Finding Purpose When Depression Hits

The Unexpected Arrival of Sorrow

There are seasons in life when sorrow slips in so quietly, so unexpectedly, that it takes a moment to recognize her. I had been feeling unusually heavy-hearted for days—tears came in torrents, a downpour I hadn’t experienced in years. The last time I wept like this was when I miscarried twins, 15 years ago. That memory surfaced now, carrying its own familiar ache, and I realized the weight of everything I’d been navigating had finally caught up with me.

The Teacher in Despair

But here’s the thing about despair: she is a teacher, one who whispers that the way out is not inward but outward. Finding purpose when depression hits is not always clear, but in that moment, I knew instinctively what I had to do. To heal my soul, I needed to serve. To ease my own burdens, I needed to lighten another’s. Service has always been my antidote to sorrow, a divine salve for the wounded spirit.

A Moment to Serve

Later that day, I found myself at the gas station. Beside me, a man was wrestling with his debit card, each swipe met with rejection. His frustration and embarrassment were palpable as he fumbled for his phone. I watched him, my heart stirring. This, I thought, is my moment.

The Battle Between Voices

And yet, isn’t it fascinating how our inner voices clamor in moments like these? One part of me—the cautious, practical voice—said, “You need to hold on to every penny. Your husband isn’t working. The medical bills are piling up. Are you sure you can afford this?” But then, the voice of my better angels spoke, soft yet firm: “Trust. Create joy, even if only a flicker, and watch how it multiplies. Give, and you will have enough.”

A Simple Act of Kindness

Before I could overthink, I leaned toward the clerk and whispered, “Please, add his purchase to mine—and let him know, after I’ve gone, that it’s taken care of.” I didn’t stay to see his reaction. I left quietly, but as I walked away, my heart lifted. A spark of light, faint but steady, began to glow in my spirit. Finding purpose when depression hits can come from even the smallest act of kindness.

The Ripple of Giving

A week later, another opportunity arrived, as they always do when we attune ourselves to the needs of others. Outside the grocery store stood a family of five, their faces etched with exhaustion and desperation. Their sign told a story of jobs lost and hope dimmed. I recognized the look in their eyes—it was the same reflection I had seen in my own mirror just days ago.

Paying Kindness Forward

Not long before, kind souls had gifted us grocery store cards, a blessing that arrived like rain in a parched desert. How could I not pass that kindness forward? I returned to the store, purchased a gift card—not extravagant, but enough for a meal—and slipped it into the father’s hand as they prepared to leave. His eyes, wide with gratitude, met mine, and in that moment, the weight I’d been carrying seemed to dissolve. I walked to my car, tears spilling again—but this time, they were tears of joy.

The Magic of Service

When we step outside of ourselves, when we take our focus off our own trials and seek instead to ease another’s, something magical happens. We are reminded of our shared humanity, of the sacred interconnectedness of life. Finding purpose when depression hits can be found in those moments where we connect with others, even in the smallest ways.

Small Acts of Service

You don’t need money to do this, though sometimes it helps. A kind word, a smile, a note of encouragement—small acts of service ripple outward in ways we may never fully see.

A Call to Serve

So I urge you, dear reader: when the shadows fall and your heart feels heavy, look for someone you can lift. In giving, we heal. In serving, we find our purpose. And in brightening another’s path, we discover the light on our own.