Discouraged And Depressed

Many times in life we have discouraging times, when we can fall into depression if we let our circumstances get the best of us.  Many people fall into depression when they experience a tragedy in their lives.  Many may experience depression when they fall into worrying over something that they cannot shake off, and the stress causes them to be very discouraged; this can also happen to believers.  Sometimes fear and anxiety will cause a person to be very discouraged and end up in depression.  Sometimes it happens when you believe a lie that you hear about yourself.  Sometimes it comes through the loss of a job or a divorce or a strained relationship.

Today we have so many things to worry about, like our economy, loss of jobs, rising prices and taxes, unemployment, terrorist attacks, weather conditions plus health care and many other things.  The decisions that our president and some of those who advise him make are a cause of stress, anxiety and fear leading at times to depression.  It seems like the whole world is spiraling out of control.

For the unbeliever there is no hope whatsoever, but for the believer there can be calm in the midst of the storm because we know the One personally that is in control and we can always have the assurance that He is looking out for those who love Him.  The Lord doesn’t want His children to be stressed, worried or depressed; His purpose is to, “Prosper us and not harm us, but to give us a hope and a future,” that is His plan for our lives. The temptation to worry and stress over so many things that are taking place today is very real but we must walk by faith and not by sight if we are believers.  Worry, stress and depression are not from the Lord, they are the works of the evil one, but thank the Lord we have the power to stand against these things

The Bible tells us in Isaiah 59:19, “So shall they fear The name of the LORD from the west, And His glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him.”  The enemy of our souls is always trying to destroy our peace, joy and contentment which cause depression.  The key is to fight back like Jesus did, using the Word, the evil one cannot stand the truth and he will flee from you.

Jesus talked about worrying in the Word in Matthew 6:25-34, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

It is very hard not to worry, but it is a waste of time and also distracts you and keeps you from thinking clearly, and can become a source of instability capturing your mind and your emotions, it will keep you so preoccupied that it will rob you of your trust in God.  God wants us to trust Him and not worry because He loves us.  1 John 4:18 says, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.”  Perfect love casts out all fear that can result in worrying then lead to discouragement and depression.

The Word says in 1 Peter 5:7, “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”  I know what worry, discouragement and depression feel like, I have been there more times than I care to mention and I also know the cure; faith and trust in God!  

I hope this has been a help to you. Have a great day and don’t forget to thank and praise the Lord which will definitely help take your mind off you and what has you bound and put it back where it should be, on the Lord.   God bless you and yours!!