Defeating Depression

Depression is not a paper tiger – it is real and can be deadly. I have battled bouts of depression through various seasons of my life. If you are facing depression, you are not alone. Great and godly men and women have battled and defeated depression by the grace of God. In the Bible we see Moses, Job, Naomi, Elijah, David, and Solomon along with a host of saints down through history who succumbed to depression. The good news is – you can defeat depression.

I’ve noticed that one of the first steps to defeat depression is to identify its cause. Here are some common causes of depression identified by psychologists.

First – PHYSICAL FACTORS are many times igniter's of depression. The prophet Elijah became so exhausted that he asked God to take his life. (I Kings 19:4) The treatment and trauma of cancer contributed to a battle of depression in my life. A lack of sleep, proper nutrition, and diet can trigger depression as well as medication or a chemical imbalance. The various problems of aging can bring on depression for some.

Second – FACING LOSS can cause depression. The loss of a child or spouse to death, divorce, the loss of a job, financial reverses, and a sense of loss of many other things can push one into deep dark depression.

Third – A DEPRESSIVE ENVIRONMENT whether physical or emotional can bring on depression. Job had to put up with an unsupportive wife and friends. (Job 3:11) Sometimes you must change the company you keep or, if that is not possible, change your environment or draw from God’s abundant supply of grace.

Fourth – A POOR SELF-CONCEPT can lead to depression. Circumstances can destroy your confidence and feelings of worth. A healthy self-concept comes from a sense of identity, worth, and competence.

Fifth – SPIRITUAL FAILURE. David’s sin led him to sorrow and depression. (Psalm 32:3-4) He lost his joy and closeness to God. When he confessed his sin and repented there was restoration. The heaviness of guilt and condemnation was lifted. (Psalm 51:10)

Sixth – SPIRITUAL WARFARE. If none of the previous causes are a contributing factor to my depression, then I can usually surmise that the enemy of my soul is trying to afflict me with discouragement and depression. (John 10:10)

The life of David and the Son of David – Jesus Christ – teach us how to defeat depression.

First – PARTNER with friends. Jesus took his closest friends with him to Gethsemane to share in his sorrows. (Matthew 26) Share your sorrows with a trusted friend, your spouse, pastor, or counselor. Don’t isolate yourself. (James 5:13-14)

Second – PRAY. Jesus poured out his heart to His Father in heaven, “Cast your burden on the Lord and he will sustain you” (Psalm 55:22). David prayed his way through depression. (Psalm 42; Romans 8:26; Jude 1:20-21)

Third – PARDON. Confessing sin and failure brings forgiveness and release from guilt and condemnation. (Psalm 51:10; Romans 10:9) You must forgive others. (Matthew 6:12-14)

Fourth – PRAISE. There is power in praise. Praising God will lift you up above the darkness and into God’s presence (Psalm 41; Isaiah 40:29-31; I Thessalonians 5:18) This many times requires the sacrifice of thanksgiving. (Psalm 116:17)

Fifth – PUT THE POWER OF GOD’S WORD in your heart, mind, soul, and mouth. As you meditate on and confess God’s living Word your mind will be renewed and your outlook will change (Joshua 1; Revelation 12:11; Ephesians 6:10-20)

Sixth – PROCEED TOWARD POSITIVE ACTION. In the garden Jesus surrendered to the Father’s will. Even though his disciples fled, he rose in faith to confront what was before him. Take positive actions. Doing good for others will often bring you out of depression and into God’s light and love. God’s plans for you are good and filled with a bright future. “’For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,’ says the Lord, ‘thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope’” (Jeremiah 29:11-12).