Sister in Christ, you are loved. You may feel that God has forgotten or abandoned you right now as you are left facing the devastation and disappointment of Postpartum Depression. You may be wondering: "Did I do something to anger God?", "Is this illness a result of some sin?".
Rest assured, if you are a believer today, you are living under the cloak of God's grace. Your sins are forgiven. (Isaiah 43:25 "I, even I am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.") There is nothing you have done, no "sin" in your past that you have committed, to "cause" this illness. What you did was bring a sacred, God-designed, life into the world. It is an act that God has created and ordained for you to do as a woman.
You did not cause this illness, and You cannot simply "think" your way out of it. But God is with you and will sustain you. He will never leave you or forsake you. His promises are true! He knew this day was coming for you. He knows what lies ahead and has plans to use this hardship to prosper you and not to harm you (Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to proser you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future.").
Your job is, quite simply, to hold onto Him as He walks you through this. He will see you through to the other side. He is able. He is faithful. With Him as your help, your guard, your shield and your strength, you will see hope and divine design through your struggle.
One of the most precious promises I found when I was at my depths of despair was, Isaiah 43:1-5, which reads:
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior..."
Why does God give us this powerful promise? Because, as verse 4 tells us: "you are precious in my sight, and because I love you."
Therefore, believer: "Do not be afraid, for I (God) am with you..."(vs. 5)
