Living with Clinical Depression: Celebrating Progress

My husband Dan keeps encouraging me to write about my experiences with depression and other difficulties in life. I wonder to myself why would anyone want to hear what I have to say about this. Maybe it would be better to hear from someone who really has victory over depression or someone who no longer struggles like I do.

As I think on this, I realize that though I am still a work in progress, I can share with you even the smallest things that help me in my struggle. Maybe that will help you somehow. That is why I really want to share. We are all in this together and we are being changed as we call upon the name of Jesus  and ask for HIS help.

When I catch myself thinking of my lack of progress or where I should be I am reminded of a part of my therapy…celebrate each victory…no matter how small.

One way to eliminate  negative thinking  and  hopelessness  is to look for progress no matter how small it may seem in the eyes of others or in comparison to what I was previously able to accomplish.
Life is 2 steps forward and one step backward sometimes. Don’t focus on the step backward but the step forward. CHOOSE TO CELEBRATE. That choice helps us to grow.

Some days we don’t move at all. Celebrate the fact that you are stable that day and that you are not moving backwards.

The days you do loose some ground or fall back in your progress, Thank GOD that He gives us another day to do the work, review the steps towards health, and turn it around. We should never allow ourselves to think that we have lost ground but rather we are still learning and each time we review our new way of thinking or reacting we are flexing our muscles and putting into practice  what will help us grow. Practice is doing the same thing over and over again so we will be able to do it well without hardly having to think about it. That is what we want! We replace the old with the new. Unhealthy ways die and are replaced with healthier ways. PROGRESS! CELEBRATE!

The days when you can’t even do that, DON”T GIVE UP!  Pray! Remember that your Father loves you just the way you are and rest in the knowledge that you will get the victory with His help and just hang on to His promises. Help is on the way.