EPISODE 248 – ARE YOU STRUGGLING WITH DEPRESSION? 1

Thursday 28th September, 2023

ARE YOU STRUGGLING WITH DEPRESSION? 1

“Heaviness in the heart of man depresseth it: but a good word maketh it glad.” 

Proverbs 12:25 (Webster’s Bible Translation)

Most of the things you experience around you begins from your heart.

For out of the heart are the issues of life (Proverbs 4:23)

Depression germinates and finds it root in the heart.

It is a crucial matter which requires intentional attention.

God is not silent on the issue of depression.

And because it is a great concern to Him, He’s made provision of remedies through His word.

Depression is a condition which may affect those who are in Christ and those who have not received Christ.

Are you feeling depressed at this moment?

Or you often find yourself struggling with it?

Sincerely depression is an active experience which could depict your thoughts.

There are quite some causatives to depression. These things may not always be loud and obvious, but silently work deeply in ones heart, till they become a stronghold.

Smothered bitterness or envy or hatred, sense of guilt, self-condemnation, shame, anxiety, fear, disappointments, death of a love one, negative family history, loss of job or opportunities, continues failures, divorce, sense of loneliness or rejection, low self esteem, delays, feeling stagnant in life, abuse, debts, and other negative circumstances (which maybe physiological or psychological) trigger depression.

These can make one begin to feel useless and suicidal.

A person struggling with depression frowns at the things and people they enjoy.

He or she begins to lose interest in almost everything.

The adversary takes advantage of such situation to steal your joy and to crush your faith.

This situation can be overwhelming and you may begin to have intense feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, sadness, fatigue and anger.

Beloved, don’t give in to such feeling and don’t think it is not possible.

The plot of the adversary is for you to feel you can’t do anything about it.

You may even begin to feel the word of God is not true or good enough to help you. You lose appetite for the Word and become prayerless.

This is when you must know you need the Word of God the most.

The first thing to do is to quickly turn to God and speak out to Him!!!

“Call upon Me in the day of distress; I shall rescue you, and you will glorify Me.” Psalm 50:15 (LSB)

Depression is a distress or affliction of the soul.

And because the Lord is interested in your total well-being or wholeness, He will not hesitate to make provision of strength to you.

One may ask, why wouldn’t God just help me in my distress?

Do you think reading this at this time is coincidental? Because God wants to help you out of this struggle, He inspired me to write specifically to you. To show you how!

God doesn’t automatically step into the affairs of men.

Learn to permit God into your situation by turning to Him.

We relate with God by FAITH.

Looking unto God, also means you are looking away from all the many things troubling your heart and making you anxious. That is FAITH.

The example of Peter:

“About three o’clock in the morning[a] Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!” But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!” Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped” Luke 14:25-32 (NLT).

As long as Peter was looking at Jesus, he walked on the water; until he turned away from the Lord to look at the wind and the waves.

To sink could also mean be weighed down or depressed.

Peter didn’t hesitate to call on the Lord for help.

No matter how you seem drowned or overwhelmed by that depression, Jesus is ready to help you.

Turn away from those thoughts and turn to God.

Hallelujah