At any given moment, 1 in 10 Americans is experiencing depression. For some of us, it is a recurring bout we cycle through every few months or years. For others, depression emerges during a time of acute stress or crisis. For still others, it is more like a constant companion — ebbing and flowing, but always under the surface.

According to Duke University, pastors face depression at a rate double that of the general public. People expect pastors to be experts in many areas and take on a number of demanding roles — dynamic speaker, leadership guru, recruiter, counselor, grief chaplain, and master of conflict resolution, among others — all while exemplifying faith and godly character, and, of course, being the world’s best spouse and parent.

Some pastors experience withering personal criticism, which is often publicly aired on social media. Many pastors also face tremendous financial pressure, both in the church and their personal world. Family crises and private heartaches can be isolating for a leader. These are some of the factors that play into depression among the clergy.

While it’s not easy for us to talk about, depression is something that many of us have encountered in the ministry. Both Wayne and I have faced it at different moments in our 17 years of marriage. Sometimes, when one is down, the other is up, which is one of the awesome benefits of having a spouse. But when you’re both down, that’s pretty tough.

We went through one of those seasons a year ago. Nonstop prolonged stress drove us to the lowest point we had been in a long time, maybe ever. Five years into our church plant, we simply ran out of fight.

I share this not because we’ve mastered the art of overcoming depression, but because the process has made us walk more closely with Jesus and identify more deeply with others. Along the way, we learned some important lessons that are worth highlighting.

Reach out to life-giving peers. The heaviness came on slowly, and then all of a sudden, it dominated our every thought. Looking back, we should have reached out to friends and family sooner. When we did, we truly found an outpouring of support. It’s important to go to trustworthy people, and if possible, peers who understand the specific challenges of the ministry.

As a friend, listen for hopelessness. When you hear yourself or someone you love saying things like, “I just think God has forgotten us,” or, “Things are never going to change,” it’s time to act. Don’t believe the lies of the enemy.

Satan uses the same tricks to convince us all that we are totally and completely alone. Bearing one another’s burdens is how we fulfill the law of Christ.

Recognize seasonal patterns. It took me six years to recognize a pattern after moving to the south: I have an emotionally hard time during the summer. Now I purposely try to get out of the heat for at least a week in July or August.

Bearing one another’s burdens is how we fulfill the law of Christ.

Make mental notes of when you’ve been through other low times. A spouse or friend may be able to help you put the timeline together and recognize a pattern.

Take a spiritual retreat. A dear friend and mentor, Alicia Britt Chole, gave me some great advice when we first moved to New Orleans. She said, “Every few months, you’re going to need to physically leave the spiritually oppressive atmosphere and get out of town. It will help you to be in a place with a different spirit.”

That was some of the best advice I ever received! I purposely try to get out of town overnight at least once a quarter, even if it’s only an hour away.

During that difficult time last year, we took a retreat and knew we needed a more extended sabbatical. Ultimately, we came through it with a radically different perspective and a restored vision for what God has called us to do.

See a counselor. Second Corinthians 13:5 says, “Examine yourselves.” It’s not that counselors are the be-all and end-all answer to problems, but they can offer a perspective that I may not find on my own. It may require a commitment of time and money, but it is more than worth it.

There may be free or discounted resources available. Some districts routinely offer counseling as a service to their clergy. Every credentialed minister in the Assemblies of God has a Helpline phone number on the back of his or her credential card. This is not just for moral failures and nervous breakdowns. Don’t let it get to that point before you reach out for professional help.

Take more time off. In banking, I had five weeks of vacation every year. We never even came close to taking five personal Sundays a year until we took a sabbatical. We realized we have not been taking off enough Sundays throughout the year on a consistent basis.

I’m not talking about ministering somewhere else on a Sunday; I mean being off. Our church won’t disappear or fall apart if we miss an occasional Sunday.

Talk with a doctor. If there is a dramatic shift in your emotional patterns, especially a lot of tears, you may need some medication before you can begin to lift your head. Prolonged stress can affect serotonin levels, but in time, they can recover.

Taking medication doesn’t indicate a lack of faith or a lack of strength, and it may only be for a short time, but it can greatly help in recovery from even moderate depression.

Reflecting on this last year, the Lord has strengthened us and brought us through. We’ve learned so much. My hope is that sharing our experience will help encourage others.

As a lifelong Pentecostal, it’s tempting to want a breakthrough moment. But there are lessons to be learned when we walk through the “Valley of Weeping” (Psalm 84:6, NLT). Even the apostle Paul had to rely on the grace of Jesus to be sufficient in his extended weakness.

When we find fellowship with Christ in suffering, we can know Him in a new and powerful way.