We live in a world, surrounded by its brokenness. As Christians our task is to shine the light of the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a world in need of salvation. Yet, that is an arduous task to have given our own humanity. Sometimes the one we fight most is ourselves. Naturally, we are more prone to feel separated, lonely, angry, and frustrated with all that is going on around us. We are to joy in the Lord. We know that. One of the fruits of the spirit is joy, but why then do we tend to fall into Depression. So how can we overcome depression now in this world? The simple answer is to trust the power found in the Word of God.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. John 1 NKJV
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.15 John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.’”16 And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. John 1 NKJV
Knowing and Doing are Two Different Things
How then can we Overcome Depression now. What can we practically do? Some would say just “let go and let God.” But that is not that simple of a task to perform. Modern psychology talks a lot about Cognitive Behavior Therapy. However, did you know that the Bible gave us practical terms of Cognitive Behavior Therapy long before medical science suggested it. Furthermore, the Bible bases it on the Solid Foundation of the Gospel message, the Power of Jesus Christ indwelling us through the Holy Spirit.
So, let us travel first back in time to the Psalms and then pull it together with some of the teachings of Jesus and the letters of Paul. Therein we will find the keys to Overcome Depression Now through applying trust in the Word of God.
Looking at the Psalms of David and of the Sons of Korah
The sons of Korah are mentioned as being the gatekeepers of the tabernacle and as a group who sings in praise to God.
Shallum the son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, and his brethren, from his father’s house, the Korahites, were in charge of the work of the service, gatekeepers of the tabernacle. Their fathers had been keepers of the entrance to the camp of the Lord. I Chronicles 9:10
18 And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem bowed before the Lord, worshiping the Lord. 19 Then the Levites of the children of the Kohathites and of the children of the Korahites stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel with voices loud and high. I Chronicles 20 (NKJV)
Psalm 42 and 43 both deal with depression and how to overcome depression now, even though in the darkest depth of sorrow. Some commentaries say that the Sons of Korah here meant they were the singers and not the writers. Others say it is their writing. Among the ones who believe it to be written by the Sons of Korah, some say they were written when in exile with David after his son Absalom tried to overthrow David’s reign. He had to run so some believe it was then. Others say they were written as they went into exile in Babylon. Really, it does not matter which is true. What we do know is this is an instruction in what to do with depression.
A Brief History of God’s Grace
If you remember who Korah is, you might wonder about the sons of Korah being the entrusted leaders who faithfully serve God. Sons of Korah do not refer to immediate sons, rather the lineage of Korah. Just as Jesus can be called the Son of David because of the lineage directly back to him through both Mary and Joseph, His stepfather.
Well as a reminder in Numbers 16, Korah threatened Moses’ authority. Then God opened the earth swallowed up Korah and his followers. But God did not destroy his lineage. Instead, Numbers 26 tells us:
11 Nevertheless the children of Korah did not die.
Indeed, God’s grace covered them and lead them to a special place of service for Him in worship. So, anyone worried about “generational sin” blocking you for Jesus, it just ain’t so.
Deep In the Depths of Depression, but.
As the deer pants for the water brooks,
So pants my soul for You, O God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When shall I come and appear before God?
3 My tears have been my food day and night,
While they continually say to me,
“Where is your God?” Psalm 42
Oh, the depth of depression he is speaking of here. My tears have been my food day and night. Life has become unbearable and all around him mock him for believing God cares. they mock him and they mock God. Or they even believe God abandoned him for evil he has done. How quick even Christians condemn others for their hardships! Whatever, he feels alone. but this one thing—he is seeking God with all his might; therefore, God’s answer will be forthcoming. Even if God tarries as He did with Daniel’s agonizing prayer, His answer is coming.
So, Key one to Overcome Depression Now is to look up.
25 “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; 26 men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” Luke 21
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12
Remembering How It Was
4 When I remember these things,
I pour out my soul within me.
For I used to go with the multitude;
I went with them to the house of God,
With the voice of joy and praise,
With a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast.
Psalm 42
I used to be happy. Remembering a former time of joy is sometimes restorative. Only if you remember the steps that drew you closer to God that helped. Yet usually, this yonder year reflection only drives you deeper down. In this case he is remembering a time when his joy was found in the house of God with others around him. His sense of solitude only digs him deeper into despair. Or maybe it was the same multitude that now rejected him. Was his joy from the crowd or truly from worshipping God.
When trials surround us, it is natural to remember a former time and think it was better then. How easily we forget the things that weighed us down then. Looking back, I wish I had the stamina, the endurance, and what I remember as greater patience. Although, those around me then, might have thought differently.
Key #2: Do Not Focus on Yesterday, Look forward to the Hope tomorrow
22 Blessed are you when the people hate you, and when they exclude you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man. 23 Rejoice on that day and jump for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For their fathers used to treat the prophets the same way. Luke 6 (NASB)
7 But as for me, I will be on the watch for the Lord;
I will wait for the God of my salvation.
My God will hear me.
8 Do not rejoice over me, enemy of mine.
Though I fall I will rise;
Though I live in darkness, the Lord is a light for me.
9 I will endure the rage of the Lord
Because I have sinned against Him,
Until He pleads my case and executes justice for me.
He will bring me out to the light,
And I will look at His righteousness. Micah 7 NASB
I may go through trials here on this earth. So, what! I deserve no less if I were to stand on my own righteousness. But I do not. I stand by His righteousness and his alone.
13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3 (NKJV)
“Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus Blood and righteousness” Edward Mote[1]
Preaching to Yourself
5 Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him
For the help of His countenance. Psalm 42 NKJV
And so, he began to preach to himself. Soul, why are you cast down? You know the truth of God. What makes you think any different than He is good and has always been good?
Dr. Martin Lloyd Jones was a medical doctor who left a very lucrative practice to become a pastor. He authored a book on Spiritual Depression that is outstanding and beneficial to all. He did make this observation.
Have you realized that most of your unhappiness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself instead of talking to yourself? Take those thoughts that come to you the moment you wake up in the morning. You have not originated them but they are talking to you, they bring back the problems of yesterday, etc. Somebody is talking. Who is talking to you? Your self is talking to you. Now this man’s treatment [in Psalm 42] was this: instead of allowing this self to talk to him, he starts talking to himself. “Why art thou cast down, O my soul?” he asks. His soul had been depressing him, crushing him. So, he stands up and says, “Self, listen for moment, I will speak to you.”
― Martyn Lloyd-Jones[2]
Key #3 to Overcome Depression Now-Stop Listening to Yourself and preach the Gospel to yourself.
5 Now when His disciples had come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread. 6 Then Jesus said to them, “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.”7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “It is because we have taken no bread.”8 But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you have brought no bread? 9 Do you not yet understand, or remember the five loaves of the five thousand and how many baskets you took up? 10 Nor the seven loaves of the four thousand and how many large baskets you took up? 11 How is it you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread? —but to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Matthew 16
So quickly they became disturbed, looking to figure out their own error and laying guilt upon themselves. The truth their guilt was not remembering all that Jesus had done. They were so worried they could not understand the truth Jesus was speaking. He rebuked them, but also told them what they should have done was preach to themselves from all he had done. Then they would have trusted the power of the word. Also, they would understand His teaching.
Every time I forget, I find I must preach to myself Romans 8 and Ephesians 1-3. Those are my go-to sermons to myself. They guide my heart to overcome depression. Sometimes I have to repeat these to myself multiple times a day, but then my sorrow fades away. His joy enters my soul and strength returns.
Romans 8–Words to Overcome Depression of the Soul
8 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, 8 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God…. 28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified….
37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8 NKJV
Ephesians- Know Who You Are in Christ to Overcome Depression
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He [a]made us accepted in the Beloved…. 11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will. Ephesians 1
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2
20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3 (NKJV)
Take Your Eyes Off You and Place on Him to Overcome Depression
I will say to God my Rock,
“Why have You forgotten me?
Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?”
10 As with a breaking of my bones,
My enemies reproach me,
While they say to me all day long,
“Where is your God?”
11 Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God;
For I shall yet praise Him,
The help of my countenance and my God. Psalm 42 NKJV
As the psalmist moves through this deep depression, he realizes that the only one who can fix it is God. He then turns to talk to God once more. Now he repeats his words to God, openly and honestly telling him his feelings of abandonment. Only God can mend his broken heart and take charge over his mind. Only God can provide all that is needed to overcome depression.
Key #4 to Overcome Depression Now Plead Your Cause to Jesus
Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. John 16 (NKJV)
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I will say, rejoice!5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4 NKJV
Then the Psalmist Became Bolder as his depression turned to joy
43 Vindicate me, O God,
And plead my cause against an ungodly nation;
Oh, deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man!
2 For You are the God of my strength;
Why do You cast me off?
Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
3 Oh, send out Your light and Your truth!
Let them lead me;
Let them bring me to Your holy hill
And to Your tabernacle.
4 Then I will go to the altar of God,
To God my exceeding joy;
And on the harp I will praise You,
O God, my God.
5 Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God;
For I shall yet praise Him,
The help of my countenance and my God. PSALM 43 (NKJV)
He has moved his focus from himself and onto God. It is as if the last quote was almost with a mocking tone to his soul. “Why are you cast down? Really what are you thinking? Hope in God.
It is said Martin Luther was going about at one time with a long and sad face. His wife came out wearing all black. He asked her whose funeral she was going to. She replied, well God must have died if you have such a sad countenance. So, he wrote in huge letters a sign. God is Alive and placed it in his study, so it was a reminder everyday of that truth.
Key #5: To Overcome Depression Now—take charge of your mind
John 14:26 “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
Jesus promised us a helper who can change the thoughts in our head.
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. Philippians 4 NKJV
[1] My Hope is Built on Nothing Less | Hymnary.org
[2] https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/199587-have-you-realized-that-most-of-your-unhappiness-in-life
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.
Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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©Effie Darlene Barba, 2024
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
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