Hi there, I'm Joni Eareckson Tada and I know something about depression…
And I bet you could say the same because we all have days (sometimes many days) when we can’t seem to shake the fog, shake those downcast feelings (I just hate that). But as a quadriplegic, I have to say that I’ve experienced depression with a capital “D.” To be honest, this past year or so I’ve had to battle depression a lot – as my body ages, the impact of my quadriplegia worsens… and it’s like, my goodness, it’s like having to adjust to my wheelchair all over again. But, thankfully, because I’ve learned these many years to hang onto God's Word for dear life, I’ve been able to fight depression. How? Well, with promises from God's Word as well as a constant rehearsing in my heart of His plan and purpose in my life. I’ve been doing that today, I have.
You know, I do have other quadriplegic friends of mine who’ve learned how to constantly rehearse in their hearts God’s plan and purpose in their lives. I'm thinking of Pastor Ron Huckabee. Ron was driving his motorcycle when he hit an oil slick. He went careening off an overpass and landed 30’ below the freeway. It was a miracle this guy wasn’t killed, but he did break his neck. For many months during his recovery, Ron was able to keep his spirits pretty bright, but then, after his church dismissed him from the pulpit, and after he became ill with several bladder infections, well… depression just came over him like a dark, thick cloud.
That’s when his wife, Beverly, emailed Joni and Friends. When my co-workers got that email, they could tell it was serious – Beverly explained that her husband refused to get out of bed, refused to even see visitors, and just wanted the bedroom door closed and the lights turned off. So the team at Joni and Friends immediately forwarded the email onto me while I was traveling. I tracked down the phone number and was able to convince Ron to speak with me. At first, he just grunted and didn’t say much. I sang to him, I reminded him of key Scriptures I knew he’d be familiar with as a pastor… but I got no response. Finally, I asked him if he ever saw a certain movie called The Shawshank Redemption. Well, for some reason that hit a chord, especially when I shared a line from that film. “Ron,” I said, “you either get busy living or you get busy dying… you can’t do both. So I hope you’ll join me and at least 10,000 other quadriplegics across the country today who’ve chosen to get busy living. Okay?” To make a long story short, he and his wife came to our Family Retreat and now Ron is serving as a national prayer coordinator for a major ministry. The depression has lifted!
Ron talks about this in a film clip I’ve posted on my radio page today and I’d love for you to listen to this guy firsthand talk about how God lifted him up out of deep despair. You really need to see him so just click on joniandfriendsradio.org and watch and listen to Pastor Ron share his heart. And while you’re visiting my radio page, please don’t forget to pick up a copy of Dr. Edward Welch’s incredible little book called “Depression… The Way Up When You’re Down.” It’s free and I'll tell you personally, it’s fantastic. Dr. Welch shares some great insights about depression and how to fight your way out of it with the grace of God. So there, you’ve got two things to really lift you up today – Pastor Ron’s video and the free booklet on depression by Dr. Edward Welch, a good friend of mine. Remember, there is a reason to live… and there are incredible promises from God's Word that’ll help you get up when you’re feeling down! And once again let me remind you of our website. Come by and visit us at any time. It’s joniandfriendsradio.org. Of course, you can always call and talk to one of our team members by dialing 1-888-522-5664. God’s blessings on you until next time when we get together for Joni and Friends.
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JONI AND FRIENDS
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