Feeling good isn’t necessary to get better when you’re depressed .

Do you have to “feel” good in order to begin your journey to wholeness?

It’s really kind of funny. Feelings of doom and gloom are what hold us down when we are depressed. We hate those feelings. We hate feeling so miserable, feeling no joy, feeling such dread. So naturally we think those feelings have to be gone before we can take on any new battles. But if you could do that, you wouldn’t be depressed in the first place.

Right?

It’s when we’re feeling the worst that we need to take that first step to wholeness, even though the timing couldn’t be worse. But it can be the tiniest of steps, no more than a barely recognizable footprint in the sand.

That tiny first step is telling yourself you can get better, that you will get better. An small affirmation TO to yourself FOR yourself.

Don’t wait till you feel better.

This first step in believing you can get better is what will give you that sliver of hope and actually make you feel a little better.

My daughter has just received the news that she needs to have an ultrasound because her mammogram was suspicious. You may think, “Yea, that happens all the time. No big deal.” Right?

Well, she’s been through this a number of times. She suffers from severe anxiety. The follow-up ultra-sound is not until next week. So how do you think she’s going to spend these next days?

She has fought this anxiety for years. It can get really bad for her if she dwells on the negative and she has worked hard to get better. I told her the same thing I’m telling you, that she had to believe she could get over her anxiety. She’s handling this really well.

What do any of us have to lose by telling ourselves we will get better.

I am not minimizing anxiety. Believe me. I know how hard it is. I know that it sounds absolutely ridiculously simple to think that just by affirming to yourself you will get better that you actually will.

With almost any “recovery” story you read success began when the person believed they could do it. What we tell ourselves is important

Wherever you are on your faith journey or whether you’re even on a faith journey, God does not want this for you and He is there for you during this healing process.

You can do this. You can be depression-free.

God bless and have a great day.

Rebecca

Hi. I'm so glad you're here. My blog focuses on faith and mental health issues such as mood disorders like depression, anxiety, and dysthymia (chronic low moods that don't qualify as depression.) I post DIY and decorating projects when I can. My book, "Depression Has A Big Voice. Make Yours Bigger! (Expanded Edition), is on sale at all online retailers. I have a Psychology degree and post-graduate courses in Clinical Pastoral Education. I am a former hospital chaplain, Bible teacher, and retreat/conference inspirational speaker. Thank you for visiting and may you feel God's presence today.

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