The fact is depression is something many deal with and it is something that tends to get pushed away in the corners of our faith. "How can you be depressed when you are a Christian? You aren't praying enough. You aren't depressed, you just don't have enough of His light in you. Just get over it and be happy in Christ." And as a Christian, the shame and guilt depression brings with it can be unbearable. Sometimes you think, how could you ever be a godly man or woman when you feel this bad? Sometimes, it feels like God's love is wasted on you and it is impossible for him to make something good and beautiful out of your messed up life.

I'm here to tell you these are lies from the deepest pit of hell. I'm here to tell you that no matter how ugly you feel you are beautiful in His eyes. No matter how guilt ridden or ashamed you feel from sin or depression, He loves you with a tenacious and unrelenting love. The fact is even if you feel you don't meet up to the standards of what you think it is to be a godly man or woman, you're right, you'll never meet those standards you set for yourself because it is not you who decides what makes you beautiful, or valuable, or worthy. It is our Lord and Savior, who through Him alone, makes you worthy...and loved.

Why am I posting this? Because I want you to know you are not alone, and there is hope.

My name is Roager the Ogre, and I am a godly man who struggles with depression.

I am also:

beautiful in His eyes,

worthy to sit by His side,

made clean by His sacrifice,

but most of all, I am loved.

He is absolutely right that you are not alone. And I am seeking to remember that we do nothing--it is God who works in us, not us who work through Him. It's all Him. Always has been. Always will be.

So.

My name is J. Grace Pennington, and I am a godly woman who struggles with depression. I am beautiful, because God thinks I am and that's all that matters. I am valuable, because He valued me enough to live and die for me. I am pure, because He has forgiven me.

Most of all, I am loved. Always and forever.

Amen! Amen! Amen!

While I am not someone who struggles with depression, I can assure you you are not alone. Every day I deal with at least one troubled teen or friend who struggles with depression. It is very real, and only a fool would try to argue it away and tell you it doesn't exist and you should just "get over it". Depression is like a Mitral Valve disorder of the heart. You have no control over it. You can't make the decision to remove it and just "get over it". In fact, the only person who can is the Great Surgeon. But like any doctor, The Great Surgeon doesn't always choose to removed the defect in your heart. Sometimes the surgery to remove it would take too great a toll on your body, so it is safer to leave it and support you when the valve starts acting up.

I am Airianna Valenshia, Also known as Kaitlyn Emery, and I am here to tell you that not only am I beautiful, but so are you, because we were both made in the image of the King. We both hold tremendous value in His sight. There is no difference between us. Whether we struggle with depression or not changes little. He loves us the same. The only thing your depression changes is when you get to feel the warmth of His embrace around you. In those times when you cannot carry yourself, God will carry you!

You're all too right.

My name is Elizabeth Altenbach, and I'm a godly woman who struggles with depression. I am not tainted or dirty, because He makes me clean. I'm not unlovable, because He loves me. He values me, and He has a place and a purpose for me on this earth. And I have to trust Him to help me fulfill that purpose.

Love this, thankyou so much for sharing Roager, and for those of you who posted.

I am not someone who struggles with depression, but I have seen the effects it has in people's lives, and it breaks my heart in two. But through prayer for these people, I have seen God at work in their lives. His Word says, "I am the Lord who heals you" and that he will draw you out of the miry clay pit and put your feet upon the rock. These are promises, and God is always true to perform His Word in the lives of his saints, because He loves them! You are precious, beautiful, cherished, and valuable in my sight, and infinitely more so in God's. I will never lose hope that those I love will be made free in this life from the clutches of depression and will bask in the joy and soul peace that can be found in the presence of our Saviour.

I am BushMaid, and I stand in the gap for you and pray against all the weapons of the enemy that come against you in the mighty Name of Jesus, who hears and answers my prayers.

Thank you, all those who posted here. I don't struggle with depression, but I have friends who do, and it makes my heart ache for them.

My name is Idril Aravis Mimetes, also known as Alyssa Chua, and I'm here to tell you that you are all beautiful--fearfully and wonderfully made--because you are created by God. No matter what you are going through right now, no matter how big and dark the struggles you face seem to be, with His goodness, grace, and love, you will be able to overcome it all. Don't give up--because you are loved.

Thank you so much, everyone. I needed this today. Love you all. <3

My name is Theodora Ashcraft, and I am a godly young woman who struggles with depression. No matter what I've done, I am made clean again in Him. He loves me even when I don't love myself, because I am His daughter. I am valued, and I have a purpose in this world. And I know no matter what, He will lead me there - with His help, I can make it through the chaos, to find the purpose He has for me.

Wow, guys. This is really encouraging today, which has been hard. I'm not sure if what I struggle with is really depression, but I do know that I, Cadenza am loved by God, cleansed from sin, and called according to His purpose.

In Psalms 119, it says that "the entrance of His words gives light." That is a beautiful promise. May we let His word enter our lives.

I found this song not long ago, and the lyrics made me think of this thread.

Awesome fantastic thread. I don't suffer with it myself but I know several who do. The feeling of worthlessness, hurt, pain and hopelessness can be almost unbearable. The words to this song went through my mind

Oh, the love of God is greater far
Than gold or silver ever could afford
It reaches past the highest star
And covers all the world

To those sufferers I say whoever you are no matter how much pain you may be going through God loves you for who you are and accepts you for who you are - a precious sinner saved by the death of His Son Jesus Christ.

To those who have stated they suffer from depression you are on my prayer list. God bless your courage in admitting something that very likely you have been wrongly and cruely judged for.

Thank you, everyone. Your words mean a lot to me, and I know they do to others as well.

In the past, I've struggled with hopelessness and was even told by a psychiatrist that I should be on medication for clinical depression. I'm still not, but by the grace of God, I have not known long term depression for some time.

My name is Kitra Riniel Jasmina Skene, and there is always hope.

I do not suffer from depression, but I have a sister who has, and many friends who have before or do. And on their behalf I would like to say that you are beautiful, you are fearfully and wonderfully made. I know it can feel like you will never shake this, but remember that Yahweh, the God of the universe, loves you, and He will heal you.

My name is Calista Bethelle Holmes, and I am here to say that there is hope and peace in the Lord, and there are people ready to stand by you and pray for you.

Looking at this thread, I think it's safe to say that out of worldly sorrow often flows Godly encouragement and edification.

I'm MadeFree92, Michael Wright, and I was diagnosed with serious clinical depression. I'm wretched, horrid, depraved and lowly - the least of all saints. But God is good, God is merciful, and Jesus loves me. God has chosen of His own free will to take this chief of sinners unto Himself and call him His own. In that alone I stand, and say: I am blessed, I am free, I am accepted and I am loved.

Through all of my struggles that have torn apart my mind and shredded my health, God has shown Himself faithful, and He will show that same faithfulness to you. Hold tight to Christ in the darkest hours, and He will carry you through.

My name is Calen and I have struggled off and on with depression often stemmed from my anxiety or dyslexia, but let me tell you that God is our Rock. When all things change around us and challenge us, we have a stronghold in Him. We are not defined by the world, we are defined by God's Agape love.

I'm Kelcin, and I've suffered from non-medical depression.

Who hasn't?

Awhh look at you all! Want to give you all hugs!
It's so comforting to see people out there who don't look down on people who have struggled with depression. God is so gracious!
Such wonderful words of truth that you all have written here!

Oh you guys, this is so encouraging to see and hear.

My name is Abiah Idhrenniel, also known as Kate Pankratz and I am a godly young woman who has struggled with depression. God does not view me as worthless and He knows all that I have gone through. He loves me, cares for me and gives me hope.

What a beautiful, beautiful thread. Very encouraging.

I have never personally struggled with depression but I have a sister who has. I am Lady Elanor, also known as Stephanie Joy, and I am here to tell you that God walks closely with you through the good times and through the hard times. He never leaves your side, and never ever lets go of your hand. God, our Father, cares so much for each one of his children, He loves, cherishes and heals. He is your rock, your shelter and your comfort always.

Amen! Thank you all so much for posting, I love it!

God has placed in my heart a love for those who struggle with depression and a calling to help them. That's been made even more obvious by those He's placed close to me. I ache for those who hurt even if I haven't met them, but along with that, every person I've ever called my best friend --save one, and I'm not entirely sure about him-- has either contemplated suicide or tried it. It's real to me. It blesses me so much to see everyone sharing and comforting and talking about God's hope here.

I didn't call what I have depression until the last year, it was just seasonal and I brushed it off saying that others have it way worse. But then last year it didn't let up after winter was over, and I was stuck in that until about June of this year. And I realized, it's ok to admit I have a problem. To say I don't will just make things worse.

I still struggle with not knowing how to function or feel emotions properly on some days; I'm still scared to death that this winter will be the worst yet; I still don't trust people as friends outside of my parents, siblings, and two best friends who have stuck by me my whole life. But by God's grace I'll be ok
And so will all of you. I love you.

My name is Arias, also known as Ashley Mayberry, and I am a godly young woman who has struggled with depression. My God is merciful when I fail Him, trustworthy when no one else is, comforting when I hurt, and gives me purpose when I have none. He loves me.