Dealing With Depression God’s Way

My assumption in this post is that you are depressed and have come to an acknowledgement of the fact. Let me congratulate you for that. Not many are willing to self-diagnose and face up to the reality. By being in that space, it means you are ready to start the healing process. You now want to know how to go about it.

Pour Your Heart Out To God

My advice as always is centered on having a personal relationship with God. Express and pour out your heart to God. There is no need to sugar coat your stuff. He knows it all. Your acknowledging it as it is, is a key part of your therapy. These are facts, and you are rolling them over to God to take care of for you.

KJV Psalms 34:17, 18
"17 The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles."
18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

Your confession of exactly how things are is an earnest cry that God is eager to answer for you. Our healing is from God, but we must be willing for Him to heal us first. Confession is the way in which we open the door to that healing.

Preach to Yourself

I learned this recently from my long-term friend and business coach Ray Higdon. He says to talk to yourself according to Scripture. Stop listening to your feelings and emotions. Your feelings and emotions are subjective, but the Word of God is constant. It is always true. It is unchanging and should form the rockbed that directs our thinking until our feelings and emotions catch up.

Feelings and emotions can trigger a viscious cycle of negativity. The only way to tame feelings is to notice them, or be aware of them when they set in and then consciously countering them by the truth of the Word of God.

A good example, depression can be triggered by feelings of loneliness and abandonment. That can lead to feelings of fear and paralysis to do anything. What does the Word say?

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”

KJV Isaiah 41:10

What an assurance! You can keep small cards in your purse or notes in your phone of written down Scriptures that speak positive words against your most prevalent negative feelings or thoughts. When you become aware of them coming up, read your encouraging truths and eventually memorize them for quick retrieval from your brain.

You can download the Unfeigned Bible app onto your phone. It has a handy section of Bible Promises to encourage and strengthen through various challenges.

Often I used to wonder how it was possible for one to be in continual prayer as the Bible encourages us to be. This approach to life is one way that we stay in ceaseless prayer. There is no idle moment friend, because the enemy is not at rest to trip us from being the best versions of ourselves according to God’s will.

Praise The Lord

Thank God for what He has done, is doing and will do according to His promises. An attitude of gratitude brings sunshine to life. God has done so much for you already. Acknowledge that. What has not been sorted out yet, He is in process of doing so. Being grateful for it in advance reinforces our hope and faith. God will not withhold from us any good thing. Jeremiah 29:11 is that assurance.

It may be necessary to seek professional help to deal with severe cases of depression. Look for a good Christ-centered psychologist or psychiatrist if you must. Do not be ashamed to do so. The above steps should be a part of your healing process with or without professional help.

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