How to Deal with Depression

What is depression and how do we deal with depression? The Bible clearly tells us that we live in an imperfect, fallen world where we experience pain, hurt, fear and so many different emotions and feelings.
Jesus said that in this world we will experience problems and tribulations (John 16:33). Therefore it should not come as any surprise when we face circumstances and situations that may cause us to experience extreme sadness or some form of depression.

Depression can be defined as the following:
• feelings of severe despondency and dejection.
• a state of low mood and aversion to activity that can affect a person’s thoughts, behavior, feelings, and sense of well-being
• a mood disorder marked especially by sadness, inactivity, difficulty in thinking and concentration, a significant increase or decrease in appetite and time spent sleeping, feelings of dejection and hopelessness, and sometimes suicidal tendencies

People with a depressed mood may be notably sad, anxious, or empty; they may also feel notably hopeless, helpless, dejected, or worthless. Other symptoms expressed may include senses of guilt, irritability, or anger.
Depression affects how you feel about yourself and makes life more difficult to manage from day to day.

I think everybody has experienced some type of depression in his/her life. The issue is not that we get sad or depressed but the real issue is HOW we respond to depression or to situations that may have the potential to cause us to become depressed.

In the Bible the Psalms are a good example of where the psalmists would express sadness, fear, guilt and even depression. In the Psalms, David would write and often express his anxieties and depressions during different periods of his life.
However, what you would notice is that despite his anxiety and depression, David would always express hope and confidence in God. In the midst of his depressive situation, David would direct his hope and faith that God would comfort him and deliver him from his difficult situation.

Psalms 43:5 is an example where the psalmist expresses sadness and hurt but yet expresses hope and confidence in God in the midst of depression. The verse says: Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

In 1 Samuel 1, we also discover that Hannah had many depressive moments because of her problem of being barren. She couldn’t conceive and so she felt extremely sad and depressed.
However, the Bible shows us that Hannah’s solution to her situation was to direct her problem to God and pray to God for a child.
Therefore her trust and hope was in God to resolve her situation.

During times of sadness and depression, we should never continue to focus on our negative situation. We should also avoid suicidal thoughts. Instead we should be encouraged to turn to God and believe in the promises of God that he will protect and deliver us.
The Bible says “Cast your burdens on the Lord and He will sustain you” (Psalms 55:22).
Philippians 4:6 tells us that we should not worry about anything but instead we should pray to God about everything.
Therefore during a period of depression – express your feelings to God. Let God know about your hurt and pain. Don’t bottle up your feelings and pain but rather, cast all your anxieties on God because He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).

It’s important to also stay focused on God’s word and to meditate on His promises. Also give thanks and praise to God in your situation and you will find that the peace of God will rule your heart and mind.

 

If you’re going through depression and you have never had a relationship with God, it’s important that you give your life to God.
Without God in our life, we cannot be equipped to deal with many of the problems that come our way. In a world that if full of sin and problems, the only answer for every situation is Jesus Christ.
With Christ in us, we will have a relationship with God and we are equipped through Christ to deal with the challenges of life.

 

DO YOU WANT TO BE A CHRISTIAN or A FOLLOWER OF JESUS CHRIST???

1. ACKNOWLEDGE: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). “God be merciful to me a sinner” (Luke 18:13).
You must acknowledge that you are a sinner and that you therefore need Jesus in your life.

2. REPENT: “Unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3), “Repent therefore and be converted that your sins may be blotted out” (Acts 3:19)
Repenting means: to change your mind; a sincere turning away, in heart, mind and action;
Therefore God wants you to repent of sinful values and of sinful living. God wants you to decide to
follow Him and to make Jesus the Lord of your life.

3. CONFESSION: “If we confess our sins. He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9)
God is a forgiving God. God will forgive any sin that you have done because Jesus died for ALL your sins and to set you free from the bondage of all types of sin in your life.

4. BELIEVE: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
You must believe that ONLY Jesus can save you and restore your relationship with God. You must believe that Jesus is the ONLY way by which you can have everlasting life and escape from eternal separation from God. You must believe that Jesus died on the cross for you and resurrected from the grave.
“He came to His own, and His own did not receive him, But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name” (John 1:11-12)
By faith, You must receive Jesus as Your Lord & Savior and therefore; you become a child of God; you become born again; you become a Christian; you restore your broken relationship with God

 

Why Not Make Your Eternal Decision NOW?

We become born again Christians by GRACE through FAITH or TOTAL TRUST in Jesus Christ as our Lord & Savior (Galatians 3:26) & (Ephesians 2:8,9). Salvation is a FREE gift received through FAITH in Christ.

PLEASE NOTE: You can choose to pray in your own words. This prayer is a sample prayer and it is only an EXPRESSION of your faith, belief & trust in Jesus. Salvation is by GRACE through FAITH or BELIEVING in Christ Jesus as your Lord & Saviour.

“Lord Jesus, I thank You for Your love. I thank You that You died on the cross for me and resurrected so that I may have life through You.
I confess Lord that I have sinned against You and today I ask You to forgive me of all of my sins, past present and future.
I repent of all of my sins and I ask You to cleanse me Jesus.
Thank You for forgiving my sins.
From this moment, come into my life Lord Jesus & take full control of my life. I want to follow You Jesus and I want to follow Your ways. Save me and from today, make me the person You want me to be.
I receive You Lord Jesus right now by faith. I trust You as my Lord and Savior – Amen”

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