Sometimes, things just don't stay away. You might pray, and it leaves, but next thing you know, it comes sneaking back.

After coming out about my depression and having God deliver me from it, I felt really good. I felt better than I had for a long time. But then a couple weeks later, the depression hit hard for two days. I went to church, got prayer, and I was good again. But then a routine began.

For a few days it was like a shadow would come over me. I'd pray that God take the dark feelings and thoughts away and then everything was back to normal, I was just peachy.

This happened a lot. Day after day after day, to the point where I accepted it. I told myself that this was how my life is going to be. I just struggle with depression. I was okay with that. I was okay with feeling crappy and thinking my husband didn't love me. I was okay with hating my looks and body. I was okay with the anxiety and fear of failure. I told myself it was all okay because all I had to do was pray, and God would eventually take care of it. And when it would happen again, I'd just pray again.

Where is there victory in struggling? Even the word, "struggle", suggests that the enemy has a fighting chance. If I'm struggling with something, I'm not giving it completely to God.

Christ said it is finished. The struggle is over. The victory has been won. Isaiah 54:17 says that no weapon formed against you shall prosper.

Nothing the enemy throws at you will prevail. I can be tested. I can be thrown in the fire, but I don't have to feel the burn. I don't have to feel this way anymore. I don't have to struggle with this. I don't have to accept depression. All I have to do is give it to God.

It's been weeks since God has given me this message, and boy is He good. I swear it's like looking at a new person in the mirror. With every testing, I can tell Satan no, I won't give in. I won't fall into the misery that I had been trapped in for so long. Because I refuse to give up. I refuse to live in defeat. Because I am counting on God. I am expecting Him to show up.

"I am counting on the Lord; yes, I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his word." Psalms 130:5 NLT