I believe every victory Jesus grants us has its divine purpose of making His name known. Every victory carries the very DNA of our King and the power to lift up our faith in Him. The world needs to know His power and I feel compelled to share my story.
“When they walk through the Valley of Baca (the Valley of Weeping), it will become a place of refreshing springs.”
The Valley of Baca
For a long time, I had struggled with depression, anxiety disorder, and suicidal thoughts on a daily basis. During those days, about 75% of my mental energy was used to combat negative emotions and to restrain myself from self-destructive behaviours; the remaining 25% was in no way enough to sustain my daily routine. Depression was a domino effect that toppled over every aspect of my life: my physical health, career, social life, relationships, etc. My life was utterly broken by the way I perceived a series of undesirable circumstances and abusive relationships.
I sought comfort and solutions in all the wrong places, and there came a moment when I realized I must turn to God, my creator. Not crying to Him for help, or perpetually asking Him WHY, but simply exalting Him.
Baby Steps of Praise
Out of obedience, I began uttering a few words of praise. I tried to do it every day in my room, or sometimes in a park. As time went on, I tried to add more words when I praised Him. Many times, I had felt the discrepancies between what I sang and what I thought fiercely tearing me apart. That feeling coupled with an inner voice accusing myself of hypocrisy became numbing. Nonetheless, I pressed on. I sang at the top of my lungs, letting my praise completely drown out all the inner accusations. Even my neighbours could hear my shouts of praise. I explored various avenues to worship God, and I seized every opportunity to worship Him. I surrounded myself with others that also exhibited an extraordinary passion for God.
The Place of Refreshing Springs
This practice went on for at least two years, during which I established my secret place in Him. This was a place where I was fully and deeply attracted to Him. This was where I continually surrendered myself to Him, and where I gained heavenly perspectives and wisdom. Here was where I realized my own faults and responsibilities and I learned to embrace my difficult past in the light of His goodness. This was truly where I found hope to restore broken relationships. I discovered my precious identity, and where I gathered the strength to live life again. This was also the place where I developed a compelling passion for His name and His attributes, which was eventually transformed into the website you are visiting now.
“The vicissitudes of life are the training grounds for true worshippers, whose devotion does not rely on favourable circumstances, but solely on God’s unchanging goodness.
Consider it a gift when God is your only option.”
In retrospect, I see why and how praising God had powerfully lifted me out of depression. I encourage you to read on.
OVERCOMING DEPRESSION
THROUGH PRAISE (2)
OVERCOMING DEPRESSION
THROUGH PRAISE (3)