For a very, very long time I was overcome with worry and guilt that my depression was ruining my children. There were many days I could not move past the thought that all of “this” was my fault, that I was alone, that the enemy was winning this battle and there was not a thing I could do about it.

Ya’ll, I understand what it means to be living in the valley of despair. I understand now (on the other side) that it is a matter of perspective. But there is nothing you could have told me, in my worst moments, that would give me hope or help me to know that there was truly light at the end of the tunnel.

In my darkest moments, I truly had no hope.

But, God.

He didn’t give up on me. He doesn’t give up on you. Ever.

And you know what truth I learned that totally surprised me?

There is good in the valley. 

Sometimes God takes us through the valley to fulfill His GOOD purposes for us.

I can say that with all sincerity and honesty and with every fiber of my being today.

First of all, for me personally, the most important truth that God taught me in the valley of depression is that I am totally and completely desperate for Him. I know it sounds trite, maybe even something you have learned before. But, for me, it was humbling, it was beautiful, it was a total releasing of anything in me that thought I could do this thing on my own.

I need Jesus so desperately. Depression brought me to that point in a way that nothing else in this life had done.

And that, my friends, is a good thing. He helped me to cling to His Word in a way that I had never done before. He drew me to Himself in prayer. He gave me glimpses of Himself that I never would have seen otherwise.

The relationship He gave me with Himself during my darkest days is something I would not trade for anything in the world. So, yes, there is good in the valley. A brokenness. But a goodness.

5 Days of Homeschooling with Depression

Day 1 ~ There is hope. 

Day 2 ~ I am not alone.

Day 3 ~ There is good in the valley.

Day 4 ~ I am broken. And that is a good thing.

Day 5 ~ God is bigger. {AND a give away!}

**Resources & Links for moms struggling with depression found here. 

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