Through Depression and Back
Protecting Your Peace with Riley Clemmons
Have you ever felt far from God, wondering if He has moved away from you? Riley Clemmons knows this feeling all too well. The contemporary Christian artist shares with us about a difficult period in her life when she felt distant from God and struggled with depression.
“I mean, it takes me right back to the beginning of 2022. I was super depressed and I felt like all my purpose had gone away, and I didn’t know where my faith was,” Riley replies.
Despite being someone who seeks Jesus every day, Riley recognized she had stopped actively engaging her faith. “It’s a big wake-up call when you realize that that’s something that you’re not actively doing every day, that it’s something that becomes more absent from your life,” she explains. Understanding that it wasn’t God who had moved away, but rather she had stopped tuning in and checking in to see what was there.
It’s a common experience for many Christians to feel this way at some point in their lives. The busyness of life, the distractions, and sometimes the struggles can make it easy to forget to tune in to God.
Riley’s journey back to faith and mental well-being offers valuable insights, especially for young women navigating similar struggles in today’s social media-driven world. The pressures and comparisons that come with constant social media engagement can be overwhelming. Riley shares, “I have incredible empathy because it can be really tough. The comparison vortex is very dark.”
Her advice? Set boundaries. “My biggest piece of advice, something that I wish I had done sooner, is create boundaries for yourself,” she advises.
Riley encourages, “If there is something that is routinely triggering you, whether it’s a TV show or social media or maybe a toxic relationship, I think there’s that gut instinct, Holy Spirit thing of maybe this is not good for me,” she suggests. It’s about recognizing what affects you negatively and taking steps to remove those influences, even if it’s just for a season.
Boundaries are not just about avoiding negative influences but also about creating space for positive growth. Riley stresses that setting boundaries is a form of self-care and self-respect.
“Breaking boundaries that you set for yourself is like breaking promises you make yourself.”
When we think of boundaries, we often imagine restrictions and limitations. However, Riley reframes this concept. Boundaries become a way to honor yourself and your relationship with God. By setting these personal limits, you create a safe space where you can grow and flourish spiritually and mentally.
“I remember when I was really, really struggling. [Ellie Holcomb] looked at me and she said, ‘you know, somebody once told me, Riley, that breaking boundaries that you set for yourself is like breaking promises you make yourself.’ And suddenly that heavy, structured word boundaries became so intimate as, as, you know, a promise that you make yourself,” Riley recalls.
Ellie’s wisdom resonated deeply with Riley and can be equally impactful for anyone facing similar struggles. It’s about understanding that every time you respect your boundaries, you’re keeping a promise to yourself. Conversely, breaking these boundaries can feel like a betrayal of that promise, which can be damaging to your mental and spiritual well-being.
Feeling distant from God is a common experience, but it doesn’t have to be a permanent one. By actively seeking God and setting healthy boundaries, we can reconnect with our faith and find a renewed sense of purpose and peace. “It’s not about restricting yourself but protecting your mental and spiritual well-being,” Riley explains.
Reflecting on Riley’s journey, consider your own boundaries and faith practices.
- Are there areas in your life where you need to set or reinforce boundaries?
- Are there triggers that you need to remove to protect your mental health?
Remember, it’s not about isolating yourself but about creating a space where you can grow and thrive. May you find the inspiration and strength to take the steps you need in your own journey.
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