“Seeing the people,
He felt compassion for them,
because they were distressed and dispirited
like sheep without a shepherd.”
Matthew 9:36 NASB
“There are seasons when
doubts and fears abound,
and so suffocate us with their fumes
that we cannot even raise a cry,
and then the indwelling Spirit
represents us, and speaks for us,
and makes intercession for us,
crying in our name.”
~ Charles Spurgeon
” In the same way the Spirit
also helps our weakness;
for we do not know how to pray as we should,
but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us
with groanings too deep for words.”
Romans 8:26-27 NASB
Trapped In My Own Mind: Three Lies Depression Loves by Sarah Walton
Depression does not mean God is punishing us, does not mean God is absent, and it does not make us useless.
“Depression of spirit is no index of declining grace. It is Christ and not the absence of depression that saves us. So, we declare this truth. Our sense of God’s absence does not mean that He is so. Though our bodily gloom allows us no feeling of his tender touch, He holds on to us still. Our feelings of Him do not save us. He does.”
– Spurgeon’s Sorrows, 38–39
Anxiety in Children: How to Recognize Symptoms and Help Anxious Children by Dr. Michelle Bengston
“In recent days, anxiety has been at an all-time high not just in our country but across the world. Think your child hasn’t been anxious? Don’t be so sure. On the podcast, we’ve recently started a series on how to defeat anxiety during times of crisis. I recently recorded a podcast episode with my son taking his “emotional temperature” in the wake of spring break being extended, school-going online instead of in person, and being unable to socialize as normal with peers (Helping a Teenager with Anxiety). After talking with him, I knew we needed to have further discussion about how to recognize anxiety in children and help them.”
The Story of the Oyster and The Butterfly: The Corona Virus and Me
Bonnie Gray offers this soul care resource from a therapist who helped her through healing from emotional childhood trauma – “This free book written by a psychotherapist and author Ana M. Gomez will help children understand and process their feelings about Covid-19. A wonderful tool to spark conversations with your child. Great for adults too!”
Rebecca Hastings offers a simple guided journal.
“I have been struggling with my feelings during the Coronavirus Pandemic our world is facing. That is expected. What I didn’t expect was to struggle with PRAYING through it. I know that God is here, even in this. But sometimes it is hard to find the words when our emotions are all over the place. That’s why I made this journal for us.”
On the guided pages, there are spaces to write who God is, what we’re grateful for, what we’re honestly feeling that day, what we ask God to help us with, and a place to write out a verse from His Word.
American Psychological Association’s COVID-19 Information and Resources
Resources relevant to our mental health during this pandemic and continually updated by APA for psychologists, health-care workers and the public
“Need to talk to someone? Specialists are available for confidential telephone counseling.”
Covid-19 Resource and Information Guide
Helpful guide from NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) – simple actions to aid our mental health and calm our anxiety, preventing and addressing social stigma, questions answered, helplines, and more
“I often feel very grateful to God that I have undergone fearful depression. I know the borders of despair and the horrible brink of that gulf of darkness into which my feet have almost gone. But hundreds of times I have been able to give a helpful grip to brethren and sisters who have come into that same condition, which grip I could never have given if I had not known their deep despondency.” ~ Charles Spurgeon
Blessings
by Laura Story
Freed to Fly 
Trudy, hi! And thanks for sharing helpful resources for such a time as this. More of us will be needing hope and direction than we realize.
Bless you, friend …
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Yes, there is a lot of angst in many, Linda. We all need hope and direction! Bless you, too! May God anoint all our words and actions with hope that builds up others!
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Wonderful resources here, Trudy. And so needed. I was asked by an author to use a sentence from my writing in a prayer journal she published for raising money for those in a church community having financial difficulties during this time. I love how people are coming together. I think the effects of this will be everlasting but God always is working out things for the good.
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Thank you, Lynn. Yes, so needed. I love how people are coming together, too! In ways we never would have imagined. That’s so beautiful how God is using you! Would you mind sharing that sentence? May we keep focused on our Faithful God who is always working things out for good!
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This was the sentence. Trudy.
Even after all He had endured—whippings, a crown of thorns, a cross to
carry, nails in His hands, and all the sin of the world upon Him…His
first words to His beloved disciples were to settle their grieving, fearful, and
shameful hearts. “Peace be with you!”
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Such a beautiful, encouraging truth, Lynn! Thank you for sharing it! May Jesus speak His peace within each of us!
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Thank you, Trudy, for sharing all these resources with us, and for including the inspiring words of Charles Spurgeon. May we take these readily to heart!
Stay well, my friend, and lean into the Lord!
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I am inspired by Charles Spurgeon’s words, too, Martha. Still today God gives hope through his words for those who deal with depression. It’s heartening how God brings beauty out of ashes. I hope you stay well, too! May we lean into the Lord and rest in His love and always-fulfilled promises!
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Great resources, Trudy! Thanks for sharing.
I personally am using Rebecca Hastings Covid Journal. It is so useful, and I think the journal pages will be relevant any time in our lives, not just during Covid.
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Thank you, Jerralea. I’m glad you’re finding Rebecca’s journal useful. I thought, too, of how relevant her it is for anytime in our lives. I love how it starts with focusing our hearts on who God is and how it encourages us to open up our feelings to God, to find hope in His Word, and to reflect on what we’re thankful for that day. Yes, we need that every day! May God give us grace to pour out our hearts to Him and to trust Him no matter what!
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What a treasure chest of resources all here in one place! Thanks for gathering these for us, Trudy. There is something here for everyone. Blessings to you, friend!
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Thank you, Lisa. We truly need something for everyone, don’t we? All ages are so directly affected in one way or another. Blessings to you, too! May God us strength and grace in this trying time!
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Thank you for sharing your compassionate heart with all of us Trudy, as you offer all of these amazing resources. My daughter just downloaded the book that Bonnie Gray had offered, as she had just purchased a caterpillar to butterfly set for her son for an Easter actvity. They are waiting for the butterflies to break through now! It is such a timely activity and words to share that they didn’t realize how much they would need it! But God does provide the help that HE knows we will need, doesn’t He? Thank you for encouraging me here today also, dear friend. Blessings and hugs to you! xoxo
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Thank you for your kind words, Bettie. Oh, how I’d love to see some photos of the butterflies breaking free! That gives me goosebumps! Yes, God surely does provide the help HE knows we need! Thank you for encouraging me, too! Blessings and hugs back to you! May God break down all that stifles our spirits and free us to fly for Him!
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My daughter said she will take photos when the butterflies break free, and I will email them to you!
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Oh thank you, Bettie! And thank your daughter, too! ❤️
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This is a great collection of resources, Trudy! Thanks for putting them all together here. I love the Charles Spurgeon quotes and the children’s book sounds wonderful. Laura Story’s song Blessings is a favourite of mine too. Love and blessings to you!
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Thank you, Lesley. Laura Story’s song is so fitting for any kind of trial, isn’t it? I try to remember that trials are God’s mercies in disguise, but I can be so forgetful sometimes! But His mercies are never-ending for our forgetfulness, too. May we believe deep in our hearts that His unfailing love will never leave us, even in the darkest of valleys!
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Oh what a great list of helpful resources you have provided here, Trudy! You had me eagerly clicking away to check them out. I’ve ended up better informed and with support for myself as someone who struggles with anxiety and depression, and for my grandson’s potential anxiety as well. The quotes from Charles Spurgeon are encouraging too. Depression can make you feel wretched, totally cut off and adrift but it also creates a deep soul hunger to seek after God, and a great desire to help others who may suffer similarly. Thank you so much, dear friend, for the kindness, compassion, inspiration, encouragement and love you share so freely here. It is greatly appreciated! Blessings, love and hugs! xo ❤
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Thank you for your loving words, Joy. I’m so happy you ended up better informed and feeling more support for yourself. The children have more anxiety than many realize, don’t they? These big changes effect them, too. I so identify with what you say here – “Depression can make you feel wretched, totally cut off and adrift but it also creates a deep soul hunger to seek after God, and a great desire to help others who may suffer similarly.” It amazes me how much Charles Spurgeon battled with it in his life and how God greatly used him to His glory. Blessings, love, and hugs to you, too! May God give us grace to let go and allow God to hold us!
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Trudy, these are great resources. Thank you so much for sharing them, my friend. I really appreciated that you opened with Matt 9:36. It’s such an amazing thing to realize that Jesus has great compassion for us. He knows our distress and He walks with us as a good Shepherd. Thank you for that visual. I needed it today! Sending you love and blessings, friend.
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Thank you, Jeanne. I’m so happy that verse helped you today! Yes, it truly is an amazing thing how deep Jesus’ compassion is for us. He is such a tender, loving Shepherd. May that visual continue to be a comfort to us! Love and blessings to you, too!
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Hi Trudy! What an incredible resource list you’ve put together here, my friend. And I love that you have something for every age group as we are ALL struggling. I’ll definitely click through many of these links. I adore that depression quote you told me about and I’m so glad I came over to read the whole thing. I’ll have to keep that one close by. So glad to connect with you again!!
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Thank you, Candace. And thank you again for being so honest and vulnerable about your depression. You truly have been a “helpful grip” on hope to me. I was so happy to see you post again. So glad to connect with you again, too! May God give us grace to keep using our struggles to His glory and to the comfort of other hurting souls!
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Dear Trudy,
I appreciate the resources you shared and the Spurgeon quotes are precious because they remind us that even people we look up to as spiritual giants can also suffer from depression but that they cling to God and they are able to offer comfort to others.
Love and blessings and hugs to you, my friend.
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I find the Spurgeon quotes precious, too, Dolly. He is truly an example of how no-one is immune to depression and how God uses one’s experiences to give even greater comfort to others who are hurting. Love and blessings and hugs to you, too! May we cling to our loving God who is so willing to give us comfort!
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What a wonderful collection of resources, Trudy. It was thoughtful of you to compile them for us. I especially appreciate Spurgeon’s thoughts on his depression … such a great example of how God allows us to use our experiences with difficult things to help others. Hugs, friend.
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Thank you, Lois. They are so needed, aren’t they? Spurgeon’s thoughts and experiences with depression are a comfort to me, too. It gives assurance that no matter what our struggles are, God can turn them for good, not only to strengthen our relationship with Him, but also to encourage others. Hugs back to you! May we open our hearts to our compassionate Shepherd who loves to take care of us and lead us!
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Thank you for all of the wonderful resources. I didn’t realize there was a children’s book to aid children in understanding the virus. Hugs and blessings!
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I love how that children’s book helps kids process their feelings, Mary. And as Bonnie Gray says, it’s a good one for adults, too. Hugs and blessings to you, too! May God help us to process all our mixed-up emotions and give us grace to lean into Him for comfort!
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