From Depression to Finding God’s JoySample

Praising in the Battle

When I wrote a book about how God helped me leave the dark of depression and step into the joy and peace of His light, I realized it would be a lot more comfortable to keep some of the uglier parts of the story hidden. I toyed with the idea of omitting some details or rewriting them, but those are my battle wounds, and they’re not just for me. They’re meant to bring glory to God and benefit others.

I am glad that the Bible includes David’s indiscretion with Bathsheba, Peter’s denial of Christ, Thomas’ doubts, and Paul’s thorn in the flesh. I am thankful Paul speaks about how he pleaded with the Lord to remove that thorn to no avail. In the times where I, too, have begged God for something only to receive no for an answer, I find comfort in the Apostle Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 12:9: “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

We serve a God who uses our thorns, frustrations, and scars. Don’t you love telling a good scar story? The time you wiped out on your bike as a kid and got that permanent scar on your left knee? I think God wants us to tell each other our scar stories so we know we’re not the only ones, and we can see how God can turn our weaknesses into strengths.

Ultimately, my story is not about me. It’s a story about a big God who has changed one woman’s life in unbelievable ways. He’s taken my heart of stone and replaced it with a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26). He’s made me a worshiper.

I can praise Him because He fights my battles and has secured the victory. Hallelujah! Praise turns my eyes away from my situation toward God’s unlimited resources. Worshiping the Almighty God gives me the strength to stay on the path and hope that everything in my life — including pain and loss — has a purpose. Your life has a purpose, too — every moment, every victory, every scar. Worship God today because the battle has already been won, and He goes before you and with you!

Getting Real

• Do you have a “scar story” — a time when God brought you through something hard or redeemed bad choices in your life? Is there someone who needs to hear your scar story?