It is but a vague memory today because I instantly block it out of my mind when any incident triggers the thought of it. But now that I am writing about it, I am going back to those days of darkness in my life and how I emerged victorious of what seemed like a long, arduous battle.
Many years ago, I was in so much emotional pain caused by the loss of a loved one. The days seemed eternal, with no beginning and no end. Caring family members and friends tried to amuse me by hanging around me and taking me to places of diversion. But my mind and spirit were completely disjointed from my physical self. They could have brought me to Disney World for all I cared. My spirit was in hell even if my body was in an amusement park.
My loving family and friends knew that I was far from normal and that’s why they persisted in being around me. They knew that I was in a deep state of depression caused by grief. I battled depression by surrounding myself with people who cared for me and loved me. I allowed a group of friends who were deep into Bible studies and seeking Jesus in their lives to send me their pastor, Bro. Tom Hines. The good pastor imparted God’s word to me by way of studying the life of Jesus Christ, His passion and death, His supreme sacrifice on the cross. I also allowed our family friend Fr. Rupert to pray with me on a daily basis. I did not discriminate any religion —
born again Christians, Catholics, Protestants or Buddhists, etc. Whoever offered me prayers was most welcome. All paths led to Jesus anyway.
Slowly but surely, bitterness was replaced by indifference, indifference was overtaken by love. It was not an easy road, I can attest to that because the enemy, (depression and grief) were persistently hanging on but I battled and continuously allowed my family members and friends to bring me to healing priests and pastors. Our merciful God blessed me with my next-door neighbor, Sr. Magda, a lady Christian pastor of Christian Life Fellowship Center. One late evening, I knew I was spiraling down once again, so I called her to pray over me. The prayer session lasted for five long hours. She did not leave my side until she saw the change in my spirit. It literally felt like an exorcism of the negative forces that had invaded my body, mind and spirit. The sharp claws of depression that clung to me like an albatross on my back finally left me after that prayer session, defeated, never to return again ever! Praise God for that.
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For inquiries, call the Natasha Goulborn Foundation at 897-2217, fax 896-2068. The Hotlines for Depression are 0917-558HOPE (4673) or 0917-572HOPE.