You might wonder about this title.

Remember, not all gifts are welcomed. Haven’t you ever received a gift that you didn’t want?

Well, depression is one of those gifts. Seriously, can’t we just send it back?

I get it.

But depression, while it’s been unwelcomed and while I hope I never experience another episode, it has made me a better person. I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase, “Make your mess your message.” That’s what I’m trying to do, make my mess my message by sharing my struggles and and my recovery.

That is true for me. Helping others overcome their depression has been my passion for many years now. I have spoken at numerous retreats, women’s conventions, churches, etc. As a former hospital chaplain. I’ve seen people at their very worst. I’ve witnessed parents who have learned their child committed suicide. I’ve been at the bedside of those who are truly suffering.

I have witnessed a lot of pain, emotional and physical. It breaks my heart. I watched my own mother suffer serious depression her entire life. I always tried to alleve her suffering but as I posted earlier this week, it is literally impossible to make another person happy.

Because of my own history, i can spot a person suffering from depression easily. I have learned the things to say and do that might help because I know what did or didn’t help me.

That’s why I used the word “gift” in regards to depression. While it wasn’t a welcomed gift, I learned so much I came to think of it as such. Without it, I think I could’ve been a non-compassionate, self-centered person. I think I could’ve gone through my life not recognizing the pain in others. I never would’ve started blogging.

I hope I’ve helped many to be completely depression free. If you didn’t read the earliest posts on this blog, you may not know why I started this second blog.

I wanted this blog to be a place where I can write freely and not feel constrained knowing family and friends will read it. This way I have a great deal more freedom. This blog will eventually be turned into a book.

You might not feel that depression is a gift, welcomed or not, at this point in your life. I didn’t either. But someday, I hope you’ll be able to look back and see how depression has made you a better person. I guess I should add here though, that depression can only do that if you’re willing to look within yourself and not depend on only pills to make you better.

I determined early on that I wasn’t going to let my depression take anything away from me. Instead, I was determined depression was going to add something to my life.

God promises only good gifts for His children. I am including two versions of this verse. I do not ordinarily read the modern translations but I thought this translation was spot-on.

GOD’S WORD® Translation:
Every good present and every perfect gift comes from above, from the Father who made the sun, moon, and stars. The Father doesn’t change like the shifting shadows produced by the sun and the moon. James 1:7

Here is a link if you want to check out other translations.

I truly believe you will come to this same place.

God bless and have a good day.

The post, “Why do I call this blog “the gift of depression”? appeared first on thegiftofdepression.com.