The Silent Battle: Facing Depression as a Woman of Faith

Divine Inspirations | by Dee Davis

Devotion:

Scripture Focus: “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.”— 2 Corinthians 1:3–4 (NLT)

The Silent Battle

Depression is often called a “silent battle” because it hides behind the smile, the ministry, and the busyness of life. For many women over 50, the weight of years—raising families, caring for aging parents, managing careers, and even serving in ministry—can feel overwhelming. We learn how to keep pushing through, but silently, something inside begins to break.

Even as women of faith, we sometimes struggle to admit: “I love God, but I’m not okay.”

My Testimony

Depression didn’t present in me all of a sudden. It began subtly. My first marriage was a failure, and my second marriage was struggling. But I kept pushing and plowing through. I continued to do ministry, raising children, working a full-time job, and even went to school to complete my degree in nursing. But I was fading away.

I loved God with my whole being but did not see—or even want to accept—that…me, a pastor, a woman of God, could barely get out of bed in the morning! Sudden tears, brain fog, memory glitches…as the years went by, I was heading for a serious breakdown and didn’t see it coming!

Others close to me saw…and did their best to help. But when the children left home, I retired, my marriage was still struggling, stress eating, health challenges, and then I lost my mother—it finally became too much and I had to just stop.

I thank God that I did! God literally intervened to show me that though I was still managing to minister to others…I desperately needed ministering for myself in a way that broke through the depression, silence, and shame of it all.

God’s Comfort in Our Lowest Places

Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians that God is the “Father of compassion and the God of all comfort.” That comfort is not just for the surface struggles, but for the hidden ones that drain us quietly.

For women over 50, depression can look like weariness that won’t lift, tears that flow without reason, or the feeling of being invisible after years of pouring out for everyone else. But the truth is this:

God sees.

God knows.

God comforts.

And here’s the beauty—He doesn’t just comfort us for our sake. He strengthens us so we can turn around and comfort others walking through the same valley. What the enemy meant to use to silence you, God will use to strengthen another woman who feels alone in her battle.

Encouragement for Women Over 50

• You are not alone. Depression does not make you less of a believer, less of a woman, or less loved by God.

• You are allowed to rest. Stopping does not mean you are failing—it may mean you are finally allowing God to carry you.

• You still have purpose. Even if you feel like life has slowed down or changed dramatically, your voice, your wisdom, and your story still matter.

  
  

A Prayer for the Silent Battle

Father, I thank You for being the God of all comfort. You see the silent tears, the hidden weariness, and the unspoken struggles of women who love You but feel overwhelmed. Remind each of us that we are never alone. Heal the places of brokenness, lift the weight of depression, and replace shame with peace and joy. Help us to receive Your comfort and then pour it out to others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

I believe that women of all ages may have experienced this as well. However, if you are a woman over 50 and walking through depression, know that your story is not over. Pray, seek the Lord, the counsel of a trusted pastor or other source of counsel. The silent battle does not define you—God’s comfort and love do!

Stay encouraged and be blessed!