Tag Archives: Christians and depression

~The Ocean Series~ Beach Balls

May 11, 2020Spiritual EncouragementAbba, beach ball, Christ's rest, Christian encouragement, Christian life, Christians and depression, depression, encouragement in Christ, God's peace, iMac trouble, Isaiah 43:1-2, life, Living the Christian life, Love of God, Rest in Christ, spiritual encouragement, The Ocean Series, TrialsT.W. Allgaier

Ah, you have finally settled down with a good book. Sunscreen applied, hat tilted just right. The waves are lapping against your chair and the sun is overhead. The book you have been waiting to read all winter.

Then you are viciously attacked by a flying beach ball!! Actually a kid just missed hitting it back to his brother. It came out of no where! You dropped the book, turned over your iced tea, and yes….tipped your chair. Continue reading ~The Ocean Series~ Beach Balls →

Looks can be Deceiving…Hanging On!

May 9, 2018Spiritual Encouragementanxiety, Christian encouragement, Christians and depression, depression, encouragement, encouragement in Christ, God's love, God's peace, hanging on, honesty, looks can be deceiving, mental health, panic attack, perfection, pretending, Rest in Christ, rock climbing, spiritual encouragement, transpT.W. Allgaier

(Departing from ~The Ocean Series~ today)

Sometimes “looks can be deceiving.” Case in point. Look at picture #1. What a man! He is a great climber, especially for his age!

As I have listened, prayed, studied and re-evaluated so many things in my life the last couple of weeks, this seemed so fitting.

A person can “look” good on the outside, but on the inside it is a different story. We can “photoshop” pictures like we can our own lives. We want it to look perfect…like we have accomplished something, or that we have it all together, when actually we sometimes don’t even get off the ground. Check out picture #2!

And actually, that is okay. We can only do what we can do. Quit putting pressure on yourself. Once we surrender our lives to Christ we quit trying to “perform.” We don’t have to pretend for anyone.

We can be who God designed us to be, and not pretend to be something we are not. Our lives are not perfect and there is pain sometimes. Transparency and honesty bring healing.

And truthfully, sometimes we are just hanging on as best we can…

~Be Encouraged Today~
Tammy

Father, Why Do I Feel This Way?

July 18, 2017Discouraged Christian, Spiritual EncouragementChristian encouragement, Christians and depression, depression, God's peace, guilt and condemnation, hormones, performance based acceptance, problems, spiritual encouragementT.W. Allgaier

I wrote this in my journal one day over four years ago….
“Lord, I have felt such anxiety, such depression. I knew you were there but I couldn’t touch you. You were reaching out to me…but it was like I was wandering in a desert. I was so thirsty, but I could not drink. The water was right there. I then began to be consumed with guilt and condemnation about how I had failed as a believer, and that was not from you. I was so consumed that I couldn’t even reach my hand up high enough to touch your lips for even a taste of water. And yet, you never left me. You stayed and reached down and pulled me up…little by little. But I had to be able to see you, to know that you were not a mirage. My reality had to become clearer…..and the increase in medication allowed me to see you again. You never left, but my perception, my vision did. I cannot put into words the pain I felt, I don’t understand it. Some say it was a spiritual attack, and I do know that there are battles…but it was more than that…Now my life circumstances have changed and I can see you again. You are no longer a mirage. You are my reality, my constant companion. I am “me” again…the “me” you designed me to be.

The fog slithers up behind you and engulfs you before you realize it…..

……..Depression and Anxiety….. Continue reading Father, Why Do I Feel This Way? →