“For I have not given you a spirit of fear but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” NKJV

This past week, one of our local weather forecasters committed suicide.  As I listened to the report, I was grieved for his family, his friends, but even more for him.  He was one of the best weather forecasters in our area.  He was very whitty and was always “joking around”, playing pranks on the other cast members.

As I watched his co-workers struggle through the announcement of his unnecessary death (at 39 years of age), I couldn’t help but think of how tragic this event was and how satan had robbed him and his family.  I don’t know why he chose to end his life; but I do know that if he had reached out for help, he would still be alive. 

Thinking about his situation also made me reflect upon a time in my own life when depression attacked me.  I’ve always been a very out-going person.  I love to laugh, tease, and simply have fun!  But several years ago, the enemy launched an attack against me through a character assassination.  I found myself living “in a bubble”, going through the motions of my life as normal, while hiding what was really going on in my mind and emotions.

I had become a “master” at hiding my tears.  No one around me knew the silent hell that I was going through, not even my precious husband.  The enemy planted thoughts in my mind that I never thought possible.  I mean, I was strong!  I helped other people with these issues, I didn’t struggle with these issues myself….or so I thought! 

It was a long, difficult battle.  I had to constantly stand on Scripture and fight against the enemy. I know without a doubt that had I not been so firmly grounded in God’s Word, I would have made choices that would have destroyed my family and taken my life!

Thank God for His Word!  Thank God for His promises!  Thank God for His help in my time of trouble!

If you’ve been struggling with fear, anxiety, or depression, let me say boldly to you today:  YOU ARE NOT ALONE!  There is no shame in asking for help.  Get into God’s Word, seek Christian counseling, fight the enemy with every fiber of your being, break the chains of bondage off of your life (every moment of every day), and find a prayer partner who will “stand in the gap” for you and with you!