When I started putting Biblescopes on paper, a specific chapter about depression was not part of the plan. However, God spoke a gentle word to me and said write how you overcame depression. It hadn’t been long after my diagnosis of multiple sclerosis that I wasn’t able to carry out my regular daily activities. I was calling in sick at work frequently. I couldn’t sleep at night but I could sleep all day and get nothing done. I’d stay in my room and watch the same sad old movies over and over again. I was sinking quickly. I needed a life raft.
I did continue to go to church where I sang in the choir, ministered to the youth,
and attended intercessory prayer times each Tuesday morning at 5:00AM. I had a life
raft ready at all times. I just didn’t see it because when circumstances are overwhelming and help is not recognized through the shroud of despair surrounding me, help is the last thing I expect or feel I deserve. Wallowing is much easier. Floundering is the reflex of the hopelessly depressed. That was me—hopeless.
One morning after 5:00AM prayer time, I stayed behind to speak to my Pastor. I had a feeling he knew things weren’t well with me. So, we sat and talked for a little while. I briefly explained to him how depression was affecting my life and I just couldn’t stop the destruction it was causing me and my family. He listened attentively and handed me tissues when they were necessary then in his quiet and authoritative voice he said these things to me.
“Edee, the best place to find help for depression is in the Psalms.” All I could think was that reading the Bible was becoming something I didn’t look forward to any more but I still listened to him. He continued, “I want you to go home and start reading at Psalm 1. I also want you to write it verse by verse in a journal and after each verse write this: For this I give You praise, Lord.” Pastor said do it whether you feel like it or not. When I didn’t “feel” like it was the time I should. He asked to see my notes one week from that day.
I bought a new notebook for journaling. I didn’t have a computer to use so I
wrote every verse by hand responding to each one with, “For this I give You praise,
Lord!” He also told me to put my name in the verse when it was applicable like when it says ‘man,’ put Edee. This is how my notes looked starting with Psalm 1.
Psalm 1:1 “Blessed is the man (or woman, Edee) who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.” “For this I give You praise, Lord!”
Psalm 1:2 “But his/her (Edee’s) delight is in the law of the Lord. And on His law he/she (Edee) meditates day and night.” “For this I give You praise, Lord!”
Psalm 1:3 “He/she (Edee) is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he/she (Edee) does prospers.” “For this I give You praise, Lord!”
The following Tuesday at Prayer Time I showed Pastor Mike my notes. He looked over
them and said with a smile, “I see God’s countenance on your face. This is working, isn’t it? You need to continue this practice of seeking God to heal your heart, mind, and emotions. You’ll know inside yourself when it’s time to stop.” Using the ‘Plus Thirty Principle’ revealed consistent themes throughout the Psalms and Proverbs that confirmed what I was doing supported this method of God-directed Bible study.
Depression replaces life-sustaining thoughts. We turn in to ourselves feeling no one cares so it’s better to isolate ourselves and stay away from anyone that might see what is really going on. King David understood depression and what it does to humans. David speaks of everyone’s worth before the Lord and how accessible God’s love and mercy is to us all. Psalm 42: 5 & 6 is a perfect picture of the despair David felt even as a king.
“(v.5) Why are you so downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and (v.6) my God. My soul is downcast within me; therefore, I will remember you from the land of Jordan.”
According to the writers of the Life Application Bible (NIV), depression is a
common ailment that disturbs our emotions and mental state. Do you meditate on the
Word? It’s not some New Age practice or Yoga activity. Meditation on God’s Word is
when you read it and listen to what God is saying. Meditation is a medication that takes our destructive self-centered thoughts away from ourselves and focuses our thoughts on God—His goodness, mercy, and unconditional love. Promises from the Word of God make us take a second look at our personal circumstances taking stock of what the future holds.
Depression still attempts to stop me. It rears its ugly head when my life becomes difficult and it feels like I’m losing control. Psalm 71:20 & 21 (Life Applications Study Bible NIV) says,
“(v.20)Though You have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth You will bring me up. (v.21)You will increase my honor and comfort me once again.”
If you’re dealing with depression and can’t get a hold on it, see your physician right away and find a pastor that will help you through your overwhelming circumstances using God’s Word.
Hopelessness is a demonic symptom that becomes a stronghold passed to us by our ancestors. I had an uncle who committed suicide. My mother stayed depressed, anorexic, and was constantly in a state of rage. Depression is rage we turn in on ourselves. Suicide is the most angry statement you can make to those who love you because they don’t get to fight back, make their voice heard, or hold you and comfort.If your depression is tied to anger toward someone you love, dying doesn't end the despair. Stay alive and live victoriously. That's your best revenge.
Hope is our God-given right promised to us by the very life Jesus gave on the cross. Every stripe on His back was for curses to be broken and bodies to be healed. His body was broken and bruised so ours could be made whole and well. That includes our emotions and our psyche.
Coming out of depression isn’t an easy thing to do but God’s Word and the
Psalms are a blessed start. Start with Psalm 1. Write every verse down one at a time and after every verse write, “For this I give you praise, Lord.” One thing I want to make clear to you. Sometimes depression is not easy to overcome when you’re feeling inadequate, overwhelmed or too weak. Please, get help. Call a suicide help line, see your family physician, or talk to your pastor but tell someone. Get someone to be accountable to concerning using the Psalms and Proverbs for recovering from depression. Despair resolves more quickly than depression however, despondency takes longer to respond to God’s Word.
When you can truly write or say, “For this I give you praise!” and it not seem like a lie or something forced from inside you. Remember to seek help from a counselor or physician for any form of overwhelming depression. I can only share with you from my personal pain and how I was helped with the Word of God. I also sought professional help. God doesn’t want us to get through the valley alone and feel we don’t deserve help. He has placed physicians here for help in times of need as well as friends and His Living Word. Don’t isolate yourself. It is the enemy’s greatest weapon against us—separating ourselves from one another. We are one body, one fellowship, and we need each other.
Today’s Biblescope is from Psalm 30 & Proverbs 30. “Today God will raise you up out of the depths. If you seek healing today, take it. It is yours. Today you’ll experience God’s favor throughout your busy day. If you feel unworthy of favor and kindness take it anyway. Then give it to others through mercy and grace. Sing and don’t be silent. Sing unto the Lord a new song. Dance and be filled with joy.”
“Take care of relationships that involve your family. If you owe someone forgiveness give it and if they owe it to you don’t expect it. God will take care of them. Don’t think yourself better than others. Stay away from situations that can lead to anger and strife.”
A mistake that may add to our suffering is not telling God what we’re really thinking or feeling and, as a result, we may not hear God answer our prayers for help. It’s the “pity party” syndrome. If however, our spiritual ears are in tune to God, our “awareness and appreciation of God grows as we are honest with Him.”(Life Application Study Bible NIV, 1996). It’s been easy for me to understand and relate to David because so many times he expresses what I’m thinking or feeling and I gain insight into my trials and troubles that are so much like his own. There is something so cleansing and freeing when we are open and honest with our Creator. Starting with a dark, heavy soul that is exposed to God’s Holy light leads to peace and stability. Give it a try!
David often expressed his disappointment in God’s slowness to answer his prayers. The lesson we should take from this situation is that patience leads us to trust and one's ability to wait on God’s response to our needs. Keep God’s unfailing love ever in front of you. It should be the point of reference that holds you steadfast with faith in your Heavenly Father (Life Application Study Bible NIV, 1996).
Memorize this verse and never let it leave your heart. Remember, God wrote
through Paul to Timothy to you at this time in your life in the year 2010 A.D. Paul
wanted Timothy to stand fast to opposition because of his youth that was criticized by believers and unbelievers alike. Be bold against the spirit of depression. You must remember, Jesus took the curse of depression back to hell where it came from before He left Satan with no keys to take prisoners in hell ever again. Hell was created for Satan and his evil cohorts. The scripture to remind you of your strength to overcome a spirit of fear is this one.
“For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a
sound mind.” II Timothy 1:7
Power is in you by the presence of God’s Holy Spirit. He loves to teach and direct us and write His Words on our hearts for later use. He replaces fear with faith evident in power to overcome, disappointment and anger replaced with love and forgiveness and a mind that is balanced, strong, and recoverable when life seems too difficult. Now, think about this verse from Paul.
“Reflect on what I’m saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all of
this.” II Timothy 2:7
Reflect? Yes, reflect to find meaning of scripture you’re referencing so that its meaning becomes part of who you are and a reflective action that is an extension of you to the world to glorify God and share Christ as you become His hands, feet, voice and heart. Paul was teaching and preaching hard to Timothy because Timothy had to mature in the Lord quickly for his life’s ministry. Understanding + reflecting= pattern of sound instruction for personal application. Paul ran a tight boot camp dealing with his own pain and suffering while not giving up but pressing on for the prize
Meditate! Reflect! Pray! There is no need for a mantra or repetitive humming of nothingness or hypnosis and hypnotic dance states. All you get back is more nothingness. Speak God’s Word out loud. It puts the enemy on the run. Put your armor on one piece at a time going through the motions as if you are really dressing for battle. Repeat the scriptures Jesus used in the desert after fasting for forty days and forty nights. He was tired and hungry. Have you ever been so hungry that you’d give all that you have for one piece of bread?…one spoon of peanut butter? ..cool fruit smoothie? Many people go to bed hungry even in our nation of great wealth. Jesus was being tested by the Holy Spirit when the Spirit came to Him in the desert because human flesh craves food. Christ’s only hope was His faith in His Father and not in food.
It seems to me that if Christ could visibly go without food for forty days and nights He would be strong enough spiritually to take on all forms of temptation. Fasting should never be attempted without preparation and instruction from a counselor, mentor, or pastor. There are different types of fasting from things that may take our attention from our Heavenly Father such as spending too much time watching TV, too much shopping, not enough time meditating, or fasting for the wrong reasons.
