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S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
Depression is a widespread condition, affecting millions of people, Christians and non-Christians alike. Those suffering from depression can experience intense feelings of sadness, anger, hopelessn...
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Kilian Kean
Supporter
We have to remember that people in the Bible were also depressed. David was depressed as shown in Psalms 42, but his hope turned to God for deliverance. Elijah the prophet was also depressed in 1 Kings 19, but God spoke to him and gave him hope. God is greater than our problems. I have found that there is only one problem with depression, that is the wrong focus. When we are depressed, we are focused on ourselves, our problems, our insecurities. Our focus has to be on Jesus. The acronym JOY is great to remember during these times. In order to obtain JOY, we need to have a hierarchy in our lives of who is most important. J is for Jesus who has to be first in our lives, O is for Others who are second, and Y is for Yourself who has to be last. When our focus is on Jesus, Joy is the result. John the apostle wrote often about ensuring our joy is made full and complete. John 17:13, 1 John 1:4, and 2 John 1:12. Study these passages. John the Baptist, not the writer of the book, is the one who said "He must increase but I must decrease." John 3:30 Many years ago, I was told that the Bible will keep you from sin and sin will keep you from the Bible. We all sin, but constant, habitual sin will hinder your ability to recover. However, a habit of being in the Bible will assist in recovering from depression or an inward focus on our problems and insecurities. PUSH is another acronym for "Pray Until Something Happens". There is a part of responsibility that falls to us and that is seeking after God. Matt 6:33, James 4:8 When we strive to seek out God, He will be there. Lastly, Romans 10:17 says "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." With the plethora of music devices out there how about listening to the spoken Word or Bible teachings? I started this practice many years ago and it has been wonderful. I still go through great trials, the last being our home burning to the ground, but God is able to hold me and carry me through, and He will do the same for you. There are many teachers out there who put their teachings on the web for free download in MP3 format. Right click on them and save to your machine for listening. I can promise it will lift you up. Romans 10:17 "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God." https://firefighters.org/media-2/free-christian-media-audio-sermons/
James Kraft
Supporter
Only God alone can lead us out of depression. I have been so depressed I could hardly keep going. I read the book of Job and it helped. But, I was still depressed. Sometimes the circumstances that God puts us through are just without understanding. If I tried to help myself get out of the depression it only made it worse. I could not understand why God was putting me through what was happening. And He was silent. I read Job again. Finally, the Lord spoke. He said; Just trust me. I said OK Lord. And peace began to come. My circumstances began to change. I learned that God is still God and He has the right to put us where ever He wants to. A few years later I lost my second oldest son in a motorcycle accident at the age of 42. Even though it was great pain and I could not sleep for several days, in the end I could say, The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh, Blessed be the name of the Lord. All about this same time span I lost three grandchildren. Many things in this life we will never understand. Who can know the mind of God. His purposes are known only to Him. Three and a half years ago I had a sudden death cardiac arrest. I had had a bad heart valve since birth and was having some chest pain, but the Lord said keep doing what you are doing. I was helping the Boy Scouts in a project that was pretty hard for a 71 year old guy with a bad heart valve. At the end of the day my heart could take no more and it just quit. One of the boys fathers was a doctor and started CPR on me right away, and kept it up for 15 minutes until the EMT's got there and restarted my heart with a defibrilator. They could not get me into surgery for 3 days. The thing is, I had the greatest peace I have ever known in my life. I had no control over anything that was going to happen. I told the Lord, if you want me to stay OK, if you want me with you OK. They did open heart surgery and replaced my valve with a doner valve. I do not have to be on any medication or blood thinners. In my last echo on my heart the doctor said my heart looks perfect. Just be careful crossing the street. LOL I don't understand it. What should cause depression brings peace and joy. Our ways are not His ways, and His ways are not our ways. God has a perfect right to do with us what ever He wants. As a child of His I have been bought and paid for. Does not the potter have a right to mold the clay however He wants? I only know that God brings things into our life for His purpose. I do not need to know why. I just need to trust Him.
Ron Maurizio
Supporter
I believe a lot of depression is caused by Satan. When I feel the slightest depression coming on, I simply pray to God to get Satan out of my thoughts. Works like a charm for me. Sure hopes this helps someone. God bless you
Jay Saunders
Supporter
Depression is oppresion from the enemy. It is called the spirit of heaviness. The bible says to cast it off the spirit of heaviness by putting on the garment of praise. Let God arise and His enemies be scattered. Praise and worship defeats the spirit of heaviness. Just go to church and see if you can be depressed there during a prasie and worship service. Then you will understand. Paul and Silas where put in prison but they decided to praise God rather than to be depressed. An angel of the lord delivered them from that prison. Depression is a type of prison. Joy, praise and worship will and can set you free from depression. I know because it happened to me. Isaiah 61:3 Acts 16:16-40 Nehemiah 8:10
Ursula S Monroe
Supporter
I have battled depression for years. My Christian therapist finally hit upon the solution: PRAY don't read Psalm 23 every day (In other words, pray it as you read it) until you realize your depression is gone. God speaks to me through music, so I started listening exclusively to Christian music. I'm now at peace and actually feel God's love all the time. He will heal you through this prayer!
Jack Gutknecht
Supporter
You overcome depression by memorizing some inspiring Bible verses with Scripture Memory Fellowship this summer about The Night of Depression Psalm 42:5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted in me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. Psalm 55:22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. Psalm 147:3 He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. Isaiah 61:1The Spirit of the LORD GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; 1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Here's the link: VerseLocker Logo by Scripture Memory Fellowship or better, yet: https://scripturememory.com/verselocker See also their devotion/disappointment: Devotional: Disappointment It takes humility to believe this week’s verses. If our ways are not God’s ways, then whose way is right? God said to Job, “Would you indeed annul My judgment? Would you condemn Me that you may be justified?” (Job 40:8). Who is the creature to say it knows better than the Creator? Humility and submission, though painful at first, soothe the strain of resistance. Remember also that our definition of “good” is inferior to God’s. He looks after the eternal good of those who love Him. The Lord who never makes mistakes will not make one with you. A prayer I pray when I am deeply depressed is the one David prayed in Psalm 143:7, "Come quickly, Lord, and answer me, for my DEPRESSION deepens. Don’t turn away from me, or I will die."
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