Hal Lindsey wrote, “Man can live about forty days without food, about three days without water, about eight minutes without air…but only for one second without hope.” There are many people today that battle depression for one reason or another, some will survive today and sad to say, others won’t. I know personally what it is like to struggle to make it through the day. Sometimes the hardest battle is simply finding the strength to get out of bed, take a shower, put one foot in front of the other, and keep moving forward. I heard it said ” If you know someone who’s depressed, please resolve never to ask them why. Depression isn’t a straightforward response to a bad situation; at times depression just is, like the weather. Some days it is sunshine and others severe storms. Take a moment to try to understand the blackness, lethargy, hopelessness, and loneliness they are going through. Be there for them when they come through the other side. In all honesty it’s hard to be a friend to someone who’s depressed, but it is one of the kindest, noblest, and best things you will ever do.” Sometimes loving someone means simply sitting with them in silence when you don’t have the right words, listening when you don’t have answers, and reminding them that their life still has value. We may not always understand another person’s struggle, but we can choose to offer compassion instead of judgment and presence instead of silence. The Bible talks about many who battled depression. The one verse that comes to mind which encourages me and I share with others to encourage them is written in *Psalms 23:4 Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me.* God never said that we would not go through the “[deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death,” He said we wouldn’t go through it alone. There is a difference between being in a valley and believing that the valley is where your story ends. From the outside looking in, depression is hard to understand. From the inside looking out, it’s almost impossible to explain. When I am struggling, I try to remember that my worst days are never so bad that I am beyond the reach of God’s grace. And my best days are never so good that I am beyond the need of God’s grace. If you are suffering with depression or any other mental challenge, know that YOU are NOT alone, Jesus loves you and I love you too! There is a place for you among us, there is someone who cares about you, and there is still hope for your tomorrow—even if you cannot see it today. Please let me know how I can pray for you or help you in any way. No matter where you are in your journey, you are worthy of compassion, worthy of being heard, and worthy of someone walking beside you through the darkness. I do pray for any who read this that are struggling. I pray that every ounce of fear, anxiety, discouragement, and pain will be taken away and that you know that it was God who did it. Personally, there have been a few different types of people that have been involved in my life that I will never forget. Those who came to find me in the dark and brought a torch to help me see the light and find my way back. Those who came and sat with me in the dark so I wouldn’t feel alone. And those who pushed me to dark places and abandoned me there. My prayer is that we become the kind of people who carry the torch, sit in the darkness, reach out a hand, and refuse to leave someone behind. Let us be people who choose love over judgment, grace over condemnation, and hope over hopelessness. If someone around you is struggling, don’t underestimate the power of your presence—you may be the very person God uses to remind them that they are not forgotten, not abandoned, and not alone. My goal in writing this is to help others understand that there is hope without pretending the darkness isn’t real. The valley is real. The darkness is real. The pain is real. But God is there, people can be there, and the valley does not have to be the end of the story. 

If you do not have anyone you feel you can reach out to or have local spiritual support, the 988 Lifeline provides 24/7 confidential support to people in suicidal crisis or mental health-related distress. By calling or texting 988, you’ll connect to mental health professionals with the Lifeline network.

My BeLoved, may the grace and peace of the Lord Jesus, the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen. In Christ Love, douglas. HE>i. pastord.blog

Special Note: I want to thank those who read what I write and are encouraged to support the ministry God has entrusted to me either one time or have decided to give on a monthly basis. I am encouraged to see certain verses playing out before my eyes like what is written in *Philippians 4:16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.*

To any who are interested, please feel free to reach out to me with prayer requests, questions, encouragement, or for information on how to come alongside me with financial support at pastord.blog@gmail.com or I do have a Zelle account associated with my phone number, 5202720387 last name Blaser. Thank you my Beloved for your ongoing prayers and support.