Peace! Be Still!

 I've struggled in the throes of depression, that battle I know well. There were traces of it in high school, battles in college, and later in my life, well... low grade depression affected me every day. For ten years.  As I think about it though, I'm not sure it was clinical. Each season I faced was circumstantial. In high school I was lonely, in college I had to find my identity. The ten years kicked off of a manic high in 2009. I lost my job, and I went low. But in the process of losing it I was starting to go. I was struggling with identity again. I felt my job was a dead end, but I had no way out. I was supposed to go to seminary that fall, if I recall, and my best friend didn't send in a recommendation. She was fearful because of my manic episode. But I wonder if she knows her fears and worries took such a toll on my life. I've forgiven her, I think. Maybe. Maybe I've buried the offense down deep. Jesus, I choose to forgive. Even though it's taken a toll o...

  June 28, 2024   Last night the devil attacked, and he hit hard. He had me pinned and I feared he was going to win. He whispered lies and mixed in pleasure, but I knew my mind was in grave danger. I prayed to the Lord, You said Keep on Praying, I’m going under, it’s you I’m needing. I heard the song within my mind, I heard you whisper every line. The voice of truth tells me a different story, the voice of truth says do not be afraid, the voice of truth says this is for my glory, OUT OF ALL THE VOICES CALLING OUT TO ME, I WILL CHOOSE TO LISTEN AND BELIEVE THE VOICE OF TRUTH. I had a choice I had a choice I had to listen to Your voice! I got up ready to go, ready to pray, but Oh, where to start, how to begin, so the battle wouldn’t start again. So I prayed the song I love to sing, Teach me to pray, Teach me to pray, teach me to pray. Then I took a potty break. When I came back I turned on the radio as the praises to God always give me hope. And the song blared out so loud...

Dear Reader,      Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Stacy Lane, and I am hosting the new podcast Peace, Be Still for Tie a Knot Ministries and Great I Am Outreach International. It is produced by Rebirth4Love. I'm super excited for this opportunity!      We're going to look at how people with mental illness or mental health issues have interacted with the church. We will do many interviews and allow people to share their testimony and really how Christ has set them free. We will talk about their experiences within their churches and discuss what the church is doing well, and what the church needs to improve. Honestly it will be a great starting point for online ministry to those with mental health needs, particularly for people needing help that live in areas where there are professional shortages within the mental health arena of services. It will encourage peer support services across the United States.      Our first episode of the ...