Darkness has found its way in my life time and time again. However while talking with a friend I found myself going down memory lane remembering how I experienced depression as a child and did not know it was depression. I remember how I felt heavy, gloomy, mad, emotional, and sad most days of the month. I would begin to say I had 29 dark days and 2-3 light days depending on the month.
I recall in my twenties God opening the reality that I had lived a life of depression, but the problem that came to light was now that I know I am experiencing depression and not just a miserable person what do I do?
I made and appointment with my primary care doctor, who referred me to a mental health therapist.
I was excited to start the sessions with this person, because I had been so unhappy for so long that I just wanted peace.
Well myself and the therapist met… She was very nice and i liked her. She did and assessment and recommended I come once a week. Along with the sessions she recommended that I talk with my primary care doctor about medication to help with the depression symptoms.
I did as she asked. However, my reason for writing is to let everyone who reads this post know that there is know escaping dark seasons. It is wonderful to have a support system while your going through such times as I have and continue to, but the missing ingredient to the issues I had was CHRIST.
Christ is familiar with darkness, depression, oppression, obsession, recession, sickness, disease, ADHD, ADD, Asperger’s, bipolar, schizophrenia, HIV, PTSD, compulsive behaviors and even sexual dysfunctions.
What we find though is people in our families putting off or even negating to accept that they need mental help or attention. Many people are embarrassed to go to a therapist or marriage counselor, because of stigmas. But when we think about the body and the stressors we experience living through the economic, political, and social issues we have to put pride aside and think of the value of maintaining our mental state.
If your okay with going to the doctors for physical challenges why not consider going for memory loss, or depression. You see the earlier the symptoms are dealt with the less progressive the challenge becomes.
Things to consider
*Wanting peace and doing what it takes to receive peace
*Prolonging mental health challenges can become severe or permanent
*Understand Its okay to have a support system such as therapist, psychiatrist, life coach, or even marriage counselor.
The purpose of these professionals are to evaluate and recommend healing in the measure that’s suitable for each individual they work with.
Back to the darkness in my life…. I found Christ because of this darkness, I also found my ability to create. For instance I found that I was able to cut hair through the depression I experienced and the most wonderful thing about this was I found cutting hair to be like a prayer. I mean I would go to a place when I began to start a cut a place that was heavenly. If I was angry or had been experiencing a bad day, the hair cut would change my perspective, attitude, along with the thoughts of anger, which would fade away. The other thing I think of is how my children were formed in my belly, in total darkness. For nine months each child that is born is formed in darkness, which when you really think about what’s written pertaining to birth and discovery it gets a little deep! However, many of us have been taught darkness is bad. Gods word say’s, Isaiah 45:7King James Version (KJV)
7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things. As I allow myself to think unlimited also looking at my pain clearly and the blessing that came from my dark days, my perspective began to change.
I started to rethink things regarding darkness being bad, because so much good comes out of darkness. What we do not know we find in the darkness. Even the bible tells us that God created light… created light! Out of darkness so we find it is Good.
Let me know your thoughts on darkness, because the Spirit of the Lord is really challenging my thoughts. The other thing is do not prolong mental health challenges you or a family member might be experiencing. Call your primary care physician to get the resolve you need!
Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio /National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-888-628-9454
Las Vegas Suicide Prevention Center 702 456-0244
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) 702 598-1888
Gamblers Anonymous 888 442-2110
Clark County Poison Control 888 446-6179, 800-222-1222
Montevista Psychiatric Hospital 702 364-1111
WestCare Emergency Shelter 702 385-3330
WestCare Youth Emergency Shelter 702 385-3332
WestCare Detoxification Center 702 383-4044
Safe House Domestic Violence 702 564-3227
Safe Nest Domestic Violence 702 646-4981
Hotlines
Clark County Child Abuse Hotline 702 399-0081
Gambling Hotline 888-442-2110
Gambling Problem Helpline 800 522-4700
Las Vegas Runaway Hotline 800 621-4000
National Child Abuse Hotline 800 252-2873
National Youth Crisis Hotline 800 448-4663
Rape Crisis Hotline 702 366-1640, TTD: 702 385-4979
Suicide Hotline 800 333-5580
Suicide Prevention Center of Clark County 702 731-2990
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