In this Christmas season, not everyone is saying “It’s a wonderful life.”
Maybe that’s you, friend. I have hope for you today if you are dealing with depression at Christmas.
Prefer to listen? Here’s the podcast episode:
When It’s Not A Wonderful Life
I remember the first time I watched “It’s a Wonderful Life.” I was 16 years old in December 1993, and I was wrapping presents with my stepfather. He was surprised I’d never seen the film. I didn’t know where the story was headed, but my interest was piqued since George seemed so despondent. I could relate.
No one, not even my family, knew that two months prior, I was struggling with suicidal thoughts every day. They knew I was sad when my best friend moved away. They knew I was sleeping too much, withdrawing, and eating more than was healthy.
But they didn’t know I would take the bottle of naproxen from the cabinet after school, twirl it around, and wonder how much I could swallow to never wake up again.
I watched George Bailey stand on the bridge, willing to jump into the darkness. I thought, Someone else understands. (When you’re depressed, you think you’re the only one feeling the way you do.)
Finding Hope in a Christmas Movie
Then I tried to hide my tears as I watched George realize the value of his life. As his family welcomed them back into his arms. When the whole town supported him. As his brother Harry toasted him.
I walked to my room, even though I wanted to run. Burying my face in my pillow, I sobbed and prayed with the slightest hope: “God, does my life really matter? I don’t think it does, but do You?”
God used that movie to give me hope in a very dark time. He knew I needed that hope to get through Christmas, and he used a movie made before I was born to whisper the message to me.
I share this story today with you because I know many of you are hurting today, like I was in that Christmas season years ago. Maybe you feel depressed. Perhaps you are grieving. Maybe you are exhausted, beaten down, and discouraged.
Slowly read God’s truth:
Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 NIV
God will use anything he wants to tell you he loves you no matter what. A call from a friend. A song on the radio. A smile from a stranger. A clip from a movie.
Look for these glimpses of hope all around you. If this season is too dark to handle by yourself, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. I have healed from my past dark seasons, but it required five years of counseling. There is no shame in receiving professional help for depression. It may even save your life.
If You Are Struggling This Christmas
Friend, if you are struggling with depression, I would be honored to lift you up in prayer this season. You can email me your prayer requests by using my Contact page, and I promise to keep them confidential.
You can also gain hope and perspective by checking out my other posts on recovering from depression:
How God Lifted Me Out of the Pit
How to Find Hope and Help as a Depressed Wife
3 Ways Depression Affects Your Marriage
Also, I encourage you to receive a free, one-time counseling call from Focus on the Family HERE.
If You Aren’t Struggling This Christmas
If you aren’t struggling, remember that many hurting people need to see Jesus through you this season. Pray that God would give you opportunities to listen, share, smile, and give. Ask him to give you eyes to see and ears to hear a hurting heart. Then be the hands and feet of Jesus this Christmas. If you have a story to share of how God is speaking to you, I’d love to hear it! Simply comment below.
I pray God gives your heart peace today. Abundant peace to share with others who are hurting and abundant peace to heal if you are the hurting one.
This Christmas, not everyone is saying 'It's a wonderful life.' Here's hope for you today if you are dealing with depression at Christmas. #christmaspeace #emotionalhealth #depression Click To Tweet
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