A bunch of hogwash...

I went to a website a bit ago to read about this new Christian book that had come out that I was interested in, and then underneath it was another new book about getting over depression, and this was the beginning of the authors comment about his book:

''In a sense, a depressed Christian is a contradiction in terms.''

This comment bothered me deeply, and push me to come write my thoughts because I think that it will be refreshing for me to read my own words and for others like me in the Christian community who may feel ostersized if they have the same struggle. Very, very few of you know that I have stuggled with episodes of what I only recently am realizing that may be depression or at the very least a big struggle to adapt to all of the many changes and stresses in my life, for over a year now. It included a huge struggle with my image (I don't know a woman who doesn't find herself here), and how my faith fits in with all the many awful things I saw at work everyday in Texas. I have gone through times of constantly feeling guilt and being overwhelmed. In many ways, I am a different person than before all of the things that happened at my previous job. I cope with EVERYTHING differently than I used to. At times, I'd searched and dug through all areas of my life thinking that I'm missing something, that there is some sin there that I am not realizing, and then guilty again because I just "must not be praying enough" or I'm not "depending on Christ fully" even though in many ways I felt that I was crying to God and looking to him. I felt so guilty that I didn't talk about it... not even with Jeremy. Anyhow, here are the words of a wise, wise lady that I've been talking to from my church back home:

"I am not saying that there is not depression that is caused by circumstances, even sometimes by sin. But that is not true of all depression."

"Sometimes all the things you do to help the situation, including time in the Word and prayer (which I fully support), are not enough to keep you on an even emotional keel."

Anyhow, be your own judge if you will, but I just wanted to put it out there.... I know I'm not alone in my journey, and I think that it is refreshing for the Christian (and non-Christian) community to hear something different. Don't feel guilty.

Back to what I should have been doing, but haven't started all day.... reading. :)