By Nancy Virden (c)2025

If you follow this blog, you may have noticed a strain pervading my peace over the past two months. It began with an incident involving what I thought was discrimination, grew to what I perceived as stigma, and now ends with good news. All misunderstandings have been cleared up, my voice has been heard, and peace has returned.

Communication over these issues was first attempted via email. This ended up not being so helpful when an email was missed, feelings were hurt, and misunderstandings grew. I spent a few weeks nursing my wounds, uncertain what to do next. Anger rose. Unvalidated anger turns inward, which molds into depression.

Finally, I requested a face-to-face meeting. Two of the people involved explained their views, I asked pointed questions, they answered, apologies abounded from all sides, and assumptions and misperceptions were met with reason. Still, depression was growing worse and speedily.

I asked God to protect me, and the thought of contacting one of the parties once more crossed my mind. I asked one more question: Next time I do something you think is a little off, would you promise to give me the benefit of the doubt and not assume I am having a mental health crisis?

He said yes, he had never meant to do that, and with one more explanation, I realized I had misjudged one of his prior statements as stigma (see my last post).

I feel better. However, testing readers’ memories once again, I wrote on July 7 and 31 that I was trying to crawl out of a depressive hole and taking difficult steps to recover. The incidents I’ve described occurred only weeks later. Recovery has had an uphill battle.

I’m still sad, although depression got a kick in the seat. I’ll be okay. Recovery can take longer than we wish because of the physical components that have to complete their course. Recovery is on a continuum; we move forward one notch at a time. Sometimes we fall back, or may even have good days. Depression still holds the reins, but more and more loosely as time passes. We can quicken recovery by practicing resiliency skills, determining to look for the good in each day, and granting ourselves permission to feel good.

It’s a trek I am still on, but this is Always The Fight. How nice it might be if there were never a need to weaponize our minds and will against our mental health difficulties. That is not reality for many. Be encouraged! Ask Jesus to help you shake off any sins that may be holding you back. Turn your thoughts to his hope. Communicate to clear up misunderstandings. Trek on, one notch at a time.

COMMENTS WELCOME

Today’s Helpful Word

1 Peter 5:6-8

 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

If you are feeling suicidal or concerned about someone who is, in the U.S., call 988, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. For a list of international suicide hotlines, go here.

If you are suicidal with a plan, immediately call 911 in the U.S. or go to your nearest emergency room; in the EU, call 112. (For other international emergency numbers, go here.) Hope and help are yours!

Always the Fight Ministries (ATFM) has been displaying compassion for those fighting mental illness, addiction, or abuse since 2012. Nancy is the founder and voice of ATFM and openly shares her emotional resurrection from despair. 

NOTE: Nancy is not a doctor or a mental health professional and speaks only from personal experience and observations. This website is not intended to substitute for professional mental or behavioral health care.

_{HOLY BIBLE, NEW LIVING TRANSLATION, COPYRIGHT © 1996, 2004, 2015 BY TYNDALE HOUSE FOUNDATION. USED BY PERMISSION OF TYNDALE HOUSE PUBLISHERS, INC., CAROL STREAM, ILLINOIS 60188, PER BIBLE GATEWAY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. RETRIEVED FROM HTTPS://WWW.BIBLEGATEWAY.COM/}