Overcoming Depression

Depression has reached epidemic proportions throughout the world. An alarming fact is that depression is assailing more and more young children, leaving scars on their souls that could last a lifetime.

Psychology offers many solutions, some of which are effective. But what is one to do when years of counseling yield no results?

As always, the Word of God offers solid answers that bring results. Here is a promise in God's Word that you can apply to your life to ward off depression:

Isaiah 61:3 commands us to put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. What is the garment of praise? It is putting on the attitude of worship and praise in order to put off the attitude of depression.  Yes, depression is an attitude that results when the mind has been meditating on lies.

How does one put on the garment of praise? Very simply. By praising the Lord.

This sounds like a crazy command, but it always works.  Whenever I am tempted to be depressed, I begin to praise the Lord. Sometimes I will put on a CD of worship music and dance before the Lord, playing my tambourine and shouting praises to His Holy Name.

When depressed, I don't feel like praising the Lord, but I do it anyway in obedience to His command. And do you know what?  Depression always leaves.  ALWAYS!!!

Depression is bondage. Remember: There is no bondage that the Blood of Jesus Christ cannot destroy.  There is no situation that the Blood of Jesus Christ cannot overcome.  There is no sin that the Blood of Jesus Christ cannot wash away.

The next time you are tempted to be depressed, start praising the Lord.

Scripture tells us that the Lord inhabits the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3).  When God inhabits a place, the devil and his spirits of depression cannot inhabit the same place. They must flee from it.

When Life Seems Hopeless

One of Satan's chief weapons is discouragement. If he can get us to give up hope, he has us pretty well in his evil hands. 

Scripture tells us that hope is the anchor of the soul (Hebrews 6:19).  In other words, when we have hope, our soul (which consists of our emotions, our intellect, and our will) has an anchor. What does an anchor do? It holds a ship in place and keeps it steady.  Hope holds your soul (the ship of your life) in place and keeps it steady.

Hope also keeps you from thwarting your destiny through self-pity, depression, and even suicide. Remember this: God has created you for a specific purpose that only you can fulfill. Satan will do everything he can to rob you of that purpose through hopelessness. 

If you feel hopeless today, look toward Jesus. He is stretching forth His hand, inviting you to take it. He will lead you out of hopelessness as you keep your eyes on Him. 

You Can Choose to Be Free

Emotionally sick people usually feel trapped in a seemingly endless cycle of pain and more pain. Satan wants you to believe that you are doomed to suffer forever and that there is nothing you can do to free yourself from your pain.  This is a lie, and if you continue to believe it, you will remain in bondage to your wounded emotions.

The truth is that you can be free of emotional pain. But in order to be free, you must first believe that you can be free and then you must want to be free.  The desire to be free is key to your becoming free. You must have a burning desire to be free, and then you must do what it takes to be free.

What does it take to be free?  Here are some of the most important things it takes to be free:

• Being free means acknowledging that you cannot heal yourself.
• Being free means acknowledging that you need a Savior to heal you.
• Being free means accepting your Savior, Jesus Christ, and trusting Him to heal you.
• Being free means obeying His Truth that will set you free. This Truth is found in the Holy Bible.

As you take these steps toward freedom, you will enter a new realm of living, a realm of peace and joy unlike anything you have ever known. 

Here is a simple prayer you can pray to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord:

Jesus, I come to You just as I am.  Broken, hurting, and deeply wounded. I know that You accept me just as I am. There is nothing I can do to earn Your love. You give it to me freely. Your love for me is not dependent on my performance but on Your goodness.  So I come to You now and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Heal my broken heart, Lord. Restore my soul. Make me the person You created me to be. In Your Name I pray and receive by faith.  Amen.

Once you accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Lord, you will be on your way to complete emotional health. But know that Satan will not like the fact that you are moving toward freedom. He will try to stop you at every turn by attempting to fill your mind again with his lies. Resist him. As a born-again believer in Jesus Christ, you have the power and authority to resist the devil and he must flee from you. 

Please let me know if you have prayed this prayer. You can write to me at drmaryann@maryanndiorioministries.com.