Rankin124web

What have you learned about depression and mental
health that you want to share with others?
I want people to understand that there is a reason for the way
you are feeling! There are stories underneath each emotion.
Whether it is depression or rage or anxiety or addiction. So much of
it is because of your experiences in life. Your traumas. Those
traumas can look like lots of things, big and small. Do not minimize
your past pain. I believe that healing is possible for anyone. It may
not always be physical healing, but I know that no matter what, our
hearts can heal.
Too many people end their lives because they are in despair.
They give up hope. We all have struggles at some point in our lives
whether we admit it or not. We are relational creatures and we
need each other. We need others to hold hope for us and to remind
us that we are strong. We are overcomers. This is where healing can
touch mental and emotional illnesses. Sometimes medicine can
help support you, but connection with other compassionate,
empathetic people . . . THIS is what God can use to bring true
healing.
Why is there so much shame around the idea of suffering
emotionally?
Shame is a tactic of the enemy. If he can keep us in isolation, it’s
much more likely he can destroy us. The Bible says that’s what
Satan comes to do – ‘to kill, steal, and destroy.’ But Christ said that
He came so we could have life—abundantly. He desires us to be
seen and heard and known. You know you would go to a doctor to
fix a broken leg. People aren’t shamed for getting treatment for
their cancer. There’s no shame in pursuing healing in any other part
of the body. But there has always been a stigma about mental and
emotional health. One of my missions in life is to help people
understand they are NOT ALONE… and God is not ashamed of you.
He loves you. He has a purpose for your life and He can redeem
your heartache. This is my own testimony.
How has this struggle affected your family?
How have they handled it?
Depression touches the whole family. I know that it affected our
children. They were so strong and resilient though. They championed
me. And when I went off for treatment, they were my biggest
cheerleaders.
I can see now how God has used our experience with pain to
shape all three of our children into amazing young adults. They
have a trust and faith in God that is strong and secure. They
witnessed His faithfulness as He sustained me and as He ultimately
brought healing. While sometimes they probably were discouraged,
they never gave up hope. Now they are not afraid to engage their
own stories of pain. They are not afraid to ask for help. They are
empathetic and they’ve offered our story as a testimony to many
who are suffering. It is really beautiful. They are not ashamed of me.
They are not ashamed of our story.
I do think Chip has had an honest struggle with my mental and
emotional health. But he loved me, and he prayed fervently for me.
It has been beautiful to see how God has used this to bring out so
much compassion in this man! Over the years, His life has changed
in many ways as a result of our journey. It has opened his eyes to
his own pain. All the things he kept concealed.
When I went away and started my work. God was already
moving in him. After some time, Chip started doing his own work in
therapy and it has brought a deeper connection and more honesty
with me. And I can see it’s what God intended for marriage - to be
naked and unashamed. Not just physically but a true soul connection
and openness without shame. Now God’s work is flowing out
of our family’s pain as it’s affecting many individuals and families our
community.
What words of hope would you like to leave readers with?
I would encourage people to be vulnerable. Be open and honest
and transparent. Be willing to be known. The more the body of
Christ can be honest about their story, I have GREAT HOPE that
shame will be broken, and healing will occur.
To people in the middle of this struggle…allow God to nurture
you spiritually. He desires to apply the fullness of the gospel to your
life and redeem every part of you. Meditate on scripture. Listen to
podcasts - they are like free therapy! One of my favorites is The
Place We Find Ourselves, by Adam Young. Find someone you can
trust to talk to. Even if you can’t afford a counselor or therapist,
you can still heal.
Step into a community that will love you, champion you, and
be vulnerable with you. Our ultimate hope always has to be in Jesus
Christ. God’s presence is holding you no matter what you’re going
through. He is faithful.
Looking back on my pain in my darkest places, He was there.
I know that now. In light of eternity, the suffering you’re going
through is temporary. God is a redeemer. He is redeeming my
heartache by allowing me to sit in the presence of fellow-sufferers.
It is an honor and I am humbled to hear their stories that lie beneath
the surface and to witness the bit of relief and healing that comes
even with one honest conversation. I have come to understand that
we can hold suffering and hope at the same time. K.J. Ramsey says
it like this. ‘Grief does not cancel out goodness. Hurt does not
silence our hope.’
40 • JANUARY 2024