As I continue my journey of discussing mental health I wanted to take some time to tackle the big bad wolf that is often in disguise. A lot of people don't think of depression as a mental health matter because it has become a norm. That's a lie from the enemy...it is a mental health issue and a big one at that. Depression is the most common of mental health issues probably because it sneaks up so suddenly...
Depression can stem from many many things. Loss, failure, feelings of abandonment, loneliness, a bad day, being overwhelmed, feeling like you haven't accomplished anything, comparing yourself to the world's standards, chemical imbalance, hormones, medication and many other things. The enemy has slipped it in so subtly that we don't even realize we've been attacked until we're already sinking in feelings of despair.
The sad part about it is that people can walk around and function without even realizing they're depressed. You don't notice but everyone else can see it plainly... You've lost interest in things you used to like, have withdrawn from friends and family, lost or gained weight with no cause or effort, and may have even let yourself go... That's the thing about depression that's the most scary. It's just like it's father... it comes to steal, kill, and destroy. It will steal your time, your joy, your vitality.. Kill your purpose and destiny and Destroy your hope.
I often think about David and the many times he found himself in places of deep sadness, despair, and depression.... when his child died, when the Amalekites raided the camp and captured everything, and when he was on the run and afraid just to name a few. The thing I love about David is that he learned how to encourage himself. Sometimes there isn't anybody else around to pull you out of the pit, nobody to speak a word of life, or let you know that things will get better. David was consistent in this... he knew how to pray and seek God. When his child fell ill... he was on his face asking God to save him. When the camp was raided and he had wept until he couldn't weep anymore...he sought God about what to do. Then we go on over to Psalm 102:1-12 (ESV) and find these words in a prayer for the afflicted...
Hear my prayer, O Lord;
let my cry come to you!
Do not hide your face from me
in the day of my distress!
Incline your ear to me;
answer me speedily in the day when I call!
For my days pass away like smoke,
and my bones burn like a furnace.
My heart is struck down like grass and has withered;
I forget to eat my bread.
Because of my loud groaning
my bones cling to my flesh.
I am like a desert owl of the wilderness,
like an owl of the waste places;
I lie awake;
I am like a lonely sparrow on the housetop.
All the day my enemies taunt me;
those who deride me use my name for a curse.
For I eat ashes like bread
and mingle tears with my drink,
because of your indignation and anger;
for you have taken me up and thrown me down.
My days are like an evening shadow;
I wither away like grass.But you, O Lord, are enthroned forever;
you are remembered throughout all generations.
David is crying out from his place of truth. If we can't be honest in our prayer time, when can we be honest? God already knows everything anyway, so we can take full liberty and be brutally honest about where we are and how we're feeling... even if that feeling is hopelessness. There is nothing too hard or too big for God to handle. Hebrews 4:15 reminds us that we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. In other words, Jesus has felt everything we've ever felt and will feel. So you're not in it by yourself.
If you're struggling with depression today I speak life to you! I declare and decree that the joy of the Lord is your strength and that God would be the lifter of your head. You shall live and not die! I bind the spirit of depression and despondency that would come to rob you of your peace, joy and happiness. I loose love, peace, joy, and strength in the name of Jesus. I pray that God would hold your mind together and balance your emotions. I declare that the very root of your depression be plucked up and destroyed and I decree that God is doing a new thing in you that shall spring forth and be used for His glory. I declare all of these things to be so in the mighty name of Jesus! Amen & So be it!
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