Overcoming Depression
"As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God? When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday... Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God" (Psalms 42:1-4;11)
Thought For Today:
I can remember growing up, I never heard of anyone suffering from depression. Although I know that’s not the case, it seems that depression has come out of nowhere and has become so prevalent. Where did this evil come from that’s out to destroy the lives of so many? Where did this beast come from that’s now causing 21 million Americans to suffer? Fact: Major depression is one of the most common mental illnesses, affecting more than 8% (21 million) of American adults each year. 15% of youth (3.7 million) ages 12-17 are affected by major depression. It’s been around for a long time and is something that the child of God must learn to overcome. Even the psalmist questioned himself as to why he was in a low state. He said, "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me?" Why am I nervous, worried, concerned, apprehensive, and fretful here? He said. It was as if he was asking himself, "Don't you trust in God?" He was concerned that something inside of him wasn't clicking on all cylinders. He said it's like an 8-cylinder car that keeps misfiring. It's running sluggish and has no energy or pep. And so he called for his soul to wake up. You see, the psalmist knew that he could only prosper as his soul prospered and be in good health (3 John 1:2). So he began talking to himself to encourage himself. The Lord told Joshua, "Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest" (Joshua 1:9). David found that he had to encourage himself in the Lord when he was distressed. The way you beat distress is through self-motivation, self-discipline, self-encouragement, and self-exaltation. When you do these things, you will see that God is as close as the mention of His name.
