I am not a doctor or counselor, and I do not share this to give medical or physical advice, but if you are struggling with depression, or know someone who is, I hope this will be an encouragement. I have shared some of my own experience in past articles. You can find them HERE.

While this is supposed to be a week filled with wonder and delightful gatherings, many will suffer in silence, be alone and feel misunderstood by even those closest to them. There is really no good verbal explanation for the way a depressed person truly feels. You can try to put it into words, but the reality of the daily darkness is truly unimaginable unless you’ve walked the path, stepped into the shoes, or sat in the seat. Even then, every journey is unique. While some express feelings of sadness or overwhelming grief, others show signs of disinterest or apathy. Life that used to be colorful is now gray. The sounds that seemed delightful are muted and life prances about without delight or glee.

It’s not that a depressed person doesn’t want to experience life to the fullest and enjoy the memorable moments, but they can’t. Depression traps the mind and sometimes paralyzes the body from being able to express the true desires within.

While you walk through this week, exchanging gifts, attending gatherings, and enjoying the life that God has given you consider those, who for this season, cannot see clearly. The fog that looms over their head seems to make everything hazy. It’s difficult to understand.

As you interact with family, friends, and strangers be aware that there is most likely someone at the table, store, workplace, or church that is experiencing a season of depression that they would love to escape from. Before you rush on to your next party, appointment, service, or gathering, see if there is someone you can encourage, uplift, befriend, or pray for.

You may not have the exact words or intuition to do something life changing, but being aware and showing you care means the world to a depressed soul.

If you are reading this and you are the depressed one, don’t go to bed tonight without texting a friend for support. Call someone. Tell someone. You do not have to walk through this alone, but no one can help you if they don’t know.

If you have someone in your life who you think is depressed, I write this to encourage you to stop talking about them and start talking to them. Reach out and help them. Care for them. They are waiting for someone to lift them up out of the pit. Don’t wait.

God knows every detail and if He prompts your heart to reach out, do it!

Let’s spread more than holiday cheer this week, let’s spread hope with a hurting world. Let’s let Jesus shine so brightly that His love penetrates the darkness that looms overhead.

Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Psalm 61:1-2

Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word. You are good and do good; Teach me your statutes. Psalm 119:67-68

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

Love & Blessings,

Micah

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