Oppressive depression is a serious and dangerous mindset. Please forward this message to all your family, friends, and strangers alike. Someone just might need this message NOW!
Thank you, Dr. Phinney, for this writing and short film. I am in a solid Foursquare church with both Sunday service and Wednesday Discipleship and prayer group. I have had a financial lack battle for so many long years, I am convinced my Bros and Sisters in Christ are TIRED of hearing Wendy's 71 year tale of woe. A returned Prodigal, I will never wander again...and would not ever take my own life...but I am overwhelmingly weary. I have tried SO hard. I am single, celibate, sober in all ways, debt free but constantly battle with pennies and nickels and dimes, etc. I do NOT want "stuff", I just want relief from the relentless battle over the basics of money. I did not expect to live to old age , I did not plan! I am not stupid but I am exhausted and want to go Home, sooner than later. I can no longer bring this sorrow to my church, I have brought it for over 7 years with seemingly no change...and I cannot continue this. I hang out with God daily and He is my true Life-saver and I CLING to Him and His Son! If I did not have Them, I would have died long ago. I keep writing... God bless you, dear Dr. Phinney, for taking all this on, it is too much at times!
Wendy, you are a "fighter." In a good way! Keep up the good fight in Christ Jesus. Our Lord's fierce and relentless enemy is out to discourage His people. HE IS A LIAR! We are victorious in Christ Jesus. Never forget that.
Dr. Phinney, thank you again for your compassion over me, as I likely have elements of bi-polar (used to be called manic depression, up and down so much). I take no meds except food and prayer. Funny, on one of my Pinterest pages last night, I discovered that Charles Spurgeon said he had dealt with overwhelming depression in his life and also clung to Christ. That somehow comforted me. I have not forgotten my part two of the War between men and women piece, still simmering and attempting to gather notes for it. Blessings to you and Jane, Wendy
Thanks for the blessing to Jane and I. Anyone who has a clear mind for TRUTH will be attacked with oppression from the enemy. He hates Truth and the people who proclaim it.
Matt, bless you for sharing your vulnerable confession. I tend to view "depression" as oppression from the Lord's enemy. He wants nothing more for Jesus's Bride to sink into the despair of isolation and loneliness. In that place, sharing the Gospel becomes impotent.
My family has always been about “keeping up appearances”. “Don’t air out your dirty laundry.” “No one wants to hear your struggles cause everyone has struggles.” “Suck it up buttercup.” “Emotions are a sign of weakness.”
These all are all things I heard growing up.
After I became a Christian, it was reinforced to only speak out positive things. Things that are “good and God.” If you’re negative or depressed, you’re letting Satan get into your head.
In my sales career, it’s always been all about being positive. People are attracted to positivity and are repealed y negativity.
So I became stuffer. “I’m fine” is my “mantra”.
Truth is…I’m not fine.
My family isn’t fine.
My mom suffered from chronic depression, and my dad suffered from severe PTSD.
Things only began to shift for me when I started to bring all my “stuff” to Him.
Then I sought out a qualified Christian counselor to help me find tools to manage my thoughts and feelings.
There are ways to get help and I encourage anyone who’s struggling to find someone qualified that you trust to pour out all your stuff to. Your mental health is literally a matter of life or death, and you don’t have to live in bondage or struggle with this alone.
Your feedback is a powerful example of what God, through Jesus, can do in and through weak people. We all suffer with chronic oppression. The enemy is relentless in defusing hope. I thank God for the everlasting Grace that lives within our mortal bodies.
The impact and importance of small groups or home groups or home Bible studies,, whatever you want to call them can’t be overstated. As Jesus followers, we need to mirror his example of discipleship and relate to each other not only in the large congregation on Sunday morning, but also in the small, intimate setting where trust is built and problems are addressed without judgement condemnation.
Oppressive depression is a serious and dangerous mindset. Please forward this message to all your family, friends, and strangers alike. Someone just might need this message NOW!
Thank you, Dr. Phinney, for this writing and short film. I am in a solid Foursquare church with both Sunday service and Wednesday Discipleship and prayer group. I have had a financial lack battle for so many long years, I am convinced my Bros and Sisters in Christ are TIRED of hearing Wendy's 71 year tale of woe. A returned Prodigal, I will never wander again...and would not ever take my own life...but I am overwhelmingly weary. I have tried SO hard. I am single, celibate, sober in all ways, debt free but constantly battle with pennies and nickels and dimes, etc. I do NOT want "stuff", I just want relief from the relentless battle over the basics of money. I did not expect to live to old age , I did not plan! I am not stupid but I am exhausted and want to go Home, sooner than later. I can no longer bring this sorrow to my church, I have brought it for over 7 years with seemingly no change...and I cannot continue this. I hang out with God daily and He is my true Life-saver and I CLING to Him and His Son! If I did not have Them, I would have died long ago. I keep writing... God bless you, dear Dr. Phinney, for taking all this on, it is too much at times!
Wendy, you are a "fighter." In a good way! Keep up the good fight in Christ Jesus. Our Lord's fierce and relentless enemy is out to discourage His people. HE IS A LIAR! We are victorious in Christ Jesus. Never forget that.
Dr. Phinney, thank you again for your compassion over me, as I likely have elements of bi-polar (used to be called manic depression, up and down so much). I take no meds except food and prayer. Funny, on one of my Pinterest pages last night, I discovered that Charles Spurgeon said he had dealt with overwhelming depression in his life and also clung to Christ. That somehow comforted me. I have not forgotten my part two of the War between men and women piece, still simmering and attempting to gather notes for it. Blessings to you and Jane, Wendy
Thanks for the blessing to Jane and I. Anyone who has a clear mind for TRUTH will be attacked with oppression from the enemy. He hates Truth and the people who proclaim it.
I took have been caught in the trap of depression. If it was not for Jesus...many times I would not have made it.
AWESOME POST! Thank you!!!
Matt, bless you for sharing your vulnerable confession. I tend to view "depression" as oppression from the Lord's enemy. He wants nothing more for Jesus's Bride to sink into the despair of isolation and loneliness. In that place, sharing the Gospel becomes impotent.
Amen Brother!
My family has always been about “keeping up appearances”. “Don’t air out your dirty laundry.” “No one wants to hear your struggles cause everyone has struggles.” “Suck it up buttercup.” “Emotions are a sign of weakness.”
These all are all things I heard growing up.
After I became a Christian, it was reinforced to only speak out positive things. Things that are “good and God.” If you’re negative or depressed, you’re letting Satan get into your head.
In my sales career, it’s always been all about being positive. People are attracted to positivity and are repealed y negativity.
So I became stuffer. “I’m fine” is my “mantra”.
Truth is…I’m not fine.
My family isn’t fine.
My mom suffered from chronic depression, and my dad suffered from severe PTSD.
Things only began to shift for me when I started to bring all my “stuff” to Him.
Then I sought out a qualified Christian counselor to help me find tools to manage my thoughts and feelings.
There are ways to get help and I encourage anyone who’s struggling to find someone qualified that you trust to pour out all your stuff to. Your mental health is literally a matter of life or death, and you don’t have to live in bondage or struggle with this alone.
Thank you so much for sharing.
Your feedback is a powerful example of what God, through Jesus, can do in and through weak people. We all suffer with chronic oppression. The enemy is relentless in defusing hope. I thank God for the everlasting Grace that lives within our mortal bodies.
💯Amen
The impact and importance of small groups or home groups or home Bible studies,, whatever you want to call them can’t be overstated. As Jesus followers, we need to mirror his example of discipleship and relate to each other not only in the large congregation on Sunday morning, but also in the small, intimate setting where trust is built and problems are addressed without judgement condemnation.
Love it, Jana. The organic church is how you just described it - small gatherings edifying one another in Word of God.
So important! Sharing far and wide.
Thanks, Kelliann. You are a precious and faithful reader.
I couldn't have said it better myself, Tara. Narcissistic people are the be ministered TO, not to receive FROM.