Depression can penetrate our very own core. It can cast a heavy black shadow that darkens our minds and robs our hearts of joy. This severe dejection can last for hours or even a couple of years. Depression can make our world feel cold. Everything becomes uninteresting. Happiness is far from us and hurls farther away into oblivion as we try to recollect broken relationships and traumatic experiences. Melancholy wafts the feelings of loss, misfortune, and disappointment. There’s an absence of peace inside. We recognize that it is a battle, but our strength has already been depleted. You tell yourself, “I thought I was a warrior.” There’s no echo of hope but only a reverberation of your sobbing.
Doctors are working day and night to find a cure for depression. Medical experts say that there are cases of depression that require special attention. But how can science effectively treat a low and despondent spirit? Myriads of self-help books and countless articles are published every year to provide information regarding how to overcome depression. However, they are but words to you; nothing more than the opinions of men. Perhaps you are missing something—or someone. You forget your perfect friend and your first love, Jesus.
Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
It is apparent that God wants us to be filled with joy. The problem is that our happiness is directed toward the wrong objects or persons. We read books that are not inspired by the Holy Spirit. We attend therapies and talk to psychiatrists instead of going to Church. We drink medicines instead of being filled with the Holy Spirit. I am not saying that taking medication is bad or that going to the doctor is not a good idea because, after all, Jesus recognizes the need for a doctor (Mark 2:17). But what I am trying to get at is that we forget how vital it is to call the name of the Lord first. There is no better counselor than God. There is no better physician or psychiatrist than Jesus Christ. And there is no better healing than the healing that is provided by the Holy Spirit.
Remembering Your God
Unfortunately, some of us forget to take delight in the Lord. Yes, there is joy and delight in worshipping God. Praising His name is the true and effective cure for depression. Take pleasure in the Lord, and He will grant your heart’s desire (Psalm 37:4). Make God your strength and your defense during hard times and He will save you (Isaiah 12:2). Bask in the glory of Christ and “delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties, for the sake of Christ. For whenever I am weak, then am I strong,” (2 Corinthians 12:10-11). Peter encourages us to participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that we may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed (1 Peter 4:13). Remind yourself to take up your cross and follow Jesus.
Christ is Here
Hold on to the promises of Christ. Accept His invitation; “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). The power of God is much stronger in your life if you surrender to Him. No one in the galaxy can relate to your burdens as Jesus Christ can. He was tempted, persecuted, betrayed, rejected by His hometown, sold for thirty pieces of silver, crushed, flagellated, spit upon, mocked, and crucified. Remember this when you are blanketed by depression; let the focus shift from you and instead think of Jesus and His love.
You are not alone. His light is with you, and He gives you strength and rest. Read the Bible since the Word of God brings healing and nourishment to the soul. Ponder on Psalm 139:11-12, “I could ask the darkness to hide men and the light around me to become night—but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you, the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you.” Even in darkness, you’ll find His love. He knows how to take care of you, and He is faithful enough not to leave you. Be in the presence of God and revel in His glory—this is how you defeat depression.
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