As a woman, we are taught to be good wives, good moms, always have the house clean, dishes done, meals cooked, and to make it look easy and like we enjoy it 100% of the time. Add a job into there, duties outside the home, and continue looking like you have it all together all the time.
That stress in and of itself is impossible and unrealistic. We do not have to be put together all the time.
Then to add in even more, what if you suffer from depression? When you are in the midst of a deep, dark depression, it is an accomplishment to make it out of bed. To me, the depression I deal with is like a fog bank. Some days, it is barely there and dissipates very quickly. Other days, it is not there at all. But there are days that is just is so thick, so dense, making it out of bed is a HUGE accomplishment. But then, on top of that, I feel like I have to smile, to act all happy and healthy, to put on my "Miss America" face and let the world think I am 100% on top of it! That makes it impossible to do. It adds more stress. It adds more depression because, I can not do it!
So all those lies begin: You are a lousy mom! You are a lousy wife! You cant even make the bed! You cant do anything! You are worthless!
And that is when the word "DONE!" comes to mind.
But that is the world. That is not of Christ!
A few days ago, it hit me like a ton of bricks. It is OK to not have it put together. It is OK to ask for help! It is OK to ask my loving husband to make a decision on his own. It is OK to ask my son to make himself something to eat. It is OK to cry. It is OK to hurt. It is OK to be covered in fog as long as I don't give up. God's Word overrides worldly thinking and no where in the Bible do I see where it says you have to be this, this, this, and this or rely on your own strength. It is time to embrace the fog and seek out the light! At the end, I will give you some scripture to ponder.
Even the thickest fog is lifted at some point.
Sure, it comes back but it does always lighten up. Especially when the sun shines through. We need the SON! I need the Son!
I am ever reminded of Mary and Martha. (Luke 10:38-42) Martha as just like most of us, a put together, on top of it all, but she is one stressed out lady! Mary, she knew better. She knew what was important and she knew it was OK to not have it all done! She knew she needed the Son! vs 41 and 42 “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
I also like that in verse 40 Martha says, "Lord, do you not care...." Isn't that so true. When our priorities are too much or our fog bank rolls in, it is so true of us to think that no one cares. But it is just the opposite! He cares so much for us, He wants us to let it go and sit with Him.
It is OK to be depressed! It is OK to have a fog bank around you for days on end, just remember to let the Son in because that is what we need to see hope. And hope is what we need! I pray that this give you hope and a reminder that it is OK not to be perfect, Jesus loves us as we are!
I pray that you have the hope of Jesus! If you don 't please, just ask and I will share with you. I also pray you have loving and compassionate people in your life who will help you just be you, even if that is just getting out of the bed one day and that being your accomplishment. My husband and son are those for me. I thank God for them being in my life. But even they can fail so above and beyond them, I am glad I have my Jesus as He is my hope and my life.
" God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1,
"Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face evermore!" 1 Chornicles 16:11, ( Seek the Son and don't rely on your own strength when you can use His strength!)
" Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 11-13
If you have not read Philippians 4, I would encourage you to do so. It is such a great letter to get your head thinking about joyful things, true things, and about Him.
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