Overcoming Depression - Interview with Debut Author Rebecca Nightsong

 

Debut Author Rebecca Nightsong

Rebecca, welcome to Overcoming With God.  We appreciate your willingness to share your testimony of overcoming with our readers. Congratulations on your debut!!! 

Rebecca is a member of Tidewater Area Christian Writers and I've had the privilege of meeting with her in person and I've gotten to hear about her debut book! We're glad to introduce Rebecca to our OWG readers!

Would you tell us about the one of the most difficult things in your life you have had to overcome, with God’s help?

Depression has been one of the most difficult things I’ve had to overcome.  I have struggled with infertility issues for a decade.  I describe infertility as an on-going loss. It’s very difficult to resolve loss that keeps happening. And that unresolved grief can quickly mushroom into depression.

What passages in the Bible have been most helpful to you in those times?

Colossians 3:2 “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

Psalm 42:8 “By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me-- a prayer to the God of my life.”

Is 65:24 “It shall also come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear.” 

What helped you get through or helped you cope with this difficulty?

When I pray and read God’s Word every day, He gives me new promises and a new purpose that is fresh for that day.

One of my favorite things to do is write in my prayer journal the worries and sadness I feel in that moment.  Then I ask God:  “What is your heart in this right now?” I write down the verses He brings to mind, and then I ask Him:  “What do you mean by that?”

He is always faithful to speak words of specific direction and comfort to my heart.  That is consistently the fastest way to peace for me, and it lasts all day. 

One of my favorite sermons is by Charles H. Spurgeon, titled “Small Things Not To Be Despised.” He points out that God’s works start small, and we should never ignore them.

I’ve discovered that for me, depression is most potent when I am not nurturing the small quiet ways God works in my heart. Focusing on even the very small ways that I can see God moving and working in my life has given me so much hope—it keeps me connected to Him.

Daily time with Jesus reveals the ways He is working in my life—both small and large.  His voice in scripture always re-sets my hope in Him.  This is why I chose ‘Nightsong’ as my pen-name; because even in the darkest night, Jesus has always given me a song.  

Disability friendliness: Is this latest release available in audio format or do you have any other works available on audio?  Do your e-books have audio capability? Do you have any in large print? 

Not currently, but I plan to have every book available in audio format very soon.

In this latest work, do you have any topics useful for bibliotherapy, or therapeutic influence through reading about a disorder or situation?  

In “Love on the Range,” Marlee has a tight grip on her pride. It blinds her to some of the blessings God wants to bring into her life, because she can only see that her own plans are failing. When our plans or our bodies fail us, we come face to face with pride and our own limitations. But those things can be a doorway to God’s work in our hearts and lives, if we will let Him. It would be therapeutic write about your own limits as a place to meet with God. When we come to the end of our own strength, that is when we get to see Him in action.

Question you’d like to ask readers:

What are the many “small things” you see God working in your life?  Have you been blind to any of them because of your own plans or limitations?

Spurgeon sermon link:  http://www.spurgeongems.org/vols43-45/chs2601.pdf

Bio: RebeccaNightsong grew up under the wide-open skies of Idaho, where she spent long days in fluffy petticoats and lace, chasing geese and riding goats (since sadly, she had no horses).

As a bossy sister in a large family of all boys, she may or may not be guilty of making her 3 year old brother lie down on a hard strip of lumber in the middle of the pasture to take a pretend nap when playing “pioneer families.”

Today, Rebecca lives with her husband, who is a constant source of inspiration. 

She spends her time in her quirky fictional world of Looking Glass Lake, bossing around characters who frequently boss back.   

You can find her at:  www.rebeccanightsong.com

Giveaway: Rebecca is looking for new readers as a debut author!!! She has a site that can put a FREE download right into our OWG readers’ hands!!! Go to  http://dl.bookfunnel.com/raxn4ii9m2 and follow the directions for the download!