Reflections on Psalm 23 Part 7: Death's Dark Shadow

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death...

The valley of the shadow of death. It's a scary place. I've been there- see this post.

There was a time during this battle where it seemed the depression and anxiety were winning, and always would be. During the stages of my manic depression, I was lurking around in the shadow of death.

There is no word or phrase I could use to describe the feeling of being at the very bottom of pit. While I was not in any physical pain, the emotional turmoil, anguish, hardship, cloudiness, confusion, and stress overwhelmed me.

It seemed there was no way out. It seemed like nothing I was ever going to do was going to change me, and I refused to live my life in that state. So it seemed the only option was death.

Patience grew so thin and determination was totally depleted.

It was scary. I never want to go through that again.

But I'm not a quitter. I'm a fighter.

I pushed through the anguish and the pain and I overcame those times. It was not easy, but I did it.

I'm out of the darkness. The shadow of death and depression no longer lurks over me.

I am living under the light of the Son.

This hymn verse from At the Lamb's High Feast comes to mind...
Now no more can death appall; 
Now no more the grave enthrall
You have opened paradise
And your saints in You shall rise. Alleluia!


Death has been swallowed up in victory! Death is smashed! The shadow no longer haunts me!

Christ is risen, and my life is changed forever!

Depression= CONQUERED!
Anxiety= BEAT IT!
OCD= GOING TO KICK ITS REAR!
Panic Attacks= SMASHED THEM!
Persecution= OVERCAME IT!
Fractured Foot= I WHOOPED IT!
The Shadow of Death= SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY!

=D


Unrelatedly, Just Me posted what her dorm looks like at finals... I took pictures myself when I was writing my huge research project. Here's what my room looked like (this was about 5-6 weeks ago...)
I meant to post these pictures from my cell phone a few days after, but forgot all about it until now!

My desk... I had to use a lot of scholarly articles...

And it didn't all fit on my desk so I eventually began work on my futon...

(Remember- 1 paper was 30 pages long; the other 40)... 

Blessings
-Got pack a paper from my class with a perfect score!!

-Safe travels to home

-Packages in the mail

-Fellowship at fun at graduation receptions with my mom

-Watching Gnomeo and Juliet!