Depression is said to effect over 30 million American lives. In today's stressful world, depression is only on the rise. A serious mental condition that has different stages. So many people look at depression and try to cure it with medications. When the real problem is what is causing your depression. We need to look deeper, at the core problem that is causing us to be so stressed, nervous, violent, angery, guilt, abusive, or whatever it is that is causing us to be depressed and fix it. Well how can we fix that? You really have 2 choices.
1. Load up on medications (which in some cases is the only way to keep depression under control) and fork out a lot of money on fun things to do that will temporarily distract us from being depressed... or
2. Accept you have a problem, get help, find a counselor and get to the root of the problem and do something about it while accepting God into your life and letting him be the Great Physician and show you the way to happiness.
Let's take a look at 1 Kings chapter 19 where we find Elijah asking life's most difficult question. "How did I get to where I am which is so far from where I am suppose to be?"
1 Kings 19:4 Then he went on alone into the desert, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. I have had enough, Lord," he said. "Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors."
How often do you set under a tree wondering why you are where you are. "Why is this happening to me?", you ask yourself. God heard Elijahs call and responded by sending an Angel to give him food
and water. After Elijah had rested God told him to continue on his journey.
Psalms 145:18 tell us The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
Jeremiah 33:3 says Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.
If you allow it, depression can take control of your life like it did with Elijah. Remember, no matter what problem you are going through, God can walk you out of it. What's the catch?. You have to live a faithful and obedient life to Jesus Christ.
As with any problem you are having, you first have to admit and recognize it. Once you know what your problem is, you can then start working to repair it. First you might want to see a doctor. Some depression is caused by chemical imbalances. Something that might have to be treated with medications.
If your depression is caused by something going on in your life such as stress, rejection etc., then you should get Christian counseling. And remember to pray and ask to be prayed for.
Mark 11:24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, BELIEVE that you have received it, and it will be yours.
Let's see what Paul has gone through:
I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches."
-2 Corinthians 11:23b-28 (NIV)
Don't let depression misguide and take over your life, get help now.
Remember to keep God first in your life and He will guide you in the right direction.
