by Rex Rouis
One of our most popular pages is Scriptures Against Depression. Despair and heaviness is everywhere. It is in the news and it seems to be in the air. Last year, there were over 33,000 suicides in the United States. This is tragic, especially since there is a known cure.
God is the best answer to depression, not pills. Pharmaceuticals (e.g. Effexor, Prozac, Zoloft, Luvox, Paxil, Celexa, etc.) only mask the effects of depression; the issues remain. Read the following from Wikipedia about medication survey results:
In the published literature, anti-depressants had 94% success in treating depression. In the withheld literature, they had below 50% success. Combined, all studies showed 51% efficacy – only two points better than that of a placebo.
I am not recommending that you get off of your medication, and I am not against medical professionals. They are doing all they can. We are all in this fight together. What I am saying, is that earthly things can go only so deep. Most of our issues run much deeper. Pills can bring temporary relief but then can also mask the problem. God’s involvement goes to the heart of the issue. Only the power of God can change you on the outside and also change you deep down on the inside. He can work in our surroundings and in your heart. He starts with the heart.
I am not recommending that you get off of your medication, and I am not against medical professionals.
I am not against any form of help, be it medicine, professionals, friends, or whatever. Use everything available. There is no shame in receiving any kind of help. Helping others is just another tool in your belt. Use it.
Depression is the ‘feeling’ of hopelessness, and the simple cure for hopelessness is hope. God is the author and source of hope, so He is the one and only true antidepressant. Again, use everything at your disposal to get your head above water so you can catch your breath. Only, use that breath to also find something firm under the surface, something that you can stand on. God is there and only He can effectively support you forever. His ways are the only true long-term cure.
Each day I concentrate on three things: trust God, clean house (morally), and help others. Jared Akers
The Bible shows us the mind and ways of God. God does not want you to just manage your depression, He wants you to be totally free from depression. Believing the Bible releases His presence and power. However, one must also act on the scriptures to see His hand move – to make depression leave for good. Knowing hope on a legal level is fine, but experiencing hope firsthand is quite another thing. Feeling His approval and the joy of giving will change you forever.
Helping and serving others will do the following for you:
- It will help you to get your attention off of your own problems. Sometimes we get in such a hole that we can’t see anything else, or find the way out. Helping others works to break this cycle, and opens our vision. It gives perspective, shows that your problems are not insurmountable.
- In helping to heal other’s wounds, yours will heal much quicker. The love and compassion you show to others in your time of pain will come back to you in healing and joy.
- Helping others will once again reveal your true self worth. It will show you that you do have value and that you can make a difference. We all seek this; it was planted in our hearts by God.
- The appreciation you will feel from those you help will bring joy and fulfillment to your heart. Our hearts long for fulfillment and only by serving can we best find it.
- You will find that you aren’t the only one with problems. We know this intellectually, but seeing it first hand is healing. Sometimes we feel like we have been singled out for pain. We are not that special. It comes to all. Receive healing as you work to heal others. Do something; get out.
- The ‘feeling’ you get from easing someone else’s pain and stress, sometimes called “helper’s high”, can give you a mood boost.
Isaiah Chapter 58 provides information about how to get out of darkness and despair. The answer is simple – serve others less fortunate than you. If you do this you will find help. Let’s read:
Is this not the fast which I choose, To loosen the bonds of wickedness, To undo the bands of the yoke, And to let the oppressed go free And break every yoke? Isaiah 58:6
Repentance and even fasting is a first step in breaking destructive cycles. A humble heart of repentance brings God’s presence. Fasting weakens the desires and strongholds of one’s mind and flesh.
Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry And bring the homeless poor into the house; When you see the naked, to cover him; And not to hide yourself from your own flesh? Isaiah 58:7
Helping the poor and helpless is your door to recovery. Find someone who cannot pay you back, and give them something that everyone can give – love and acceptance. And if you can afford more than that, give it. Give out of your need. God will bless it. This verse says that when you shelter and help another person, you are also sheltering and helping yourself.
Then your light will break out like the dawn, And your recovery will speedily spring forth; And your righteousness will go before you; The glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. Isaiah 58:8
As you help others, the light of God’s hope and a sense of His joy will flow into your life. Your recovery will come faster than you think. The original language that is translated ‘recovery’ in this verse speaks of the healing of one’s scars. The Bible is telling us that as we labor to heal others, our scars will heal. It is a promise from the God. Believe it.
Now go out. You will have to make yourself, but do it. Take a risk; love someone. God says He will protect you. Not everyone will accept your help, but He promises to guard your heart. Keep going and don’t stop loving them. Do exactly what you would want others to do for you. Do for them what you need, and in so doing you will help yourself.
Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; You will cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ If you remove the yoke from your midst, The pointing of the finger and speaking wickedness, Isaiah 58:9
Stop blaming others. Unforgiveness will destroy you. It does no harm to the other person(s). Let go and start loving others, and watch God show up. He will come to you and say, ‘Here I am, what do you need?’ Imagine how that would change your life. Allow yourself to imagine it and then go out and do it.
And if you give yourself to the hungry And satisfy the desire of the afflicted, Then your light will rise in darkness And your gloom will become like midday. Isaiah 58:10
Once you decide to satisfy others, God will satisfy you. Light will pour back into your life. Darkness will flee. Your depression will disappear as a shadow in the midday sun. It is possible, believe it and act on it.
And the LORD will continually guide you, And satisfy your desire in scorched places, And give strength to your bones; And you will be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail. Isaiah 58:11
Keep it up, and He will walk with you and be your personal guide. He will satisfy your hearts desires. It really does not matter what the conditions are around you. He will strengthen you and water you. You will become a fountain for all those around you. The water you draw for them will nourish you.
A huge aspect of being hopeless is being purposeless. In the darkness of despair, one looses sight of one’s capabilities. Find your purpose in God and you will go a long way to regaining your hope. You were made to have value, and you release your value when you value others, and you value others by serving them. In helping others light comes. Your purpose is found in finding your appointed service in God. Through the act of giving to others, God will give to you. You’ll regain your value as a person. We were made to do this.
Serving others may not be the only answer but it is part of the answer, and maybe it is the part that will activate your big answer. Go out, take a risk, help someone and then believe you will get better. Go ahead and believe for the sunshine again. It is out there. We love you.
Comments
Joey – I am so sorry I don’t have any answers for you. I do think that sometimes we just have to put on an act or play a game, make it appear we know more than we do or that we are more together than we are or surer about things than we are. I know I surely don’t want anyone to know just how empty I am inside, it looks to others like I’m fine and that’s the way I want it. I felt confirmation on this rather recently when, during a study on the life of Charles Wesley, I learned that when he sought support from one of his mentors was told, “preach it until you feel it”. And I wonder if that’s what we all do and some are just more successful at it than others. You must know that your loved ones would rather have you alive and ill than dead, it would be a terrible blow and burden on them for them to think they weren’t sufficiently important enough to you that you’d stay alive to be with them, so just decide that you’re not going anywhere. Then put your energies into acting, literally ‘getting your act together’. I hope you understand what I mean by all this and how much I care about you.
Kay – I feel your hurt but God is bigger than this. We all have to fight through things, some of them huge terrible things, but life in God is not meant to be a lifeless joyless act. Life in God is intended to be much more than hurt people bumping into other hurt people. Jesus said that it is the Devil that steals, kills, and destroys, and that He came so that we (you) can have Life and life abundantly. We just have to find what it is that is stealing , killing, and destroying our life, and then how to get that abundant Life into our life.
We have to at least hope that it is possible, and then work for it with expectancy, determination, and faith. I am not trying to give a pat answer, but I am trying to give the answer. Faith works because God works, but we must learn how to work it. Just because it has not worked for us in the past does not mean that it does not exist. It is real and it works. Let us try to work it together. I love you. Rex
I suffer from severe depression. I’ve overdosed three times on medication only to find myself wake up in an ICU of a hospital. Then had to stay in a mental hospital with people I felt I didn’t belong with. They will consider me a danger to myself if I screw up another attempt, and keep me in a mental hospital longer. I know that I don’t want to be alive in that surrounding, so I tough it out. I have a wife and two girls. I grew to a point that I felt it wasn’t fair to them if I couldn’t be a positive father. I didn’t want them to go through life seeing a failure sulking. I thought my wife would remarry and they would have someone they deserve as a father.
I feel that the core of my depression is not having success in a Christian walk. Life seems like a viscous circle. Spiritually as well. You continually disappoint yourself and God. I’m tired of being tested. I’m tired of failing tests. Sometimes Life feels like torture. Not a gift. I wish I didn’t feel this way.
Joey – I am praying for you and about what I can do to help. I will send you an email. Do not give up hope. There is hope in God and His word. This is not an act. This is not a game. This is not make-believe. And this is not pretending to make it while you suffer. The word of God is not about a fake outward appearance while we die on the inside.
We are in a spiritual war zone. I don’t understand all of that nor do I fully understand the reason why. It is a fact. However, Jesus, who understood more than we will ever understand simply ‘went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the Devil, for God was with Him (Acts 10:38).’ We are to do the same, and can do the same. I believe we truly can do the same (John 14:12), in His Name and while we walk in the fullness of the Spirit, Whom He sent to do just that.
I want to make contact with you. I want to talk to you. I want to pray with you. God loves you and I love you. There is an answer. This does not have to go on forever. Rex
Thats like saying time heals all wounds. Helping others does give a bit of a fuzzy feeling. But if thats what all it took to end depression, many hospitals would be empty, plus, many people wouldn’t grow spiritually to maturing. Emotional trauma does something to the brain, receptors, can’t deny that, or help are way into health. The process of pain can produce alot of good substance. Also, until we’ve walked in anothers shoes, it’s arrogant to be dogmatic about serious topics, such as medications, and processing pain. Jesus had soooo many ways He healed people. I dont ever hear Him saying, go, help others you will be well. He didnt heal Laz right away, so He died. But raised him, so Jesus received the glory. Lets not try and have all the answers. Some things are really complicated.
Jane – Some things are complicated and some are simple. Helping others is not the end-all to emotional health, but it is a part of the healing process. Like bricks in a wall, all parts are needed. Not helping others leads to victimhood and selfishness.
Showing and doing love to others in their hurt and need does far more good to all concerned than mere fuzzy feelings. Don’t bash it. Go out and try it…for more than a few moments. Yes, you will feel better and over time you may see the world differently. Love in action also does something to the brain.
It won’t empty the hospitals overnight but it will soften your heart over time. Hopelessness is not a chemical thing, it is a vision thing. Take the pills, but work on the vision. God bless..
I believe I was born depressed. I’ve always messed up every good thing that came my way and seemingly deliberately burnt all my bridges. When I retired I was absolutely adrift, having worked for almost 50 years. Although a chuchgoer I was never emotionally deeply involved, but, and this is a real stupid reason, I suddenly had no place to wear all my nice clothes so I started attending more church things. This coincided w/new pastor who started a new service and somehow I became an integral part of it. Pastor relied on me more and more, I was on several committees, and when one project ended I was eager to dream up another, so I started to feel worthy again and was determined not to mess it up – been a few years and so far so good. I have night (and day) demons about my past and have prayed to cease them. While singing at service one day, I honestly felt like a beam of light from above the altar shoot down into my heart and heard, “you are free”. That’s my story. I still occasionally ‘sit in the dark corner’ but then I remember what I heard/felt and can usually pull myself up. Whether it truly was the spirit touching me or self-manufactured, it comforted me – so why not believe?? I hope you hear something, too.
Kay – The Bible says that, ‘Faith comes by hearing.” Get in the word of God and read it like it was personally written to you alone. It was. When it becomes personal the victory and blessing it brings will become personal. God bless you.
I can only attest to what God did for me as far as depression is concerned, I have lost a job, father committed suicide, etc. but as I am learning to trust God I can make it. He never gives up on me. I am not perfect, only forgiven and loved. It is a constant process for me. I became a runner, opened a business, raised children successfully all because of my dependence on my creator. I’ve learned to sit in His sanctuary which is outside, early morning and evening and pray as I talk to Him life becomes manageable.
I didn’t understand my self but He does. God don’t cure depression, He lets you see how He created every living things and sustains them and us. DEPRESSION WILL NEVER CONQUER ME, I CONQUER DEPRESSION.
One woman’s view.
Sorry…but no help came to me with depression. Still struggle with it. Meds and everything.
Even while I was in church and involved in ministry activities…gave money and time.
For what? Thats why I gave up on it.
Your god does not heal! Your own subconscious thinking.Thats it.
What about people who heal themselves through mindfulness and meditation. Oh right? And if you sin you will be afflicted. Yet the world is full of happy and content mentally well people who are not christians.
I’m just not convinced anymore.
Marlin – you probably are overextending and that actually benefits no one. I think you should think of something you like to do or an area in which you are already interested and see who needs help with that. One of the last times I remember really being happy was when I arranged a baby shower for a church member who adopted a little boy. It was not public recognition that fed me, it was seeing how happy she was and how happy all the guests were. It did not matter if anyone knew who had done what, it was just a joyful experience. I am so fortunate to be allowed great freedom at my church to do not only what is asked of me but to search out problem areas and think how we can improve things. The difference between this and my professional job is that the job allowed me to live and was an arena in which my accomplishments had to be publicized, and now the church quietly makes my living worthwhile as I try to bring glory to God’s name. Hope things are better for you. Let me know.
I just wonder how helpful it is to help another when it ends up stressing you out and making you feel worse? I love to serve but then end up over extended and stressed causing me to feel worse.
I think you are helping in ways you are not really enjoying, otherwise you would feel some joy. How does it make you feel worse, does it tire you? Add to your feelings of emptiness? Maybe you can think of something you can do that you want to do that is also helping others, otherwise it is just ‘work’, something you feel you have to do. You are tired. Start dreaming. When you are trying to fall asleep at night dream what you would do with lottery winnings, I bet your first thoughts are things to help others – donate to health research, run an animal sanctuary, etc. Focus on that. Try to find something to do in that vein. Right now you are doing what others want you to do, not what you want to do – and no one is happy with that. Blessings.
Melanie, I read your comment about helping others and I know it’s hard to do the right thing when you feel that at times nothing good comes out of it. It makes us second guess our Christianity at times, believe I know. I am struggling with depression and hopelessness right now which is how I found this page. I have been talking to God to not let me give up hope and stay on me to remember to turn to him at all times even when I feel he is not listening to me, I also have to tell myself that the devil doesn’t want to see me happy and filled with joy which is why I feel like I do. Anyhow to try and give you a bit of insight on your comment just try and remember that whatever you do, do it in the name of the Lord and continue to ask him for strength, guidance, peace of mind, and understanding. This is not an easy battle we’re fighting this is why we must pray ALL the time. I wish it were as easy as turning on the faucet and getting a drink of water, but it’s not. I will pray for us to allow God to continue to work in our hearts, souls, and minds. God Bless and good luck.
melaine, I feel the same way you do. Have you suffered with depression since childhood?
I just want to urge all of you to remember that God always hears us and always hears our prayers – but sometimes the answer is no, and since we do not get what we want we feel that He hasn’t answered. When I wanted some kind of revenge on someone who totally ruined my life, I felt miserable and like life was knocking me down, but when I decided to pray for that person to one day realize how much happier her life would be if she just stopped being so mean to everyone, I could finally put the past to rest. And we must try to remember that our pain is as nothing compared to the pain Jesus felt and tolerated for our sake. If you keep praising God you will drown out the devil – for that is who is making you suffer.
I have to admit I am NOT a person who enjoys the web/internet, but I must say this is one of the coolest websites I’ve ever been on!!! I hate to see ppl with problems and what not, but it’s great to know that while struggling with my issues I finally have ppl that I can associate with whom are going through similar struggles as well. I have always asked God to change ppl I didn’t like, understand or whatever it may have been, but now I try to remember to ask God, “Lord change me, make me a better person”. I have given birth to three wonderful children in which I raised by myself which was hard, but in comparison to being a full fledged Christian, that was a walk in the park. I have never had to deal with anything as hard as continuing and remaining faithful to God’s word and His walk. It’s a constant battle but I refuse to give up and I know He will never give up on me either.
Thank You. I helped a stranger yesterday and I already feel. I need to help someone every day!
Wow, that is great! It might not do everything but it sure can do a lot. God bless you!
you would be surprised at what God can actually do, I am reading a book called BE IN HEALTH A MORE EXCELLENT WAY by Henry Wright. Everything has a cause everything. This book explains our dis-eases from a spiritual perspective. We were made by someone we can from some where we did not just appear on the earth.
I was messed up from a dysfunctional home. My father committed suicide when I was eight years old.
All my life I struggles with myriad of dysfunction. I was into Darwin’s Theory, I looked to all kinds of eastern religions. I wanted nothing to do with that God of the Bible because of the way I was raised. I never found rest or peace of mind until I became aquainted with the God who created me. As I have searched for Him I was found of Him. Today I am whole. You have to do your part, Satan will keep you blinded to real help, I never took medication although I wanted to, this is not to judge anyone who does. You may say but I am different, I also said the same thing it is Satan’s ploy, it is a lie. we are all different but all the same. we are all made from the same thing substance, the dust of the earth our experiences are different. read the Bible, search it read Psalms and Proverbs. The first book I read was John, I found our what this man Jesus had done for me. He came to chase your problem Satan out of your life, He will fight for you. He is anxiously waiting He will not force you but there is help.
Thank you I will try. I am encouraged. God bless you
Kathy – Do all that you can and then let God do all that He can. Actively consciously expect God to work. You gain that ability by feeding on the word of God (we have many scripture list and teachings) and by spending time with Him. Don’t keep staring at the past but work with Him to create a path to a great future. He has one for you. God bless you. We love you and God loves you. You are not alone, and in God you are never alone.
I’d love to see where you got this hidden literature. I believe this article is for good, but has some shady components. You need to differentiate between those that have a depressed period and those that have severe or ongoing depression. Yes, even the latter group needs God and service does help to improve it. But those with severe have an actual disease and you portray using medicine as wrong or suspect. Plus you don’t understand that many in this group already have trouble taking meds because they improve and think they can go off them and often want to go off them because of the stigma people create or because they don’t want to take them on an ongoing basis. Yes, you later give people permission to use them, but first have to throw guilt and shame at them. Would you do this to someone taking meds for a heart defect? Even though so many people could eliminate the need for heart meds through diet and exercise.
I agree, Justin. Severe depression is a disease not a symptom of our behavior or lifestyle. I know Christians who are suffering from this. To tell a clinically depressed person that he can undo his disease by volunteering is like telling someone with MS that he can regain his health by eating fish. None f this is true. We do untold damage by making a depressed person believe that they are the cause behind the illness and it can be fixed by binding Satan and giving our time to others. An immature and uninformed article, this author should spend some time with the clinically depressed, interview car providers and gain some insight. Thank you for standing up.
Justin & Madelyn – To characterize the article as suggesting we can undo depression by simply volunteering is simply wrong. And to tell someone that there is an answer in God’s power has nothing to do with shame. It is all about finding something that works for the long term. I am not discounting the medical side (USE MEDICAL HELP AND DRUGS) but do not discount the spiritual side.
Take the medication; they do some good, at least in the short-term. But the truth is, they don’t work very well over the long haul – look at the world. Many times, they mask issues that the medical profession does not know how to deal with. Again, use medications. By the way, I remove all the comments from people that downplay drug effectiveness and tell horrific personal stories.
Nowhere do we blame the person for the depression, but there are some things that can be done to make it worse or to make it better. Let’s simply do all that we can in all the areas that we can to make it better. God and God’s word is one of those areas. And serving other has tremendous benefits.
I agree with Justin and Madelyn. Depression is more than just hopelessness and there are time when it’s hard to trust or hear God, not because you have little or no faith but because it is just symptomatic of the illness. Christians, and the body of Christ as a whole need to be very careful with their response to mental illness and we need to educate ourselves. I must say that as a severe sufferer I was offended by your simplistic definition of depression as being a “‘feeling’ of hopelessness..,” It’s not a feeling, it is an illness. I someone says they have cancer, we pray for them and trust God for healing and continue to love and support them but as soon as someone is depressed we basically tell them to have more faith. This is a travesty of great proportions 🙁
Amen thanks for sharing I’ve been through some tough situations lately but I’m starting to realize that God is the only answer.. Fully put your trust in him and he’ll bring you peace, love, and happiness… He’ll never leave you nor forsake you. Just hold on and be patient! There are brighter days ahead!
I too have felt this way, feeling like I was born depressed, life has been a constant struggle. I am sorry for much of my past and feel I’ve wasted my life but am working very hard not to waste what time I have left, for no one can change the past. Turning to God has helped me be grateful for what I do have and to keep some things in perspective. But I am so sorry for you, it is a terrible way to live. Please try to give yourself to God and don’t be too hard on yourself. Then of course a therapist would be helpful, but try God first. I care about you and ask God to bless you.
I am suffering from depression from my childhood. I have been different from others and that makes my life a worse. Each day is like a survival. So I am not able to concentrate on work. Also I am afraid of people. Dont know what to do. I feel like there is no one for me and there is no point in living like this.
Keep on going. Meds do help and pychologist too. Ive been where you are. Hang in there
I agree. Use the benefits of the whole village. But all the while make sure you are also building a firm foundation in God’s word. That should be your long term end strategy for long term peace and joy.
I often feel the same way. I am just praying for God to help and heal me. I will pray for you as well. its a miserable existance rather than a life when you can’t win the battle of depression and not many if any understand. God bless
allu I too was ashamed to say most of my life an I am now 41 have been struggling with servere depression, manic depression, bi-polar,an schizo which all run in my family,i believe these are generationational cureses, but God is so totally faithful an loves you so much. jer 33:3 call unto me an I will answer an show you great an mighty things.which thou knowest not!! your life is worth it he paid for you. he will break these chains in your life,but its a battle. His word is best medicine an fasting also helps ,but if u need meds tak them an trust him to set u free.everytime u don’t feel your lifes worth it look in the mirror at yourself an say jesus say im worth it im a child of the King! bought with his precious blood.
It’s been sometime since you made this post, I feel the same. Have you been feeling better since your post?
Depression can happen to anyone….many people at one time or the other can be overtaken by this terrible mind boggling opression. We all have tragedies, or situations in life that cause us to feel so hopeless. This is when Satan gets a stronghold on us and we become more and more depressed. So, what is the answer?? Do exactly as this writer suggests… But, first of all…. ask God’s help to remove this stronghold on your life. Satan loves to see us Christians down and out! He knows this cripples us from being a witness to others. Whenever you feel this deep dark feeling overcoming you. Tell Satan to get away and leave me alone….. again and again! After a while he will leave……
Then…. get out and do something!!! anything! But, the best thing you can do is what this writer says…. help someone else.
I believe in the Bible and helping out others, but I found out helping out others sometimes don’t help. My husband and I helped out a family that was in need. Not just once but at least four times and this family put a knife in our back that it still to this day hurts. And that is one of the reasons why I’m so depress now. I just don’t understand some things and I’m trying but it seems that the Lord is so far away. It’s not just helping this family out it is also my past my child hood that is hurting me. And I just don’t know what to do. It is hard for me to let go of some things. I ask all out there to help me and pray for me. Thank you all
Jennifer – although its not easy … forgiveness is the key. When you forgive someone else the person you set free is yourself. forgive them and then move on w/o that extra baggage weighing you down. may God bless you.
MarkT – I could not agree with you more. Forgiveness is absolutely essential to being set free and receiving from God. It is the main difference in being a victor or a victim. That may sound harsh but it is true. Do you want to focus primarily on the bad things that have happened to you or the good things that God can do for you? The answer to that will determine your direction and outcome.
We have to be smart in how we deal with other people. That wisdom should keep us from allowing other people’s actions to influence us on the inside. We must stay free and forgiveness is a huge part of that.
Thank You so Much I help a lot of people I have a very soft heart to help always but my self when I need help there is no one to help and my heart desires are still unfufilled sometimmes I just wana stop helping since my self am never helped
Yes. I have been there. There is only so much you can give until you have nothing else and then what happens is people actually start judging you for not taking responsibility for yourself instead of being appreciative of what you give. They won’t help you in your greatest time of need.
I feel the same way but you are helping others for yourself and God..
Yes, you cannot control what others do or think or say. You can only control yourself and the motives behind what you do. Do your best to think like God and act like God. The rest will come in due time. God loves you and appreciates you. And He will reward you in due time. Some of the reward will only come when we meet Him on the ‘other side.’ God bless you.
Amen, thank you for posting this, I really found this inspiring and felt like God was talking to me!
Although my depression sometimes comes from my chronic health problems, and I cannot always control feeling this way because of what my body is doing to my emotions and my nerves; I think your article is very well written, and gives very good advice that I think will help ease my dark periods, even if it doesn’t go completely away. I think living the way you speak of is how we all should try and live. Maybe if I can become more successful at giving of myself, even when I don’t have money to give, because I am on disability and in debt, and struggling to survive; maybe somehow the giving of myself in anyway that I can, will help heal me more physically, because it will make me feel so much better, that I will have the motivation to take better care of myself on my allergy-free diet. I would love to get to the point that I was able to accomplish God’s will for my life by helping others, that my success story in becoming well, could someday help someone else to get well from depression and health problems too. Thank you for writing your article. God bless you, Lisa.
dear lisa, I truly understand where you are coming from. have several chronic disease which drains me of energy. I to want to serve God more, but sometimes my health problems forbids me to do the things I want to do for God and other people. I try with all my strength so I push myself and then I feel as if I am punished for my effort. I to am on dissabilty, I have a close relationship with God,which I am very grateful for. I believe in prayer and miracles. Since the age of 19 I have been delind with illness. The wordly body gets exhausted and then it has to stop. I have a wonderful church family and several people wanting me to go to lunch sometimes or just to get together. I pray to God only to his will as far as my health goes. I received a miracle many years ago and I am still praying for another, but it seems HE IS NOT LISTENING, and I know better. God never leaves us, I suffer with depression and I do not have any nerves left. But we cant give up so I keep praying and pushing. I do what I can and pray for Gog to give me the strength if it is his will for me to do what I am attempting to do. God Bless You, with the Love of God. Sincerely, Cindi
Cindi.
Please know that Jesus carried away your diseases and illnesses on the cross. It is best to confess and worship God for what He has done for you. I know we cannot go by feelings, but according to what God’s word says. I understand how feelings can affect us though, as I too am fighting to confess what Jesus has done for me. It is not easy. I also am challenged with pain. . But I still praise Him . Praise you Jesus for carrying away my pain on the cross. Amen. If I acknowledge Him in all my ways He will direct my paths and make my way successful. proverbs 3:5. It is not God’s will for you or me to be sick, but rather believe that He forgives all our sins and heals all our diseases. He is Jehovah Rapha, the great physician. Do your best to find promises concerning provisions God made for your sick body. they are there. isaiah 53 is very good. Also the Faith Mechanic has laid out many scriptures concerning healing. Take God at His word and worship Him for His marvelous provisions.
depression is not something one chooses. and to say that you must want to get rid of it and not just learn how to deal with it properly may not be the best advice. Yes God wants us to be happy, but some people are just more predisposed to depression weather it be genetics, or a combination of other things. Learning how to live with depression and manage it has to become a reality for some; you must accept that our human bodies fail us and will never be perfect and function perfectly. we have flaws, and we have to be okay with that! my point is that for some people, accepting their depression it very important to learn how to manage it and move on. Simply wishing and praying for it to disappear is not realistic or proactive enough, I rejected going on medication for a long time, but after much prayer realized that I needed to humble myself and accept the help of science. This is important especially for people who are genetically disposed, for whatever reason, to experience depression.
It is not just an attitude issue or hope issue. I actually have remained quite hopeful throughout my battle with depression, relying on the Lord, but it has manifested itself physically in my life such as fatigue, constant hunger, etc.
For some people, medication is necessary and those people must feel peace with that.
Depression is definitely a spirit. I have never struggled with it until recently when circumstances have become overwhelming to me. When I start crying, I can’t stop. As I read in an earlier post, it is thick, it is like a bad coat that is on you and you can’t get it off. Once the crying stops, I am literally exhausted! I feel as though I have been beat up on the inside. This was a revelation to me, that depression is definitely a spirit, and it is tearing me up and enjoying doing it. So I am falling at the feet of God and rebuking this evil spirit in the name of my Lord Jesus!
The sad thing to me is that you can’t really talk about this to church family that haven’t experienced it. You are looked at as if you have little faith or as if this is something you can control. I had someone tell me that God told them to say to me “Let the chains fall off. Quit holding onto them.” Those words made me feel absolutely horrible, as if I want to feel this way. One thing I am learning is the power of words, and that we need to choose those words very wisely because you have no idea what someone is dealing with.
For me, I have had the perfect storm of seemingly small circumstances that have led to a huge feeling of hopelessness in my life, the feeling of being trapped. This site has been a wonderful encouragement and has given light and hope where there has been none lately. Thank you for sharing and letting me know that I am not alone in how I feel!
You stated that pills only cover up the problem. For many people, the pills allow them to be able to begin to deal with the problem. Before medication, many people are literally incapacitated by anxiety or depression, feelings of hopelessness, despondency or inadequacy; they are overwhelmed. An anti-depressant may allow them to get to the point where they CAN start taking the steps that you have alluded to and deal with the real problem(s). I understand your position, but I hope that it doesn’t stop people from seeking medical/professional help when needed.
I’ve been consciously suffering from depression for 5 years and unconsciously for several years before that. What I mean is; I had to be told by a doctor that I was suffering from depression.
The Holy Spirit reminded me that Jesus said to help others. When remembering His Words, I remembered He said to help Widows and Orphans. I took that a little bit further to figure out where I could apply my skill and gift. I found a place to do that. However, one this day, I am suffering with an overwhelming sense of hopelessness, brought on by things in my life I have no control over. I combat depression through prayer, reading scripture, anti-depressant medication and a Christian Therapist. When the feeling is gone, I can’t understand why it caused me so much problem with sadness, so it makes it hard to talk about after the fact.
When we help another individual out of love in our heart and obeying God’s Word, will the depression eventually completely leave those of us that depend on the Lord for His comfort and joy? Thank you, Sandy
I have begged God for his forgivness his grace, for some purpose in my life and have only gotten silence. I have no talents or gifts to speak of wich i have yearned for. I have never felt so hopeless. I can not endure another day of existance like this.
hello friend god is always with you know that others have it very hard in life. there are people who have missing body parts and senses such as sight,hearing please dont let the hard times get you down god made everyone special dont let anyone bring you down. Lots of practice and beilef in yourself as well as god is key please stay HAPPY 😉 THERE IS BEAUTY IN LIFE I PROMISE YOU WILL FIND IT IF YOU NEVER STOP DOING YOUR BEST
I don’t know your circumstances, but I know that I have witnessed God work in a life of a person who said exactly what you are saying, that they were hopeless and couldn’t endure another day of existence. That person’s hope and peace has been restored. It was a long process and it didn’t happen overnight. Baby steps. I hope and pray that God will place people in your life to encourage you. I know that it sometimes seems as if He is silent, but sometimes silence is what we need. I don’t pretend to know what you need, but I know the character of God and that He loves you and desires to see your hope restored. Blessings to you.
Craig-you do have a talent and gift. The hopelessness is just blinding you right now. I truly believe we all have something within us..for some of us it just takes longer for us to see. I felt that way for many years and still struggle with that feeling. This is the first time reading this site-but God leads us in directions for a reason. I am actually reading this because I am struggling with why I fight.. Something inside me keeps saying “There is somewhere better than this”
You know there is somewhere better than this..but I will not leave this Earth by my own accord. Please dont ever give up..Dont ever feel you have nothing to offer because God created you and he is listening when you talk..maybe you are like me and just really need to listen to what he trying to say. You are not going to hear him like they show you on TV..but just keep searching within yourself and believe me you will see what he is trying to say when you least expect it. He guides us when we are not even looking or feel that he is listening. Please if you ever need to talk my email is listed below. Just remember with hopelessness all we will see is darkness. But when we say..I remind myself of this everyday…God-I know you can hear me and for some reason I think you either don’t listen or ignore me…please guide me back in to my light and remember I love you. Craig dont ever lose your hope or faith even when you feel that the darkness will never fade..because it always does and something else will happen but everything you go through you will find your way back. May God bless you.
Hi Craig,
I understand how you may FEEL. Believe me I have felt that way as well. There is not one creature here on earth that hasn’t been endowed with gifts. FINDING them is the biggest issue. I know you have talent(s). being exposed to various environments will definitely help. Try it.
Craig
You are special. The devil has lied to you. But you do not have to accept it. You are a new creation, full of the power of God. Start confessing that you are sufficient for every good work. God has provided for you to overcome all obstacles that hold you back. Jesus paid a great price for you . He has made you whole in every kind of way! This is who you are ! Worship Him with all your heart, in appreciation for the great sacriice He has made, to make you that new creation. you are Craig ! God’s man !