Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, ‘If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.(John 8:31-32)
“Your depression is in remission.”
An unlikely word of healing.
I had been through one of the worst experiences of depression in my life. But I had sought treatment. With the aid of the mental health professionals and my desire to do whatever I could to enable my own healing, and, I am sure, the prayers of others, I was now relatively well.
“Your depression is in remission,” the psychiatrist declared.
That simple phrase helped me see my depression and myself in a different light. Of course I had had bouts of depression before. It was something that happened to me from time to time. Oftentimes I could see a cause – a reaction to an ongoing stressful situation, but sometimes it just seemed to happen. But that little phrase helped me see that depression is actually a part of who I am and is, perhaps, as unchangeable as my eye colour. It is one of my disabilities, but it is manageable.
For me faith has to be about the here and now. The here and now as it actually is. Honestly. Without illusion. The psychiatrist spoke the truth of my situation.
“The truth will make you free.” The word of truth became a word of healing. My depression had not gone away, but I was free. Ω
Reflect: When has a word of truth been a word of healing? What illusions or untruths about your life are you upholding even now? Ask God to open your ears and heart to the word of truth you most need to hear.
#Lent2020 © Sanctuary, 2020.
Healing
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