Dispel Depression

Proverbs 12:25 Devotion: Dispel Depression  

Dispel DepressionDwain D. Cox

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Good morning Family, let us make a joyful noise unto the Lord, let us sing from our hearts a new song and let us offer praise because we have seen the dawn of a new day. Today’s devotion comes to us from Proverbs 12:25, which reads, “Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up (NIV).”  Anxiety can lead to depression but let us first define depression. Depression is a mood disorder that causes persistent feelings of sadness, emptiness, and loss of joy. It differs from the mood fluctuations that people regularly experience in life (https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/8933).

Believers this is one of those topics which we could have an entire series on and still not get to the bottom of it. Let us focus on depression and the appropriate biblical response. Some causes of depression are:

·       Stressful events : death of a loved one, divorce, failure at school / work

·       Terminal medical conditions

·       Feeling unaccomplished in life: no house, car, retirement plan ,etc.

·       Biological imbalance issues

All of us go through some form of depression at some time in our life but the important thing is what we do to avoid it and once we have found ourselves in it how do we come out. The root word of "depression" is the Latin verb "deprimere," which means "to press down". However, let us look at the letters of the word depress-i-on and from now only see it as “I-Pressed-On”, because of the grace of God.

This is where your small group of believers comes in handy to encourage you with kind words. If you do not belong to such a family or group, the bible is filled with verses that will lift one’s spirit. But before we can help another, kindly examine your own heart and mental state so that you do not cause undue harm to another. We often do not know the extent and depth of turmoil other people are experiencing and offering empty platitudes such as it will be ok, and it will all work out will fuel the despair. Before you speak remember Proverbs 14:10, which states “Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy (NIV).

Believers, please remember to pray without ceasing and renew our minds on a daily bases. So that in the day when depression seeks to take a stronghold in your mind, and seeks to manifest itself in:

·       Suicidal thoughts: recall 2 Corinthians 10:5 , “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

·       Loss of a loved one: recall (Psalm 34:17-18) "When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the broken hearted and saves the crushed in spirit."

This is by no means the extent, but what is certain is that there is a passage or verse there for every circumstance you are going through in life. So, before depression sets in, cast your burdens upon Jesus, pray and seek the kind words from your small group.

Come, join me in prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we come before you this morning with hands lifted high praising You for your mercy and word which You have given to comfort us. Father, we are all at one stage of a storm in our respective lives. Some are just entering, others in the middle and those that are thankful they are leaving the storm. Lord, your word says you are with us always, even to the end and so while these negative thoughts might enter our minds, we pray that You will give us the strength daily or point us to others who can assist if we are too weak.

Lord, help us to hide these words in our hearts so that at the appointed time they are ready to be deployed when the enemy seeks to speak negative. Lord, your word says be anxious for nothing, but we have often dwelled in anxiety to a point where it has crippled us in spiritual, mental and personal development. This morning in the name of Jesus, our risen king, we pray that You restore all that the devil has robbed us of through depression and we press on in the name of Jesus to take new territory.  Father , let all who read this become an anchor to another, a light that shows the magnificent power of Jesus once we allow Him full control. These and other mercies we ask in Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

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Depression is a serious medical condition and we urge you to seek immediate medical advice.