My name is Desiree Taylor. I am a wife to a wonderful man, a mom to two boys Kyle and David. My heart is to share my life and heart in a transparent way to show you how my relationship with Jesus Christ has transformed me from the inside out. I pray my story and writing that you find at my blog; http://www.arenewedcreation.com, causes you to seek God more and draw closer to Him, in a way that brings transformation and freedom to your life.

Thank You Desiree for sharing your story today!!!

Desiree Testimony

I don’t really remember or how it began. I just remember seeing my mom, weary and almost incoherent, standing next to my dad who looked concerned and burdened.

My mom was struggling with depression so severe she needed to go to the hospital for a little while.

I remember my dad coming home from a long days work feeding us and getting in the car to go visit my mom.

After the fourth time of being in the hospital, my heart began to get really angry and resentful. It seemed as though all her problems were our fault according to the counselor. I felt she should have some responsibility too. I couldn’t understand why she didn’t try harder or so something to make herself better.

I was a teenager then.

As I got older and went through my own life experiences, I noticed that I was beginning to struggle with depression myself. It would come on so strongly and cause me to turn into someone I didn’t even recognize.

I seemed to struggle more during my menstrual cycles and while I was pregnant. I am deaf and that brought it’s own struggles with feeling lonely and isolated. I began to realize that it was harder than I thought. Many times the depression overcame me instead of me overcoming the depression.

I began to pray and ask God to help me with it. It was so oppressing and I didn’t want to be the person I became when I was struggling with the depression.

We had just began to go to a new church and up until then I had not made many friends. I decided to put myself out there and go to different events. I needed to get out of the house more and make some friends.

I was beginning to notice that certain foods I was eating also affected me in different ways. I began to pay more attention to my body’s reaction and responses to different foods and situations. I made changes as I recognized any negative effects.

The key to the victories I have experienced in my struggle with depression has been to deal with any past experiences that have left shame, regret, fear, or bitterness and anger sitting in my heart. Past hurts and pains are a breeding ground for depression. Reliving past events, circumstances, and situations in our minds causes us to go back to that place of defeat.

I have learned to recognize the signs that I am in a place where I could be depressed. Thought patterns, eating patterns, isolating myself and pulling away from people. The desire to stay in bed all day or not do anything. These are signs for me that I need to do something different and force myself to get up and get out of my own shell.

I will sometimes call someone and ask the how they are. I find listening to others about their struggles helps me because it takes my eyes and thoughts of myself and puts them onto another person. Getting out of the house and putting myself in sunlight and fresh air. It is amazing the difference after being out. I come home with a new perspective. I take extra vitamin D if it is winter or the weather is not good for me to go out.

I will look to God’s word, the bible and pull out scriptures that will lift me up out of the pit I am in. I take time to talk to God about the things that are bothering me. I ask Him to search my heart to see if there is any un-forgiveness or things hindering me.

It has been amazing how victory has come through doing these things. Depression still falls on me but what is different is how I handle it. I recognize where I am and I am honest about it. I eat well, take my vitamins and take care of myself. I care about others and allow them to share their struggles with me or just hang out with a friend who lifts me up. I get out of the house, even if it is just a little run to the consignment store or to do something fun for myself. This allowing me to come back refreshed. Most importantly I spend time with God in prayer and in HIs word and He fills me with such peace and joy.

Struggles will always be there but victory can be experienced. Depression and victory can be found in the same sentence. I pray for all those who struggle with this. I pray that you will find that peace and have your victory. It is possible!

Please join us on Wednesdays for our Depression Series.  God’s love is crafted in the words of caring writers who knows what it feels like.   And if you have a story that you would like to post about your struggle with depression please email me at lisadesign@comcast.net.

NEXT WEDNESDAYS WE WILL BE OVER AT TANYA’S BLOG godscharacter.wordpress.com,

We Are Fearfully And Wonderfully Made Lisa https://communitymoms.wordpress.com/2015/02/23/we-are-fearfully-and-wonderfully-made/

He Has Sent Us To Comfort The Brokenhearted Angel https://communitymoms.wordpress.com/2015/02/21/he-has-sent-us-to-comfort-the-brokenhearted/

Killing My Critic – Rebeca https://communitymoms.wordpress.com/2015/02/19/killing-my-critic/

GREEN GRASS FROM DEPRESSION Grace https://communitymoms.wordpress.com/2015/02/18/green-grass-from-depression-series-grace/

I KNOW THE PLANS I HAVE FOR YOU DECLARES THE LORD Jenny Cioto – https://communitymoms.wordpress.com/2015/02/12/i-know-the-plans-i-have-for-you-declares-the-lord/

THE LORD IS CLOSE TO THE BROKENHEARTED Jenny Shinsky – https://communitymoms.wordpress.com/2015/02/14/the-lord-is-close-to-the-brokenhearted/

STUGGLING MOM LIFT UP YOUR EYES Ginny – https://communitymoms.wordpress.com/2015/01/24/dear-struggling-mom-lift-up-your-eyes/  

SHAME IS LITERALLY KILLING PEOPLE Ginny – https://communitymoms.wordpress.com/2015/01/31/shame-is-literally-killing-people/

Lisa Brown’s Testimony Can Be Found In The Following Links

Frozen In An Icicle Of Depression

Frozen In An Icicle Of Depression-part-1-of-3

Frozen In An Icicle Of Depression-part-2-of-3

Frozen In An Icicle Of Depression-part-3-of-3