Peace of Mind...Two Truths to Remember When You're Battling Depression

We might be surprised to know how many people we cross paths with that it took everything they had just to get out of bed. They seem fine on the outside, they talk, they function, but the truth is they are not okay. They are struggling with depression.

Well meaning Christians might say cheer up, or just shake it off. If you’re the believer that’s struggling you’re probably dealing with a lot of shame about being down. You’re most likely asking why you feel like this, or maybe you just don’t feel anything at all.

There are long seasons of chronic depression where you battle suicidal thoughts. There’s a constant darkness. If you’ve never battled this it may be really hard to understand it. This is why we’re like “Just cheer up!”.

Proverbs 12:25 NKJV

Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad.

Is it really that simple? A good word brings hope, a good word brings healing.

Depression is a complex issue. It doesn’t discriminate. It can hit anyone, anywhere, at anytime. You can’t just put depression in a box. Like anxiety, it’s not a one size fits all issue.

Four Root Causes of Depression

Biological…Chemical imbalance, chronic pain, nutritional deficit, hormonal changes, lack of sleep, lack of exercise, or a lack of sunshine.

Relational...Betray, Reject, Divorce, Pandemic, Iso.

Circumstantial...Death/loss, Trauma, Bankruptcy, Retire, Kids leaving home (Depressed Party) (Cried first 4)

Spiritual...Every moment, Day, Spiritual battle!

We’ll look at the man of God, the prophet Jeremiah that battled darkness and depression.

He saw Solomon's Temple torn down, he saw his family murdered, he saw his family deported, and he saw his people suffer! He was suffering from depression and didn’t know what to do with it.

Lamentations 3:1–2 NKJV

I am the man who has seen affliction by the rod of His wrath. He has led me and made me walk In darkness and not in light.

Lamentations 3:5–8 NKJV

He has besieged me And surrounded me with bitterness and woe. He has set me in dark places Like the dead of long ago. He has hedged me in so that I cannot get out; He has made my chain heavy. Even when I cry and shout, He shuts out my prayer.

Lamentations 3:17–20 NKJV

You have moved my soul far from peace; I have forgotten prosperity. And I said, “My strength and my hope Have perished from the Lord.” Remember my affliction and roaming, The wormwood and the gall. My soul still remembers And sinks within me.

He momentarily has no hope!

Two Truths to Remember When You're Battling Depression

Your emotions are valid! But they’re not permanent.

Your situation may feel hopeless, but with God, there’s always hope!

Your emotions are valid, as a matter of fact, they’re important. Professionals would tell you to name them…Angry, Anxious, Betrayed, Empty, Numb, or Afraid.

A study took a group of people and split them into 4 smaller groups. They exposed each group to a tarantula in a cage.

Label what you’re feeling (Scared hairy monster)

Make observations (Cage, can’t hurt)

3. Say something irrelevant…How about that weather!

4. Don’t say anything at all

They brought each group back one week later and this time exposed them to the tarantula without the cage. They wanted to see the physiological responses. Did they sweat, did they’re hearts race, or did they pee their pants?

The study showed that those who named their emotions by far performed exceptionally better than the others.

Naming your emotions opens the door to changing your emotions. Emotions are not bad, or wrong. Emotions are valid, God gave them to you. They’re not permanent. Because our emotions are temporary...

We’re Not Going To Make Permanent Decisions Based on Temporary Emotions

When you’re fighting depression…you might feel like quitting on your marriage, you might feel like quitting on God, you may want to run away or shut out the world. In your lowest points you may feel like taking your life. You’re spiritual enemy will do everything he can to convince you that they will be better off without you. Nothing could be further from the truth.

We don’t make permanent decisions based off of our temporary emotions. Remember they’re temporary. They’re valid, you feel them, you can name them, but they don’t get to rule you.

Your Situation May Feel Hopeless, But With God There’s Always Hope

Jeremiah was depressed and turned to God.

Lamentations 3:21–23 NKJV

This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.

He calls to mind the goodness of God. He declares great is your faithfulness!! The Lord’s great love! In the Hebrew love is Hesed. It’s loaded with meaning. There’s nothing even close to it in the English…Loving kindness, mercy, or loyalty. It can not be described apart from Gods character. It’s unbreakable devotion to God’s promises. A covenantal commitment to God’s character.

Because of His great love, we are not consumed. His compassions never fail. Compassion is translated from the Hebrew word Rahamaw. It means Mothers womb. The womb is a safe place. It’s the sanctuary where life begins. It’s where life is nourished, strengthened, and protected.

So what do you do when everything goes dark? You acknowledge it. You acknowledge that you need help. Getting help is not weakness, it’s wisdom!

So how do you get help? Maybe you see a counselor, maybe some medication. It’s not unspiritual, it’s wisdom. Maybe it’s a new diet. Maybe it’s exercise. Maybe you start journalist. You might meet up with friends that pray for you and encourage you.

You might pray, you might pause, and you might praise. You call to mind His goodness. You change your posture! Why is my soul downcast? Throw your hands up in surrender and victory.

Lamentations 3:24–26 NKJV

“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!” The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly For the salvation of the Lord.

Sometimes you just have to preach to yourself! You oh Lord are a shield about me, You are my glory and the lifter of my head. He is my refuge, my strength, He is my ever present help in my time of trouble.

Nothing can separate me from the love of God! Not death or life. Not angles or demons. Not depression or dark days. Nothing is able to separate me from the love of God in Christ Jesus!

Turn to God! Get the help that you need. There is healing, there is deliverance from depression.

Your feelings are valid, but they are not permanent! Your situation FEELS hopeless, but with God you always have HOPE!!!