The Call That Changed Everything

“Yes, you had it”, said the man with glasses on the screen to me.

“Which one?”

"Depression. But wow, you are the first patient that I encountered with such a rare case. You are a treasure, a gem. You have been able to recover without any medication.”

I felt numb when I first heard it, but joy came rushing back reminiscing how God got me through the tough road before. I set an appointment with a psychologist to ensure that I experienced depression to write it as part of my testimony in my first book. Looking back at what happened, it was a roller coaster ride, but how did I overcome it?

Set in 2018, I was in my 3rd year of College that almost every aspect of my life fell apart. My parents had an intense fight; Witnessing my dad choke my mom and leave our home. Some of my close friends suddenly avoided me without any explanation. A few classmates left me since their interests conflict with mine as a Christian. But aside from being hurt and sinned against, I, myself, have sinned. I was in a non-God-honoring unlabeled relationship. I cried every day for almost 2 weeks, slept even in the daytime, and shouted in my sleep. In me, “Would I survive?”

In my dormitory, there were moments that I would think about what food to eat for dinner since I did not have enough budget or I only had canned food. Exactly my phone would ring and it would read Kuya (Addressing an older brother) Josh.

"Yes, Kuya?"

"Have you eaten dinner already?"

"Not… Yet… I have Century Tuna here"

"Let's go eat! My treat"

"Wait— what? Really? Are you joking? I'll just bring my food"

"No. No. Set that aside first"

My heart was enlightened. God knew that I did not only need food but also hope in those times. During the dinners and treats, I opened up my struggles and recognized my real situation. Kuya shared his experiences that were almost the same as mine and how God got him through. But I will never forget when he shared the doctor and patient story that I hold onto until today.

He said that in a usual setup, the doctor asks the patient what he/she is feeling or experiencing. This is the time when the patient opens up everything that will pave the way for the doctor to help him/her. It would be difficult for them if the patient would not be truthful. The same goes with Jesus as our Doctor.

When David stumbled and realized he sinned against God, he repented and confessed everything to Him. During the battles and challenges, he was honest to God with what he truly felt and thought— the pain, despair, uneasiness, and burden— as he continually trusted in Him. No wonder he was called, "The man after God's own heart"

When I became 100% honest with God, like how Job groaned, David repented, and Elijah pleaded to take his life, that was when my healing began. He prepared bread and water by my head as I responded— forgave people, let go and let Him strengthen me. Whenever I’m angry, bitter, or burdened, I immediately run to God and tell Him what I feel and think as I let Him work in me. My relationship with Him grew more as I experienced the deeper depth of His love. Thus, my gradual recovery. Thank God for the timely call from Kuya Josh, I now mount up with wings like eagles.