SAY NO TO DEPRESSION 2
Psalm 40:1-5
A Christian may get depressed when life’s challenges make them lose sight of how great God is or how much He loves them. Depression is in levels. It starts from feelings of neglect by people around you. One may feel no one likes or appreciates you for what you do or who you are! You have a feeling everybody is just using you and nobody is giving you anything – attention, gift, gratitude – in return? Do you feel like giving up because it’s like nobody cares?
Now, when as a believer you are feeling depressed, what you need is to go deep into the presence of God because Psalm 16:11 says: “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”
You cannot be engulfed in the presence of God and not feel His love and care for you; that love you feel will bring joy to your soul. How can you get into the presence of God? Simple. Through praise and worship. David said in Psalm 100:4 that with thanksgiving, you enter into the gates of God and with praises, you enter into His courtyard. When you praise and worship God for a long period of time, you will feel His presence come down greatly and since in His presence there is fullness of joy, you will begin to feel a joy that is beyond understanding. That is why Isaiah 61:3 says a garment of praise will replace a spirit of heaviness: “To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness…”
Finally, depression thrives in silence. Speak out today if you are struggling with unhappiness. Seek counseling from a more matured Christian, preferably a minister of the same gender in a bible-believing church. Also, as brethren in Christ, we all ought to consciously look out for one another, showing kindness and love at all times. The joy of the Lord will keep strengthening us all in the mighty name of Jesus.
PRAYER: Dear Lord, in your mercy, give me a garment of praise in place of every heaviness in my heart.
