“Celebrate every tiny victory.” This phrase is something my clients hear from me A LOT. I am a big fan of celebrating victories and praising the Lamb!

Even small victories are worth celebration, in my opinion. For example, after a really gnarly depressive episode this weekend that really came to a head yesterday, I am up this morning. Sounds silly, but I’m celebrating it.

It’s 11am and I’ve straightened up the living room and kitchen that got neglected. I’ve had coffee and eaten breakfast. I’ve done the dishes and am on my second load of laundry. I just got out of the shower, I’m playing with my dog, and I’m celebrating, y’all.

All of those things sound like simple small tasks on my “to do” list. But being that yesterday, I couldn’t even get up out of bed to do these things, I’m celebrating that I’ve done them today. I’m also praying and preparing for the work I still have ahead of me and the clients I get to see this afternoon. And instead of feeling disqualified for this ministry, I am celebrating victories and embracing grace and rejoicing in the truth grace speaks over me.

Depression wants me to feel guilty that I got all the way to church yesterday morning, but couldn’t walk through the door.
Grace tells me it’s okay that yesterday, I took the day off.
Depression wants me to hate myself, wants to tell me I’m lazy, wants to tear down my self-esteem.
Grace tells me to rejoice in the extra rest I got by staying in bed all day.
Depression wants to convince me that I’m ruining my husbands life by being alive.
Grace tells me (through Micah himself) that I am loved and he is glad he married me.

The word “depression” that speaks these things over me? You can easily replace that word with “the enemy” or “my flesh”. And “grace”? The grace that speaks truth? Replace that word with “my Lord” or "my God” or one of the dozens of names for my grace-giving Creator.

Bad, dark, depression days — they happen. And those days suck! But God is good. Just because the bad days come — it doesn’t change who God is. It doesn’t change who He says I am. And PRAISE GOD, Y’ALL. Because today is a new day! His mercies are new every morning! And I am alive, I am up and moving, and I am pressing on.

Be blessed, my friends. Rest in grace. Push on to what’s next. Praise God in all things. And celebrate EVERY TINY victory.