In 2022, Mandisa told Damilola Okeke in an interview: ’If people can identify with my story, see the fingerprints of God through it and can put their trust in him, that makes it all worth it.’
Mandisa appeared on my screen with a radiant smile, full of enthusiasm. In 2022, we arranged a zoom interview to promote her book Out of the Dark: My journey through the shadows to find God’s love. She connected with her camera on, looking fabulous and full of life!
Heartbreakingly, the former American idol finalist and Grammy award-winning artist was found dead at her home in Nashville, Tennessee on Thursday 18th April. The news rocked the world of Christian music, and tributes are still pouring in.
The Franklin Police Department shared an update on Monday 22nd April, stating that ’there is no indication the death was the result of suspicious or criminal activity.’ Investigation into a cause of death is ongoing.
Her upbeat music brought joy and encouragement to many, but she was all too familiar with life’s hardships and endured many dark seasons during her 47 years.
Mandisa Lynn Hundley was the ultimate ‘overcomer’, as her Grammy award winning song was aptly titled. Her upbeat music brought joy and encouragement to many, but she was all too familiar with life’s hardships and endured many dark seasons during her 47 years.
Mandisa’s parents separated when she was a child, she grew up between two family homes, with the ’television as her nanny’ as her mother ’worked all the time’. Mandisa was sexually abuse as a child, and a victim of rape when she was a teenager. She became a Christian at the age of 16, after answering an altar call at a church Christmas event.
Every Christian at some point in their walk struggles with unanswered prayer. Mandisa fell into deep depression when her dearest friend ‘Kisha’ died tragically of cancer.
Every Christian at some point in their walk struggles with unanswered prayer. Mandisa fell into deep depression when her dearest friend ‘Kisha’ died tragically of cancer. She admitted in our interview ’I harboured some anger with the Lord, as I couldn’t understand why he didn’t heal her.’ Whilst grieving she succumbed to her recurring battle with food addiction and struggled with suicidal thoughts.
Through the intervention of friends, she was able to go for counselling, where God pulled her ’out of the dark’. As she wrote on her website: ’Salvation gives us assurance of eternity in heaven, but that doesn’t mean the journey here on earth won’t be riddled with heartbreak, confusion, questions and pain.’
Mandisa experienced much heartbreak and pain, but she also encountered the healing love of God and his salvation. As she said during our interview, this is the part of her story she wanted people to remember. ’If people can identify with my story, see the fingerprints of God through it and can put their trust in him, that makes it all worth it.’
During our conversation Mandisa shared what motivated her recovery from depression and inspired her song I’m still here. “It says: ‘My heart is still beating, and my lungs are still breathing. So God has not done with me yet.’ Don’t look at how far you have to go. Just put one foot in front of the other […] One day at a time. It’s those little decisions collectively that lead to a place of victory. But we have to start now; no more putting them off for tomorrow.”
Read more on depression here
Five things I’ve learned living as a Christian mum with depression
The deep darkness of post-natal depression
Medical updates are positive for depression treatment, but the Church has a part to play too
The Christian life is not one absent of challenges. Jesus told his disciples in John 16:33 ’In the world you will have tribulation…’ It is a fallacy to describe the believer’s journey on this side of eternity as being free from personal trials. Check on your strong, spirit filled, joyful Christian friends. Depression takes on many forms and can easily be masked under a smile. If you are struggling with your mental health start now, seek support, there is no shame in asking for help.
If any of these issues have affected you, you can call Premier Lifeline for support. Premier Lifeline is a national, confidential helpline offering a listening ear, emotional and spiritual support from a Christian perspective. If you would like someone to talk with and pray for you, call Premier Lifeline open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) on 0300 111 0101.
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