Mother Teresa Struggled Too

Lately I have had a heavy heart to bring light to the topic of depression. Even if it encourages just one person, its worth my time to sit here and type. I also think that its time for people to stand up and help take the stigma away from the term "depression." 

Soon after I posted last week on depression, I ran across an article that shared that Mother Teresa struggled with depression. I was shocked, but I was also reminded that depression doesn't discriminate gender, sexuality, christian, non christian, good people, bad people, cultures. It can plague anyone! 

Here is a quote from Mother Teresa:

"Lord, my God, who am I that You should forsake me? The child of your love -- and now become as the most hated one -- the one You have thrown away as unwanted -- unloved. I call, I cling, I want -- and there is no One to answer -- no One on Whom I can cling -- no, No One. Alone . . . I am told God loves me -- and yet the reality of darkness & coldness & emptiness is so great that nothing touches my soul."

She wrote this in the 1950s. From a woman who committed her time to helping the poor, sick, and hurting. She felt alone, abandoned, hurt, left in the dark, and empty. Many of us today can relate to her emotions and feelings. We've all been here and felt no hope! Whether its a chemical imbalance, environmental, or circumstantial, we've been in the pit. 

But...yes...BUT....look at Mother Teresa, she overcame. She didn't allow the enemy or the world to take her down. There is hope for us all. There is healing for us. She made peace within herself and God to overcome this. I'm sure she still had many days of darkness but chose joy and to focus on others. 

I believe when we take the focus off our situation and struggles to focus on others, things begin to fall into place. We may still have days where we feel down and out because I know I sure do! Its we are HUMAN not God nor perfect. But take those days as they come and try to do the next best thing for you. Nothing is an overnight change, it takes time and refocus on the things that need to be focused on. 

Allow Mother Teresa's struggle in life to become an encouragement to you and me. She fought hard and focused on others to be who she was. Isn't it wonderful to see such a strong, brave woman show her hurting side, so people like you and me could find hope and encouragement! 

Be brave today friend!