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