"This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me." Psalm 119:50
Depression affects a large segment of society these days. I want to be very clear that I have been researching depression, as has my husband, for the past five years. It is my humble opinion that very few of the folks on anti-depression medication today are actually "chemically depressed."
Most of the depressed are that way because of their life situations, either presently or past.
Nothing that I learned from a book, while getting my degree, taught me as much about depression, as my own life did. I stayed in a constant state of depression for at least forty years of my life. I was the child of an alcoholic. My needs were not met as a child, and because I was raised in a dysfunctional home situation, I had anger that turned inward and caused me to be depressed.
The dysfunction continued on as I went from one dysfunctional relationship to another, trying to find the love I never found as a child. The unfortunate thing about that is that we are attracted, subconsciously; to the very type of dysfunctional parent we had when we were children.
I brought the wrong type of people into my life, and this caused further hurt and more depression.
I took every kind of depression drug on the market. I was still depressed because I was under demonic oppression. No pill worked. I prayed constantly for God to deliver me from depression, and one day He was ready to do just that.
One morning, I woke up and God spoke to my heart that He was going to deliver me from depression, and it would take a lot of effort on my part to resist the thoughts Satan constantly bombarded me with from my past.
That very day, I flushed every depression pill I had down the toilet. Would you believe that God instantly delivered me and I never had one withdrawal symptom? Well it is the truth. I would come to find out, through research, that some folks actually become more depressed on anti-depressants. I would like to say that I am not advising anyone reading this to do that, UNLESS God tells you to do so.
For the past few years I have been interviewing doctors regarding their patients that they give anti-depressants to. I ask them, "How many of the people who come into your office and tell you they are depressed actually get better with the anti-depressants?" Would you believe they usually put their heads down and say something like, "Not many, if any"
No matter what causes our depression, it could be sin, suffering or come from another source; it can take a lifetime to overcome if we don't understand how to take control over our own emotions.
In Isaiah 60:1 we read this;
ARISE [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you--rise to a new life]! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you!
That is the first scripture God gave me the morning He started to deliver me from depression. He told me to get up, forget about my circumstances and shine with glory for the Lord.
I tell you He is telling some of you the same thing today. I also know that reading this is going to make some of you mad. You are thinking, " Pastor Cat, you just don't understand how depressed I am, and yada, yada,; yada. Honey, that is the devil. He has had a heyday with some of your minds for years, and he does not want to give up yet. He has you living in defeat and he likes you that way, as it keeps you from doing anything for yourself or for God.
This may sounds too simple, but I am going to tell you that whatever happened in the past is OVER. You can't change it, and there is no use in wasting today wallowing in depression over it.
I know that anyone can be healed from depression. I know that because He healed me. Today I make a choice not to get depressed. When those depressing thoughts come to my mind, I tell the devil to "take a hike." Because once you start wallowing in depressing thoughts, they feed upon each other and you get worse and worse by the minute.
Start praying in earnest and asking God to deliver you from depression. Then get your mind off of yourself and find one person today to bless. We get what we need from others, when we meet the needs of others.
The depressed person tends to think of himself or herself only. The quickest way I know out of depression is to find someone with a problem bigger then your own and help him or her. When depressing thoughts come to your mind, TAKE CONTROL OVER THEM. The Word says;
"Set your affection on things above, not things on the earth" Colossians 3:1
If you really want help, seek it out. Don't wait for a magic pill to take away your depression. There isn't one.
If you want to get counseling from someone who knows about depression, and how to overcome it, please email me @helpforgodshurtingpeople1@yahoo.com to set up an appointment.
Sometimes we stay in depression for so long, that it is a way of life. It's a way of getting attention, and having others feel sorry for us. We go from one friend to another telling them our tales of sorrow and nothing ever gets better as we are addicted to depression and the attention we get from it. It becomes a lifestyle.
I believe that God wants to deliver you from depression TODAY. If you need prayer write me. There is only one month left of this year, we are going into a new year soon. Let this be the year of your deliverance from depression and its control over your life!
Father, Heal us from depression and all that comes with it. Send workers across our paths to help us to heal. Give us the strength to quit isolating ourselves and step forward to help ourselves and this hurting world around us. In Your Name, the Name above all names we pray. Amen and Amen