Young Woman's Raw Testimony of Faith in Face of Depression
August 21, 2017
"I started second-guessing myself and I felt unwelcome in my own room"She'd lost what she'd expected to be her closest ally. Combined with the new environment, Sarah felt very vulnerable.
"I had to rely on God more than ever, and He brought other friends into my life that helped me through that [time]"[caption id="attachment_39403" align="aligncenter" width="750"] credit: Facebook/©Thinkstock/kieferpix[/caption] In her second year, Sarah found herself under a heavy course load which quickly began to overwhelm her. As a proactive step, she completed evaluations testing for learning disabilities. Sadly, she was misdiagnosed with ADHD Inattentive Type (previously known as Attention Deficit Disorder) and given medication. Over time, the medications to treat this misdiagnosis ended up making her depression and Vocal Cord Disfunction symptoms more severe. RELATED: How To Tell The Difference Between A Bad Day Or Depression As Sarah continued her studies, a new semester brought new perspectives. Things seemed to be looking up. Her medications were adjusted, she was placed with a well-matched roommate, and had a more balanced course load. The stress from previous semesters was no longer there. But when she should have been feeling better, she actually began to feel worse. Sarah was assigned to a new guidance counselor to help monitor her while on a new medication. One day when her mother was visiting, this counselor told them that Sarah had some form of psychosis and needed to be withdrawn from the school. They packed her things and left that same day.
"The uncertainty of my own sanity, and, um, the shame in having to leave was a lot to bear."While the situation left her more isolated, Sarah continued to try to fight. She was able to secure a job working in a childcare center which gave her hope and helped her work through that difficult time. She then enrolled in Randolph-Macon College as a Studio Arts Major. It was here that she found a much needed Bible study.
"The love and support I found in them... was an invaluable blessing."[/slide]
Starting Over... Again and Again
After graduation, Sarah found the anxiety of planning her career began to bring back old struggles. She began a nomadic employment career, working short periods of time in various fields. Not long after she required surgery for a chronic health issue. That's when she found herself battling the side-effects of the post-surgical medication. It began to heighten her depression symptoms and anxiety, along with a new problem: panic attacks. Working as a photographer, Sarah was traveling and keeping long hours. During this time, she suffered several panic attacks, one during a photo shoot."I had this feeling that maybe if I just kept talking, If I just kept going it would go away... I felt out of control."
Taking A Break
That's when Sarah took a medical leave of absence. She knew something wasn't right and she felt she couldn't continue. The leave turned into having to quit her job. Sarah didn't know when she would be able to work again."I felt so ashamed at having failed, yet again."Sarah shared that this was a very dark time for her. She truly was fighting an evil disease.
"Summer turned to Autumn and I still seemed to be barely hanging on. I felt completely alone...I had never felt so angry, bitter, depressed, and hopeless. I knew that God had not truly abandoned me, but I couldn't feel His presence."Sadly, Sarah began to feel that she didn't deserve to feel connection with God. And so, she withdrew from His embrace.
"I ended up taking a break from God. Not with the intention of rejecting Him, but I just couldn't face him."It's not that Sarah no longer believed in God. She just couldn't accept the love and grace He offered.
"I hated myself and the burden that I felt I was putting on everyone else around me."RELATED: Why You Need To Stop Hating Yourself
Finding Hope And A Loving God
Still not completely giving up, Sarah found a new class to attend. Called Dialectical Behavior Therapy this new class was able to help Sarah put perspective on the areas she needed help. This new approach shows "some people are prone to react in a more intense and out-of-the-ordinary manner toward certain emotional situations" . By realizing this heightened stimulation, those like Sarah, who struggle in stressful situations can begin to reevaluate their environments and thus, their reactions. Having the opportunity to look back over her experiences, Sarah believes that her time away from God has allowed her to see how much more she needs Him in her life."In the end, I'm actually grateful for the experience. . . I needed to see what life was like without Him so that I could be ever more grateful for life with Him."As Sarah continues what she believes will be a life-long journey, her faith is strengthening.
"I do know that things will get better and that God will be with me every step of the way!"If you know someone who could benefit from Sarah's story, please share!
WATCH: Young Woman's Raw Testimony of Faith in Face of Depression
h/t: Cool Spring Baptist Church / Sarah Lowry YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Jim Carrey On Depression And How Suffering Leads To Salvation [caption id="attachment_38977" align="aligncenter" width="750"] Credit: Youtube/Homeboy Industries[/caption]Today's Devotional
A Prayer to Deepen and Strengthen Your Faith - Your Daily Prayer - October 25
What does it take to deepen and strengthen our faith? 2 Timothy 4:7 likens our faith to running a race: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
Today's Devotional
A Prayer to Deepen and Strengthen Your Faith - Your Daily Prayer - October 25
What does it take to deepen and strengthen our faith? 2 Timothy 4:7 likens our faith to running a race: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
Past Stories
- An Iguana Hitches a Ride on a Garbage Truck in Tennessee, Now Trying to Find Its Owner
- 6-Year-Old Starts 'Poop Scooping' Business to Help Animals and Adopt One of His Own
- Bride's dad Drops During Father-Daughter Dance, but Things Lined up Perfectly to Save His Life
- Young North Carolina Father Risked His Life To Save a Couple and Dog From a Sinking Truck
- UPS Driver Jumps into Action As He Spots Elderly Woman on the Ground & Says It Was All God
- Rescuer Braces for the Worst After Spotting Kitten on the Side of the Road, Then Sees a Paw Move
- AJ Griffin Gives Up High-Paying Career with NBA to Follow God
- These Former Conjoined Twins Finally Go Home After Their First Birthday
- Teenager From Iowa Uses His Flying Skills to Help Hurricane Helene Victims
- Son Saves For 9 Months and Surprises Mom By Paying Off Her Mortgage
- Woman's Home is Surrounded By 100 Raccoons, and They Aren't Leaving Anytime Soon
- Dog Saves Her Owner's Life By Sitting in the Middle of the Road
- Widower Shares the Last Thing His Wife Told Their Son Before She Passed Away From Cancer
- A Nurse Saved Her Life 35 Years Ago, Now, She is Surprising Her With a Visit
- These Twin Sisters Have An Important Message To Share On Their 102nd Birthday
- This Brave 5-Year-Old Saved Her Mother's Life By Calling 911
- 79-Year-Old Broke Her Ankle After Scattering Her Mom's Ashes, Then Strangers Save the Day
- Dad Travels Through Mud and Debris to Walk His Daughter Down the Aisle
- Owner's Trip to the Vet with Unwell Dog Results in the Craziest X-Ray
- After Getting Lost in Yellowstone, This Precious Cat Made His Way Back Home To California
- Mom's Funny Response To Daughter's Dirty Sock On The Floor Goes Viral & Ends Up Doing Good
- A Kidnapped Boy Is Found After 70 Years and Reunited With His Family
- This Puppy Was Found With a Note That Read 'Help Me,' Now He's Looking For a New Home
- Excited Mom Couldn't Wait to See Son's Back to School Pictures, but Funny Results Make Her LOL
- When This Police Officer Pulled Her Over, He Changed Her Life Forever
- She Just Met Her Vietnam Veteran Father After 50 Years, Now He is Walking Her Down the Aisle
- Fearless Father Waits on Porch to Catch the Stranger Peeking in His Daughter's Window
- This 5th Grade Teacher Eats Lunch In the Cafeteria Every Day
- Amy Grant Has a New Perspective After Losing Her 'Superpower' in Bike Accident
- 'God Did It' Says 18-Year-Old After Waking Up From a Coma Following a Crash
- These Four Sisters Share a Birthday, Which is Quite the Miracle
- Dad Harmony Sings a Beautiful A Cappella Rendition of ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love'
- Couple's Outstanding Boogie Woogie Dance Performance
- Siblings’ Cover of Dolly Parton’s Classic ‘I Will Always Love You’ Is Incredible
- Pastor and Wife Were Killed in a Car Accident, But Their Kids Have a Message of Hope
- Outstanding 'Amazing Grace' Cover Music Video by Celtic Woman
- Carrie Underwood Helps With Leading Worship at Tennessee Church
- 8-Year-Old Kid's To-Do List Goes Viral As a Wholesome Reminder for Us All
- 'Holy Forever' Lyric Video by Chris Tomlin and CAIN
- Elementary Teacher Talks About the Power of Words and Kindness By Using Toothpaste
- Prayers Pour in for Loretta Lynn's Family After the Death of the Late Singer's First Grandchild
- Dennis Quaid Singing 'On My Way To Heaven" is an Inspiring Performance
- Charming Elderly Couple Share Sweet Dance to 'Have You Ever Seen The Rain?"
- Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick Adorably Sing a Sassy Duet to Celebrate 36 Years of Marriage
- Rory Feek Performs Beautiful Tune 'I Do' After Finding Love Again
- Driver Shows Up to Deliver Pizza to Elderly Man's House, Then Comes Back with His Lawnmower
- What Parents & Grandparents Don't Know About 'Easy' Recipe Trend Could Be Dangerous
- Nearly 1,500 Students Gather to Worship Jesus at Texas A&M Revival
- 96-Year-Old Shares the Secret to a Happy Life and His Words of Wisdom Are Truly Inspiring
- In God's Divine Timing, Wedding Ring Is Returned to Man's Widow After It's Lost for 60+ Years
Top Artists
Top Music Videos
CCM Magazine Steven Curtis Chapman Shares the Heartfelt Message that Helped While Grieving His Daughter
Crowder Crowder Moving Official 'Somebody Prayed' Music Video
The Statler Brothers 'Til the Storm Passes By' The Statler Brothers Live Performance
Mandisa Mandisa - Shackles (Praise You)
Anne Wilson Anne Wilson 'The Cross' Powerful Lyric Video
Blogs
At GodTube, you’ll find daily inspirational videos to lift your spirits and encourage you in your walk with God. Popular videos include worship music from your favorite Christian artists, cute videos with adorable kids and animals, hilarious videos from Christian comedians, user-uploaded videos, and clean viral videos to brighten your day.