Depression

 
 
Depression can be a crippling illness.  It strikes most of us at one time or another during our lives. Most of the time we will suffer from' situational' depression,  but sometimes it can be something more serious' clinical' depression.  What comfort and help can we find in God's Word?
 
We are made up of a body, a mind,  and a spirit.  Depression can attack all three. If we can gain relief from depression in our spirit,  often this relieves our emotional depression.
 
Some of the causes of spiritual depression can be difficult circumstances, mourning, sickness, sorrow, anxiety and fear.  Identifying and dealing with with possible spiritual causes can be very healing in two ways;  We face the issues causing the depression and we deepen our relationship with God.
 
Our spirit is much like the body.  Just as we feed our bodies nutritious things to keep it well,  our spirit needs the same nutritious nourishment. If we are feeding our bodies 'junk' food it can sometimes make us sick,  just as well as if we are feeding our spirit 'junk' it can lead to depression. The soul needs good food to encourage and uplift our spirit.
 
Difficult circumstances can drain our emotional and spiritual strength, causing aggravating depression.  Sometimes difficult circumstances are tests of faith or the result of sin or disobedience.  Whatever the reason for the challenges, Christians always have a loving Father willing to help.  As
difficult as it is while depressed, we must keep our eyes focused on God. He is the answer for all of our challenges.  Ah, Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee..Jerimiah 32:17
 
Mourning is certainly a cause of depression.  Grief can sometimes be overwhelming.  The loss of a loved one tosses us from emotion to emotion like a leaf caught in the wind.  Grief seeps into our spirit,  numbing it and dulling our communication with the Holy Spirit. When this happens, we have a difficult time hearing the promises of God because we are so wrapped up in our pain.  While mourning we need God the most.  We must keep His Word before us.  Daily devotions help, even if they are done out of habit, our soul is fed and a slow recovery begins.  Reading from Isaiah and the Psalms are very comforting to those grieving.  Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away. Isaiah 51:11
 

Physical illness can sap energy from our spirit too. Illness brings with it all sorts of spiritual challenges, especially if the illness is quite serious or prolonged, spiritual depression will more than likely result. When dealing with depression that is the result of illness, it's important to keep feeding our spirits with the Word of God, focusing on verses that promise His care and constant presence. Sickness can be difficult to cope with emotionally and spiritually but God does care and that is the information we must feed our souls. Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; James 5:14,15. He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from
their destructions. Psalm 107:20 

Sorrow for things we have done can lead to spiritual depression. We all have regrets about things we've done, hurting others, lying, cheating, and not doing our best. The best thing we can do is make up for what we can make up for and
turn all of our regrets over to God. All sin leaves a scar on someone.  Whether the one scarred is you or someone else, ask God for His forgiveness and healing. Carrying around regrets for things that have been forgiven is counter productive and can aggravate depression. If you have done what you
can to correct the mistake and have ask for forgiveness, then you must also accept forgiveness and leave the regret behind.
Sometimes we think that carrying the regret with us, we are paying the price for the sin, but we're not. Remember, there is nothing that we can do to earn forgiveness, it's God's free gift to us. Holding on to regrets starves the spirit of the food of forgiveness. I have blotted out, as a thick cloud thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins; return unto me; for I have redeemed thee. Isaiah 44:22. 

Anxiety and fear are often big elements of depression. Worry over circumstances, nervousness about the future, and fears of all kinds can eat away at our confidence and sense of security. Spiritually, these things put up barriers between us and God,
preventing an open and honest communication. Christians define fear as a lack of faith. We need faith food to drive out fear. Reading the Word of God and associating with strong, mature Christians builds faith. If you're experiencing overwhelming fears and anxieties that are depressing you, consult with your pastor or a mature Christian friend for guidance. Remember that there is no fear in love; but perfect
love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. 1 John 4:18.
Fear thou not; for I am with thee; be not dismayed; for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Isaiah 41:10 

When depressed it is critical to focus on hope. There is all hope with God, He is with us always, concerned with our living, concerned with our feelings and health. He is our hope. "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God; for I shall yet praise him, who is
the health of my countenance, and my God." Psalm 42:11.  If we wish to overcome depression we must focus every ounce of energy on feeding our souls with hope. Depression can quickly become despair so we have an obligation to ourselves and to God to focus on hope. As long as there is breath in our
bodies, there is hope. 

God is faithful to us, even in deep depression. He is with us, loving us and working things for our good. This is what we must focus on. We have to keep our eyes off the world and the things that try to starve our spirits and stay focused on God's love for us. "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come. Nor height, nor
depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:37-39 

Some ways to feed your soul of good food for your spirit: 

Read the Word of God 
Prayer, God hears all 
Praise conquers, lift the name of the Lord 
Christian music can also help 
Lastly the Bible reminds us...Be careful for nothing; but in  every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your  requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your
hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7. 


* If your depression continues and deepens, it may not be a situational depression, it may be clinical depression. Please seek help and counsel from your physician. Medication and therapy are needed in certain instances.

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