by Rex Rouis
Even in the midst of blessings, people can have recurrent fits of depression. It comes in like a dark, heavy cloud. We pray, fast, or make resolutions, only to find it getting worse. That is because this cloud of depression is not mental; it is spiritual. It is called the spirit of heaviness.
“To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.” Isaiah 61:3
It is an evil spirit—a personality that studies us, knows our weaknesses, and knows how and when to attack. Recognizing the identity of an enemy is a tremendous first step, but then it must be fought.
It shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered. Joel 2:32
Meditate on scriptures like the one above and pray: “God, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ – according to Your Word – I’m asking you to deliver me from this spirit of heaviness in Jesus Name.”
The pressure will lift, but it is one thing to be delivered; it is another thing to stay delivered. It is now up to us to reprogram our minds – to cultivate a different outlook and way of thinking. Before deliverance, we are not able to do it, but now after deliverance, it is our responsibility to do it.
The problem is our mind. The devil reaches people through their minds. The more we trust in our mind, the more Satan is able to use it against us. It is up to us to make our mind realize that it is our servant, not our master. Our minds are affected by our thoughts, so we must take charge of what we think.
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, 4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but [b]divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, II Corinthians 10:3-5
Remember, just as heaviness is a real spirit, the God of the Bible is a real Person, and He is behind each promise. He promised them to you for a reason – to help you. Read them, study them, meditate on them. They will give you hope and they will change you. It will not come in five minutes. It will take hard work, but it will come and it will work, and it is worth every bit of effort.
God’s deliverance can set you free, but it is your responsibility to fight for your continued deliverance. Take control of your thoughts, and bring them under control and in line with the Word of God. Experience the glorious freedom and joy that God has for you.
Comments
Praying and learning about the spirit of depression as I watch my great friend suffer from it. It’s terrible to watch but I’m learning to fight a spiritual battle along side my brother. If anyone happens to see this please pray for my awesome friend, Duane. I’d love to see him be set free.
It is the name of Jesus and our inheritance as His sons and daughters that give us the authority to tell evil to leave.
I got delivered this way: I went to a Catholic confession and to the end I added “Also through this confession I’m asking Jesus to free me from the spirit of depression”. And it left. I guess the sacrament of confession has the power to break those bonds.
What if we pray and we don’t get delivered?
I’m also suffering from depression
It is better to currently be suffering and know you are wholeheartedly in love with Jesus than to be suffering and not in love with him at all (like myself).
Yes men and boys suffer from the sport of heaviness but it’s more deadly than in women . Males commit suicide at a rate 2 to 3 times more often than females . Spirit of heaviness is not as obvious as in males( young and old) as it is in females. My children and I have had this dark cloud badly over our lives. Groups of believers praying helped more than just me praying. Gather your friends and family often to pray and read the word of God . Pray for those in your lives suffering. I must remember to pray night and day .It really works . Anti depressants don’t work , they I am convinced are created by the enemy. True healing only comes from God. Thank you for your work here.
Prayers for your son??♀️. It’s SO hard to watch. Going through the same with my daughter and she is 2 months pregnant. Lord give us wisdom to help our children.
Reading over all these entries I see each as from women. I wonder about that. Is it as women are the ones most apt to suffer, or are men too shy and timid to write? Any insight anyone? HumbleJP, a guy.
Pray for my son, he
Barely eats, he doesn’t socialize with anyone, he goes to the library daily for hours, he won’t talk to anyone , he walks all the time (he has a car) he’s a dad who needs to take care his daughter.. but he can’t help her if he doesn’t help himself .. he’s existing NOT living.
Oh, how I can relate to that. When I found out I had leukemia I went into a downward spiral. I was too sick to get out of bed so my thoughts, fears and pain became worse and worse. My sister referred me to Dodie’s book which I read a portion of every day. My thoughts became more positive. My fears less and the mental and physical pain tolerable. I can tell I’m getting stronger every day. But, let me assure you, it is an uphill battle. In the past few weeks someone opened a letter I had sent to my son which had a money order in it. My sister became violently ill and had to have a portion of her colon removed. And, my son (who has multiple impairments) was in a bad accident when the van he was riding in flipped. Thankfully, he was not injured. But, fighting back with the Word of God has made all the difference in the world. Please continue to pray for your family…mental and physical state. The progress may be gradual but it will come. Keep praying and encouraging your loved ones. God is with you. Blessings and prayers.
Philippians 4:8 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………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Take action to think on good things. You choose what to think instead of allowing the thoughts that the enemy brings to the territory of your mind. The devil is need of head space but if you rebuke and think on good things things of good report you stop him in his tracks. Use the name of Jesus to rebuke him then go for it capture that fearful thought that anxiety that ex halts its image and or words above and or against God. Capture it & then cast it down!!!!!!!! Then do what God has said or repeat what God has said. Capture it in its tracks change those fearful thoughts processes immediately. For it is written: 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;………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………You have control on what you think. You have control on to embrace the evil thoughts or fearful thoughts or tell them to get out of here. I hope you caught that. Its in your power to loose them out of your mind. Take your God given authority take the dominion that God has given you. Fight the good fight of faith. YOU WIN!!!!!!!! Having the understanding that NO Weapon formed against you SHALL PROSPER. Demons brings torment yet God will bring peace of mind……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….Keep in mind that the war is in your MIND………….Romans 7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members……………………… Jamal aka Godz Messenger http://www.GodzMessenger.com
Tonya , I feel horrible for you, I can only imagine how you feel. I will pray for you and hopefully you overcome this horrible situation. God bless you??
For those who suffer from depression:
Renew your mind!!
Control your thoughts do not allow your thoughts ( evil spirit) to control you! The battle is within your mind you must seek to find the “words” that will conquer those negative thoughts that only exist in your mind!
If you close your eyes and picture a lemon ? in you mind, ( see it in your mind) look closer, see how bright yellow it is, see the pores. Now, picture the lemon being cut in half and all the “sour juice”…. “squirting” all over as the lemon is squeezed!!! It’s “very sour” and juicy!!!…..
Can you picture it in your mind?
Now, open your eyes! Does your mouth feel different? Kind of like when you taste a lemon?
Now think!….. that was an “imaginary thought”….. in your mind only!
That’s Satan’s deception in controlling your thoughts! You must realize that if you don’t control your thoughts, they will control you and your body will follow ( just like your mouth felt different in “thinking” about a sour juicy lemon ?).
Pray for guidance, seek and you will find your answer but you must do the work! The battleground is in the mind.
Before you read this, let me say that I am NOT recommending this course of action to anyone. This was the answer for me. I have had that dark cloud of depression on and off my entire adult life. I have a son who has multiple impairments which is enough to be anxious about every day. Then 2 years ago I was diagnosed with chronic leukemia. I read these scriptures and articles daily but the answer did not come. But, what kept going through my mind was and still is, “sometimes faith requires us to act, ” and “your past does not predict your future.” I was taking about 20 medications a day and still have several doctors, specialists dealing with the problems that arise from both of these circumstances and other negative things happening in my life. I always researched every new medication that was prescribed for me and every doctor had a list of my medications. But, doctors are not omniscient and I still did not make the connection. As I was praying and asking God once again for His help and healing, and still do, the thought occurred to me, what are the side effects of all these medications put together. As I researched I found that over half of the medications I was taking had as a primary or secondary effect of , “Can cause depression.” So with my doctors’ help, I began to taper off medications one by one. I began to feel better, stronger, healthier and able to cope with my circumstances one day at a time. I cannot say it has been easy. But I can say that continuing to pray, read scriptures and claim God’s promises as my own, I am so much better and continuing to grow every day. I know that God is helping me, healing me, encouraging me every day. I thank God for all of your comments and especially Dodie for writing this book to inspire us all. Keep reading scripture. Keep claiming God’s promises as your own and above all fight your battles with The Word of God. Your answer is on the way. Never give up on God because He will Never Give Up On you! My prayers are with you all facing this spirit of depression. The Holy Spirit knows your pain and suffering. He is here for YOU!
What book did Dodie write that you’re referring to?
Dodie was healed of cancer and wrote or I should say compiled this book. She has been a real inspiration to all of us suffering from many ailments. My sister gave me this link and I have kept it up on my computer since them reading sections every day. The book is ” Healed of Cancer,” and you can purchase it on Amazon. Hope that helps. Love and Prayers. Kate
Randy – Here is the book. You can find it everywhere on the internet – https://www.hopefaithprayer.com/books/Healed%20of%20Cancer%20-%20Osteen.pdf
Randy, thank you so much for clarifying that for me. It is a wonderful book that has blessed me tremendously. I put the scriptures up on my computer every morning and read them over and over again through out the day. I appreciate your clarification.
Randy – And we have her scripture list here – https://www.hopefaithprayer.com/scriptures/healing-scriptures-dodie-osteen/comment-page-41/#comment-270994
I am sorry I have been short with you. I have been having a heavy bout of depression the past week. Then sending Mohd to jail just made me sick. Imagine if you had to be the one to send your ex to jail and she use heroine track marks etc in front of your kids. I feel that a dark cloud is over me. I can’t stop crying. Also with me not working being home all day I have a lot of time to dwell on my financial issues and other bad stuff. I don’t want to get out of bed but then I feel guilty for staying in bed. Depression is an evil spirit—a personality that studies us knows our weaknesses, and knows how and when to attack. I get weak to fight back sometimes. Please pray for me I don’t know what to do. I cry out to God but don’t feel him …
I have been going through the same. Satan does not want you to feel God or more importantly to feel it through God’s people. Please tell yourself that you are not going to stop getting closer to God. Satan wants you to cut ties with God and his children. The stronger the attack the more impact you will have for his people. Pray for guidance on what God wants you to do. Does he want you to be the provider for your children first and then do something else? At first it will get hard before it gets better.
Will be praying for all of you. Never give up! I struggle with anxiety, depression, and pmdd. Some days I want to give up or just sleep for days. But that is not what God wants for us. Hopelessness is Satan’s plan for us. But God says otherwise, Jeremiah 29:11-14, John 10:10. Let’s glorify God and not the enemy. Blessings and hugs
Get behind me devil and spirit of depression!!
You won’t steal my life or joy anymore.
I claim deliverance in Jesus’ name and seek repentance for the ways I let it in. I will live victorious in Christ and speak His truth into my life and circumstances and against the creeping darkness that seeks to steal, kill, and destroy.
I am a child of the one true King, the One who crushed your power beneath his heel. I have the victory. I have joy. I have peace. I have fullness of life because of the blood of Jesus, the name above all names. Tremble and flee because “greater is He that is in me than he who is in the world.”
Pray for me.i got scammed out of all my retiement to my daughterl wull be living in proverty.i cant deal with this
was the scam bitconnect?
btw im really sorry to hear that. May your prays be answered!!!!
take care and GOD BLESS!
I suffer horrible depression from chronic pain of two foot surgeries and nerve damage as a result. I fight this everyday. I am thankful to find this website. I am seeking deliverance!
Father God release me from this spirit of depression !!!! Amen
I suffer from severe depression! Please pray for me! I am a believer and servsnt of God……I should know better. I know how to fight this but I can’t .
I cry out to God for help……but I don’t feel him.
I haven’t left the house for weeks except for a quick trip to store. I don’t shower, I barely eat. I just want to sleep. I am on Cymbalta for depression and Xanax for anxiety. I am completely alone and only see humans when I go to the store. I filled for disability a year ago but haven’t received. If my dad didn’t let me live in his spare house, I would be homeless. I get food stamps. But I have no money.
I feel ashamed because I can’t break myself free from Satan’s hold. God has told me he has great plans for me. And every time I go out on the streets and do Gods Work ……..I am all in and so in love with Jesus. But then depression will hit again. I know what God wants me to do, but I can’t make myself shower and leave the house
Please pray for me
Tonya
Other Christians could be of help to when you break through some of the pain of being around people. The church can fill you back up as the body of Christ. It’s nice that you have a dad who cares for you in this struggle by giving you a place to stay so you aren’t homeless. So many people need that.
Tonya, my heart goes out to you, I was like oh wow. What I suggest is continue to seek God. Pray & fast. He knows you & me. So many times I wanted to just take my life. But God has a plan and propose for me. Today my situation has not changed much except I don’t do drugs any more. And I thank God for keeping me even when I didn’t want to be kept. I know I am suppose to be dead, or in Jail. So what I also do is listen to praise & worship music.. Don’t give up.. its what the enemy wants us to do. I pray that will stay on your knees and ask God to keep you, I will be praying for you
Tonya, I pray that the spirit of depression releases it’s stronghold over your life and your mind. We can do all things thru Christ our Lord who strengthens us. I have to remind myself of that quite often whenever I feel depression coming on. My advice to you would be to mediate on God’s promise. Pick a scripture and repeated it every morning , afternoon and night. Also, play worship music throughout your house continuously. Sing the lyrics, speak the scriptures and talk to God. See if that helps.
Praying for all of you. I go through these blues myself periodically. God is good.
Amen!!! Amen!!!
Depression is the darkest, bitter day. I am sick of it.
Thank u for this article I suffer with depression. I read God’s word everyday. But I like the awareness u bought in this article on how to fight depression. So grateful for this article.