Dealing with Depression

For every emotional, mental, spiritual, physical, and social aberration there is a Godly solution. Many proffered solutions outside the finished work of the cross only help a person cope with depression or to cover up its effects rather than to heal it.

I have ministered to hundreds of depressed people in my ministry life-time. I’m aware that in a certain percentage of cases there are physical problems which cause the incidence of it. Even those can be touched by the power of Christ. I’ve seen some people with seemingly unsolvable cases liberated through the work of the cross, blood, and resurrection of Jesus.

Depression is most often linked to what we perceive to be the past failures by others, ourselves, and of God which have effected our quality of life. It is the result of inaccurate and unscriptural accusations and evaluations of what could have been, could be, or should have been or should be. At the very heart of most feelings of depression are self-pity and a low self-esteem. With this viewpoint we inevitably see ourselves and our circumstances as a result; meaning that we feel that we are always on the receiving end of someone else’s failure.

Depression is manifested by such symptoms as moodiness, feelings of anxiety, feelings of hopelessness, unruly or twisted thinking, feelings of physical emotional heaviness, etc.

Following are some reasons for it and their biblical solutions:

A wrong system of core beliefs. Depression is a product of a wrong belief system and the thoughts which are governed and generated by it. Such things as low self-esteem, feelings of rejection, anxieties, fearfulness, etc. are the result of unscriptural and corrupted beliefs.

Solution: begin a comprehensive study of scriptures which stand against and correct the fallacious thinking that is associated with these wrong thought patterns. Through scripture, build into your system the truth of whom and what God says that you are. Believe His assessment rather than your own or even that of others.

Depression is a result of feelings of guilt. Guilt is the result of either a failure to purify the conscience through confession or it is the result of wrong beliefs. When a person has memories of past sinful behavior those memories with afflict him with feelings of guilt and condemnation until they have been purged by confession. One should remember that a memory is forever so while the memory of a wrong event may linger, confession removes the power of guilt that keeps it significant.

Solution: Go aside from daily activities for a period of prayer. Pray the prayer contained in Psalm 139:23-24. Address each sin that is revealed to you by confessing it to the Father. Be hard on yourself and call it what it is. Don’t justify it. Be humble before the Father and He will forgive and cleanse. Claim the promise of 1 John 1:9. When your conscience is clean renounce all future feelings of condemnation based on Romans 8:1.

Depression is the result of anger. Anger has three basic sources. It is generated by fear where it serves as a temporary protective device. It is caused by frustrations that are the result of unfulfilled expectations. It is the product of protracted bitterness and unforgiveness.

Solution: 1). In addressing prolonged fearfulness, thoroughly saturate yourself with Psalm 91. Memorize it and stand against any undefined and unwarranted fears. Address other fear through definitive scriptural action. 2). Release others, yourself, and God from unrealistic, undefined, unjustified, and/or unspoken expectations. 3). Deal with your anger through forgiving the persons at whom your anger is directed. True forgiveness is undeserved and unexpected. Forgive without confrontation and with no demands. Restore the relationship through the principles given in Matthew 5:44.

Depression may be caused by unresolved grief. Grief has a multitude of sources but is primarily caused by the loss of someone or something which we have loved or cherished. There is a normal course of grief which should not be rushed. When grief is prolonged it is the result of the failure to obtain God’s grace for healing. It may be accompanied by anger at God, oneself, or others.

Solution: Define your feelings and repent of wrongs attitudes. Pray that God will give your the comforting realization of the Holy Spirit who is your comforter. Completely, unconditionally, and finally release the person or thing which you have lost to the Heavenly Father. Release your emotions through prayer, focusing on praise, thanksgiving and rejoicing.

Depression may be caused by the activity of the enemy. The enemy is quick to take advantage of any grounds we offer him by tolerating issues in our life such as those mentioned above. His immediate and final purpose is to seek to steal, kill, and to destroy any child of God and that which is of worth to them. He seeks any and every opening we give him in our thought life in order to achieve those purposes.

Solution: If depression is compulsive seek the help of a wise and spiritual friend. Get him to pray with you against the spirit of depression, commanding it to leave and asking God for freedom from it. Deal with the open doors which you have given the enemy through the suggestions given above.

The greatest problem with depression is that it is totally believable. When caught in its grasp, it is hard for one to see that there is light, hope, and help requiring us only to reach out to the One Who offers it—Jesus Christ. There is physical, mental, and emotional energy required in the process which requires personal initiative and effort. Like a car that cannot be driven nor steered when it sits idle with the engine off, so is the debilitating effect of depression. One should get up and get in motion when gripped by it. He should resist, renounce, and rebuke its presence. He should delve into the Word—particularly the Psalms—reading, memorizing, praying them continuously.

Above all, saturate your life with praise, thanksgiving and rejoicing. God will meet you there. He wants you to live life to the fullest and these are the pathways to that reality. Remember, our God is faithful and He will deliver you out of that pit.

Jeff

• Jefferson H. and Norma R. Floyd, CO-director • Jubilee International • P. O. Box 572 • Noblesville, IN 46061