Depression is a condition that plagues many people in the world today. Whether mild or severe, it brings with it doom and gloom and a lot of dark feelings. If left unchecked, it can lead one to commit suicide or harm themselves greatly. The trusted Bible can help us, for sure.
Bruce Hennigan says that we should not get entangled in the notion that depression is a sin. That your depression is not a sin in and of itself, but how you respond to it will determine if you sin.
Stephen Shober defines depression as follows: “Depression is a prolonged emotional tone dominating an individual’s outlook and mood. Normal moods of sadness, grief, and elation are typically short-lived and part of everyday life, but these can progress into a depressed mental state.”
So, how does the Bible help with depression?
The Bible has a solution for depression
The Bible contains God’s promises of hope and healing. He knows that we will experience situations in life that leave us feeling depressed. Jesus showed us that His arms are always open for those who are battling with heavy stuff in life.
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30
When you feel depressed, run to Jesus because He will bear your burden and give you relief.
God hears your cry for help
I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.
Psalm 40:1-3
God gives you promises of deliverance when you cry out to Him. He is a loving Father who wants His children well. In the Bible, God has promised to be with you always and rescue you from anything that threatens to harm you. When you are feeling depressed, turn to God’s word that promises He will turn your mourning into dancing.
The Bible has healing words you can speak over your mind
You will not find the word “depression” mentioned in most Bible versions. They refer to the symptoms that accompany it, for example, sadness, anxiety, downcast, discouraged, despair, brokenhearted, grief, among others. When you read and meditate on the Scriptures that touch on these symptoms, you will find God’s promises to you.
God has promised to heal you according to His word. It is not a matter of whether He will heal you, but whether you have the faith to receive His healing for depression.
He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.
Psalm 107:20
Find Bible verses on healing and declare them over your mind and body. Be sure to include those that are specific to your mind because that is where the battle is.
The Bible will help you overcome depression
God gives you solutions to help you overcome your depression. This means you have a role to play in getting your healing. In the Bible, you will find the root cause of depression. This is important because knowing the genesis of the problem will help you find the right solution.
According to Bible Study Guides, we become depressed when we lose hope. When we see no end in sight to our problems, thoughts of just giving up will surface.
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
Proverbs 13:12
The Bible will give you tools to apply to your situation and you will overcome whatever is making you feel depressed. Whether it is holding your thoughts captive and making them obedient to Christ or thinking on pure and praiseworthy thoughts, there is hope for you.
The Bible has stories of those who overcame depression
There are people in the Bible who experienced depression in certain periods of their lives. The prophet Elijah was one such person. After slaying the prophets of Baal, he ran and hid because Jezebel threatened to kill him. He felt depressed immediately after experiencing great success.
He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”
1 Kings 19:14
God didn’t allow him to wallow in his condition but gave him more assignments. In the same way, God doesn’t judge you for depression, He comes to encourage you with His word.
David experienced depression during the years he was running from King Saul who wanted to kill him. This was before he was crowned king. David penned several Psalms that indicate that he experienced depression along the way.
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
Psalm 42:5
We can learn from David that he put his hope in God. He praised God and that lifted his spirits and gave him a cheerful heart.
How Does the Bible Help With Depression?
The key to overcoming depression is reading and meditating on God’s word daily. It will give you hope. Got Questions says there are some things that those who suffer from depression can do to alleviate their anxiety. They should make sure they are staying in the Word, even when they do not feel like it. Emotions can lead us astray, but God’s Word stands firm and unchanging.
How Does the Bible Help With Depression?
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