Depression is real, and if you are fighting it you are not alone. Depression seems to have been the bane of many of life’s great leaders. In the Bible, Moses, Elijah, David, and Job all had to deal with it. In the secular world, Sir Winston Churchill used to call depression his ‘black dog’, and Ernest Hemingway referred to it as ‘the artist’s reward’.
President Abraham Lincoln battled depression and suicide all his adult life. There were times when for his own safety Lincoln would not allow himself to carry a knife, for fear that he would hurt himself, or worse. Read about Lincoln turning to the Bible to relieve his depression. Let the Scriptures help you just like they have helped so many of us. Sometimes depression can be a purely spiritual thing, read this – Depression Is a Spirit – It Must Be Fought with the Word of God.
Depression is the physical and emotional result of hopelessness – the ‘feeling‘ of hopelessness. We live in a world devoid of hope, and depression is the emotional product of that reality. The only thing that will actually change one’s life sufficiently as to destroy the cause, mechanics, and effects of depression is God’s hope and His word of hope. The answer is to get God’s hope back inside of you.
Hope will let you again see the ‘future positive possibility’ of your life. Without seeing it you will have no motivation or strength. The good Word of God, and the good word of others to you, can change the outlook and condition of your heart. Fight for God’s outlook with all you have. Fight it with the Word of God. (Also, confess the scriptures on Hopelessness.) Anyone who is among the living has hope.
God’s hope encourages, motivates, and keeps you on the road to faith, peace, and victory. And if you suffer from deep ongoing depression, get help. And please read this – Helping Others Is God’s Prescription for Depression. Send me a comment, we love you and we want to help you. You are important and you have value. You are not alone. With God’s help, you will climb out of this hole.
Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down (depression), but a good word cheers it up. Proverbs 12:25 Holman Christian Standard Bible
These scriptures on depression will give you hope and will build your faith. Confess and meditate on them to win the fight against depression. The key is not losing Hope. Allow the hope of God to seep back into you. Remember, there is a real Person (God) behind each and every one of these promises. He promised them to you for a reason – to help you.
Deuteronomy 31:8 – The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
Deuteronomy 33:27 – The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.
2 Samuel 22:17-22 – He sent from above, he took me; he drew me out of many waters; (18) He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them that hated me: for they were too strong for me. (19) They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the Lord was my stay. (20) He brought me forth also into a large place: he delivered me, because he delighted in me. (21) The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me. (22) For I have kept the ways of the Lord, and have not wickedly departed from my God.
2 Samuel 22:29 – You are my lamp O Lord; the Lord turns my darkness into light.
Ecclesiastes 9:4 – Anyone who is among the living has hope.
Psalms 9:9 – The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
Psalm 27:14 – Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
Psalm 31:22,24 – You heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help… Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.
Psalm 34:18, 19 – The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (19) A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.
Psalm 37:23-24 – If the Lord delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumbles, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.
Psalm 43:5 – Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God.
Psalm 55:22 – Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.
Psalm 62:5 – Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.
Psalm 126:5 – Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.
Psalm 143:7-8 – Answer me quickly, O Lord; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit. Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I’ll lift up my soul.
Psalm 147:3 – He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Psalm 145:14 – The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.
Proverbs 12:25 – Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down (depression), but a good word cheers it up.
Isaiah 26:3-4, Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusts in Thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength. (Perfect means complete. If I keep my part of the promise by staying steadfastly focused on the Lord Jesus Christ, He will keep His promise to give me His perfect peace. See also Philippians 4:6-7 below)
Isaiah 35:10 – And the ransomed of the Lord will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away
Isaiah 40:31, But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Isaiah 53:4 – Surely he took up our sicknesses and carried our sorrows.
Mark 9:23 – Everything is possible for him who believes.
Romans 4:18-22 – Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, so shall they seed be. (19) And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about a hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb: (20) He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God. (21) And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able to perform. (22) And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
Romans 15:13 – May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
II Corinthians 7:6-7 – Nevertheless, God, that comforts, those that are depressed, comforted us by the coming of Titus; (7) And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.
Philippians 4:6-7 – Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
James 4:8 – Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
James 4:10 – Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
2 Peter 2:9 – The Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials.
1 Peter 4:12 – Dear Friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.
1 Peter 4:13 – But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed
1 Peter 5:7 – Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Read how Lincoln Turned to the Bible to Manage His Depression and other articles: Scriptures Against Hopelessness – Scriptures Against Worry – New Testament Scriptures on Faith & Believing – Do God’s Promises Cover What You Want?
Comments
I used to be very introvert. As I grew up I learned to step out more. I had high expectations for myself and have fallen short of them more times than I can count. from my college years to now. I am about to be 30 and I still am not making enough to live on my own, don’t even have a salary job or a job in the careers I have been chasing for the past years. While it seems all my friends/family are getting blessed with one thing after the other, I am struggling to just get by. it used to not be very hard for me to stave of my self consciousness, remorse at my failures, etc. but as I get older it seemed to have become harder. Actually I notice that I still seem to have a problem comparing myself to others. It has become difficult to see myself as anything more than average joe and not getting any better or really being able to reach little more than a taste of things(careers and goals) that have made me feel like I am doing what God has given me such a passion to do. As I am typing this, my eyes are just drying up from a little despair I was feeling. All my friends/family who is younger than me are more successful than me right now. What am I doing wrong or missing?
I do like to use logistics, so I try to say things like ‘ If I was not meant to be a ——-, then why did he give me the passion for it? God does not loan people talents/gifts/skills just to say they’ll never get to use them.’
But then I can feel the enemy saying things like, ‘All your talents/gifts/skills are mediocre things that everyone else can do 10 times better anyway.’ And it also feels like the truth because that is how my life thus far has been.
And then I can notice a pattern: God’s word reminds us to focus on the now and the future. Satan’s word has us focus on the past to try and determine the future. Jesus saw a man named Simon and renamed him Peter because he saw the greatness the man could do, not even caring about what his past was.
I try to focus on the positives in my life, my own blessings, but sometimes I struggle with even that. Still I try, and pray for a breakthrough. If you think about it, pray that I find the breakthroughs I need, the answers and directions I am looking for. Thank you.
I heard a song today with a great line, “Fear is a liar”. I think we let fear keep us from doing things. Not everyone is a Metropolitan Opera House singer but you can still sing in local church choirs; not everyone is a Picasso but you can still draw for your own pleasure; you get the idea. Of course you need an income job to exist but don’t let that necessity keep you from pursuing your passions! And never forget that all those people who seem to have it all and look so happy – well, probably 80-90% of them are not! Pay attention to getting your life stable, one step at a time, and keep the faith.
Oh Ms Alicia, you are not mediocre. The reason the battle is strong against you in your mind is because you are a threat to the enemy. I know how you feel now, but if you can continue getting into agreement with your Heavenly Father and what He says about you, you will see change. You must say what is truth over your life, regardless to how it seems now. Remember that what the devil is magnifying is a lie. God put passion in your heart for His will, and you will accomplish everything that He has equipped you to do. You are unique and one of a kind and you are to be compared to no one because you are an original and God made you just as you are. Stir up your faith honey and trust and believe God again, knowing that He chooses you. The earth is waiting for you, don’t keep us waiting. Know who you are and who’s you are. You are complete in Christ and you lack nothing!
Dear Alicia,
I just now read what you wrote about yourself and the struggles you have had. Your story sounds so similar to my daughter’s experience. She is now 27 and just graduated from college in Dec. 2017. Like you, she has struggled with comparing herself to all those who seem to be doing so much better with their lives. So I will say to you what I have said to her…You have a GOOD Heavenly Papa who celebrates His creation of you. You are His masterpiece; and you are like no other. There is a very special calling on you to make a difference with the gifts and talents He has placed within you. Because you belong to Him, He says you are a NEW creature and the old has passed away.
My unrelenting prayer for my daughter and for you, Alicia, is that you will have the grace to let go of the ‘old’ in order to take hold of the NEW season that your GOOD Father is bringing you into…and that you will begin to see yourself the way that He sees you! Agree with what God says about you and stop listening to the lies of the enemy. Remember WHO it is that lives within you, Alicia!
JESUS, I ask according to Your Word in Eph.3:16-21, that Your daughter, Alicia, would be rooted deep in Your love for her. I ask that Alicia would really come to know and experience for herself Your amazing love for her! I ask that she will be FILLED with the richest measure of Your divine presence, and become one who is wholly filled and flooded with GOD Himself!
King David literally experienced Jehovah in his life that God lived in his heart thank you for sharing those scriptures. Jesus said blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey.
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I feel u I am very depressed and I do not see the end I am taking medicine but I don’t think it is working a frind sent me this web page we could pray for each other
You are not alone. Finding the right medication can sometimes take several tries. Let your dr know it is not working. Also, ask for a counselor in your area to talk to that has been successful in working with depressed people. They can teach you things you can do to help. If you get very depressed and need to talk to someone right away you can call the National Suicide lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or web chat at http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
Anthony, doctors give medicine to mask the problem, but God is the solution. Get you some anointed worship music, get alone with God and love on Him. Pour your heart before the Lord and tell Him what you desire for Him to do for you and thank Him. God is your peace, He is your deliverer. Everything you need, He has it. I pray you will experience the greatest breakthrough in you life like never before.
Praying for you. God bless you!
I am suffering from severe depression and have lost all hope. Before my depression, my faith was strong and I didn’t understand how a person could lose all hope. If you have time, will you pray for me.
In His Grip
Kim
I will, Kim, and know that you’re not alone. I can understand exactly what you’re saying. I’ve been struggling with depression for the last few months, and I’m usually the one encouraging others who’ve lost hope. In fact, I doubt anyone would guess I’m depressed. I’m telling myself that God has a purpose in how I’m feeling and that I’ll come out of it soon. I’m been pretty numb, no energy, feeling no purpose. Of course, I know the truth, and yet those dark feelings are very real. I’ve only ever experienced brief periods of despair…a week or two maybe, and I can usually point to a cause. This is getting a little scary, though. I’ve felt like I’m coming out of it…then it cycles back again. As I said, I truly believe the Lord is working. I just needed to tell you that you’re not alone in this. There are many others of us with you. I’m about to print out these scriptures and keep them in front of me. A big hug for you:)
Heather, sometimes I think we suffer so we can empathize with and support other depression sufferers, so I guess that’s something good coming from it, I don’t know. I only know that once we start we go deeper and the deeper we go the harder it is to climb out. I’m just glad that we do eventually get out so try to keep that in the forefront of your thoughts, find some comfort in the scriptures and what is shared here, and remember that God will not abandon you.
Blessings
Thank you Lord for your word,and l receive it all In the name of Jesus!! I now have casted oiut the spirit of depression and anxiety. Now I must keep it away!
Please pray for me that the lord will give me eternal peace, my husband has decided to divorce me. Please pray that the lord will soften his heart and he will understand the value of our vows.
Very inspiring and educative to Christians, I love it
Very inspiring not educative to Christians
Thank you Lord for your word and l recieve it all In the name of Jesus!!
Love it
Wow!!! Truly profound wisdom and knowledge. With the Lord age doesn’t mean anything and you have a supernatural knowledge well beyond your years Jessie!!! God bless you and protect your heart, mind, soul, and spirit. I want you to keep this awesome power that is inside of you.
I’d like to add the following to your post…..
I have learned in my life that there is always something positive you can be thankful for. I mean for instance, what would someone do if all they had was $5 and had to pay for oxygen to breath? Hey….it could be a lot worse!!!
We all have struggles and mine is. O greater than yours or vice versa. However….GREATER IS HE WHO IS IN ME THAN THE DEVIL WHO
IS OUT TO GET ME!!!!
Happiness is a frame of mind and it is that simple! If you want to be delivered you will be. Take authority over the enemy in the name of Jesus and kick him out of your life! The word says resists the devil and he will flee. I know of what I speak. Believe me I could have a huge pitty party if I chose to but would good come from that???? Absolutely not!!!! I am an overcomer by the blood of the lamb and the word of my testimony.
There is hope!!!
In the mighty name of Jesus, I come against every demonic strategy assigned to the people of God here in this thread. I tell you now devil that you have no authority! All authority belongs to Jesus Christ who defeated you on the cross. We are saved by his blood. We are set free from all of your devices by his blood. No weapon that you have formed against anyone represented here will prosper in the name of Jesus. I bind and cast out the spirits of depression, suicide, fear, anxiety, and religion into the abyss with no recourse or retaliation in the name of Jesus. I call forth the power of the Holy Ghost to fill each and every person with the same power that raised Christ Jesus from the dead. The Lord says you shall live and declare the works of the Lord! He that the son has set free is free indeed!!! Now, confess your freedom in Christ and walk each day in the power and authority given to you through the shed blood of Jesus.
Amen!!!!
Praise your name Jesus. To you be all glory honor and praise. The name that is above all names!!!! The name of Jesus! Demons tremble and flee at the name of Jesus. The dead are called back to life in the name of Jesus. The blind see in the name of Jesus. The deef hear and the lame walk in the name of Jesus. We are fully and completely restored in the name of Jesus!
WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS IN THE NAME OF JESUS!!!!
Telling someone depressed it could be worse is horrible and stupid it could be better also!! Loose the crazy 5 dollar story not helpful. You and your pitty party thoughts are depressing!
Thank you!
@Your next Door Neighbour … God bless you
We love u
I think your beautiful. Your heart is a servants heart. I pray God does lift that veil of darkness and sheds a radiant glowing light that you know is from him. I pray for beauty to come through your darkest hours and the God who new you before you were born would bring you his peace which surpasses all understand his love which is unconditional and his hope which is the race we must run until our last breath. He’s holding you by his right hand and he will never leave you nor forsake you. You are His!!
Thank you Erin. I needed this tonight!
I am in a bible study now called Anxious about Nothing. The Phillipians 4:4-7 is in the book. God speaks to us through his word (The Bible) and in this particular part he tells us to give thanks to him. I suffer from depression and the insurance company just told me this week that they will not pay for my medicine. This medicine has kept me out of my ups and downs for the last two years and has been a blessing. Now I do not have it. It was the first medicine to help after trying several others through out the years. I was searching for Godly interventions to help me get through my chronic depression and my crying spells early this morning when I happen to see this website and your struggles. I am in my 40s as well and have struggled with depression since I was in my teenage years, even when my life was going good. I try to stop and pray to God about the good things going on in my life. That is what I just did when I was reading the verses above when I came across this familiar Phillipians verse since I have been studying about that particular one. Which sometimes it is hard to feel grateful when you feel so down but even if you thank God for the beautiful trees or grass or landscape He will hear. Go deep down in your core to find things you are thankful for and let Him know. For example your mom is still living although the struggle of caring for her is hard or be thankful that you have a church you belong to. I think you will feel a release of the sadness and it will be replaced with gratefulness. That will start to give you a more positive feeling and bring you even closer to God. Thank you for posting your concerns on here because it has given me a feeling of not being alone. I pray you are touched deep down by the grace of God and you feel the peace that is spoken about in that particular verse in Phillipians. God bless you.
Sheryl, excellent post, thank you.
Thank you!
I came across this post while desperately searching for hope when in the midst of depression. I appreciate the scriptures. Yet I still find myself struggling to experience hope and peace. I want to know and experience the promised hope, joy, love and peace the Word promises to those who are His children. But I stead I’ve battled clinical depression most of my adult life (25+ years now). How do I live loved so others see Him in me when I struggle under a dark cloud of depression most every single day? What does an individual do when she never wants to get out of bed? I push myself to do so anyway and I go to work. I do the daily stuff. But I’m going through the motions. I pretend all is well. But on the inside I’m crying and feel like all hope is gone. Are we supposed to wait for Heaven to experience God’s promises of peace and joy? I’ve prayed and cried out to Him for years to lift this dark veil of depression from me. But He seems silent and so very far away from the pain. I am so discouraged. I am in my late 40s, divorced, have no kids, and live with my senior mom who has health issues. I am her sole caregiver. I have few friends because I’m working or taking care of mom. Plus in today’s fast paced world, folks are too busy to take time to get to know someone new; or they already have close friends and family. I’ve found this true everywhere, even in the church. Please pray for me. I no longer know what to pray.
You need to cast it out , Command it to leave . You need to speak to the spirit of depression , None of these scriptures they show are saying anything on casting it out . They need to write in , I command you to leave you spirit of depression by the name of Jesus , you dont belong in me and you have to go now, and it has to obey you .
Hi Kevin, I read your article and was wondering when u lost your job, my depression started after I lost my job as a caregiver. I believe depression starts when we lose hope. I lost hope after my divorce of 27 years. My 28 year old son lives with me and I wanted my sons to be independant. My friend thinks that this is a trial I am going through, I sleep alot. I’m asking God to heal me from depression, I will pray for you, and u pray for me, blessings to you, I believe in miracles because I recieved many miracles from God in the past. I am asking God to give me hope again
Faith, I am so sorry for your troubles, some are similar to what I’ve experienced but I persisted with church, forced myself to become involved as much as taking care of my mother and kids allowed me to, and eventually became part of that family. It took a long time and much effort on my part because I realized happiness and contentment is not the goal, it’s what you are supposed to experience on the journey, and I can actually look back and see that those years of caretaking were a blessing. Please look into caregiver support groups or other services that might be available in your area to relieve you with your mother so you can get out more. Your county social services or seniors department or even your public library should be able to help. Do not forfeit all you have to offer, depression can be overcome enough to allow you to have a life. Blessings.
I can totally share the space you”re in. Whenever I feel abandoned and so alone I make myself remember the holocaust and wondered how the Jewish kept their faith. Stories on the Web say the Jewish told the people to stop praising him. Quietly beieve, and some became agnostic. But by their departure thru Germany and entrance into Poland they started to stand up for themselves and more non_
Jews started to help the develop the spirit to fight back and believe they could win. In Warsaw they developed strength and courage and realized they had to fight the giants in the land, it was the beginning of the end of their captivity. Thank God.
Get that good fight of fight in you girl and realize others have gone through and overcame.
,
This is a reply to Next Door Neighbour. I never coment on these sites and I don’t really know why I am now, but your Feb. 4 post really hit me. I grew up in Sunday school too, and I know all the “right” answers. As I’ve gotten older and experienced divorce and painful betrayal and ongoing depression, I’ve become dissatisfied and even angry with pat answers and a black and white, rigid view of the Bible and God.
It’s obvious that you’re in terrible pain, and I’m sorry. I wish things were different for you and your family. I don’t have answers for you, but the fact that you took the time to pour out your pain and your disappointment with God on this site makes me think that you still believe in God and his power, if not in his goodness. (Speaking of disappointment with God, have you read any books by Philip Yancey? He’s the only Christian author that I connect with because he’s so honest about pain and doubt and questions about God.)
The reason I still believe in the goodness of God is because of two Christian friends who have continued to pour out love and grace and kindness through every difficulty and all my doubts. I have to believe that God is good, in all circumstances. I don’t like most Christians currently and I struggle to pray and read the Bible and yet I still believe that he loves me and forgives me. I believe he loves you too, and hurts for you, even if your circumstances aren’t lining up with that.
I know this has just been a ramble, but I wanted you to know that your message resonated with me in many ways and you’re not alone in questioning God. I hope you can find some people to talk to who will help and I hope you find some peace.
I’m so depressed and suicidal right now, I don’t even know how I stumbled here again (used to come here to read “God’s word”). I’m in my mid 30’s, 2 degrees, unemployed (my wife too), businesses making losses, friends promising to help just laughing at us(empty talk) and I’ve 3 kids to bring up: we’ve less than $5 as the week begins but God is great ain’t he? Yah!!
I’m basically done with God, but he’s been done with me for a long time now. Was hanging in there for the last 12 years hoping things would change but things don’t change do they? (At least not for me it seems).
You can plead and beg but those he doesn’t care for he doesn’t care for. It’s written in the Bible isn’t it? I’ll have mercy on those I’ll have mercy, I’ll show compassion on those I’ll show compassion… so the rest of us are on our own I guess.
Anyway, God must be punishing me (or maybe my ancestors) through this depression maybe for something I did or we did (that’s what he does, isn’t it?). Seems the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross is not enough to get some of us off the hook.
Have spent my life helping others, building others up but my life is permanently broken. Guided people to salvation and to love God but the God I’m serving doesn’t want me into his gates, does he?
I used to wonder why anyone would hate God, now I know: It’s because they once loved him and trusted him; thought their trials were temporary only for them to define their lives. I don’t hate God, but I don’t know if I love him now: I’m just scared of him, the way you’d be scared of a parent/guardian that knows your every thought, puts you down every time you’re trying to get on your feet, has the ability to help you beyond your wildest dreams but doesn’t, just won’t do it and I almost forgot: treats the neighbours kids better than you his family… You get it?
The only reason I’ve not killed myself is because I’m scared he’ll be waiting for me on the other side and burn me forever for ending it on my terms. I mean, imagine punishing someone forever guys, roasting them forever for getting it wrong once in a while!! How cruel is that?
Say I can’t see clearly because of my pain but maybe I see it only too clearly. God has the ability to end my pain but won’t or he can’t? He wants the pain to draw me closer to him? Would you hurt your child and stunt him so that he doesn’t leave your side?
I’ve believed these absurd things since Sunday school but now that I’ve children of my own I’ve this sick feeling that God is thoroughly unkind and especially to those who seek and love him. He’s good or indifferent to those who don’t care about him.
I wish I knew this growing up because I’d not have opened a Bible. I’d not have attended church nor would I ever hoped on his help – I’d have been more awake to the fact that life would be what I made of it; not what God wanted it to be for me.
Are any of all these things we purport are from God really from God? To take the crap in this life hoping for a reward in the next life? I mean, my mellow fellows, don’t you see something’s not right with this vibe?
I’m gonna leave you with this advice that I’ve come to appreciate too late in life: Make lot’s of money in life, lot’s of it. Break once in a while to enjoy yourself. Rinse and repeat.: Everything else is crap and you know it.
PS: Throw in a good word for me next time you talk with the Lord above. My line got disconnected ages ago. Tell him I wanna go home but I’m afraid he’ll not receive me.
Peace.
Your Next Door Neighbour – I feel your pain. I am sending you an email. We love you. Rex
Hi I’m only 18 and obviously have no idea what you are going through but I understand….
But then as difficult as it is the sooner you realise that no true Christian ever goes through life unscared and the fact that pain does not come from God… Maybe then will you really understand how faith works and know he is ever full of mercy and compassion
God does not know evil… He causes no pain nor tempt his children… He may allow this things happen but remember eccelsiates 7:14 says
God sends both happiness and allows trouble… You never know what’s going to happen soonest…
James 1 says : make sure that your endurance carries you all the way without failing so that you may be perfect and complete and lack nothing….
And when you pray… You must believe and not *doubt* at all…
Whatever situation you are in someone out there is in a worse situation..
I live in Country were tears is a norm and never seem endless ….
I wish my mom could afford $5 but if she worries or kills herself… What then becomes of me… We don’t have Wealth .. My mom is widowed and I have 3 siblings… But I’m grateful I have her…
And if there is a reason to smile its because I know in all things God works for good for those who love him and who are called according to his purpose and so I find peace and comfort… We some how are alive everyday
If God can provide for the birds of the air… How much more you… Do you not know you are worth more than a thousand birds….
You lost your connection… Restore it back.. He’s your father… Always willing to listen from *you* not through someone else….
Cheer up
.. You have just less of $ 5 …. You’ve worried enough… You don’t have anything left but now hope do you? …. So why not just chose hope…. You’ve got nothing to lose by that….
Do not replace with pain and anger where wisdom and faith and hope should be…
All is well …. All will be will…
Make no rash decisions…
Focus so you can think better on what to do next instead of worrying and doubting… That has done you no good so far has it?….
Have faith and act on it…
There’s always a little light at the end of a very long tunnel … If you stop moving… You’ll never see the light … All you’ll have left…. is regret…. And the sentence
“Had I known”
Jessie, I love your attitude – and pray God’s blessings for you and yours!
Thank you so much for this. God bless you too.
Thank you for your website.
I was diagnosed with depression in the 4th grade, and got on medication to combat it all the way through high school. I accepted Christ when I was 17, and things got better for many years. My depression vanished, and everything in life was generally good. Fast forward 11 years, to age 28. My depression suddenly returned, and along with it deep seated anxiety and chest pains. Anyone who has wrestled with anxiety knows how a chronic version of it can lead to chest pains. I had finished graduate school (at a seminary, no less), and was dating someone for 8 and a half months. I finally broke up with her, thinking she was the cause of my depression and anxiety (it returned while I was dating her). Imagine my surprise when my depression and anxiety worsened, rather than alleviated.
Things got even worse for me when my father died of skin cancer only two months later. Everyone told me, “Take care of your mother, Kevin. She needs you.” Even well meaning Christians. Which is all fine and dandy until you remember I’ve been fighting an uphill battle with depression and intense anxiety. Oh, and also, for the first time in my life, I was having doubts about the truthfulness of Christianity. Why didn’t I have these in seminary when I was surrounded by hundreds of Christians?
I am alone in my doubts. My mom, sister, and brother-in-law have no doubts about the truthfulness of Christianity, nor any doubts about where my father is now. He was a committed believer in Christ, so by that merit alone, he should be in heaven. But the thoughts that continue to plague me is, “Is he truly in heaven? How can we be sure? What if the Bible was made up by a series of people who saw the brokenness in life, and wanted to offer hope to others, even if they knew there was none to be had?”
That last proposition poisons me daily, and makes hope very difficult to hold on to. I assume it stems from the last girl I dated being a blind optimist, who chose to see a version of reality that was clearly not there (she was so convinced that we were going to be married, that she bought a wedding dress before I even proposed, and had the audacity to tell me shortly afterward). She was so desperate for a spouse that she did so many things to try and emotionally manipulate me into staying with her, all under the name of “optimism”. To be sure, I did my fair share of not so great things, but my doubts started after I dated her (and, as mentioned, my depression and anxiety returned as well). Her version of hope was so poisonous, it made me nervous of any version of hope.
I currently live with my mom in the house I grew up in, after living in my own place for five years while attending seminary. It feels like a step backwards, and especially after my father died, it has become difficult to disclose anything to her, or the rest of my family for that matter. I just want to scream. And being unemployed only makes it worse.
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Dear Kevin S,
If I may ask, what is it that you study in seminary that gives doubt to even the most ardent of Christ’s followers? I’m asking because it’s quite strange because a friend of mine who was so fervent about the faith came out of seminary agnostic.
Thanks.
Kevin – Thank you for your honest comment. It speaks to exactly what this page addresses, namely the systematic attack on one’s hope by the evil in this world. Your comment, ‘That last proposition poisons me daily, and makes hope very difficult to hold on to. ‘ That’s exactly what it was meant to do. That was the purpose of that accurate dart of evil.
He will assail your beliefs and challenge every hope you have. Once you have no more hope(s) on which to stand, you become hopeless. Depression is the feeling of that hopelessness. It can be triggered by many things. Nothing wrong with seminary but many times it produces intellectual hope/faith and not heart hope/faith. Intellectual things are not sufficient for any kind of long-term foundation, especially for someone with a weakness in that area. I share that with you and I understand. Only God Himself can build the hope and restore the joy. Others cannot do that, and even better circumstances cannot do that. It comes from within. It always comes from within.
There is no such thing as ‘no hope.’ There is actually hope all around all the time. Hopelessness is a spiritual blindness to that hope. I know your place now is hard, that makes it worse. I will send you an email. We love you. Rex
Hi Kevin, I read your article and was wondering when u lost your job, my depression started after I lost my job as a caregiver. I believe depression starts when we lose hope. I lost hope after my divorce of 27 years. My 28 year old son lives with me and I wanted my sons to be independant. My friend thinks that this is a trial I am going through, I sleep alot. I’m asking God to heal me from depression, I will pray for you, and u pray for me, blessings to you, I believe in miracles because I recieved many miracles from God in the past. I am asking God to give me hope again
Maria, appropriate post from Rex: “1 Peter 4:12 – Dear Friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.” We’ve all experienced similar times. Keep hope and prayer. Do all you can to find another caregiver job, someone out there needs you. You can’t do anymore for your son (I know, my 32 year old daughter was also brought up to be independent, but we can’t control everything), concentrate on yourself, your God will not forsake you.! Blessings
For the past one month my mom says that she often gets a strong pain in her chest with her left hand aching very badly…and that’s because of lots of depression and stress she has ,being caring for the family…
She is very much concerned for the family financial needs and she prays a lot… But she becomes insane when she realizes that her prayers are not answered…I am very much worried about my mother…. And I feel my heart heavier when I hear death news which happened to heart attack….Do have my mom in your prayers uncle…and also daddy’s health and my sister Beulah’s health…. finally also pray for the family’s financial needs to be met uncle….have her in ur prayers please.
Prayed for you!!the Lord will heal your troubled heart as he did for me!
My 24 year old son has made a mistake with lifelong consequences and is spiraling into depression Please help me to help him. The Bible verses were helpful
Michael, it sounds like you were betrayed. That is a very deep hurt and can make you feel physically ill. It is great that you have such prayerful support, but perhaps you need a little alone time being open to God. I had such strong and deep hurts, which really were hurting me more than those who had been responsible, and I couldn’t seem to get over them. One day sitting alone in the back of church I actually heard in my heart “you are free”. I cannot express the joy I felt. I don’t like the people who wronged me but I no longer hate them, blame them, or waste time thinking about them. If they come to mnd I just think, oh yeah, so what, they’re not worth my time or feelings. I hope you can experience the same release.