After my parents divorced, they lived roughly one mile apart.

I would ride my bike back and forth a couple of times a week.

One day while riding to my dad’s house something happened that I will never forget. I began pedaling and noticed that it was starting to rain behind me. But as I continued to ride, I was traveling into the sunlight. If I slowed down the rain would catch up to me, if I accelerated, the rain would stay behind me.

I was traveling east and apparently the clouds were traveling the same exact direction at relatively the same speed. It was basically a straight route to my dad’s house, so I knew I could beat the rain clouds to my destination.

I had fun slowing down and hearing the rain steadily falling just feet behind me while I stayed dry. At the time it was simply a unique occurrence that entertained me. Years later, I felt like it was an analogy for my life.

I’ve battled depression most of my life. Like so many others who struggle, there were times I couldn’t find the strength to fight. It was like a rain cloud that followed me around. Even after becoming a Christian, I still struggled, I still got rained on from time to time, I still lost ground every so often.

But as a Christ follower, I had the strength to work the pedals, I had a hope-filled journey, I had an amazing destination.

To this day, I need to make sure I’m heading towards the sunlight.

The truth is, the depression still looms. But I know for sure which direction to travel, I understand that if I keep a reasonable speed in that direction, depression can’t win.

Even if the rain catches up to me, I’ll be fine. I may get wet, I may lose a little ground, but I won’t stop moving forward.

Of course, I wish I didn’t even need to think about depression at all. I wish it wasn’t a possibility. But it is for me, and for some of you, it’s the same way.

Don’t stop riding towards the sunlight.

Talk to someone, find a counselor, speak with a doctor.

But most of all, ask God for strength and healing.

God can heal instantly, I’ve seen it happen. But I also know that many times we have to carry afflictions with us. Don’t mistake hardship with some kind of punishment from God.

Occasionally, He delivers you fully.
Often, He walks with you through it.
Always, He is the sunlight leading you home.

-Tom Wise