13 Oct by Rev Dr Jai Kumar –
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly – John 10:10
If you think you are facing a mountain because of what you are going through, turn around and tell your mountain how big your God is!
Although the term “depression” in the Bible is never used directly, the Bible uses words such as downcast, sad, forlorn, discouraged, downhearted, mourning, troubled, miserable, despairing, and brokenhearted which obviously boils down to this condition of depression.
It’s interesting to note that none of the famous people mentioned in the Bible like David, Joseph, Elijah, and Job were exempted from experiencing this episode at some point in their life.
DOES DEPRESSION AFFECT ONLY CERTAIN PEOPLE?
Not at all! Depression can strike anyone irrespective of a woman or a man. It doesn’t matter who you are. It’s not selective. Poor people like Naomi, the mother-in-law of Ruth, and very rich people, like King Solomon, obviously suffered from depression at a certain period in their life. Young people, like David, and older people, like Job, were also afflicted by this disorder.
When David and his men reached Ziklag, they found it destroyed by fire and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. So David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep (1 Samuel 30:3-4, NIV). Have you ever experienced such an episode in your life?
Oddly, an emotional letdown can also come after a great victory. Elijah the prophet defeated the false prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel in a stunning display of God’s power (1 Kings 18:38). But instead of being encouraged, Elijah, fearing Jezebel’s revenge, was weary and afraid:
He (Elijah) came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep – 1 Kings 19:4-5, NIV
Discouragement and depression are normal events of life that can happen to any human being. They can be triggered by the death of a loved one! They can be initiated by a sudden illness! They can happen because of a sudden loss of a job or a relationship breakdown and many other traumatic events.
But the degree of its effects varies according to each individual’s capacity to handle the trauma and pressure. Here is where your faith in God plays a great part. You need to be rooted in God’s word and know who you are in CHRIST and who CHRIST is in you.
WHERE IS THE FIRST PLACE YOU GO TO WHEN YOU ARE DEPRESSED?
Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
1 Samuel 30:6, NIV
David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God.
You may look at your depression as an enemy or as an ugly visitor who comes knocking at your door often. You know very soundly he is uninvited and not wanted into your house. Nevertheless he is still persistent and insisting on coming into your house. His presence is disturbing to you! He makes you feel uncomfortable. But he will not leave you alone.
So the one and only way to get rid of this enemy is to learn to Pray. Prayer is a powerful tool to force this enemy to leave. But because he knows you are ignorant of his schemes, he has been there and unwilling to leave and stubborn and also he has power to overcome and control you.
Or how can someone enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house – Matt.12:29
HOW CAN YOU OVERCOME THIS ENEMY
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places – Ephesians 6:11-12
‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty – Zechariah 4:6
Therefore your greatest hope is to go to the Lord in Prayer as often as the enemy sticks his head into your life. Pray with authority as a child of God redeemed by His blood! – ask the Lord to cast the unwanted, intruder out, in the name of Jesus. You got to get into spiritual warfare. Take authority in the name of Jesus and wage war against him. Command him to leave you.
Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and [physical and mental strength and ability] over all the power that the enemy [possesses]; and nothing shall in any way harm you – Luke 10:19 (AMP)
The name of Jesus is your powerful weapon against the enemy. Over and over cry out to Him in your times of depression! He hears you! He Cares! He LOVES you! He is your friend! He will deliver you as you look to Him for your help. Call out to Him. Ask Him for help. You must give Him your life, surrendering your will to Him to allow Him to deliver you from this enemy. Also, He wants to give you so much more than what you could ever imagine.
God Is Our Hope in the Midst of Depression. One of the greatest truth of the Bible is that God is our hope when we are in trouble, including depression. The message is clear. When depression hits, fix your eyes on God, His power, and His love for you:
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 31:8, NIV)
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9, NIV)
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18, NIV)
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10, NIV)
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” (Jeremiah 29:11-12, NIV)
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; (John 14:16, KJV)
(Jesus said) “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”(Matthew 28:20, NIV)
MANY PEOPLE CANNOT BE RESCUED BECAUSE THEY REFUSE TO BE HELPED
Unfortunately our human unregenerated nature doesn’t want us to acknowledge we need help, but God tells us to go to Him when we are discouraged. Satan will always tell you to seek the wrong places to go for help because he doesn’t want you to be set free. He wants to hold you in his clutches so that he can control and MANIPULATE you for the rest of your life. Listen! Despite what Satan tries to infiltrate your thoughts with his evil schemes, God can protect us. God can heal us! God can deliver us completely. Just as God strengthened Elijah’s hope, He can strengthen ours as well (Psalm 31:24).
Note: Rev Dr Jai Kumar is an ordained & licensed minister of Covenant Ministries International N.J. USA. He is also the representative of Faith International Bible School for Malaysia & Singapore. He is the founder and senior pastor of Full Gospel Outreach Ministry KL, a member of ECCM, Spiritual Adviser & overseer of Capstone Ministries/Capstone Community Church -C3 (Bangalore); Co-founder and adviser of Kingdom Christian Fellowship, Subang Jaya, he is also the author of a book entitled, ‘God’s Time Clock.’
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NOTE: This article is part of a series by Reverend Jai Kumar to guide Christians in overcoming some of the most common and central issues of life.
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