Recently I stumbled across the Blog of a woman who is battling chronic depression. The way she so eloquently expressed the mounting issues she faces daily, reflected my own life easily. It all sounded eerie and so familiar of how I once thought regularly. She claims she is defeated, and without options. My heart and soul connected with her instantly. She has my empathy, sympathy and more. I absolutely commend her for writing about it, for I know this is therapeutic in surviving this mental health issue. She’s a brave soul, But she needs to know she has control if she wants it…..
For me, Depression is like watching a 24 hour marathon of the old TV series M.A.S.H! Some of you may remember it well. Back in the 70’s and 80’s this once popular television program flooded many American living rooms at least weekly. I apologize in advance if you were a fan. I just didn’t get it or I probably never gave it a chance. I was so young back then and never found any appreciation for the series by far! As soon as I would hear the theme music, I would cringe, get up and turn the channel immediately! To me the music sounded depressing! The show may have been good but I couldn’t get past that darn theme song!!!!
When I started experiencing depression very early in my life I could relate to my fellow blogger. I listened to what ever channel was playing in my mind all day. It wasn’t what I wanted to hear at all, yet I entertained whatever was playing as if I had no options! I won’t, I can’t, I’ll never, no one loves you, you don’t deserve, your father doesn’t care, your mother isn’t there, you will always be poor, you are socially odd and will never have friends, you’re not smart, you are ugly, you are a failure, Yadda, Yadda, Yadda…..TALK ABOUT DEPRESSION!!! All those thoughts were some real M.A.S.H.
The above was the M.A.S.H. in my life for 20+ years!!!! As a result I’ve purposely put myself in danger and have felt suicidal multiple times throughout my youth, young adult years and part of my adult life. All because my mind was stuck on the wrong station!
One day I got up mentally, picked up an old rusty pair of pliers, (for those who understand that knob on old model boob tubes!) and changed the re-running channel playing repetitively in my pretty little head!
Those pliers were the Word of God that spoke the complete opposite of what naturally played the moment I woke up! Glory to God, I have a new program I’m completely addicted too!! Don’t get me wrong, clear reception did not happen overnight. I had to put much pressure on the tool to get the knob to actually turn! That station was stubborn! Sometimes I used both hands until I got the first click!
That old M.A.S.H. re-run would always try to come back on, but by applying much purposed resistance through the Word of God, that Stinkin Station finally went off the air!!!!
Do you have some M.A.S.H. In you life that has gripped you from experiencing who you REALLY are as defined by God? (1 John 4:4, Galatians 3:26, 1 Peter 2:9-10, 1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Thessalonians 5:5, These are just a few! Look them up!) You have the power to shut off those negative voices in your head by getting in your rightful position. (2nd Corinthians 5:21 calls you the righteousness of God!)
It takes work daily in order to get more positive reception, but the efforts are worth it! At least you don’t have to get up anymore. The pliers have retired! Now we have remote controls and accessing the Word through social media, the Internet and other forms have made these efforts a lot more plentiful and easily accessible!
Kick the enemy out of the DVR in your mind, re-program your mental TV guide and walk into God’s best for your life! You and your destiny are so well worth it!
Now for those who I’ve offended, here is my peace offering; that M.A.S.H. theme song! Enjoy, if you can! Geesshhh! 😜
Real Bold Truth 
The heir as long as he is a child does not differ from a slave……Gal 4:1. God bless you!
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Thank you for stopping past my blog, reading and commenting!😊
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I love this!!!!!!! I know I have been hiatus on your blog, I repented with abundant tears 😁😁.
This speaks to me like no other. Been there, done those crazy shitty, got the T-shirt however the T-shirt have been redesigned now.
I love the videos too
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Awww thanks! And no worries on being incognito! I know how life can get! And yes I had all the T-Shirts as well! Lol! BTW is this my formerly known as D-Dream?
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Yes boss! 🙌. D’Dream got X’ed😁😁
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I thought so but did not want to assume with the new look and all! Lol! I’m gonna check to see if you changed you site name and delink it to the article I mentioned you in a few months back! So glad you are back in stride!!😀
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Great post, Chanel. Your testimony is powerful and will help others if they’re willing to work as hard as you did. That strength comes from God — the only help we know.
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Thanks Michelle! Could not have come this far without him for certain!
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Well, I can relate to this as I always switch over if M*A*S*H* comes on. I like the metaphor in the post. Wonderful message well put.
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Thanks for your comment on my blog. I’m not affiliated with any particular religion, but I do believe in a God. I too have found that spirituality is a great antidote – it soothes my mind. Interestingly it has been a better help to me than speaking to a psychologist or medication.
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You hit the nail on the head with that last line! I so agree wholeheartedly!!! Thanks right back at ya for visiting me and commenting as well! I so appreciate it!😆
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Oh I forgot to add, looks like you are just starting off blogging! Congrats! Not sure what your goals are but if you are looking to grow a reading audience networking with other bloggers is the way to go. I wrote an article about that this month entitled Essence of a True Blogger. Check it out if you like. Otherwise congrats and happy writing! I loved your first piece!
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Wow! I loved this! It so relates to what I’ve been going through. I like the analogy with the TV channels and I also like what you did with the M.A.S.H acronym. Brilliant! 😀 By God’s grace, our channel will be fixed on Him and depression will have no room to air anymore. God bless you for sharing Chanel! You are an inspiration to me! ❤
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Hallelujah! We have the victory now and always! Love ya lots Dainty M! You inspire me as well! So glad we are connected!😍
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Great blog post 🙂 Feeling sad is not a bad thing, but their is a difference here. If one is in a state of constant depression and you need a remedy, watching or reading controversial stuff like the news or 24-hour spin factors (CNN, Fox-News and MSNBC) will not make feel better and will only make their problem worse. I would say one should watch a hilarious comedy or hang out with friends or try to acquire a social life If one needs something more challenging.
As for MASH, do not worry I thought the 1970 film was preferable to the TV Series (1972-1983) 🙂 But then again, the director of the film was a great director (Robert Altman) and like the guy who wrote the source material for the film, he greatly disliked the TV series 🙂 Anyway, keep up the great work as always 🙂
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John I leave it up to you to provide those great facts on the TV series! I didn’t know that! I was like 11 or 12 when I first noticed it and just could never watch it! Ha! Anyway yes occasional sadness is perfectly normal but a repetitive down trodden demeanor is depression for certain!😕
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What an awesome analogy! I watched Mash a few times but was never addicted to it. However, in terms of what you are writing about here, I constantly pray for my second son because he deals with depression. One thing that I have concluded is that I will always pray for all my children, but each individual has to decide to change that station. I help anyway I can. And, as a believer, it is up to me to be that encouragement and give him the Word of God for the time when he does decide to do this. Thank you for sharing this.
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And you know that’s all we can do! Prayerfully your son will wake up one day (Hopefully not 20 years like myself) and realize that life has so much in store for him. I am in agreement with you! Thanks for reading!😀
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I have changed the channel I have done this without God. I think it is good enough to get to the point where you can change your mind set -in a positive way -in a religious or spiritual or whatever works for you way id commendable xx like your T.V. metaphor.
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Hi there DaisyWillows! That’s to be commended that you were able to do so and have a healthy mind!! It’s my perspective that some people go through Unfathomable circumstances in life that many can’t even imagine enduring leaving them no other option but to seek strength from a power higher than themselves. That’s at least what happened in my case and I’m better for it as well! Also helps me to not be so self focused and know that my life is just not meant to be lived just by my own agenda. I was certainly a selfish somebody not so very long ago! Geesshhh! Lol! Thanks again for chiming in! You’re amazing and I appreciate your journey and feedback!😀
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Thank God for your testimony, Chanel: healed by the living Word, Jesus Christ, the Lord who heals us. Praise God He is the same yesterday, today, and forever…
These refreshing words of Jesus flowed forth from my spirit as I read your testimony: “…come to me and have life!” (John 5:40b). “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matt. 11:28-30). He stands at the door to our souls, knocking, waiting for us to open the door and let Him in. Praying fervently that we respond by opening the door and receiving His ever-present grace.
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You better believe it! An awesome compliment and scripture references to this topic for sure Deanna!
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I have a blogger friend who is in the throes of depression and I just don’t know how to assist her and she does not believe in God or anything. Any suggestions pls?
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Pray for them, KNOWING His word, speaking it out loud, for God’s word accomplishes His purpose (see Isaiah 55:10-11). For instance, if you are in Christ, you can pray for them on the basis of this promise: “If you remain in me and My word remains in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you may bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” (John 15:7-8). It is key that we disciples KNOW such words, BELIEVE them, and then SPEAK them forth / walk them out in accordance with the Holy Spirit. God is waiting for us to grab hold of His word and speak it into being (kingly intercession), just as Jesus did! 😊
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Thanks a lot for that tip. I hope God answers me for her sake cos He hardly answers me for my own sake.
Thanks a lot.
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I also have a couple of people who follow my blog and that I have reached out to who are also not believers. I don’t know any other way to fight depression but by the Word of God. AlluringEby all we can do is pray for them. If they are following our blogs we ARE planting those seeds. Prayerfully they will begin to sprout if you know what I mean! You have to get sick and tired of producing the same results by doing the same thing in order to get real change. Hopefully our friends will reach that breaking point. Thanks for reading lady!😍
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Thanks a whole lot. I think my friend is near breaking point and I fervently pray she scales through successfully like you
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My therapist reminds me that it is my decision not to let my depression define me. That and a great team of professional and spiritual care providers allows me to see the truth in that statement.
My prayer is for everyone experiencing depression to seek professional and spiritual assistance.
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Rick, my dear friend is a school guidance counselor and a therapist. She is now pursuing a doctorate in pastoral counseling. You can’t have one without the other (in my opinion).
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