depression

depression is real. i would venture to say it affects 1 out of 3 people, that statistic may even be 2 out of 3 people.

what can you do? love and walk with them. be patient and compassionate and of course all the while pronouncing freedom over them until they can speak it over their own life and begin to maintain their own freedom.

by His grace, i am thankful i was obedient to the prompting of the holy spirit today at work. it was right after lunch and i needed to get going with my work. i looked across my shoulder and saw a coworker. i sensed i needed to say hello (she wasn't looking towards my direction so she would have never known if i saw her but of course, i knew and God knew). i honestly didn't want to take any more personal time while on the clock so i quickly rationalized in my mind that i indeed needed to get back to work. the holy spirit prompted again, i looked back and turned back to my computer. the 3rd time i knew i needed to obey, so i said "hello and asked how her doctor appointment went last week." she came over and began to share a few things which led into a series of things i have been researching as well and "stumbled" upon just the other day. as we began to talk more, i shared with her an article i read and finally at the end of it all, she shared she has been suffering from depression.

it's amazing what God wants to do if we would just take a moment to notice someone. she made an interesting comment, one that is a humbling had it not been the holy spirit is that she said i was able to look past her mask and see the real her.

people are hurting and often times we are in such a hurry we don't even stop and realize it. that was a complete holy spirit inspired conversation and the interesting thing is God has been preparing it for a while -- articles here, another sisters' story i have been ministering to and bits and pieces of my own personal story to include my physical health bouts.

depression is a disease of the soul -- there is a "dis-ease" within the soul that throws all things off balance as my pastor would say. depression is real. stop and notice someone.