The video above is from GodTube, a Christian version of YouTube. Enjoy this powerful video featuring my new favorite song from Casting Crowns "The Voice of Truth".
When my emotions go haywire, when my feelings point to the downward spiral of depression...I choose to live in the truth. Depression is not who I am. And as a Christian, Jesus gives me the power to choose how I will think and act, and I choose Jesus ("...the way, the truth, and the life..." John 14:6). And because I choose to live in God's truth, I can put one foot in front of the other, I can face the day with hope, I can have the abundant life Jesus promised (John 10:10).
An example: lately it has been hard to talk to Dan on the phone. He shakes so bad now from the muscle tremors and cramping that he can only hold the phone for a short time, so our daily phone conversations last about a minute with a quick hello, how are you doing, and I love you. Our daily cell phone calls during my drive home from work have been my lifeline to him, and now being unable to really talk to him and hear his voice and his heart, I am filled with sadness and longing for my best friend and lover. So rather than live in the dark place of depression as in the past, God is teaching me to live in the truth:
* I am not my sadness
* I visualize my sadness, my depression, almost as another "person", separate from who I am
* When depression tells me to live in the sadness, I can choose to live in the truth
* The truth is:
> Dan is living with his parents, 10 minutes from Mayo, and is well taken care of by familyand a compassionate team of doctors
> Dan's health (while fragile, painful, and anger-producing) is out of my control
> I am living in Hawaii, with my mom (one of my very best friends, by the way), and we arewell taken care of by our church family and many friends.
> I have 2 amazing Godly bosses which I am proud to also call friends, loving merciful co-workers who inspire me and keep me laughing.
> I personally know the One who created the universe, and He has our lives in His hands
> It's ok to experience feelings of all kinds, feelings are not right or wrong, they just are; but I don't live there (ok, yes I do live there once in a while, but I'm trying hard to move out of there)
So, enjoy the video and song above, and live in the truth!
Living in some kind of crazy grace,
Debbie
4 comments:
Thanks, Debbie! Lately, I've been battling this stupid depression too. So I am encouraged by you. The TRUTH is so much more wonderful and bigger than the depression.
Lifting you and Dan up in prayer.
--Janice
thank you for your honesty, Debbie. thank you for your courage and faith.
wish we could just sit around, strum guitars and sing to the Voice of Truth together.
Hey Deb, it's Curt. I just wanted to let you know that I continue to pray for you and Dan. Let him know we miss and love him.
Curt Fajardo
Debbie,
It's Brenda Mulju (we left Hawaii and MBC in 2004 to return to the mainland). I've been praying for you and Dan for over a year now (and will continue to do so) and haven't left comments before. I've been "urged" (yes, the Holy Spirit is pushy, but in a good way!) to let you know that you and Dan are daily in my thoughts and prayers and the prayers of so many others -- as many prayer lists that I know of, you're on them. I reread this post today and it has helped me. Sometimes the darkness threatens to overwhelm, but always, ALWAYS, there's a light that NEVER goes out, and if we just focus on that light, we can't fail. That Light is our lifeline, for our earthly life and our heavenly life. That Light is the Voice of Truth, Jesus. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, your fears, your heart. It means the world to so many people! Love and God's Blessings, Brenda
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