“There was a time when I was suffering from depression. I did not connect that feeling to any specific event in my life. It was just kind of a culmination of trials and difficulties; financial stress, stress from work, stress from raising a family. I was saved when I was five years old. I grew up in a home where my mom gave me an excellent example of serving and loving Jesus. I really did lean in on Jesus and had a confidence and trust in Him from a very early age. I had been serving God faithfully all my life. I really had a feeling that God had abandoned me. I know that’s not true. I did go to church half of the time. It was very difficult for me to stand up and worship and listen to the sermon. It felt contrived. My depression was very dark, very deep, it lasted almost a year. My wife was very supportive of me during that time. Even though I was upset and angry, I never walked away, I never rejected God. That was five years ago, praise God! You are loved right where you’re at. He loves you so much. Jesus has given everything so that you can have a relationship with the Heavenly Father. The painful moments in our lives are creating patience, endurance, and learning. My name is Matthias and I surrender.”
(Matthias, Manhattan, KS)