Episode 72 :: Hannah Brencher :: Stories of Holding the Light in the Dark of Depression
Today I’m chatting with author, TED speaker, and educator Hannah Brencher. Hannah is passionate about working through the dark woods of anxiety and depression and fighting forward towards the light, and that is what her latest book Fighting Forward Your Nitty-Gritty Guide to Beating the Lies That Hold You Back is all about.
We talk today about her journey of saying yes to Jesus and still struggling with mental health and how that may look in the life of a believer. We also talk about spiritual oppression and warfare, the funky things good intentioned Christians say or do that doesn’t really help with this struggle, and how we could respond differently and more intentionally when we’re struggling and when we’re walking with others that are struggling. I mean. We go deep and wide, and I loved chatting with her and I’m so grateful for her voice.
Mental health work is not one size fits all, it's as unique as you are. And while prayer is part of the remedy, depression is a disease that needs healing in the physical and the spiritual places. So what might it look like for you to fight forward? Is it helpful for you to look back on what’s happened this last year and see where things have been transformed for the better? What does the counterfeit voice in your life sound like? These are some of the questions we discuss and her book talks about and more.
I love that Hannah said: “Depression is not who I am, but it is what I face” and that can be true for so many other things people are struggling with currently. Whatever that looks like for you, it's not who you are, it's what you are facing. And the Lord is with you in it. He doesn’t ask for perfection, He just asks us not to give up. This is not how your story ends. You matter. Your story matters.
Connecting with Hannah:
More Love Letters Campaign
Hannah’s Ted Talk
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References:
Serotonin levels and depression
The effect of vitamin D levels and depression
“Hope is a song in a weary throat.”- Rev Pauli Murray
I’ll hold you in the light- Quaker Tradition
For more mental health insights, see my episode with licensed therapist Lauren Ruth Martin, LPC-MHSP, and also take a listen to her podcast, A Novel Life!
Scripture References:
Colossians 1:17- It's not on me to hold it all together
Genesis 2-3- We weren’t made to know death
Revelation 22:1-3-One day we’ll be in another garden
2 Corinthians 10:5- Take thoughts captive
Hebrews 12:1-3- Throw off everything that hinders you
2 Corinthians 12- Thorn in my flesh
Luke 10:27- Love the Lord your God with all your heart mind, soul and strength
1 Timothy 4:14, 1 Corinthians 12- Called to share our gifts
Ephesians 6:10-18,and a lot more great verses this article: Spiritual warfare
Matthew 28:19, Jude 20-21 - The Trinity has 3 people in it
Matthew 1-2, Luke 1-2 -Christmas story in scripture
Ezekiel 37:1-14- Ezekiel seeing the valley of the dry bones
Psalm 121:8, Hebrews 13:8- God can see here, now and forevermore
1 Corinthians 9:24, Philippians 3:14, 2 Timothy 4:7-8- We’ve got one race
Connecting with Emily and Simply Stories Podcast:
Instagram (Em life // Podcast Life)
Facebook
Twitter
Blog
*Intro and Outro music is from audionautix.com