Thank you for writing this article. I have had many of the same struggles and, in a round-about way, came to the same conclusions you did about them. It was meaningful to me to see that I was not alone in those conclusions. I used many parts of your article as inspiration for a talk I gave in sacrament meeting last Sunday on Finding Joy in Christ. Thanks again
Alexander LarkinJanuary 26, 2021
Thank you, Lincoln! Your beautiful talk and testimony lifted me this morning and I am sure your words will help many others who have, and many continue to struggle.
Alex
Frankie LimJanuary 24, 2021
I really love this article. It has increased and strengthened my faith and will treasure it for life.
Thank you so much.
Elder OJanuary 20, 2021
This great man was my mission president in the California San Jose Mission. I was not aware that he had these issues. He was always so upbeat and positive and encouraging to us Senior Missionaries. He was so much of an influence on the young missionaries as well. I am grateful for the fact that through all his troubles, he was a driving force in that mission and did so much for everyone he touched.
I am blessed to know him and his awesome wife.
CMJanuary 20, 2021
Love this article. I can relate- I had awful anxiety for the better part of 15 years. I was never really medicated but as a way to control the anxiety I would not allow myself to feel much of anything. I used physical tension, situation avoidance and many distractions as a way to avoid feeling any emotion that was intense. This led to even more anxiety and more efforts to block it. Unfortunately I didn’t realize that’s what I was doing- and also unfortunately, if you don’t allow yourself to feel emotions, it’s much harder to feel the Spirit. Fortunately, the Spirit was able to break thru my haze a few times to help me understand that “my problem was not anxiety...I was afraid to feel.” In hindsight, I know that my crazy struggle with anxiety was all part of some hands on experience for some much needed lessons. Feelings are important. Our thoughts create our feelings (subconscious thoughts included) and knowing exactly what is going on in our minds is vitally important. Many of us are carrying around literal emotional baggage in the form of unprocessed emotions, false beliefs and negative thinking patterns that are affecting us in ways we aren’t even aware of. Uncovering this stuff is incredibly freeing and it has solidified my belief that God is fully aware of us and loves us so much. Though we can’t see the full picture, these painful experiences are ultimately for our good. Don’t give up!
KarenJanuary 20, 2021
I found your statement "People who experience depression and anxiety have a hard time feeling the Spirit" to be an answer to me in how to understand myself better and my inactive daughter. I now have an idea of how to approach her! Thank you!!
CarolineJanuary 20, 2021
Thank you for this article. It speaks so much to my life too. I call the past experiences I have had where I have KNOWN God was with me and heard my prayers my Ebenezars and remember during times of darkness to "raise my Ebenezers." My best to you in the future!
vickieJanuary 19, 2021
I didnt read the entire thing..i didnt have to. i suffered from major depression and anxiety disorder. i didnt take medication for many years until i had a hysterectomy and was put on a tricyclic antidepressant. this antidepressant helped me with sleep and eating. without taking medcine for so long i had to watch myself constantly not to get too anxious or take on too much. when i was put on the medcine low and behold i discovered i had really bad social anxiety ..because it took it away. i was able to do more that i was never able to do ...like go to college at 38yrs old..i actually felt normal and could feel the spirit...the reason i didnt take meds for so long was because i didnt want anything to control me or my feelings. well, it didnt...i actually felt normal...i stayed on. until i was told i dont need to take that ...when i tried to get off i had seizures. i tried several times and each time i had seizures. so now im on seizure meds...that scared me too. now im on the newer drugs ..which helps mainly anxiety disorder. i feel normal....how fortunate i am to have something that helps me to feel like myself and to have the spirit with me...it didnt take that away from me...there are some meds that can cause problems and you have to realize that and try another. i did learn that spending time suffering for so long with no help isnt worth it...i also did talk therapy...when its genetic inborn....its different then being depressed over something...i actually dont have a problem with that...i have learned its good to have a good doctor...and the right medication and sometimes talk therapy....and prayer is always at the start guiding one to the correct treatment. im so happy that most of the stigma is going away..so people can get the help they need. I thank the Lord for every moment in my life He has helped me. i am a mother of 5 kids and a husband who was airforce.
HeidiJanuary 19, 2021
I have also had the experience of not being able to feel the spirit while being medicated. I am so glad to know others have had that same experience.... meaning, I'm glad to know I am not the only one. It is true. Medication can help and hinder us. I appreciate your article. I thought I might be going crazy because I couldn't feel the spirit... no one talks about this. I am glad to see this finally addressed!
Lana WellsJanuary 19, 2021
I, thankfully do not suffer from depression, however I do have many acquaintances that do. I find myself so concerned about them and their spiritual well-being, but not able to truly help them. Through your article I now, at least, can more fully understand what they are experiencing and in tiny ways help them to know that although they may not be feeling the Spirit, the Spirits is still abiding with them and ready to help.
Harold RustJanuary 19, 2021
Thank you. As illustrated in this article, recording a special spiritual experience is, indeed, an important source for retaining the spirit. The first time I felt the heavens open in a genuine and sweet way for me, I assumed such an experience would now be fairly common. And yet only one other time in my life have I felt that all-powerful direct connection to the spirit world. I've felt inspired many times, but only twice when I knew it was a distinct window into spiritual communication. I'm glad I wrote those experiences down at the time because I can feel again that influence when reading them later.
JamesJanuary 19, 2021
I suffer from depression too. This article brought to light some of the issues I have had where it felt as though the Spirit had stopped talking to me despite my pleadings for communication. Those were also the most darkest times of my life and it came to the point of either I got stronger medicine (for the worsening depression) or did something drastic like checking out of life. After I had what used to be called a 'nervous breakdown' my Doctor felt like I should switch to a completely different type of medication (used to mainly treat anxiety). Within a few days it felt like the light was turned back on in my life and the depression began to fade. Because of this article I realize, looking back, it was the medication. I am grateful that the Lord heard my plea and inspired my Doctor to know what help I needed to treat the depression, but most of all, to help me hear him once more. It is amazing how I was blocked from hearing him, but had no problem hearing the adversary.
Through all of this, even though I was struggling to hear the Lord, I still kept my faith, still went to Church, and still kept my covenants. I went through the motions and although I felt many times that I should just walk away because my testimony was waning, I stayed. God still heard my prayers even though I couldn't hear the answers.
PamJanuary 19, 2021
Thank you for your timely article. As a sufferer of depression and anxiety, it was good to read your comment about the difficulty of feeling the Spirit while on medications for these things.
One can sit through a meeting and feel pretty much nothing. It's very discouraging so I was very pleased to read your words!
Thank you, thank you.
This will be printed and re-read!
Maryann TaylorJanuary 19, 2021
The truths in this article are needed desperately right now in our time of unique trials. I especially appreciate the validation for my struggle that it is sometimes hard to feel the spirit when you are depressed. I agree that reviewing our lives can help us see our blessings and remind us of the times we HAVE felt the spirit. I find keeping a journal is invaluable for this. When we feel the Spirit, we need to write down our experience! It will strengthen us on the days we are struggling.
WandaJanuary 19, 2021
Excellent message! There are so many questions that I don't know how to answer...but there are far more answers than I'm fully able to comprehend. Trying to implement what I do know is a joyous journey!
Haze K.January 19, 2021
Thank you so much for sharing your experiences of having difficulty feeling The Spirit. I thought I was the only active, believing member who has this difficulty.
Your description is perfect:
"I suffer from depression and take medication so that I can have a decent quality of life. Sometimes I feel pretty good, other times I just close my eyes and try to survive the day, hoping that after the long night, the sun will rise and tomorrow will be better."
I become frustrated when others describe "quick" inspiration and I feel numb and out of touch with The Spirit.
I hold on tightly to the times when I do feel the Spirit testifying to me. Cherished moments.
Some say, don't take your psych meds and you will feel the Spirit more easily. Perhaps this would be true. But I've tried that. I become unable to work, deal with daily life. It isn't a realistic option for me.
As I said, thank you for courageously sharing your story. So relieved to know I am not alone.
CarolJanuary 19, 2021
I have copied your article and will read and reread it. I never knew that depression and taking meds was the reason that I have such a hard time feeling the Spirit. I thought it was me and my hard heart. Thank you for your insight you have lighten my soul!
Susan CarterJanuary 19, 2021
Thank you for being so candid!! I have mild depression and anxiety. I struggle to recognize the spirit. BUT I know even though', that God loves me and helps me!
Linda NeubauerJanuary 19, 2021
Thank you for sharing this message. It helped me understand and bolstered my faith. I printed it so that I could refer to it again and again.
Comments | Return to Story
Craig BounousJanuary 27, 2021
Thank you for writing this article. I have had many of the same struggles and, in a round-about way, came to the same conclusions you did about them. It was meaningful to me to see that I was not alone in those conclusions. I used many parts of your article as inspiration for a talk I gave in sacrament meeting last Sunday on Finding Joy in Christ. Thanks again
Alexander LarkinJanuary 26, 2021
Thank you, Lincoln! Your beautiful talk and testimony lifted me this morning and I am sure your words will help many others who have, and many continue to struggle. Alex
Frankie LimJanuary 24, 2021
I really love this article. It has increased and strengthened my faith and will treasure it for life. Thank you so much.
Elder OJanuary 20, 2021
This great man was my mission president in the California San Jose Mission. I was not aware that he had these issues. He was always so upbeat and positive and encouraging to us Senior Missionaries. He was so much of an influence on the young missionaries as well. I am grateful for the fact that through all his troubles, he was a driving force in that mission and did so much for everyone he touched. I am blessed to know him and his awesome wife.
CMJanuary 20, 2021
Love this article. I can relate- I had awful anxiety for the better part of 15 years. I was never really medicated but as a way to control the anxiety I would not allow myself to feel much of anything. I used physical tension, situation avoidance and many distractions as a way to avoid feeling any emotion that was intense. This led to even more anxiety and more efforts to block it. Unfortunately I didn’t realize that’s what I was doing- and also unfortunately, if you don’t allow yourself to feel emotions, it’s much harder to feel the Spirit. Fortunately, the Spirit was able to break thru my haze a few times to help me understand that “my problem was not anxiety...I was afraid to feel.” In hindsight, I know that my crazy struggle with anxiety was all part of some hands on experience for some much needed lessons. Feelings are important. Our thoughts create our feelings (subconscious thoughts included) and knowing exactly what is going on in our minds is vitally important. Many of us are carrying around literal emotional baggage in the form of unprocessed emotions, false beliefs and negative thinking patterns that are affecting us in ways we aren’t even aware of. Uncovering this stuff is incredibly freeing and it has solidified my belief that God is fully aware of us and loves us so much. Though we can’t see the full picture, these painful experiences are ultimately for our good. Don’t give up!
KarenJanuary 20, 2021
I found your statement "People who experience depression and anxiety have a hard time feeling the Spirit" to be an answer to me in how to understand myself better and my inactive daughter. I now have an idea of how to approach her! Thank you!!
CarolineJanuary 20, 2021
Thank you for this article. It speaks so much to my life too. I call the past experiences I have had where I have KNOWN God was with me and heard my prayers my Ebenezars and remember during times of darkness to "raise my Ebenezers." My best to you in the future!
vickieJanuary 19, 2021
I didnt read the entire thing..i didnt have to. i suffered from major depression and anxiety disorder. i didnt take medication for many years until i had a hysterectomy and was put on a tricyclic antidepressant. this antidepressant helped me with sleep and eating. without taking medcine for so long i had to watch myself constantly not to get too anxious or take on too much. when i was put on the medcine low and behold i discovered i had really bad social anxiety ..because it took it away. i was able to do more that i was never able to do ...like go to college at 38yrs old..i actually felt normal and could feel the spirit...the reason i didnt take meds for so long was because i didnt want anything to control me or my feelings. well, it didnt...i actually felt normal...i stayed on. until i was told i dont need to take that ...when i tried to get off i had seizures. i tried several times and each time i had seizures. so now im on seizure meds...that scared me too. now im on the newer drugs ..which helps mainly anxiety disorder. i feel normal....how fortunate i am to have something that helps me to feel like myself and to have the spirit with me...it didnt take that away from me...there are some meds that can cause problems and you have to realize that and try another. i did learn that spending time suffering for so long with no help isnt worth it...i also did talk therapy...when its genetic inborn....its different then being depressed over something...i actually dont have a problem with that...i have learned its good to have a good doctor...and the right medication and sometimes talk therapy....and prayer is always at the start guiding one to the correct treatment. im so happy that most of the stigma is going away..so people can get the help they need. I thank the Lord for every moment in my life He has helped me. i am a mother of 5 kids and a husband who was airforce.
HeidiJanuary 19, 2021
I have also had the experience of not being able to feel the spirit while being medicated. I am so glad to know others have had that same experience.... meaning, I'm glad to know I am not the only one. It is true. Medication can help and hinder us. I appreciate your article. I thought I might be going crazy because I couldn't feel the spirit... no one talks about this. I am glad to see this finally addressed!
Lana WellsJanuary 19, 2021
I, thankfully do not suffer from depression, however I do have many acquaintances that do. I find myself so concerned about them and their spiritual well-being, but not able to truly help them. Through your article I now, at least, can more fully understand what they are experiencing and in tiny ways help them to know that although they may not be feeling the Spirit, the Spirits is still abiding with them and ready to help.
Harold RustJanuary 19, 2021
Thank you. As illustrated in this article, recording a special spiritual experience is, indeed, an important source for retaining the spirit. The first time I felt the heavens open in a genuine and sweet way for me, I assumed such an experience would now be fairly common. And yet only one other time in my life have I felt that all-powerful direct connection to the spirit world. I've felt inspired many times, but only twice when I knew it was a distinct window into spiritual communication. I'm glad I wrote those experiences down at the time because I can feel again that influence when reading them later.
JamesJanuary 19, 2021
I suffer from depression too. This article brought to light some of the issues I have had where it felt as though the Spirit had stopped talking to me despite my pleadings for communication. Those were also the most darkest times of my life and it came to the point of either I got stronger medicine (for the worsening depression) or did something drastic like checking out of life. After I had what used to be called a 'nervous breakdown' my Doctor felt like I should switch to a completely different type of medication (used to mainly treat anxiety). Within a few days it felt like the light was turned back on in my life and the depression began to fade. Because of this article I realize, looking back, it was the medication. I am grateful that the Lord heard my plea and inspired my Doctor to know what help I needed to treat the depression, but most of all, to help me hear him once more. It is amazing how I was blocked from hearing him, but had no problem hearing the adversary. Through all of this, even though I was struggling to hear the Lord, I still kept my faith, still went to Church, and still kept my covenants. I went through the motions and although I felt many times that I should just walk away because my testimony was waning, I stayed. God still heard my prayers even though I couldn't hear the answers.
PamJanuary 19, 2021
Thank you for your timely article. As a sufferer of depression and anxiety, it was good to read your comment about the difficulty of feeling the Spirit while on medications for these things. One can sit through a meeting and feel pretty much nothing. It's very discouraging so I was very pleased to read your words! Thank you, thank you. This will be printed and re-read!
Maryann TaylorJanuary 19, 2021
The truths in this article are needed desperately right now in our time of unique trials. I especially appreciate the validation for my struggle that it is sometimes hard to feel the spirit when you are depressed. I agree that reviewing our lives can help us see our blessings and remind us of the times we HAVE felt the spirit. I find keeping a journal is invaluable for this. When we feel the Spirit, we need to write down our experience! It will strengthen us on the days we are struggling.
WandaJanuary 19, 2021
Excellent message! There are so many questions that I don't know how to answer...but there are far more answers than I'm fully able to comprehend. Trying to implement what I do know is a joyous journey!
Haze K.January 19, 2021
Thank you so much for sharing your experiences of having difficulty feeling The Spirit. I thought I was the only active, believing member who has this difficulty. Your description is perfect: "I suffer from depression and take medication so that I can have a decent quality of life. Sometimes I feel pretty good, other times I just close my eyes and try to survive the day, hoping that after the long night, the sun will rise and tomorrow will be better." I become frustrated when others describe "quick" inspiration and I feel numb and out of touch with The Spirit. I hold on tightly to the times when I do feel the Spirit testifying to me. Cherished moments. Some say, don't take your psych meds and you will feel the Spirit more easily. Perhaps this would be true. But I've tried that. I become unable to work, deal with daily life. It isn't a realistic option for me. As I said, thank you for courageously sharing your story. So relieved to know I am not alone.
CarolJanuary 19, 2021
I have copied your article and will read and reread it. I never knew that depression and taking meds was the reason that I have such a hard time feeling the Spirit. I thought it was me and my hard heart. Thank you for your insight you have lighten my soul!
Susan CarterJanuary 19, 2021
Thank you for being so candid!! I have mild depression and anxiety. I struggle to recognize the spirit. BUT I know even though', that God loves me and helps me!
Linda NeubauerJanuary 19, 2021
Thank you for sharing this message. It helped me understand and bolstered my faith. I printed it so that I could refer to it again and again.
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