The cure for Depression.

Depression - causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed. It can greatly impact the way one feels, thinks, and acts; often described as a feeling of hopelessness.

My own experience with depression was horrible. I believe it lasted about a month and some weeks. I remember feeling completely drained, just sad and alone. This was at a time when I had just broken up with my ex and if that wasn't enough childhood trauma was coming to the surface again. I felt hopeless and honestly thought I couldn't go on anymore. Thoughts of suicide crossed my mind (we'll discuss suicide next time) and there was really nothing my family could do but pray and encourage me.

What the bible says about depression?

One thing that I've learned about depression is that it is a spirit. Ephesians 6:12 lets us know that we wage war not against flesh and blood but principalities and forces of evil in the heavenly realm (spiritual realm that cannot be seen with natural eyes). When dealing with depression, it is a spirit that comes to take away one's hope and inject hopelessness into our lives. Jesus stated in John 10:10 that he came to give us life more abundantly.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

The enemies goal is to completely take away your life. Depression is a form that he uses vary often with statistics showing that it affects about 6.7% of the U.S. population ages 18 and older in a given year (ADAA, 2021). Depression can either attack one specific area of your life or in general your day to day life. No matter how you look at it, depression comes in and paralyzes an individual's entire life. The bible does not focus on staying hopeless, sad, and broken. No, the word of God focuses on HOPE and knowing that the Lord is with you always even in depression. Deuteronomy 31:6 was my favorite verse when I was facing depression because it reminded me that even when I feel alone, God was right there with me. Depression wants you to give up and throw in the towel. However, the one who created you had other plans for your life (see below Jeri. 29:11). God did not intend for you to walk around depressed, but filled with hope and LIFE! It is up to you to accept that truth and walk in it. Again, everything starts in the mind. Thoughts of sadness will try to stick and thoughts of loneliness will wanna rear it's ugly head but remember 2 Corinthians 10:5.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

The cure for depression?

The cure is in Luke 10:19 and Psalm 34:17-20. First, if you wanna win the battle over anything evil (not from God), you need power. Not just any form of power but power of the Holy Spirit which is given to all believers in Christ Jesus. So, if you're not saved and struggle with depression you might wanna try salvation on for size. :)

After receiving power, Psalm 34 let's us know that all believers who cry out to the Lord in the face of any trouble will be saved. The verse explains clearly that the Lord is near to the brokenhearted and crushed in spirit. So, the cure is Jesus! The cure is in calling on the name of Jesus whenever thoughts that's lead to depression try to come your way. The victory you have is in speaking the word of God.

I did this daily when I was going through depression. I spoke out loud scriptures that declared freedom in Jesus Christ and deliverance. Remember, anyone in Christ Jesus has the victory over everything that is not of him. Your role in all of this is to claim your freedom from depression by faith and it shall be done. Don't doubt in your heart if it'll happen for you because it will.

Rx: Speak out the word of God daily. Refill as needed by reading the word of God daily and praying daily. Also, speak to someone you trust that can encourage you in the Lord. If no one comes to mind, feel free to shoot me an email!