Gifts For A Broken World

The LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory. Deuteronomy 20:4, NIV

I’VE SEEN GRACE written on a prescription note. I’ve seen it sitting on a couch in a counselor’s office. In a latte and scone from a friend who brought them to me after a particularly miserable week. And on my carpet in the shape of tears. If we are willing and open to see that God can work in almost any possible way, we will find strength and grace to overcome so much.

Like depression.

God can use anything to redeem and restore His broken people. He uses supplements, food, exercise, antidepressants, counseling, sleep, community, prayer, and His Word, to name a few. But if I’m honest, as I’ve faced my own battles with depression, I’ve wondered, Can I trust Jesus and take antidepressants? Is this allowed? Or is my faith too small and my depression too big for God?

In these moments I forget that when the world fell, everything fell with it. Things simply do not work the way they were supposed to. But by God’s grace, He gives good gifts to help us through. Jesus and antidepressants are not opposites—far from it. Sometimes it takes great faith to take medication. To understand that medicine is a gift from God—given to help aid us in this broken world.

As one who works in ministry, I teach about Jesus, share about Jesus, and lead others to Jesus. One may be tempted to think that with all this extra Jesus-padding, I would be Bubble Wrapped and immune to depression. But I am not. Those who pastor are not. People of all shapes, sizes, and spiritualities are not.

What I do know through my own battle is when we fight depression, God fights with us. And when we surrender, God fights for us. We never battle alone. If you battle depression daily, God sees you. If you get out of bed, reach out to a friend to share your sadness, or go to work, this is God’s grace fighting alongside you with each small step. Your fight is good. Hard. Valiant. And He’s given you gifts of rest and medicine and exercise and counseling to help you through.

In my fight, I’m learning I need to surrender to Him afresh every day. To rest. To sit in silence for a few minutes. To take a shower. To take a slow walk. To remember who will fight for me when the simple tasks feel impossible. To know I have a very real Advocate who sees me, loves me, delights in me, fights for me, and wants me to overcome.

We don’t battle alone.

God is fighting with you and for you. Trust in the gifts He gives.

GRACE REFLECTION: Is there a gift you’ve seen others use in their fight against depression that you have been unwilling to try? Is there something you believe is counter to your faith? Take those thoughts to God, and ask Him to speak to you about them.