How Long Does Depression Last?

I’ve kept it no secret that I’ve battled depression in the past. I don’t blog about it as an expert, just one who’s experienced it. Over the last 37 years, I’ve had four bouts of it at the ages of 10, 14, 25 & 36. And just like snowflakes, no two depressions are alike. Of the four I’ve dealt with, the longest was 18 months & the shortest was 3. I wish depression had a turnaround clock like the 24-hour flu, but it just doesn’t. Though I can’t quantify a season of depression, I do know it takes time. For starters, there’s just a lot of crap to work through. But also, its season is on God’s watch. And just like we have to trust God as we walk through it, we have to trust Him that we will walk out of it. I wish I could tell you how long it will last, but I can tell you this…with God, it won’t OUTlast what we can handle. Don’t give up.

Heather is a prodigal kid of Jesus Christ; the wife of executive pastor, Raul Palacios; and a mommy to two little boys. Yes, in that order. She’s grateful to be alive, having lived with a lung disease since she was 8. At 36, God’s still working on Heather and she’s blown away that He still uses her. She manages her site, www.leadhership.net daily encouraging women (mainly thru her mistakes!) to lead from wherever they are for whatever God wants.