“How do you face the darkness that seems to swallow you whole?”
After months of prayer, preparation, and faith-filled anticipation, Anna finally made it to the foreign country she had been longing to study in.
It was supposed to be the fresh start she needed a chance to leave behind the chaos, pressure, and confusion of her previous life and chart her own course.
But shortly after settling in, the reality of being far from home and in an unfamiliar place began to sink in.
The excitement that once fueled her slowly faded as she realized how alone she truly was. Her parents were thousands of miles away, her friends were back home living their own lives, and the unfamiliar faces around her didn’t seem to notice her struggles.
Though she threw herself into her studies, using schoolwork as a distraction, the isolation started to weigh on her.
At first, it was subtle occasional restlessness, nagging worry, and sleepless nights.
But as days turned into weeks and weeks into months, Anna realized she was dealing with something much deeper:
The D-syndrome…
Yes I meantDEPRESSION.
The Silent Descent into Depression
When Anna first arrived, she convinced herself that things would improve once she got used to her new surroundings.
She focused on her classes, hoping that her busy schedule would keep her mind occupied and the loneliness at bay.
But soon, she found that no matter how hard she tried to concentrate, a heavy sadness seemed to cling to her, growing more intense as time passed.
Depression has a way of creeping in unnoticed.
For Anna, it started with feeling disconnected. She no longer felt the motivation she once had to excel in her studies, and everything seemed overwhelming.
She felt trapped like no matter what she did, nothing was going to change.
At this point, even as a Christian, her prayers felt hollow, her faith distant.
Anna had always believed that her new academic journey would give her a sense of purpose, but instead, she felt more lost than ever.
The anxiety that had been simmering below the surface since she left home now mixed with a deep sense of hopelessness.
Every day was a struggle to get out of bed. The world outside seemed bright and full of opportunity, but for Anna, it felt like a shadow was hanging over her.
She couldn’t shake the feeling that she was falling apart, and worse, she had no one to turn to.
The darkness had swallowed her whole.
Fighting a Battle No One Sees
“I’m not sure which is worse: the dark inside my head, or the darkness outside.”
Anxiety and depression are battles that many people fight silently.
Anna, like so many others, didn’t feel comfortable admitting how much she was struggling.
After all, wasn’t she the one who prayed for this opportunity?
Hadn’t she trusted God for this new chapter of her life?
How could she be feeling so low now? She felt guilty for not being grateful, guilty for not being strong enough to push through it.
She kept telling herself that she needed to pray more, have more faith, or maybe just “snap out of it.”
But the truth is, mental health struggles can’t always be prayed away or ignored.
Depression is real, and it doesn’t care how much you love God or how many Bible verses you memorize.
It creeps in, wraps around your thoughts, and makes even the simplest tasks feel impossible.
“In the middle of the journey of our life, I came to myself, within a dark wood, where the straight way was lost.”
~Dante Alighieri~
For Anna, the depression hit hardest when she realized that, despite her best efforts, she couldn’t make it go away on her own. She had reached rock bottom.
Rock Bottom: The Turning Point
The moment Anna hit rock bottom wasn’t dramatic, there was no breakdown in public, no outward sign of her struggle.
It was quiet like most moments of deep despair are.
She sat alone in her small apartment one evening, her textbooks scattered across the table, and simply couldn’t bring herself to study anymore.
The weight of everything she had been carrying was just too much. In that moment, she realized she needed help.
For too long, she had tried to fight the battle on her own, thinking that if she just worked harder or prayed more, the depression would disappear.
But it didn’t. Instead, she felt weaker, more isolated, and more lost than ever. And that was when she knew she couldn’t do it alone anymore.
Anna decided to reach out to a Christian counsellor who had been recommended to her. However, opening up to someone about her struggles wasn’t easy, but it was the first step toward healing.
She also began to reach out to God in a more honest way, not hiding her pain behind “perfect” prayers but pouring out her heart, even if it was filled with questions and doubt.
One verse that stayed with her during this time was Psalm 34:18: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
In her darkest moments, she still somehow clung to the truth that God hadn’t abandoned her, even when she felt completely alone. It wasn’t easy for her, but to her, it felt just right.
Finding Healing in the Midst of Darkness
The journey toward healing wasn’t immediate.
Depression doesn’t vanish overnight, but Anna began to take small, intentional steps toward recovery.
With the help of her counselor encouraging her to speak faith-filled words about her life coupled with positive affirmations, she learned how to manage the anxiety, and gradually, the heaviness that had been weighing on her heart began to lift.
She also found a small group of believers in her new city who supported her, prayed with her, and reminded her that she wasn’t alone.
Through community, therapy, and relying on God’s strength in these times, Anna started to see the light in the darkness again.
She realized that dealing with depression doesn’t mean you’ve lost your faith, and it doesn’t mean you’re weak. It means you’re human.
And God, in His infinite love, walks with us through every valley, no matter how deep.
Conclusion:
Embracing the Journey to Healing
In summary, Anna’s story is a reminder that anxiety and depression are not things we have to face alone.
Reaching out for help whether it’s through counseling, friends, or simply opening up to God in an honest way is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Healing is a journey, and it’s okay if it takes time. The most important thing is to keep taking steps forward, even when the road seems impossible.
If you’re struggling with anxiety or depression, remember this: you are not alone. God is with you, even in the darkest moments, and there is hope for healing.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”~ Psalm 34:18
And will end by saying this as a reminder that God’s strength is greater than our fears.
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”~Isaiah 41:10~
I really hope you enjoyed this piece, please like, comment, & share🫶🏾
Don’t forget to catch up with this blog series from the beginning if you haven’t done so yet, please go have a refresher of Anna’s story from my first post on this series:
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