Depression

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1: 7
On that day the Lord gives you relief from suffering and turmoil and cruel bondage.
Isaiah 14:3
"But whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm."
Proverbs 1:33
God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.
Psalms 46:1
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, not the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.
Psalms 91:4-6
O God, listen to me! Hear my prayer! For wherever I am, though far away at the ends of the earth, I will cry to you for help. When my heart is faint and overwhelmed, lead me to the mighty, towering Rock of safety.
Psalms 61: 1-2
O God, Have pity, for I am trusting you! I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until this storm is past. I will cry to the God of heaven who does such wonders for me.
Psalms 57:1-2
I waited patiently for God to help me, then he listened and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out from the bog and the mire, and set my feet on a hard, firm path and steadied me as I walked along.
Psalms 40: 1-2

COMMENTARY

Clinical depression among both adults and children is a major problem today. Medications are available for depression which is caused by a chemical imbalance. However, many people are afflicted with bouts of depression for which there is no physiological explanation. This is the type of depression we speak of here.

Our souls were designed to "mount up with wings," and they can never be sarisfied with anything short of flying. They chafe and fret and cry out for freedom. Restlessness, discontent, depression develop as we attempt an outward escape from our circumstances and our misery. Perhaps we do not understand that the only way of escape is to "mount up with wings." It is useless to try to escape to any earthly refuge, for there is none which can provide deliverance. If we will but mount up on those wings, and fly away from it all to God. Not east, or west, or north or south, but upwards.

"They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eaagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint."

The soul that waits on the Lord is entirely surrendered to Him, and trusts Him perfectly. Surrender, trust, are those wings that take us to the "heavenly places" in Christ Jesus, where depression has no power to disturb us. We must stop living on the low level of our circumstances, stop trying to fight them on the earthly plane. Things look different to us when looked down upon from above than when viewed from their own level. The traps and sorrows that have such immense proportions when we look at them on the earthly plane, become insignificant little specks in the sunshine when our souls have mounted on wings to the heavenly places. What a revolution takes place when we fly through the days on these wings of surrender and trust!

There are also practical things we may try which help in the conquest of depression.

1. Go for a long walk.

2. Think of people who bring you up; call one of them.

3. Do something creative.

4. Sing or pray.

5. Make a list of your strengths. Spend at least an hour concentrating fully on appreciating yourself.

6. Think of something you would enjoy doing for someone. Then do it!

7. Forgive someone.

8. Read a spiritual book or one on a subject you enjoy.

9. Begin something you have been putting off for a long time.

10. Consider ways to make youself more enjoyable to live with.

11. Stop doing anything and just BE for a while.

12. Give something away.

13. Arrange a meeting with your favorite person.

14. Plan a trip or event that you think you would enjoy. Spend an hour anticipating in fantasy and savor the exciting aspects of the experience.

15. Make a list of things for which you are grateful.