depression, just last year.  I went through all the right “Christian” motions.  But, my heart was hard, bitter, and hurt.

Today, with new medications and good therapy, I can see again.  And my passion for God is larger than life.  I’m trying to learn as much about Him as possible.  So when an unexpected storm crashes down out of nowhere, I can recite His truths and His promises, even in the darkness.

No matter what circumstances you are facing today, look to the One who gives you life.  And hang on to His promises – He loves you, He’s with you, and He will never leave you.