The Christians Answer To Depression
My dictionary defines depression as sad or dejected. My Thesaurus adds to it as being downhearted, blue, dispirited, and heavy-hearted. None of these descriptions echo how a Christian should be or feel, yet in many believers the condition is very, very real. Why? Obviously, these feelings don’t come from God so the logical conclusion is that it is an attack by the devil to keep you ineffective as a Christian. It’s also possible that these feelings could be the result of certain types of medication or a chemical imbalance but we should learn or understand the cause.
Can feelings of depression be overcome? Absolutely, however as a Christian you need to be aware that a secular psychologist or therapist can’t help you because the root cause is based in spiritual warfare and the secular world does not believe in or understand this at all!
Depression can be caused by feelings of low self-esteem, low self-worth, guilt, grief and/or stress. The bible tells us that “The joy of the Lord is our strength.” The devil wants us to weak and ineffective so one of the ways he attacks us is to steal away our joy. Depression is best dealt with at the start. The devil is the author of those little voices in your head that tell you that you’re no good, no one loves you, God can’t forgive you for that, you really let those people down didn’t you, you should be ashamed and all those other myriad of ways that the devil tries to get into your mindset.
When you hear those voices begin to attack your spirit we need to use our sword which is the Word of God. We fight back by having faith in His Word and faith that God meant what he said. The bible tells us in Is. 54:17 – that “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper…” and in Eph. 6:11 – “Put on the whole armor of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” We have an armor and we have a weapon with which to fight our battle but if we don’t use both then we don’t have a chance of winning this battle. As a Christian, don’t be fooled by anyone telling you that this isn’t an attack of the devil because it is! James 4:7 tells us to, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
As believers there are times when we unite together to battle the enemy but there are other times we have to walk through that valley alone, knowing that God is beside us. Here are some verses that can help you in your battles.
Low self-esteem – Rom. 8:15-17 – “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, (Daddy), (words in parenthesis, mine) Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”
1 Peter 2:9 – “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;”
Low self-worth – Matt. 6:26 – “Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they.”
Rom. 8:17 – “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”
Guilt – Rom. 8:1 – “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
Stress – Phil. 4:6 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (NIV)
Matt. 6:31-34 – “Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or,Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”
The Armor of God – Eph. 6:10-17 – “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:”
These verse should get you started. Try to be alone for this battle. Take a drive and park somewhere, take a walk, have others in your household go away for a time. When you pray, speak out loud and with the authority that we have in Christ. Be strong, be firm, be victorious. Here is a little example of how these verses can be strung together.
Devil, I rebuke you in the name of Jesus Christ! I have submitted myself unto God and I resist you and His Word says you MUST flee! Take your guilt trips and be GONE for His Word says there is NO condemnation to those in Christ Jesus! I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me, so I WILL be an overcomer over this depression you are attacking me with! I have taken my shield of faith so your temptations will have no more effect over me! I am a child of God, a joint-heir with Christ and you no longer have authority over ME, through Christ I have AUTHORITY over YOU! In the name of Jesus, BE GONE!! I am of a generation that is chosen by God, I am part of a holy nation and I am a member of a royal priesthood! I will listen to your temptations no longer! I claim the victory over this depression that is rightfully mine as a child of God. Devil, you LOSE because Christ has already won MY victory! He is the Captain of MY salvation and you have no rights over me! I am standing firm in the faith of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! I cast your doubts, fears and thoughts of depression into the outer darkness and you sorry butt along with them. VICTORY IS MINE IN THE NAME OF JESUS, AMEN!!!
To add to this prayer and to give yourself some positive affirmations sing some songs! Sing choruses that uplift and strengthen you. Take out your hymnal if you have one, and sing “Victory in Jesus” or “Victory, Victory” or any song that will affirm in your spirit the prayer you just prayed. My thoughts and prayers are with you and though you must fight these types of battles alone, it is okay to ask for supportive prayer from your fellow Christians. The bible says “if you have faith the size of a mustard seed and say to this mountain be thou removed and be cast into the sea, it shall be done”. Mustard seeds are really small and the mountain of depression may seem quite large but all things are possible for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Fight on and may you see the victory that Christ has ready for you. A final thought. You may have to pray this type of prayer on several occasions until you find your faith strengthening and the reality of your victory overcomes the temptations that the devil will throw at you but keep on fighting the good fight and victory WILL be yours! God guarantees it!
