WTWT Depression Part 3

While there are many ways to overcome depression before it sets in, we must be aware that for some the conversation is way overdue. Depression has set in and not only does it produce a hopelessness, it breeds debilitation. One who is suffering is less likely to have a mind to actively pull themselves out of it.

This level of depression is not to be taken lightly. The depths of despair are dark and hopeless for those who get there. This post seeks to be helpful, based on truths God has put in my heart, but if you are in a rough place and find you cannot come out, please seek help from a Bible teaching (and believing) professional who can walk you through the truth carefully.

In Part 2 of this series on depression I walked through the inevitable steps that lead to being depressed. Many people who are actually depressed are far beyond step 1, which is already far enough. The things we must do to shake ourselves loose and overcome depression at this point are more internal and spiritual.

They are internal because if you are deeply depressed you've already allowed it to define you and shape your perceptions of who you are. And they are spiritual because you have opened yourself up to dark spirits by agreeing with them and not the Father about the circumstances of your life. Now imps and demons are actually tormenting you with lies, deceptions, and gross exaggerations of what is really happening. That's really what depression is. What you do now must push them out, as well as restore you to the truth of what God has to say about all of it.

Begin with the spiritual. You have to cut these false, negative thoughts and suggestions off. You've been dwelling on them for so long, you may not know where to start. A rule of thumb is start small. Stop allowing even your fleeting thoughts to depress you. When your mind suggests a lie, a negative outcome, respond with a truth from God's word. Try Philippians 1:6 say out loud, No, He who has begun a good work in me will complete it until the day of His coming. When you hear the thoughts that tell you even more sinister lies, respond with the Word of truth. Speak out loud, (Jeremiah 29:11) God says, I know the thoughts I have toward you, to prosper you, not to harm you...to give you hope and a future. Continue to combat these evil thoughts and lies with God's truth as much as you can. Speak His words of truth into your life circumstances.

This should produce some hope, giving you more ambition to come out of the depression. After this, go to a quiet place to pray. When you pray you want to stay away from re-introducing the lies you just squashed. Do not pray your circumstances. I'll say it again, DO NOT PRAY YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES. God sees you and knows you and cares for you. It is redundant to tell Him your situation. Instead, thank Him for what He's doing to solve the problem. Worship and adore Him for stepping in to change things and turn them around for you. Now repent. I know, depression is illness and it hurts and you feel like a victim, but you got there by listening to satan's lies, which means you turned your back on the truth. Simply repent. Tell God you are sorry for listening to the enemy's lies and allowing them to affect you. Ask for forgiveness. Then go to work on those spirits by suspending their activity, binding them, and casting them out. Let them know they are no longer welcome and have no power or authority and that by the blood of the Lamb you are casting them out of your life, mind, and situation. Strike at them and drive at them in the Spirit. Then thank God again for His intervention and for helping you. Thank Him for His intervening angels who are working on your behalf in the heavenlies at that moment. Rejoice that He is working and doing what He says He'll do. This is practicing deliverance and every Christian believer has the authority to do it. For more information about it go to doersoftheword.org.

Now focus on the internal. You've allowed yourself to think and believe some ugly lies about who you are. You must discontinue this by seeing the truth. If you have made some bad choices that make you feel like you are a bad person, this is wrong. Everyone has good and bad in them. Your bad choices do not define you. Repent for them. Accept God's forgiveness and encourage yourself in Him by looking forward to the good choices He'll give you to make as time goes on.

Hopefully this restores you. Now you have to maintain this. There is no end to the negativity and lies that exist in our world. You must pray, read your Bible, and speak and believe God's truths about you. Do not allow lies to be fed to you. Do not accept lies. Always repent when you have done something wrong. Always trust that God has faithfully forgiven you, as He said He would. Then walk His way. Shut out behaviors that produce negative outcomes (being deceitful, drinking too much, drugging, being promiscuous, being lazy, being gluttonous, angry, mean, etc.) and try to be helpful to someone else. Take the steps mentioned in Part 2 to remain free from the bondage of a plagued mind.

Of course, all this takes time. It's not easy to get out of depression, as it was not easy to get into depression. It's hard work, but you have to do it. God loves you and He wants you to overcome the enemy, to defeat Him and endure to the end. Stay focused on having your thoughts, words, and actions line up with each other so He can say to you when eternity begins for you, "Well done good and faithful servant."