By Nancy Virden (c)2026 AlwaysTheFight.com

December 2024. A huge disappointment led to a bad case of burnout and depression that lasted a year and a half. For months, I isolated, achieving the bare minimum as my mood worsened. In June of 2025, I strategized ways of climbing out of the negativity.

Firstly, I set up a ride to a women’s church group that was to begin in September. Secondly, I joined in with other members of the household on a more regular basis. Thirdly, I planned to attend church on Wednesday evenings beginning in August.

These plans lifted my mood, and I saw hope for a better future. That is, until another shocking disappointment swept me up in the rug being pulled out from under my feet in July. I was removed from a duty I’d held for five years. It felt like an injustice – I still do not agree with the premise of the decision – and I felt unwanted. For a few weeks and months, I denied how much it hurt. Determined to be cool about it, I soon realized my strength was not holding out, and I sought professional support.

By December, my mood had plummeted. Old negative coping mechanisms had reentered the picture. As I felt guilt and shame, the therapist said, “Instead of Nancy who failed, how about ‘Nancy who shows up?'” I had, after all, shown up to the session.

Nancy, who shows up, became my mantra. I took on a job at the beginning of the year and poured everything into the training for up to ten hours a day, several days a week. The venture produced no upside, and in April, I quit. It was one part of a perfect storm.

I was not well yet, and trying to fly high on broken wings led to the ultimate crash. A major loss, domestic issues, poor job results, an emotional gut punch, and all the anxiety and stress connected to the above piled on until I was questioning my value and worth. This is bipolar depression. It is not unavoidable, but I was not practicing the steps and exercises that I know (and teach!) that work for prevention. As a result, I took myself to the ER for suicidal ideation on April 2.

Since then, an 8-week intensive program has had me traveling 80 minutes round-trip three times a week. For three hours each day, an IOP group explored the stark reality of our negative mindsets and how to improve them. I showed up, and last Thursday, graduated from the program.

I was told I seem different than when I first came there. I am different. For the first time in a year and a half, I can say I am at peace, whole, and ready to face what life (God) gives me. I’m no longer depressed, no longer fragile, and I see a long run of mental health before me.

This is an answer to prayer, tiny pleas to a big God who hears the cries of His children. I am grateful.

-COMMENTS WELCOME

Today’s Helpful Word

Psalm 40:2

He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.

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.

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