Confessions

Confessions Through Photograph: Life Through Depression’s Eyes

Happy Thursday!

If you’re reading this, that means we’ve reached the day before the day before the weekend! Yay for confusing sentences! If you’re anything like me, by the time Thursday rolls around, I’m tired of looking at words. With that in mind I wanted to post my newest batch of pictures!

I actually took these on the day that I shot Confessions Through Photograph: Part II with my pal, Devin. I wanted the pictures I’m about to show you reflect how I am currently living with depression and anxiety. I’m truly learning how to cope with such awful diseases and I believe that I am finding utmost peace within who I am and who Jesus is making me. I choose to live in the abandoned because I want to search and seek out those who are hurting like me. I hope and pray these pictures speak to you and give you an insight into what life is like with depression.

Home
Vacancy
Warmth
Memory
Life
Love
Wonderment
Embrace
Molded
Ponder
History
Dwelling
Seeking
Searching
Lonely
Traces
Loved
Empathy
Regaining
Abiding
Assurance
Peace
Haunting

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter through links at the bottom of the page! Let us know what you think of these pictures! We love hearing from you!

Cheers!

Confessions
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31 responses to “Confessions Through Photograph: Life Through Depression’s Eyes”

  1. Karen van Benschoten Avatar
    Karen van Benschoten

    These pictures are excellent portrayals of depression, and what it feels like. I can identify with the barren, solitude that is shown here. Truly inspirational.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Matthew Malin Avatar
      Matthew Malin

      Thank you so much Karen! My heart is greatly encouraged 🙂

      Like

      Reply
      1. Karen van Benschoten Avatar
        Karen van Benschoten

        I am glad. At times, like during depression, we need all the encouragement we can get, if we are able to let them in and to accept it.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Matthew Malin Avatar
        Matthew Malin

        Amen to that! Thank you for being an encouraging voice!!

        Like

      3. Karen van Benschoten Avatar
        Karen van Benschoten

        I get so much encouragement on my own blog, and like to spread that on others as much as I can.

        Liked by 1 person

  2. Anxious Mom Avatar
    Anxious Mom

    Enjoy the all, but the one titled “Embrace” in particular packs a lot of punch.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Matthew Malin Avatar
      Matthew Malin

      That one is definitely a favorite! That one and the ones with the vines 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  3. Kelsey Angelette Stevens Avatar
    Kelsey Angelette Stevens

    Where is this amazing place?! Again, wonderful photos. Abandoned things fascinate me. He makes all things new

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Matthew Malin Avatar
      Matthew Malin

      This place is in Concord, NC! It’s the Andrew Jackson correctional facility 🙂 I absolutely love abandoned places too! He truly does! I think Jesus has a fascination with abandoned people too 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Kelsey Angelette Stevens Avatar
        Kelsey Angelette Stevens

        That’s really close to me! maybe I need to go check it out. There’s an abandoned insane asylum in Asheville that I’ve been in, but I will never do that again. Creeped me out to a new level ha. But yes, he does. He loves to search us out and make orphans part of a family. I love that about Him!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Matthew Malin Avatar
        Matthew Malin

        Oh, really?? I live up here in Winston!! Be careful if you happen to check it out. We got to do a few buildings but then the lawnmowers kicked us off the property. I’d love to check out the one in Asheville! I know there’s a ton of abandoned buildings in Statesville but it seems many of them have been taken over by the local government. 😦 As do I! Without it I’d genuinely have no hope. I’m thankful for that!

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Kelsey Angelette Stevens Avatar
        Kelsey Angelette Stevens

        I’m in Hickory right now, it’s really close to Statesville too. Yeah you can get into some trouble sneaking around in those haha. it’s a liability for the government so they don’t want you around it. I love Winston, it’s a cute little city.

        Liked by 1 person

      4. Matthew Malin Avatar
        Matthew Malin

        Oh awesome!! Small world 🙂 well, I’ll just have to tell the government that my curiosity needs be satisfied! I’m sure they’ll understand haha. It’s quite lovely!

        Liked by 1 person

      5. Kelsey Angelette Stevens Avatar
        Kelsey Angelette Stevens

        Yes it is 🙂 A little adventure never hurt anyone. It’s not like they are going to arrest you… hopefully 😉
        I’ll be leaving NC In a few weeks. I’m going to miss it here…

        Liked by 1 person

      6. Matthew Malin Avatar
        Matthew Malin

        Haha I mean, the best we can do is hope. If they do then I suppose I’ll just have to get used to being a hardened prisoner for exploring empty places lol.
        Oh really?? Why’s that? I saw you had your degree in Spanish! What will you use that in??

        Liked by 1 person

      7. Kelsey Angelette Stevens Avatar
        Kelsey Angelette Stevens

        Hahahaha the most you’d leave with is a fine. Feign ignorance; it works every time 😉 Right now I’m a Spanish teacher, but once the school year ends I’ll be moving to the Dominican Republic. For about 2 months I’ll be in a village doing mission work as a head teacher to get the students caught up in reading and writing. For the months after that, I’ll be working in a small private school in the city of Santo Domingo. I’m really excited and scared at the same time…

        Liked by 1 person

      8. Matthew Malin Avatar
        Matthew Malin

        I can certainly do that! Haha
        That’s amazing! I can certainly understand the fear and excitement. It sounds like a great opportunity but also a giant step of faith. I’m sure God is going to use you in incredible ways!! He will take care of that fear for you as well 🙂

        Like

      9. Kelsey Angelette Stevens Avatar
        Kelsey Angelette Stevens

        It definitely is a giant leap. I’ve never been to the DR before, so this is completely new for me. I’ve also never lived in a major city. I’ve been out of the country and lived in Spain, but never in the types of situations and conditions I will be in there. God has taken care of so much already; from my flight to my roommate to my job… I even have several Christian girlfriends there already. This is so key for me… being alone like that would be so hard

        Liked by 1 person

      10. Matthew Malin Avatar
        Matthew Malin

        That’s amazing to watch isn’t it? Every step of the way God moves and provides if it’s something he truly wants to happen. I love knowing that if the Lord wants me to go somewhere or do something he will make it evident in my life. It seems he is doing that for you! Loneliness would be incredibly difficult in a different country! That’s great that you already have solid friends there. Now, with a blog, you can have solid friends here that will keep up with you and encourage you! I’ve found WordPress to be an amazing community of people who quickly become your close and genuine friends!

        Liked by 1 person

      11. Kelsey Angelette Stevens Avatar
        Kelsey Angelette Stevens

        It has grown my faith so much. I’ve had to completely depend on him to provide everything, and I continue to do so. I know that he has called me there, and have no idea what to expect, but there is such comfort in knowing you’re in His will and he has it taken care of. He has it taken care of even when we are disobeying. And you’re right, I have really enjoyed starting this blog. One post and I already have received such encouragement. If you can recommend any great blogs to follow I’d love that.

        Liked by 1 person

      12. Matthew Malin Avatar
        Matthew Malin

        Amen to that. Man, how my heart longs to be in the will of God and not seeking my own selfish pleasures. He can do so much in us when we’re submitted to Him. As you’re seeing! 🙂 I will most definitely do that! I have time in the evenings so I will sit down and compile a list! 🙂

        Like

      13. Kelsey Angelette Stevens Avatar
        Kelsey Angelette Stevens

        Thank you so much! & Yes you’re right… our hearts long for it but it is so easy to slip. I go through the constant ups and downs of following and wondering; following and wondering. It’s so tiring but yet so rewarding to pick ourselves up and keep at it. I know I’ll experience trials and that the enemy will fight against me while I’m there, but as of now my heart is at peace.

        Liked by 1 person

      14. Matthew Malin Avatar
        Matthew Malin

        That’s a great place to be! I’m sure you will quickly realize that my blog is an open and honest look at life with depression and God. It’s not always pretty or nearly packaged but I’m tired of striving for an unattainable measure of perfection. God doesn’t expect me to be perfect but He certainly demands that I be Holy as he is holy. There’s no more comforting thing than the knowledge that God pursues us vehemently and loves us with a passion that we will never understand. This has been so encouraging to my heart!

        Like

      15. Kelsey Angelette Stevens Avatar
        Kelsey Angelette Stevens

        I love the conversation you’re bringing to light. I have struggled with depression and anxiety as well, due to some things that happened to me in my past. It is often a stigma in church because we are told to “pray about it” and that if we experience these feelings, we obviously arent spiritual enough. I know God brings us through and provides healing, but there is also a time when the suffering produces perseverance. Its great to know you have support, and getting your feelings out in writing and pictures is amazingly encouraging.

        Liked by 1 person

      16. Matthew Malin Avatar
        Matthew Malin

        The one thing that I can’t stand in churches is that very attitude. Nothing gets me emotional more than hearing those kinds of words come from Christians or seeing that lifestyle. That’s why I’m so passionate about it! We’ve been called to be more and to love better. Just know, my newfound friend, you aren’t alone and never will be! 🙂 if no one else, the Lord will always be near and full of love. But yes, I love expressing myself through art, writing, and music. 🙂

        Like

      17. Kelsey Angelette Stevens Avatar
        Kelsey Angelette Stevens

        That means a lot 🙂 Its so nice to be able to hear that! You’re not alone either. God has given us so many bothers and sisters, and we all share burdens and hardships. None of us go through life without our crosses to bear. My walk as a Christian has not been easy, but it has been healing. The church has to stop pretending that once we have Jesus our problems disappear. They dont… he just gives us the Holy Spirit to be our comforter, his hope of eternal life to get us through, and his promise to work it all out for our good and for his glory.

        Liked by 1 person

      18. Matthew Malin Avatar
        Matthew Malin

        Thank you for the reminder! That’s some hardcore truth right there! I love it!! I can already tell that you and I are gonna be good friends 🙂 but yes, I completely agree. The mask mentality of our churches has to end. The only way I see that happening is by more and more of us coming to grips with the honest truth of our reality. That reality is our brokenness and our constant, ever growing need of a savior!

        Liked by 1 person

      19. Kelsey Angelette Stevens Avatar
        Kelsey Angelette Stevens

        I can see that too! Too bad I’m leaving soon, we live so close. Its sadly pretty rare to find a good friend or community that can discuss things like this. And even more rare to see a guy be open about things like this. (Anxiety tends to be pinned as a female problem).

        Liked by 1 person

      20. Matthew Malin Avatar
        Matthew Malin

        Indeed!! That’s what I hate about our culture so much. It makes coming out about this that much more uncomfortable and difficult.

        Liked by 1 person

      21. Kelsey Angelette Stevens Avatar
        Kelsey Angelette Stevens

        Well I appreciate your bravery and Im sure others do as well. Keep it up

        Liked by 1 person

      22. Matthew Malin Avatar
        Matthew Malin

        I intend on it! I’m stubborn 😉

        Liked by 1 person

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