Emotions & Thought Life Archives

Category: Emotions & Thought Life

How to Deal with Depression

Oct. 22 Emotions & Thought Life, Prayer Comments Off

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”

Have you accepted & believed in Jesus Christ as a result of reading this article? If so please acknowledge by clicking the “I Have Accepted Jesus Christ” button below

How to Overcome the Fear of Dying

Aug. 31 Emotions & Thought Life Comments Off

When we think about fear and the various things in life that we are afraid of – there are at least 3 common reasons as to why people have anxieties and fears in their life.
1. As people we fear the things and circumstances that we can’t control
2. As people we fear the unknown and the uncertain things in our life
3. As people we fear the things and the situations that we don’t understand

Therefore when it comes to the fear of death or the fear of dying, there are many of us who have a fear of the unknown.
For many of us, death is an unpleasant thing to think about or dwell on because its unpleasantness brings with it fear and anxiety.

If ever you’ve thought about death, you might at some point have asked yourself the following questions: “What happens when I die?”; “Is there an after-life?”; “What will happen to my family and loved ones when I die?”

It’s perfectly normal and valid to ask ourselves these questions. These questions are not only normal and valid but they also need to be answered.

So, how can you be certain what happens when you die? How can you be prepared for the inevitability of death? And how can we overcome the fear of death?

Acceptance
We need to accept that in an imperfect and fallen world, death cannot be avoided. As people we experience conception, birth and then death.
So it’s important to accept that our physical bodies will eventually die. Everyone will die at some point in life.
The Bible says that it’s appointed for man to die once and then after that comes judgment (Hebrews 9:27)

Certainty of the After-life
One of the reasons why people fear death is because some of us are not sure if there is an after-life or where we will go when we die. Others might think that one just seizes to exist after death, but still this belief does not remove the fear of death.

Jesus said that He is the way, the truth and the life and that no one will go to Heaven without Him (John 14:6).
The Bible also says that He who has the Son has life and He who does not have the Son of God does not have eternal life (1 John 5:12).

Therefore you can overcome the fear of death when you know and believe that you are going to a better place – and Heaven IS a better place.
The person who goes to Heaven is the person who has trusted and believed in Jesus Christ as his/her Lord and Saviour.
Also in John 14:2 Jesus says that in His Father’s house there are many mansions or many rooms and that He has prepared a place for us who accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour and trust that the only way to Heaven is through Him.

Change Your Perception of Death
Death is never a good thing. Death came about because of the sin of mankind.
However, another way of overcoming death is to change our perception of death.
Instead of seeing death as the end – if you’re a born again Christian – death is a departure from an imperfect and fallen world and the arrival into a world that is perfect and without blemish.
Therefore the Christian believer does not need to fear death because He will be with God in Heaven where everything is perfect.
The Bible says that to be absent from the body is to be with Christ (2 Corinthians 5:8).

Conclusion
Do you have the fear of death? Are you afraid of dying? Do you know what will happen to you when you die? Do you know where you will go when you die?
All the answers to these questions come only from one Person – Jesus Christ.
The only way to have eternal life and to be in Heaven when you die is through Jesus Christ and having a relationship with the living God.
Today if you’re not sure where you will go when you die, or if you’re afraid of death – Jesus Christ can give you peace and you can accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord & Saviour.

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

Why Not Make Your Eternal Decision NOW?

Have you accepted & believed in Jesus Christ as a result of reading this article? If so please acknowledge by clicking the “I Have Accepted Jesus Christ” button below

The Secret to Happiness

Jul. 28 Emotions & Thought Life, Purpose Comments Off

Can money, wealth, fame & material possessions lead to everlasting joy and happiness? Could these things be what every person needs in order to be happy?
Ironically the majority of us seek after these things more than we seek anything else.

You might hear someone say: “if I had a lot of money – then that would make me happy”. Then when that person obtains the wealth and riches that he wanted, you discover some years later that the person got depressed and committed suicide.

You might hear another person say: “if I could just get a good job then I would be happy”. However, years after getting the job, you discover that person is not happy or satisfied with their job or career.

You might know someone who seeks just a bit more of that drug in order to get himself high because he feels that the more he takes drugs the more happy he will become. A few years later, you might discover that person has died from a drug overdose.

The truth is this – happiness isn’t found in possessions or a dependence on things.
Jesus said that our life does not consist in the abundance of things (Luke 12:15).

Neither money nor wealth nor material possessions can be deemed as evil within themselves.
However, when we observe the life of famous & wealthy people it’s easy to realize that the answer to happiness or joy does not lie in riches or fame but it lies in something much greater.
If rich & famous people fall into depression to the point of committing suicide then it means that neither their wealth nor their fame was enough to stop the depression nor prevent them from taking their own life.

If we desire to find the true secret to happiness then we need to look beyond the things that are temporary. If one’s happiness is based upon something temporary – like money – then that person’s happiness will die/end when the money runs out.

There are certain issues in one’s life – such as anxiety, depression and addiction that cannot be dealt with simply by having a lot of money or by being famous. Fame cannot deal with depression because such issues are internal issues.
Depression, anxiety, addiction and even suicidal thoughts are issues that affect the soul and spirit of a person. They affect the inward part of us.

In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus says “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth & rust destroy & where thieves break in & steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust destroys & where thieves do not break in & steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will also be”.
In the scripture above, Jesus encourages us not to inwardly dedicate ourselves to seeking after the temporary because the temporary will ultimately be destroyed. Happiness does not lie in the temporary.
Instead Jesus urges us to seek after the eternal things in heaven where nothing can be stolen or destroyed.

In John 15:11 Jesus says “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full”.
The kind of joy that Jesus gives us is the joy that remains inside of us despite the external circumstances. Therefore, it’s possible to go through challenges in your life but still have the joy of the Lord inside of you. It’s possible to go through a difficult situation but still remain confident in the Lord and have the peace of God which surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:7).
True joy is found when we set our hearts on the eternal things in heaven and when we accept Jesus Christ as being the ultimate source of everlasting joy.
The truth is – without Jesus, we cannot have everlasting happiness.

13 Reasons Why You Should Avoid Suicide

May. 29 Emotions & Thought Life, Purpose Comments Off

According to the World Health Organization close to 800,000 people die due to suicide every year and there are many more who attempt suicide. Suicide is also the second leading cause of death among 15-29 year olds globally.

If you have suicidal thoughts or if you are being tempted to take your own life – It’s important to know that suicide is not the answer to solving life’s problems.
Life is a gift that comes from God and God would want us to value the life that He has given us.

Below are 13 reasons why you should NEVER consider suicide

1. You Are Loved
Even though you’re not perfect; even though you feel guilty; even though you feel like you’ve done bad things in your life – always know that there is someone who loves you unconditionally and that person is God your Creator.
Romans 5:8 says “But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ dies for us”
Christ died for the sinners. Nobody is perfect and we all make mistakes and do things that we regret.
People may fail to love us; your family may fail to love you; your friends may fail to love you – but God NEVER fails and God will ALWAYS love you despite your failures or weaknesses. Therefore it’s important to know that even if you feel like people don’t love you – always remember that God loves you and you can embrace unconditional His love for you.

2. You Are Forgiven
Even if people don’t forgive you – God forgives you. Even when we think that we don’t need forgiveness – God still forgives us. When Jesus Christ was crucified and while He hung on the cross, Jesus forgave the very people who were crucifying Him as He cried “Father forgive them for they know not what they do”.
Sometimes you might feel such guilt and remorse for something you have done, to the extent that you might feel that suicide is the only option or escape.
If you have done something wrong and you feel guilt, remorse and anguish over your situation – you can receive the forgiveness of God for whatever you have done.
1 John 1:9 says “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
God will forgive whatever wrong thing that you have done. Whatever wrong you have done – Christ paid for it on the cross so that you may be cleansed of all unrighteousness.

3. God Can Carry Your Burdens
You might be carrying a lot of pain; you might be carrying a lot of hurt; you might be carrying a lot of heartache & depression. However, God wants you to cast all your burdens and all your pain onto Him.
1 Peter 5:7 says “Cast all your anxiety on Him for He cares for you”.
Our bodies were not built for worry and depression. This is why depression or anxiety can lead to psychosomatic problems and sicknesses where one gets high blood pressure, heart attacks and the like. We were not designed to carry burdens.
However, God can carry our pain and burdens. All we have to do – is let go of the worry and anxiety and through trusting and praying, we give our issues to God and believe that He will take care of our issues.

4. God Can Give You Peace
Philippians 4:6-7 says “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”.
Whenever you are going through a problem in your life – it’s important to pray about it. When you have suicidal thoughts it’s important to pray about your thoughts and worries so that God may give you peace. In life we need somewhere to offload our problems and Philippians 4:6-7 encourages us to talk to God about EVERYTHING and to NOT be anxious about ANYTHING.
Therefore as you give your issues to God & let go of the circumstances that you cannot control – then eventually the peace of God will come.
John 14:27 – Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

5. God Has A Purpose for Your Life
In Jeremiah 29:11-12 God says “For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord “Plans for peace and not for evil to give you a future and a hope”.
God’s thoughts towards His people are that of peace and not of evil. God’s thoughts towards you is to give you a future and a hope.
When one considers suicide it is a sign that one no longer thinks that he/she has a future and a hope.
However, God offers you hope and He has a future for you. Suicide simply aborts the plans that God has laid for your life

6. God Will Never Leave You Nor Forsake You
Even if people forsake you or even if you feel lonely. Know that you’re not alone because God will never leave you nor forsake you. God is with you through both the good and the bad situations in your life.

7. God Will Give You Strength to Overcome & Persevere
1 Corinthians 10:13 – No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
The thought of suicide is a reflection that one believes that the problem is too much and too hard to be resolved or handled. However, God says that emotionally, spiritually and even practically there is a way of escape for every trial and temptation that we face.
Suicide is NOT a method of escape from one’s problems because it violates God’s principles about life. If God allows trials and temptations in your life, it is only so that you may grow and mature but it is never with the intention for you to take your own life.
Therefore whenever you go through a tough situation and you’re perhaps bombarded with suicidal thoughts – pray to God and allow Him to strengthen you to persevere and overcome.

8. God Can Deliver You
Don’t hold onto the pain. Don’t hold onto the depression, but let God deliver you. Allow God to set you free from suicidal thoughts and suicidal temptations.
In Jeremiah 32:27 God says “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for Me?”.
There is nothing that is too hard for God to handle in your life.

9. God Can Give You Hope
Sometimes you can feel as if you have no hope. Sometimes you can feel as if there is no way out. However with God there is always hope and with Him there is always a way out.
Psalms 43:5 – Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.
When a person attempts or commits suicide, it is a sign that hope has been lost. However, keep hoping in God even when the situation you’re in seems bleak. Keep hoping.

10. God Can Give You Patience & Perseverance
James 1:2-4 says : My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
God uses every trial and temptation to build our character and to make us stronger if we persevere and succeed in overcoming.
According to James 1:2-4 our attitude of in the face of trials should be one of joy because the testing of our faith will build our character.

11. God Can Give You Wisdom
If you lack wisdom to overcome your situation the Bible says that we should ask God for wisdom. James 1:5 says: If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
Suicide is NEVER a wise choice. Suicide should never be considered as an appropriate choice to escape issues. Rather, when we have issues and problems, we need to ask God to give us the wisdom to overcome our problems.

12. God Can Comfort You So That You Eventually Comfort Others
If you’re considering suicide, do not take your own life but instead find comfort in God. Let God give you the assurance, the security and the comfort that you need in your situation.
Eventually when you are comforted by God – you will one day counsel and comfort those who have been going through the same situation.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 – Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

13. God Can Give You Jesus
Ultimately, without Jesus, we do not have eternal life. Jesus came that we may have life and have life more abundantly (John 10:10).
Jesus says that He is the way the truth and the life (John 14:6). Therefore without Jesus we cannot have eternal life.
The Bible says that without Christ in our life we will perish eternally (John 3:16). However if we believe in Christ, we will be destined for eternity with God.

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

Why Not Make Your Eternal Decision NOW?

Have you accepted & believed in Jesus Christ as a result of reading this article? If so please acknowledge by clicking the “I Have Accepted Jesus Christ” button below

How Do You Deal With Impure Thoughts?

Mar. 07 Emotions & Thought Life Comments Off

How does a person deal with the impure and intrusive thoughts that enter or bombard one’s mind?
This is a problem that many people have and sometimes it may seem almost impossible to control one’s thinking.
Our thought-life is a very important part of our life. Our thoughts can reveal who we are; our thoughts can change our destiny; our thoughts shape our life and it’s important that our thoughts be subjected to God’s word and God’s will.
Some people struggle with lustful thoughts; others with anxiety & depression; whilst others struggle with low self-esteem or suicidal thoughts.
So the question is – how do we deal with impure thoughts?

A TEMPLATE FOR WHAT WE SHOULD THINK ABOUT

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things.

What we learn from Philippians 4:8 is that God wants our thoughts to be focused on the right issues. In this particular verse God gives us a template of the kind of things that we should be thinking and focusing on. We should focus on what’s true; lovely; praiseworthy; virtuous; of good report and the things that are pure.
Therefore as we think on these kind of issues according to Philippians 4:8 – we will then begin to gradually develop a healthy and sound mind.

CAPTURE EVERY THOUGHT

2 Corinthians 10:5
Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

It’s been said that “you can’t stop a bird from landing on your head but you can stop it from building a nest on your head”.
What this means it that there are times in our thought-life when the devil will project certain impure thoughts into your mind with the intention of tempting you. Therefore nobody is immune to temptation. Even Jesus Christ was tempted (Matthew 4:1-11).
Even though we are not immune to temptation this does not mean that we should allow ourselves to indulge into our temptations. The Bible tells us to bring “every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ”.
We practically bring every thought captive to Christ by measuring & filtering all our thoughts & temptations against the word of God.
When Jesus was tempted, He captured every thought and idea that the devil presented to Him by filtering it through the Scriptures. Just like Jesus, we can defeat every impure thought and temptation by confessing and obeying the Scriptures against that impure thought.

MEDITATE & OBEY THE WORD OF GOD
Therefore if you’re struggling with your thought-life, you could try the following
1. You need to cultivate a habit of meditating on the word of God. (Psalms 1:1-3)
2. You need to also cultivate a habit of capturing every thought and filtering it against the word of God. (2 Corinthians 10:5)
3. It’s important to be obedient or a doer of the word of God. (James 1:23-25)
4. Focus on Jesus Christ and to fix our eyes on Him who is the Author and Finisher of our faith. (Hebrews 12:2)
5. Yield to the leading of the Holy Spirit who is able to help us overcome the desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:16)