Depression is eminent in the midst of the unknown. You cannot see it breeding on the couch; nor can you see its true colors when light fall on it. In the beginning, you see it only through the eyes of another. When someone calls out its name; it hides even deeper. It is not a disease preventable by a vaccination. Depression lurks, attacks and seizes the strongest of them all. Nobody can anticipate the soundless arrival on its tiny feet. Once the big claws start to sink into the neck, marking its territory, blocking out the shrieks fighting its way out from within; its presence can only brought to sight and made real by all the senses joining together.

Depression has no religion, gender, caste or color. We are all susceptible to its attack, Christians included. Suffering silently, because as Christians we are taught to think and be strong at all times, is not the right way to deal with it. That is the religious way of dealing with anything and everything. The Christ way is to accept, lay it down and ask HIM for help to pick it ALL up. You cannot be strong until you are taught the ‘how to’ for being strong. You cannot learn unless you ask HIM to be taught. This opinion applies to any issues which can cause uneasiness and stun spiritual growth.

In this day and age, depression is on the rise. Ignoring the signs and fighting it on your own seems to be making matters worse. If you find yourself feeling down more often this year than last, and are experiencing difficulties in keeping your spirit up, in spite of praying often, do keep in mind these few steps, so as to help you find your might or renew it often, the Jesus way.

1) Stop trying to internalize the issues which doesn’t involve you, as if it is yours to deal with or fight the battles for another: stranger or a loved one:

As Christ lovers, we are burdened with the work to spread the Word. I use the word ‘burden’ on purpose only because I have heard it many at times preached. The words we use help to create an insight in someone else. Yet, there are many Christians who don’t truly understand the true meaning of the word ‘burdened’ in a Christ-like context. Arguing or forcing someone to believe in what you believe is not Christ-like. Not talking about God is also not Christ-like. When you begin to walk your new journey in Christ, you are told to save souls.

Yes, you must. Remember, the balance lies in your Holy Spirit filled demeanor. Jesus is not intrusive. He knew what his purpose was, talked about it while he walked it; gathered a following not by his preference, but by obedience when in the Spirit. People were attracted to what was in him. He did what he was asked to do.

He walked in love for others; not to prove his walk was the right way to do things or in trying to prove himself to be THE ONE. His eyes were set on God, not on his feeling for others. He was burdened to do the works of God. In other words, it did not matter how much negativity he received, he knew instead of arguing or running after those that did not give heed to his anointing, he had to keep moving forward to matter to individuals who felt they did not matter. He had moments of feeling devalued in the eyes of those he valued, but he kept his heart filled with HIS purpose; not by thinking he was doing the works in its literal context of burdened (forced on), but it was laid-on him in for loves sake. Therefore, he laid it all out, to give away freely of Himself to all those who were hungry and had cried out to God, to feed upon: in WORDS and in ACTS FORM.

You have a loved one in your midst whom you had thought was making progress in his spiritual journey. Maybe they have fallen off their path or have been fighting their demons for long and all you want to do is help them out, by taking over the fight, causing both of you to sink deeper into the pit you are trying to rescue the individual from in the first place. It brings on the second point:

2) Rescuing and Restoration is for God to perform:

If you see, feel, sense and can listen to someone else’s pain…you have been healed of all that you were holding onto. But, if you have the need to rescue, argue, the need to prove you are right all the time, still worrying about what others think of you; then, you need to realize you are a work-in-progress. You can neither fight alone, nor serve two masters: Self and God!!!

Trust me; it is not your fault you feel this way. Before meeting Jesus and having a relationship with him, you have had relationships with the self, the environment you were in. Letting go of baggage’s which may includes loved ones who had been holding you back, is a tough choice to make. Holding onto things not adding or feeding your soul, could cause weariness, resulting in emotional imbalances. Restoration of brokenness in any relationship is for you to let God to act upon.

The person or situation responsible for causing you distress at this point cannot see your intentions. Your helplessness results in you not being able to see your way out. Let go and give up fighting alone or for another. If you find it hard to do so, look inside of you, be honest when you ask the questions; why am I holding on or fighting this alone? Is it my battle or their demons I am fighting against? Remember the next point:

3) Soak your thoughts, emotions, feelings…all things that has the possibility to go astray when on its own, in the Lord’s Word:

Psalms 119:105: The Word is the Lamp unto your feet and light to your path. I have read this verse for years. It never seizes to comfort me; at the same time it reminds me of our inclination to stay in darkness. The worst kind of darkness is the kind in which you feel trapped and no matter who or what anyone says, you think there is no way out.

Treat the Word as your way out, as well as a preventive measure. Set shorter goals, one week first, if you have not found your drive when it comes to reading the Bible. If you feel guilty for not reading, spending time in the Word, set it right by finding ways to manage it. Download the Bible App on your phone; stick up verses written on a sticky note in places you visit often: at home or workplace. If you feel anxious, speak the verse/s to counter the negative emotion. Same applies to anger, doubt, sadness, confusion, etc. All things/issues/feelings/thoughts/moods, need to be taught discipline and boundaries have to be set.

What works for you does not necessary have to work for someone else.The next point being:

4) Comparison is the killer of all blessings:

So, the neighbor who was renting all this while bought a new house, your colleague gave birth; someone in your family got a promotion. What is their commonality? None of them are Christians; whilst you are one, struggling each day to survive to meet your basic need and the want list keeps getting bigger.

Well, maybe it’s time for you to stop peeping through someone else’s life window and spend time in building your sanctuary. When you covet, you steal. Taking does not have to be in the tangible form; it can be symbolic, like when you subrogate your desires for theirs and unconsciously delight in what’s theirs; thereby forfeiting the plan God has designed specifically for you. No two Blessings or destinies are the same. So, take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart-(Psalms 37:4).
Why the intensity of the trial is different between believers and non-believers is not for us to dwell on. You need to spend time dwelling in the LORD’s house; praising HIM- (Psalms 84:4). Fill your mind and heart with the WORD, and give thanks with gratitude for all you have, no matter how little your flesh thinks it is.
Give thanks also for everything you desire, believing it will manifest, anytime now. Stop wishing; start receiving in faith.

Speak all blessings in yours term, not theirs.

5) Do not hesitate to seek medical help:

We live in a cursed world, flooded by the blood of Jesus. Diseases are a part of this world. We belong to the Kingdom, but reside in the world. When you find yourself in a situation wherein you have tried it on your own, then tried it the church way; however you feel caught up in deeper despair and helplessness; my advice to you is to try it the Lord’s way. Pray, ask him to reveal the real, deep rooted problem. Don’t be stubborn if he shows you something you need to work on. The process has to begin…..

If any of the revelation falls into the above discussed points, you know what to do. If you begin to discern it as a physical issue, seek external help immediately. You may fear medial dependency, but remember to speak on you’ I am the righteousness of Jesus. Nothing can hold me bondage. I am free in the name of Jesus.”
There is absolutely nothing wrong in seeking medical attention. If God has brought the sickness to light, he will heal it supernaturally, even while you take your medicine. You need to know, nothing moves in this world without his knowledge. Only he knows why you need that extra medical help. He knows so do not feel guilty. He is the one providing it to you in HIS way!!Don’t EVER forget that!

Do not lose hope or your battle to depression. Remind yourself:

1) Your emotions have a tendency to get attached to this world. You have the controls!
2) You are loved by God even when ‘you’ don’t feel like it!
3) You are not alone. The Holy Spirit dwells in you and is waiting for you to call out to him.
4) His angels ‘encamps’ around you to keep you safe. Call out to the Lord when you need to be reassured.
5) You are made in his image; meaning you have HIS purpose in you and are equipped with all the qualities HE needs from
you to make a difference in this world. SEEK and TAP into them!

Tagged: Anointing, bible, BLESSINGS, Christ, christian, Christianity, depression, God speaks, HEALING, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Lord, Love, Philosophy, Prayer, religion, SOUL, Spirituality, Voice of God