Fighting Depression

What is depression?

Life can be difficult in many ways. Sometimes we feel sad, discouraged, indecisive, or guilty. We may have loss interest in life, have no motivation, or suffer from insomnia. These are normal feelings which every person will experience at some time or another. But when these feeling last for more than two weeks and interfere with daily life, we may be suffering from depression. Depression is a feeling of loss because something bad has happened. Maybe you were rejected by someone or you failed at a task at work. Afterwards you began to believe something even worse was about to happen.

Anyone will feel sad when a friend dies, or relationship ends. But depression is a much deeper sadness that will last longer. When depressed you feel as though you might lay down and never get up again. Healthy sadness last for a shorter period of time and is not as overwhelming as depression.

Do you need professional help?

If you have been depressed for a long period of time or have considered suicide it is important that you seek professional help. There are therapists trained in understanding and helping depressed people. You do not have to fight this battle alone. Please pray for the courage to reach out for help.

Whether you are receiving professional help or simply talk things through with a friend there are Biblical ways to improve your emotions. The Bible is full of truths about God and about ourselves. When we are depressed our thinking has become twisted. We become consumed with unrealistic thoughts which haunt our happiness. When we align ourselves with God’s truth we are walking in the light and the darkness will lose power over us. So, lets dig into the Bible and realign our thinking.

Tell me the Bible verses!

There are many Bible verse to straighten our thinking. These six were specifically chosen to bring us out of emotional darkness and into the beautiful light of God.

1. Acknowledge there is a problem using Paul’s words.

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; 

perplexed, but not in despair.

 2 Corinthians 4:8

Dear Lord I am hard pressed on every side but I don’t have to be crushed. 

I am perplexed but I don’t have to be in despair.

Acknowledging our emotions before God helps us to look more clearly at the things we are thinking.When we get honest with God we can also get honest with ourselves. God wants us to lean on him when we are trouble. We do not need to fight depression alone, God is there to help and comfort us in our troubles. You may not know how to change your situation or your emotions but God does. He has been helping people for 6000 years.

2. Ask God to strengthen you and protect you using Isaiah's words.

So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10

Dear Lord help me not to fear for You are with me.

 I will not be dismayed for you are my God. 

You will strengthen me and help me. 

You will uphold me with your righteous right hand.

God is an awesome and powerful God. We do not need to be afraid because God is working on our behalf to improve our situation and emotions. God can do anything and will do anything for his dearly loved children. You are one of his dearly loved children. God makes it very clear that he wants to help us. He wants to protects us. He wants to give us his strength so we do not rely on our own weak strength. He knows we are too weak to make it through this world on our own. He will be with us to help us.

3. Know that our troubles will come to an end using the Isaiah's words.

The oppressor will come to an end,
and destruction will cease;
the aggressor will vanish from the land.
Isaiah 16:4

Dear Lord, thank you that the oppressor will come to an end,

  and destruction will cease. The aggressor will vanish from the land.

God will not let oppression and destruction continue forever. He will bring them to an end. Whatever you are enduring, God will bring it to an end. If you are mourning God will restore your joy. If you are in a difficult situation God will change your circumstances. If you are alone God will bring people into your life. Whatever is troubling you God will bring it to an end and give you joy to replace your suffering. Trust him. Obey him. Let him work things out in your life.

4. Believe that you will rise from the darkness using Micah's words.

Do not gloat over me, my enemy!
Though I have fallen, I will rise.
Though I sit in darkness,
the Lord will be my light.
Micah 7:8

Dear Lord, tell my enemies to not gloat over me. 

Though I have fallen I will rise. 

Though I sit in darkness the Lord will be my light.

God will slay your enemies for you. Whether it is a situation, a loss, or a person God will intervene on your behalf. God will bring you up out of the pit you believe yourself to be in. God will bring you into the light of his glorious love. Who ever is looking down on you or has given up on you, it is not God. God wants to lift you up and restore you.

5. Know that God will set you free from your pain using Isaiah's words.

to say to the captives, ‘Come out,’
and to those in darkness, ‘Be free!’
“They will feed beside the roads
and find pasture on every barren hill.
Isaiah 49:9

Dear Lord, call me out of the darkness and set me free. 

                                     Good Shepard let me find pasture on every barren hill.

You can be free of your pain. There is a pain-free future in front of you. God wants you to live a life without endless sadness and despair. God himself will call you out of your emotional darkness. Even though the world around you seems barren and dry, God will help you find pasture and comfort. A place to nourish your soul and lift your emotions.

6. Remember you are a chosen child of God using Peter's words.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, 

God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him 

who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
1 Peter 2:9

Dear Lord, let me always remember I am a chosen person,

a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to you. 

God allow me to declare the praises of you who called me 

out of darkness into your wonderful Light.

Always remember you are a chosen child of the great King. You are set apart to belong to God’s family. You were made to praise God, to love God, to walk in God’s light. There is no human emotion which can deny you your rightful place in God’s kingdom. Whatever is happening in your life keep reminding your self of who you are in Christ.

God’s word is strong and powerful. If you kept repeating these verses, day by day you will begin to walk in greater light and leave the darkness behind you. Don’t stop. Keep reminding yourself what the Bible says about you. Do not let twisted thinking about who you are rob you of joy. What ever you are feeling today, God has better plans for you tomorrow. God plans to give you a hope and a future.

 

                                     For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,

 “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans 

to give you hope and a future.
Jerimiah 29:11