By Mackenzie Young
Amid the doctored “new year, new me” posts, I feel so strongly that you need to hear honesty from your Christian community. For me, this Christmas season was the lowest point (in a season already filled with many lows). I struggled with nearly everything this past semester – even getting out of bed was a challenge. Church felt forced, and my “daily quiet time” was inconsistent at best. I felt isolated and alone. Many times these past few months, I felt like I was praying into silence.
It took me six long months filled with spiritual dry spells to realize an important truth: I was, and still am, struggling with depression.
Personally, my experience with depression was triggered by a huge life change, specifically, the decision to alter my career trajectory. However, I know that everyone has a different experience with depression, and sometimes depression isn’t really “triggered” by anything, which can make it all the more difficult.
I want you to know that God can handle your depression. He is with you in your loneliness, and He is there in your tears as well. Not only can He handle your lamentation, He wants to shoulder that burden with you.
We can take solace in the knowledge that we are not the first believers to enter this struggle. We have the company of Job and David. Psalm 42:4-5 has been my prayer this season, when simply getting out of bed was the most difficult part of my day.
“These things I remember
as I pour out my soul:
how I used to go to the house of God
under the protection of the Mighty One
with shouts of joy and praise
among the festive throng.
Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.”
Dear sister, if you are currently struggling with depression, please know that you are not alone. I am in the trenches with you, and I pray fervently that this season is short for you. Know that God is already in this struggle with you and wishes for you to simply put your hope in Him, your Savior and your God.
Your local church has resources to help you in this struggle, including contacts for Christian counselors/psychiatrists (like Meier Clinics or Sparrow House – if you’re in Dallas) that will help equip you mentally and spiritually to fight this battle. I strongly encourage you to seek out these resources. If depression is a part of your life, the team at Legacy Ladies would love to pray with you. Please contact us (anonymously or not) here, and I wish you a truly joyful and happy 2017.
Legacy Ladies 
Thank you for sharing the ugly truth of depression. So many suffer in silence.