A while after I got through a dark valley of depression, a fresh wave of fear arrived on my doorstep, refusing to leave the caverns of my mind.

What if I’m going back to that place? To the darkest hours, the depths of the pit, the lonely hours of despair?

Thankfully, it didn’t take long to recognize this was all fear talking—just because I had a previous bout with depression didn’t mean it was a life sentence or prophecy over my present days. 

I wrestled the fear to the ground, inspecting it for any signs of validity. I found none.

The pep talk below emerged as I chose courage and faith (even with shaky hands). Feel free to borrow it now or stow the hope away for a rainy day. It helped me, and I pray it’ll help you, too.

May these words wash over your spirit and remind you that with Jesus, we have access to new life, fresh starts, and abundance every single second of every single day. We do not have to live afraid that where we’ve been is where we’re going. Thank God.

xo AR

_______

My dear,

You do not need to fear the future. You do not need to let yesterday’s heartache project or predict what’s ahead in your story. You have been through the valley. You’ve seen the depths and traced your fingers along the bottom of the barren land. 

You have been there, and you’ve overcome. You went into the darkness, and you came out on the other side.

You’re not in the pit anymore. 

I know it was scary. I know it was hard. And I know you need to grieve that. 

But darling—don’t believe for a single second that darkness or despair are the only parts of your story or that they are all there is for your future. 

I’m here to say—to love you with some strong, truth-bearing, full-force love—that your past is not your future. You do not need to fear a return ticket to that particular valley, looping the journey over and over in your mind. 

You came out the other side, remember? You overcame. Jesus pulled you through, and in His gentle, kind, all-knowing hands, you don’t have to be afraid. You don’t have to worry. You can if you really want to, but you don’t have to. Because you’re in His arms, engulfed in a heartwarming, soul-filling, worry-washing embrace. 

You’re here. You’re safe. You’re good. This is the present, and this is real—not the past memories projected onto the future.

So let’s grieve what we need, release the rest, and accept the peace that surpasses all understanding. There’s so much more for you ahead, and I can’t wait for you to experience it all. Here we go. 

Post Scripts

— Good news: God has already planned out our future joy here—

— A Monday message I’m repeating to myself today—

— More words with a fresh wave of hope—

— If you have any friends who got engaged over the holidays, these gifts are all winners, and it’s never too late to celebrate them!