Hope in Times of Depression - Chapter Seven

Hope in Times of

Depression

Why am I so depressed?

Why this turmoil within me?

Put your hope in God,

for I will still praise Him,

my Savior and my God.

Psalm 43:5 HCSB

During my morning talk with my Heavenly Father, I approached the matter of depression and anxiety. Recently, the word depressed and/or depression has flooded my conversations with family, friends, and acquaintances. Having been through a time of depression after the death of my baby sister, I have developed a deeper compassion for those who consistently struggle with anxiety and depression.

As I thought about reasons depression may be so prevalent in our society, I decided to check the morning headlines. Here is a short list of what I found:

MSN headlines June 2, 2016

UCLA gunman had accused slain professor of stealing his computer code, sources say

Remains of Missing 15-Year-Old Texas Girl Found Under Sink in Abandoned Apartment

PGA Tour golfer pulls out of tournament because of ‘incredible anxiety’

San Antonio Express-News June 2, 2016

Major highway shut down due to flooding near downtown S.A.

Texas dad charged with DWI after child falls out of moving car

Man fatally shot near NW side apartments

Simply following the day’s news is exhaustively depressing. Add to that your personal and family issues, and anxiety can drain your joy and happiness like an orange trapped in a juice squeezer.

I also found the “Anxiety and Depression Association of America.” Their website listed several anxiety/depression disorders:

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Panic Disorder

Social Anxiety Disorder

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Major Depressive Disorder

Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD)

The website states that along with these disorders, co-occurrence of anxiety and other disorders may exist:

Bipolar disorder

Eating disorders

Headaches

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Sleep disorders

Substance abuse

Adult ADHD (attention deficit/hyperactive disorder)

BDD (body dysmorphic disorder)

Chronic pain

Fibromyalgia

Stress

My shoulders drooped as I read each list. I argued with God about writing on this topic. After all, my goal is to encourage, and I certainly find no encouragement in this topic. I realize depression and anxiety is a complicated emotional/medical issue, and I am not qualified to address it on either of those levels. But God began to remind me of the hope that is found in Him.

So, if you are facing anxiety and/or depression, seek professional help. There is no shame in finding a godly doctor or counselor who can help you. Christians are not immune from depression. Well-meaning friends might tell you to “snap out of it.” But depression isn’t something you can just “snap out of.”

Seek the Lord. There are many Scriptures that address anxiety/depression, encourage, and give hope. Remember, the best defense against anxiety is a strong offense from God’s Word. Here are a few that may help:

Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer. Romans 12:12 (HCSB)

Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 (HCSB)

Therefore, we may boldly say: The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? Hebrews 13:6 (HCSB)

Also, Psalm 91, Psalm 92, and Psalm 139 will stir your heart to hope in The Almighty who created you, knows you, loves you, and is your help in time of trouble.

As I have already stated, I am not medically qualified to address issues of anxiety/depression. But, I know personally the God who created our bodies, and I hope you do as well. We have all sinned and come short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) The wages of that sin is death, but God’s gift to us is eternal life in Christ. (Romans 6:23) Jesus is the Only Way to the Father. (John 14:6) God demonstrated His love for us when He sent His Only Son to die in our place. (Romans 5:8) And His Word tells us, “Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13) He is our hope in times of depression.

Hope for Daily Living

Read Psalm 121. Do you, or does someone you love, battle depression? Personalize this Psalm and write it here inserting your name or the name of your loved one.

Read Psalm 119:129-132. Do you believe God? Do you long to know and follow His commands? Pray these verses, and ask God to give you wisdom and understanding in the midst of any difficult situation you are facing. Write what He speaks to your heart.

Ephesians 1:3-10 assures us that God’s redemption plan was set in motion before the creation of the world. Before Genesis 1:3 and God said…, before Adam and Eve…, before Moses on Mount Sinai… Immanuel, God With Us, was chosen (1 Peter 1:20.) Revelation 13:8 tells us the “Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world” is the One to whom the Book of Life belongs.

Do you trust Him? Do you believe Him? Will your seek Him? Will you be a follower of Christ, even when the answer to your prayers is NO? Do you love Him?

Why am I so depressed?

Why this turmoil within me?

Put your hope in God, for I will

Still praise Him,

My Savior and my God

Psalm 43:5 HCSB

Heavenly Father,

I believe Your arm is long, Your hand is mighty, and You are filled with compassion for those who trust You. Today, I allow You to be my Strong Tower; the place to which I run during times of anxiety or depression. I put my hope in You. I praise you. I trust You for wisdom, direction, and strength in my time of need. I pray in the precious Name of Jesus and for Your glory. Amen and Amen.

© Joyce Powell