Today I’m depressed.

Did you read that first statement and immediately look up to see who wrote this devotion? If you know me, you might say, “Depressed? Come on. I see his photos on Facebook and his YouTube videos. There’s no way he can be depressed.” 

Depression is real. It’s estimated that 16.2 million adults in the United States, or 6.7% of American adults, have had at least one major depressive episode in a given year. Would it shock you to hear these statistics are from a pre-COVID world? 

Where or what can we do to cope? (Insert run to Jesus line here, and say, “Amen.”) Friends, that’s just it. I know I’m loved. I know I’m forgiven. It still doesn’t take away the depression instantly. I do not have a magic pill to give you, but what I do have is empathy for you and advice. Diet, exercise, and talking openly to you and to others has helped my depression. Will it ever go away this side of heaven? Probably not, but you do not have to go it alone.  

Like Peter taking that first step out of the boat to meet Jesus on the water, it defies logic, but it literally was a leap of faith. Pick up the phone, seek counsel—yes from God but also from a professional. It doesn’t make you weak, as Paul reminds us: “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness’” (2 Corinthians 12:9).