Testimony of Healing January 22, 1990 Issue

Some years ago I was subject to attacks of severe depression...

Martha H. Niggeman

Some years ago I was subject to attacks of severe depression that included extreme mental highs and lows. During the high periods there was frenetic and irrational behavior followed by deep and incapacitating depressions. The depressions included self-destructive impulses. At that time I had a small child and was active in community organizations. When the attacks occurred, I was unable to function normally in any capacity for months.

The trouble was diagnosed as manic depression. To stabilize the condition, I took medication daily. I was told to avoid any undue stress or demanding situations. My husband and I had wanted to have a second child. The doctor stated that because of the nature of the illness and the strong side effects of the medication, a pregnancy would be too difficult and inadvisable.

A severe episode occurred followed by a lengthy period of hospitalization. One night after I was home again, during a most difficult crisis with loss of rational control, I turned in great need to these verses in Romans: "I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." These wonderful, comforting truths of God's all-encompassing love were like a ray of light in the darkness. I began to feel calmed and comforted by the presence and power of divine Love.

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