How is your heart faring this Christmas season? Joyfully connecting, you may anticipate family gatherings, opening presents, and special Christmas Eve Services. You celebrate Jesus, who came as a tiny baby in a manager 2000 years ago and became our Savior as an adult. Lighting flickering candles that cloak in a peaceful glow, you enjoy singing Away in a Manger and Silent Night. Christmas can also stress us out, as we wrap presents, cook, clean, plan and prep. For some people, holiday stress runs deeper, wrought with pain, depression and sadness. You may be grieving the loss of a loved one, and the chair where they used to sit is empty. You may tense up, because your family is not very welcoming, and relationships are strained. You may be struggling with deep depression from past trauma or like me, with cancer from Christmas past.

If you are struggling with despair this Christmas, the Lord Jesus sees and understands. He came to bring light in your darkness, hope to the hurting, peace in the chaos. Isaiah the prophet wrote about Jesus, 700 years before He was born.

Isaiah 9:2 "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned."

In this week’s episode, we will revisit Episode 12 from February, the most popular and most often downloaded episode of 2024. “Feeling Hopeless? Three Ways God Fights for You in Deep Depression” was part of a five-part series on proclaiming the names of God from Isaiah 9:6, and how He intercedes for us through struggles with depression. Go back and relisten to the other ones, too! In order, they were episodes 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 to discover God’s character as Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace from Isaiah 9:6.

May Jesus light your heart and give you hope in this Christmas season!

Next Steps

1. Read Isaiah 9: -9
2. Journal about ways God has fought for you through deep depression.
3. To be refreshed, go back and listen to the other episodes in this proclaim His name series. In order, they are episodes 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14.

Intro, outro, and trailer music “Bright as the Dawn” are licensed by Taizo Audio through Premium Beat by Shutterstock. #6193805

Disclaimer: I am not a licensed professional therapist, and unable to diagnose, treat or analyze depression or other associated mental illnesses. Based on Biblical principles and my personal experience of healing, I offer these holistic wellness strategies as a guide to bring healing from trauma and depression. You will receive natural healing support, Biblical encouragement, and nature-inspired messages to help you heal. Please see your doctor, psychologist, or professional therapist for help with diagnosing and treating mental illness. If you are severely depressed, to the point where you are considering suicide, please get help immediately! Your life matters, and you are loved and valued. It is possible to find hope and healing from depression.

Christians in Crisis https://www.christiansncrisis.com phone or text 1-844-472-9687. Started by Marriage/ Family Therapist Dr. Cheryll Holmes, this faith-based hotline offers a listening ear and counsel for severe depression and other mental illness issues.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 988 for emotional support through depression/Suicide.

If you have enjoyed this podcast, please send it to a friend, so they can discover healing from trauma and depression. Also, please consider writing a review on Apple iTunes or the host on which you listen. These reviews help spread the word about the podcast, so other people can rise above depression into wellness, like the sun ascending and reflecting on majestic mountains, a new day dawning.

Connect with me: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethhopesteigerwalt/

Did you catch last week’s episode about choosing hope through chronic illness with Meredith Koontz? Her faith and gratitude have anchored her for 22 years through the fatigue and complications of Crohn’s Disease, inspiring us to have hope through pain. This week Meredith outlines the benefits of Christian therapy to help us heal depression and move toward wellness. Come join us for this week’s episode, 55-How Christian Therapy Helps Heal “Dark Soul” Depression with Meredith Koontz, part 2.

Next steps:

1. Check out last week’s episode on Meredith’s faith through Crohn’s Disease! https://bit.ly/Choosehopethroughchronic-illness
2. If you need counseling, you can connect with Meredith and other therapists at https://summitwellnesscenters.com/
3. Another therapy option that Meredith mentioned is Better Health, which provides online mental health services: https://www.betterhelp.com/

Intro, outro, and trailer music “Bright as the Dawn” are licensed by Taizo Audio through Premium Beat by Shutterstock. #6193805

Disclaimer: I am not a licensed professional therapist, and unable to diagnose, treat or analyze depression or other associated mental illnesses. Based on Biblical principles and my personal experience of healing, I offer these holistic wellness strategies as a guide to bring healing from trauma and depression. You will receive natural healing support, Biblical encouragement, and nature-inspired messages to help you heal. Please see your doctor, psychologist, or professional therapist for help with diagnosing and treating mental illness. If you are severely depressed, to the point where you are considering suicide, please get help immediately! Your life matters, and you are loved and valued. It is possible to find hope and healing from depression.

Christians in Crisis https://www.christiansncrisis.com phone or text 1-844-472-9687. Started by Marriage/ Family Therapist Dr. Cheryll Holmes, this faith-based hotline offers a listening ear and counsel for severe depression and other mental illness issues.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 988 for emotional support through depression/Suicide.

Have you ever felt overwhelmed and stressed with chronic health problems? You are not alone. Meredith Koontz was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease, which is an autoimmune condition that affects the digestive system, when she was 15. Struggling with fatigue and depression, she forges forward with hope, as she anchors herself in her faith in the Lord. Hear her incredible story of courage and faith on this week’s episode, 54-Struggling in Health? Choosing Hope through Chronic Illness with Meredith Koontz.

Next Steps

1. If you are experiencing depression and need a counselor, connect with Summit Wellness Centers in North Carolina, where Meredith works. https://summitwellnesscenters.com/
2. Read these books to encourage you: The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom and Hinds Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard.
3. Listen to next week’s episode on Meredith’s gratitude through chronic illness.

Intro, outro, and trailer music “Bright as the Dawn” are licensed by Taizo Audio through Premium Beat by Shutterstock. #6193805

Disclaimer: I am not a licensed professional therapist, and unable to diagnose, treat or analyze depression or other associated mental illnesses. Based on Biblical principles and my personal experience of healing, I offer these holistic wellness strategies as a guide to bring healing from trauma and depression. You will receive natural healing support, Biblical encouragement, and nature-inspired messages to help you heal. Please see your doctor, psychologist, or professional therapist for help with diagnosing and treating mental illness. If you are severely depressed, to the point where you are considering suicide, please get help immediately! Your life matters, and you are loved and valued. It is possible to find hope and healing from depression.

Christians in Crisis https://www.christiansncrisis.com phone or text 1-844-472-9687. Started by Marriage/ Family Therapist Dr. Cheryll Holmes, this faith-based hotline offers a listening ear and counsel for severe depression and other mental illness issues.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 988 for emotional support through depression/Suicide.

If you have enjoyed this podcast, please send it to a friend, so they can discover healing from trauma and depression. Also, please consider writing a review on Apple iTunes. These reviews help spread the word about the podcast, so other people can rise above depression into wellness, like the sun ascending and reflecting on majestic mountains, a new day dawning.

Connect with me: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethhopesteigerwalt/