EP. 83: Living with Depression (Best of 2021 with Sarah Robinson)

Disclaimer: This conversation is about intrusive thoughts, depression, and suicidal desires, and could be triggering for some listeners. No one in this conversation is a trained counselor, therapist, or medical professional. The show is not intended to offer medical advice. If you or someone you know struggles with anything discussed in this episode, please seek professional medical council and assistance.

In this Episode:

How many of us deal with depression, anxiety, or intrusive thoughts but don’t ever talk about it? In places where we should feel safe, we often fear judgment or feel anxiety while trying to diagnose where our thoughts may be coming from. Not to mention the stigma that comes when we begin discussing mental health with others. On this “best of” God Hears Her episode, Eryn and Elisa revisit a conversation with Sarah J. Robinson where they talk about mental health and Sarah’s journey of understanding her own depression.

About Our Guest:

Sarah J. Robinson once believed her lifelong battle with depression made her a bad Christian. And yet, through her years of shame, self-harm, and suicide attempts, Sarah learned that God is present in our deepest darkness. Sarah is now an author and speaker who helps others discover that mental illness doesn’t disqualify them from living rich, beautiful lives in Christ. Drawing from a decade of ministry experience and the mental health field, Sarah helps readers fight for wholeness and cultivate joy. She lives in Nashville with her husband.

Notes and Quotes:

• “I didn’t know my thoughts were not what everyone else was thinking.”
• “The common misconception is that depression is sadness.”
• There is a difference between intrusive thoughts and suicidal thoughts/tendencies.
• “We sort of overlooked passages in Scripture where God walked through suffering with people.”
• “There is that honeymoon phase of faith where everything is new and awesome, but I quickly learned that I couldn’t just ‘choose joy.’”
• “Nothing helped because I had an illness that needed to be treated, not a lack of prayer or a lack of faith.”
• “I remember journaling and thinking, You deserve more than this, God. You are perfect and deserve more than this mess.”
• “People mean well, but they are ill-informed or ill-equipped.” 
• “People who really wanted to love me well are the people that said the most hurtful things.”
• “God choosing to take the long road with me has revealed His kindness and His character in a way I would not trade for anything.”
• Discovering joy versus choosing joy.
• “You are worth everything it takes to get better.” 

Links/Books/Resources Mentioned in Show: 

• God Hears Her website: https://www.godhearsher.org/
• Subscribe on iTunes!  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/god-hears-her-podcast/id1511046507?utm_source=applemusic&utm_medium=godhearsher&utm_campaign=podcast
• Order God Sees Her: 365 Devotions for Women by Women on Amazon.  https://amzn.to/32lYSgh
• Order God Loves Her: 365 Devotions for Women by Women: https://ourdailybreadpublishing.org/god-loves-her.html
• Order Sarah’s book I Love Jesus, But I Want to Die: Finding Hope in the Darkness of Depression - https://amzn.to/3CpzqrC 
• Sarah’s Instagram: sarahjrbnsn
• Elisa’s Instagram: elisamorganauthor
• Eryn’s Instagram: eryneddy

Remember, if you or someone you love is hurting due to suicidal thoughts or tendencies, you can dial the suicide hotline at 800-273-8255 or chat with someone on suicidepreventionlifeline.org. You can also visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org for more information.