I spent a couple of days feeling lost because the person I most wanted to talk with about the loss of my dear friend could no longer take my call. The Lord reminded me that I’m not the only person who needs encouragement. He gave me the gift of an elite encourager as my friend, and the Holy Spirit prompted me to BE an encourager to a wider circle. “Love is to be sincere and active [the real thing—without guile and hypocrisy]. Hate what is evil [detest all ungodliness, do not tolerate wickedness]; hold on tightly to what is good. Be devoted to one another with [authentic] brotherly affection [as members of one family], give preference to one another in honor” (Rom 12:9-10 AMP). 

Instead of brooding about my own loss, I’ve reached out each day since to one or two people that I dearly love as their name came to mind. I trust that the Holy Spirit is using me to encourage them in their daily struggles. I KNOW He’s using my willingness to BE an encourager to encourage me. I’m not looking to be comforted; I’m sharing the light and love of Jesus. Ultimately, it’s what my friend Shar encouraged me to do over and over again whenever I would fall into a down or depressing state of mind.

She is the one who was prompted by the Holy Spirit to ask a direct question of me almost a year ago. The question ultimately led me to admit that I was in a deep, deep depression. While I was driving, she stopped right then and called out to our Father to rebuke the devil from the hold of depression I had given him. While we prayed I remembered that I am a child of God, and the devil has no authority over my thoughts UNLESS I give them to him. At the name of Jesus, he must flee. While there has been a moment or day here and there where I’ve succumbed to grieving and a short depression, I tell you truthfully that I have been healed by the Lord of my lifetime of falling into deep depression.

Those thoughts have come back to me many times over the last couple of days. I refuse to give the devil a foothold. I stand firm in my belief that the Lord is in control over everything. If I trust Him for my salvation, I must trust His timing in all things. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Prov 3:5-6) To God be all the glory!