“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.” Proverbs 31:25 (NLT)
In my third year of Bible school, depression hit me. It seemed like I was not getting any encouragement from God’s Word, and I even
questioned if I was truly saved. Deep down I knew that God had saved me—but I didn’t feel it.
As students, we used to play a lot of volleyball and floor hockey after study hours. During the week, we were fed good teaching from God’s Word and good food from the kitchen! Those were great years. Little did I know that, when my third year came around, I would experience some of the most depressing times of my life . . . and I dared not tell anyone. I feared that people would think that there was something terribly wrong with me, and I would be sent away. I had thoughts that would discourage me to tears. I felt stuck, alone and abandoned, even by God.
But God used the school staff and my sister to encourage me with God’s Word. How we need each other as followers of Christ! Also, during that time, I found a devotional book. As I read each page, along with Scripture, it was as if God was right there with me. On the days when I could not feel it, I still sought God with all my heart. By faith, I continued to live for Him.
I don’t know exactly when, but after my graduation and beginning my missionary service, all of a sudden, I realized that I was no longer
depressed! I could genuinely smile and laugh and look forward to what God had in store.
As I look back, I see now how Satan tried to deceive me to think that I was really not God’s child, that I was hopeless and not worth helping. I learned that, by faith, God had me safe in His arms the whole time.
– Myrna Kopf
Council Fire is a collaboration with Intertribal Life Ministries and Native Evangelical Fellowship of Canada.
The Council Fire Daily Devotional Book Set is available on the Intertribal Life Ministries website.
Learn more about Council Fire at councilfire365.org