Depression

the Bible describes depression in several places:

Job 17:15 where then is my hope, Who can see any hope for me?

Psalm 61:2 From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint lead me to the rock that is higher than I

Psalm 69:1-3 Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me. I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched. My eyes fail,looking for my God.

Proverbs 25:20 Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar poured on soda, is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.

Ecclesiastes 4:1-3 Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun: I saw the tears of the oppressed— and they have no comforter; power was on the side of their oppressors— and they have no comforter. And I declared that the dead, who had already died, are happier than the living, who are still alive. But better than both is he who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil that is done under the sun.

Reading "laughing in the dark: a comedians Journey through Depression" by Chonda Pierce.





Check out Chonda Pierce in Rehab & Recovery Part One & Two below:

I can relate to how Chonda Pierce describes her morning here about feeling completely defeated before even putting your feet to the floor. I look forward to group after her explanation of how it was/is for her. I pray that this will be a great healing for me in my process of recovery.

In Christ Alone

Todays Gratitude Journal

1. I am grateful for sunny days
2. I am grateful that I can cook very well
3. I am grateful for the time I have with my family
4. I am grateful for my brothers sense of humor
5. I am grateful for the information I received at CR this last Thursday

A CR Introduction of Myself

Hi, my name is ______________ ( for blogging purposes I am not sharing this). I am a believer in Jesus Christ and I am in recovery for depression, anxiety, issues with anger, struggles with boundaries and codependency.

Celebrate Recovery Lesson 18: Grace (Notes from tonights meeting)

Principle 6 - Evaluate all my relationships; Offer forgiveness to those who have hurt me and make amends for harm I've done to others except when to do so would harm them or others.

"Happy are the merciful" "Happy are the peacemakers"
Matthew 5:7 and 5:9

Step 9 -

9) Made direct amends to such people whenever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. (Matthew 5:23-24)

God's Gift - 1 Peter 1:13

Receive by our faith - Ephesians 2:8-9

Accepted by God's love - Matthew 6:14

Christ paid the price - Ephesians 1:7

Everlasting gift - Philippians 1:6

In what ways have you experienced God's GRACE in your recovery?

As I begin my journey in recovery I have received God's gift of grace by faith not by my works. I have been accepted by God's love that Christ paid for so that I may have this gift forever until the day that Jesus returns. In my recovery it is only through God's grace that I will be able to overcome my hurts, habits and hangups.

2 Corinthians 12:9 - His grace is enough

Additional Scriptures/ Notes to Read:

Gifts are given w/o getting in return - Romans 3:12

1 Peter 1:13

Not by works - Ephesians 2:8-9
Trusting Christ & counting on Him alone - Philippians 3:9
Romans 5:2

Lord forgave you - Colossians 3:13

Hebrews 4:16

Ephesians 1:7

2 Thessalonians 2:16

Gratitude for Today

Up late .. still want to read. Quick list tonight!

1. I am grateful for my husband and his willingness to support me in my new journey (will be sharing more about my first CR meeting another time)
2. I am grateful for a friend that held me accountable to go to CR this evening
3. I am grateful for my church to offer a program like CR
4. I am grateful for the CR ministry
5. I am grateful for my boss for understanding my need to take some time for ME!
   
   

Gratitude is a difficult discipline to acquire. However can be done even when we do not feel like doing it. When we cant make it - fake it. Today was a hard day but it is nice to be able to see the little pieces of good - even when it is forced.

Celebrate Recovery Newcomers Video

I am at my first celebrate recovery right now!!!

Experincing Anxiety

This morning I woke up with a tremendous amount of anxiety. Todays schedule begins with rushing the children off to school and then head over to the attorney's office. Our attorney is taking on a case for something I experienced last year. I believe I have been wronged and a large non profit needs to be corrected for their doing. I do not want to share these things however I will state that I almost lost my life.

It is important that I go and discuss what happened. It is important that I go so changes can be made in my life. It is important to share my story. Its just that it brings up so much that I experienced. It brings up so much pain that I encountered - physically, mentally and emotionally.

The Bible tells me this about Anxiety:

^27-29"Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.

^30-33"If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

³⁴"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. (Matthew 6:28-34, The Message)


^16-19 Who stood up for me against the wicked?
Who took my side against evil workers?
If God hadn't been there for me,
I never would have made it.
The minute I said, "I'm slipping, I'm falling,"
your love, God, took hold and held me fast.
When I was upset and beside myself,
you calmed me down and cheered me up. (Psalm 94:18-19, The Message)

^6-7Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. (Philippians 4:6, The Message)

Today is the tomorrow we worried about yesterday. ~Author Unknown

Todays Gratitude Journal

WOW! Where do I begin? It was such a rough day today. I was woken up by my children before I was ready to get up. they did not want to listen to me at breakfast, and I was still waiting for my coffee!

Well I never want to get up in the morning, I would like to slumber all morning long. But I cannot do that........

Okay I am working on establishing an attitude of gratitude. I don't think that the above is what they meant (oops)

1. I am grateful to have a wonderful bed to sleep in
   
   
2. I am grateful that I have beautiful children
   
   
3. I am grateful to have luxuries like coffee available to me
   
   
4. I am grateful that I have a wonderful husband that allows me to stay up late to write
   
   
5. I am grateful for my ability to write
   
   
   

That was not too hard I guess.. a little awkward but I suppose I will get used to it. Please comment I would like to know what you think. Thank you!

An Attitude of Gratitude - My Gratitude Journal

This is a common activity to assist in increasing your level of happiness and your sense of well-being. I have read and experienced at times that when suffering from depression it can be almost impossible to see any good in life at all. That is why a Gratitude Journal is such an important practice for recovery.

Just write down 5 things that are good in your life. Start each one with:

• "I am grateful for..."
• I am grateful because..."

Gratitude - the quality or feeling of being grateful or thankful.

I have been told that this type of journal has a powerful soothing effect for the person writing. This is why I am going to give it a try. Please feel free to join in with me and let me know how your doing! I would love to share an attitude of gratitude with you.

"When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the morning light, for your life and strength. Give thanks for your food and the joy of living." --Chief Tecumseh

The Lifehouse Skit

Saddleback Church High School Ministry performs "The Lifehouse Skit"

In this video the girl finds herself overcome by all the vices made to look so attractive in life: sexual impurity, greed for money, drinking, bulimia, and cutting.

The lies that she has been told about her worthlessness and inability to measure up lead her into depression, attempted suicide, and ultimately into a desperation that motivates her to once again seek her first love.

Only after the girl hits rock bottom does she remember the true source of her joy, a relationship with Christ.

Can you relate?

I can.

1 John 4:4 - You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world

Celebrate Recovery

Are life's struggles weighing you down?
Are your past failures holding you back?
What are you running from?

Wether it is drug abuse, addiction, alcoholism, depression, unworthiness, perfectionism, people pleasing, insecurity, sexual addiction, lies, abuse, eating disorders, cancer, loss, anger, anxiety, divorce, materialism ...

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO RUN OR HIDE ANYMORE!!!!

Break Free from the chains!

You Are Not Alone!



Grace, Forgiveness, Love, Mercy, Healing, Hope, Freedom, Joy, Support

Celebrate Recovery - a safe place to recover from life's Habits, Hurts and Hang- Ups through a Christ- Centered 12 step recovery program. Click here to find a group near you.

Current life's struggles are weighing me down, past failures are holding me back. I am running from depression, unworthiness, perfectionism, people pleasing, insecurity, lies, abuse, loss, anger, anxiety, divorce, materialism and various other skeletons in my closet.

But I do not want to run anymore because I am starting to fall. I am a mom, a wife, a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a friend ... I cannot fall anymore! Above all else I am a Christian. I am ready for these chains to be broken.

I am beginning my celebration of recovery. I am attending Celebrate Recovery this week for the first time. As a writer I began this blog to share my process with you. I pray that others will follow in support and I pray that others will come to find that they are ready for their chains to be broken too!

Feel free to pray, comment, subscribe and e-mail (mycelebrationofrecovery@yahoo.com)