Depression
Last night at Prayer Meeting we talked about depression because someone had a question about the prophet, Jeremiah, and his complaining against God. I explained the effects of being depressed on our spiritual well being, as well as on our mind, will, and emotions. I used Elijah after the great victory at Mount Carmel and Job as other examples of depression, as well.
Then, this morning in my reading of Proverbs, the Lord called my attention to Proverbs 12:25, which says, "Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad." I knew the Lord was giving me this verse to confirm the truths I was sharing with our folks on Wednesday evening. I love it when the Lord makes things so plain.
Watch out for depression. It saps your energy and enthusiasm. You want to sleep all of the time. You don't want to be around people, and you get upset easily. It even causes you not to pray and to read your Bible, and it leads you to question God. When you see these things, stop and call out to God for His healing. Make sure you get some rest, but not too much. Get out of the house, so you are around people. Force yourself to read the Bible and to pray about your situation. This will help you come out of it.
However, you need to isolate the cause. Is it being nervous, anxious, or stressed about something? Ask the Lord to show you how to solve that situation. Is it physical weakness or sickness? Pray for healing and do what the doctors tell you to do to get better. Is it that you have financial strain? Find out how to manage your money well. Depression is caused by anything that leads you to think your life is hopeless. Jesus will deliver you from that hopelessness, but you have to stop listening to Satan and trust God's promises. Then, you can defeat depression and live the victorious life.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Proverbs 13-16.
Then, this morning in my reading of Proverbs, the Lord called my attention to Proverbs 12:25, which says, "Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad." I knew the Lord was giving me this verse to confirm the truths I was sharing with our folks on Wednesday evening. I love it when the Lord makes things so plain.
Watch out for depression. It saps your energy and enthusiasm. You want to sleep all of the time. You don't want to be around people, and you get upset easily. It even causes you not to pray and to read your Bible, and it leads you to question God. When you see these things, stop and call out to God for His healing. Make sure you get some rest, but not too much. Get out of the house, so you are around people. Force yourself to read the Bible and to pray about your situation. This will help you come out of it.
However, you need to isolate the cause. Is it being nervous, anxious, or stressed about something? Ask the Lord to show you how to solve that situation. Is it physical weakness or sickness? Pray for healing and do what the doctors tell you to do to get better. Is it that you have financial strain? Find out how to manage your money well. Depression is caused by anything that leads you to think your life is hopeless. Jesus will deliver you from that hopelessness, but you have to stop listening to Satan and trust God's promises. Then, you can defeat depression and live the victorious life.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Proverbs 13-16.