In this episode, Tim Blake and Delano Stewart discuss their experiences with depression and mental health. Delano shares his journey from burnout in the ministry to seeking professional help and being diagnosed with depression and ADD. They discuss the impact of depression on relationships, particularly in marriage, and the importance of being emotionally available. Delano emphasizes the need to be comfortable in one's own skin and work from strengths rather than weaknesses. He shares his decision to return to ministry with authenticity and a focus on calling others to love God. In this conversation, Delano and Tim discuss their experiences with depression and how they have navigated their faith and mental health. They emphasize the importance of embracing God's sovereignty, accepting help and medication, and finding peace and silence. They also discuss the impact of depression on relationships and the cultural dynamics of mental health in ministry.

Ultimately, they see depression as an opportunity for God's glory and emphasize taking responsibility for actions and relationships.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Series Overview

00:58 The Valley and Mental Health

04:33 Delano Stewart's Journey and Background

06:00 Transition to Tallahassee and Burnout

08:26 Meeting Nadine and Getting Married

09:24 Ministry in Los Angeles and Delano's Superpower

11:35 Diagnosis of Depression in 2008

12:55 Seeking Professional Help

14:49 Understanding Depression and Emotional Unavailability

18:45 Performance and Ministry Culture

21:32 Functional Depression and Emotional Absence

23:26 Revelations and Strength to Do the Work

24:58 Stepping Down from Ministry and Teaching

28:23 Rediscovering Passion for Ministry

30:48 Returning to Ministry with Authenticity

33:10 Embracing God's Sovereignty

34:06 Being God's Son

35:07 Becoming Like Christ

36:07 God's Sovereignty in Weakness

37:18 The Role of Medication

38:08 Struggling with Bitterness

39:08 Accepting Help and Medication

41:04 Finding Peace and Silence

44:17 Putting Faith in Jesus, Not Medication

45:43 Experiencing Quietness and Peace

47:36 Discovering Depression and Seeking Help

48:06 Understanding Depression and Its Impact

49:04 Realizing the Impact of Depression

50:03 Navigating Depression and Faith

51:28 Walking the Tightrope of Cultural Identity and Mental Health

52:54 Recognizing Depressive Moods

54:24 Seeking Help and Taking Medication

58:04 The Impact of Depression on Relationships

59:21 The Cultural Dynamics of Mental Health in Ministry

01:03:19 Depression as an Opportunity for God's Glory

01:04:18 Taking Responsibility for Actions and Relationships