He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.
2 Chronicles 20:15 NIV
Through the Fog
I was driving through the fog this morning while taking my daughter to school. On the way back home I had a revelation about the depression I was going through.
You see there were dense patches of fog where I couldn’t see past the front of my truck.
Then there were spots were the fog was more like a mist and wispy.
There were also areas that the sunlight burst through the trees so radiant you could see it’s rays.
I have Bipolar depression and I also have Fibromyalgia which carries its own symptom of depression. So I am constantly battling depression in my life.
I want a better quality of life for my three daughters still at home, for my husband, and for myself. So I study the Bible daily for inspiration and meditate on God’s word.
I realized this morning the dark dense fog were the times when the depression was at its worst in my life. When I was in deep despair. So deep that I wondered why life was worth living in the first place.
Then the misty wispy fog were the times when some small amount of light entered in and reminded me that if Jesus died for me and still had me on this earth for a reason then life was worth living.
The sunshine shining through the trees were God, people, or things shining forth great light and helping me along the path that I’m walking on so I can fight the good fight and finish the race.
One of those people is Dr. Michelle Bengtson who wrote a book called Hope Prevails. Click on the title to get yours.
The Battle is The Lord’s
I was so blessed when Dr. Michelle Bengtson asked me to be a part of her book launch team. I was even more blessed as I read the book and learned how it was possible to defeat depression in my life. Her book gave me courage and the tools I needed for the battle.
My struggles are different than someone fighting depression since I battle Bipolar depression but as Dr. Bengtson shared her battle with depression, and the way God led her out of it, I was inspired to keep fighting my battle by giving it to the Lord and resting in his word. Of course I had to be proactive and memorize and use his word as needed.
But this was not all of Dr. Bengston’s expertise. She shares so much more. For example at the end of each chapter she shares a worship playlist that you can use as well.
Now that is a solid dose of sunshine through the trees.
If you have a loved one with depression I highly recommend you get this book for them or that you get this book for yourself so you can understand the fight they are going through.
Remember you are not alone.
Our Hope Endures Beloved
and now Our Hope Prevails!
Another Samaritan Woman 
Melinda,
I’m so proud of you. You’re not letting your depression or bipolar disorder define you. You’re doing the hard work–which many don’t want to do. But I’m declaring over you that you WILL see the end to these dark days, and you will end this with your generation. That was my biggest motivator to do the work–I wanted to stop it in my generation. The enemy had already stolen to much from my family and my lineage and I was sick of it. Is it easy? NO! But is it worth it? YES! Hold tight to Him, declare His truth and His promises over you and your children. Refute the lies of the enemy with the truth of God’s word. And stay in community like the #HopePrevails Community! We’re there for each other because we are better together!! Because of HIM, #HopePrevails!