Spring is ahead!

Springtime is beautiful! We just moved back to Atlanta from Savannah, GA. The beauty of spring takes on a whole new light down there. The colors, the warmth, the beauty is like none other. Spring is beautiful regardless of the location though. It is a refreshing relief from cold dark winters. It’s new. It’s beautiful! It’s spring!

But I wonder, would spring be as beautiful if it did not follow winter? What if spring came after summer? Would we appreciate its beauty or warmth?

Recently, God has taken me through a wintry, dark season. In fact, let me be open and share that I have struggled with depression for about three years. It makes very little to no sense as to why I struggle, except to me and the Lord. I dealt with it in my own way. You would never know it. I put on a good face. Depression is a terrible disease. It steals my joy. It robs me of happiness. It cost me my time. It walls up my relationships.

I remember one spring a few years ago. I was driving downtown. The azaleas were just starting to bloom. The sky was crystal blue. The grass was a new shade of green, but I could not feel it. Although I could see it with my eyes, my soul felt nothing. (Somebody understands what I am talking about). I would walk on the beach and be numb to the wonder and beauty of it all. I would listen to my son laugh and feel no joy. I would play with him and feel no happiness. I was tired. I was apathetic. I was trapped. I was sad. I could not escape it.

BUT! To God be the glory! He has brought me through.”He redeemed my soul from going down to the pit, and I will live to enjoy the light.” Job 33:28 The “how”, I will not explain here, but the fact hat He did is what I want to share with you!

Winter is behind me and, glory to God, spring is ahead!

I will never say, I am “over depression”. It is something I fight daily.  It’s the ability to fight that is a blessing! A few days ago the Lord finally brought me to this point where I was able to say “Thank you!”. “Thank you Jesus for allowing me to walk those dark days! Thank you for letting me feel the sadness! Thank you!!!”

Why?

Because now I appreciate the “spring”! I appreciate the ability to feel joy and enjoy happiness. He has brought me out of a dark pit and in to the light! I was in the light before but I took it for granted! I didn’t realize what a blessing it was to be able to play with my kids. I didn’t appreciate the jolt in my spirit when I felt the beauty of the sunrise! Before depression, I never knew what it was like to feel the numbness and disconnect from life, so I was unable to appreciate the life He gives. He brought me into a low valley and now I know the height of the mountain I stand on!

Springtime is beautiful because it comes after the dark cold, winter.

If you are in a dark season, hold fast to Jesus, He will see you through to the light!

Trisha is a wife, mom, friend, artist, blogger, couponer, homemaker, cook, and bargain shopper… through God’s amazing grace and love she lives for Him! For more about her check out her blog: writingaboutthejourney.wordpress.com