DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY

Depression and Anxiety

“But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.” Psalm 3:3

Depression and anxiety are two different disorders; however, one can cause the other or can cause the disorder to heighten in intensity. There are no verses that will point to quick and/or easy solutions to either of these disorders. Philippians 4:6-7 reads, "Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." Sounds so simple and easy, but those words are difficult to live up to. It takes a deep faith and a re-telling to ourselves daily of this Scripture. Hopefully, in time, a releasing of what causes the anxiety will come and it will be followed by peace. For some.....it truly is a day-by-day walk and burden that continues to plague.

In Deuteronomy 31:8 we read, "The Lord, himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” These are comforting words and words of Truth; however, if one is fighting any degree of mental illness, they need professional help and a good Christian Counselor. Since depression is a medical condition that goes beyond everyday sadness. It causes profound, long-lasting symptoms and often disrupts a person’s ability to perform routine tasks.....professional help and guidance is a must. The Scriptures; however, will lend aid to medical treatments recommended. 1 Peter 6:7 instructs us to, "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." If one is suffering from depression that is not a long-term chemical imbalance, perhaps it is of the spirit. Depression is the physical, emotional, and sometimes spiritual result of hopelessness – the ‘feeling‘ of hopelessness. We live in a world devoid of hope, and depression is the emotional product of that reality. The only thing that will actually change one’s life sufficiently as to destroy the cause, mechanics, and effects of depression is God’s hope and His word of hope. The answer is to get God’s hope inside of you. God’s hope encourages, motivates, and keeps you on the road to faith, peace, and victory. Repeat to yourself daily Psalm 62:5, “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.” However, as I said previously, if you suffer from deep ongoing depression, get professional help. One of the best ways to help cope with anxiety and depression is through the service to others. Helping others is truly good medicine.

Depression is a difficult beast. It comes in like a fog overtaking a city. Slowly, stealth like, in one’s thought processes which makes it harder to see hope and promise in the future. When you automatically turn to God on a regular basis, wow, the path is open for a truer and deeper relationship, it becomes your source of joy and your backbone against the evils of depression! God understands how difficult it is battling traumatizing events from childhood. Its the sexual, mental, emotional abuse and neglect that effect so many in their adult life. Those with clinical depression, left untreated, people have a lower quality of life, a higher risk of suicide, and worse physical prognoses if they have any other medical conditions. In fact, people with depression are almost twice as likely to die as people without the condition. What’s more, it affects not only the person with the disorder but also those around him or her.

Clinical depression is quite different from the lowest of lows that we all feel at some point in our life.....and usually at many points over the course of our life’s journey. For non-clinical “feeling sad depressed” - the Scriptures can turn the dark clouds to rays of sunshine, but it does take a lot of effort on our part. The more we get into the Scriptures and feed on His Word, the burden of depression will start to lift from us. To know and accept how much He loves us, that He is our refuge from all things bad, that we can always talk to Him, really believe that He is a whisper away, to feel His presence, to accept the strength that only He can enpower us with, to know and accept that His grace, mercy, and forgiveness is for us, to know and accept His never ending love.....these Truths - once accepted will change our lives.

Pray Psalm 143:7-8 daily, “Answer me quickly, O Lord; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit. Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I’ll lift up my soul.”

Above all.....talk to God daily (many times a day). He can bring you calm in the middle of your storm. Get in the Scriptures and read, study them, and put them into your heart everyday. They will fortify you and strengthen you.

Amen! †