Compassionate Love Blog: Displaying compassion for those who struggle with mental illness   (c)2016  Nancy Virden, Always the Fight Ministry

You matter too. This is a picture I drew depicting my sons as birds. It symbolizes raising children while dealing with major depression. One hand protected my sons and set them free when they grew up, the other clung to The Rock, Jesus Christ.

I sank a few times over the years; wasn’t always sure I would survive. Repeatedly, The Rock provided something firm to cling to either through bringing the right people at the right times or speaking to my soul himself.  When I was so far under that I could not hear his soothing calm voice, when it was impossible to feel his presence, when pain suffocated hope, The Rock remained.  He never left. When I could not hold on, The Rock held me.

Most of this I see in hindsight, which is why I drew this picture as a reminder and witness to God’s unfailing love. It was time to focus on setting myself free.  I had to learn that my life matters just because God made me.

Finding my footing has taken hard work; the climb out of the muck has required changing my worldview. Still there is The Rock, unmoving, upon whom I am building my hope. He is ever-present, ever-helping, and when major depression tries to pull me under, he reminds me what I’ve been taught, and how to pull myself out.

Why? Why, when no one could have convinced me my role in life was anything other than a sacrifice for other people,  did Jesus not leave me there? Because he knew the truth. He knew I was wrong. He wanted to teach me how unfailing his love actually is. He wanted me to know I matter to him.

You matter too.

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NOTE: I am not a doctor or mental health professional. I speak only from personal experiences with and observations of mental illness. In no way is this website intended to substitute for professional mental health care.