*Tackling Depression

Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” And He said to me, “It is done!” Revelation 21:5-6

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Don’t Be Depressed

“Hey,” Jesus might remind us, “you’re not finished yet.”

Do not make the error that so many Christians have made and take these truthful words written by the Apostle Paul out of their proper context:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

It is absolutely true that the Christian is a new creation, but make no mistake about it, we are not done until Jesus says we are done. In Revelation 21, our Lord will one day soon make the declaration, “It is done!” It could be said that the masterpiece He has been working on for all eternity will finally be completed. It will be done when no more improvements can be made.

Why Are You Still Depressed?

I am not trying to be flippant about the topic. I realize that depression is not something we can wink at and it will simply go away. We cannot say to the disheartened person, “Just get over,” because a process is required; a process that typically takes time. However, we can say with confidence the sooner you decide to begin the process the sooner you can be delivered from the malady. The process begins when you receive Christ’s gift with the purpose of using it properly.

Change Your Mind and God Will Change Your Heart

I know from personal experience that depression can be debilitating, but I also know it does not cause paralysis (it just seems like it does). For example, a depression sufferer may not want to get out of bed, but suffice it to say, if he wanted to he could. There is nothing wrong with the body, apart from perhaps a little atrophy due to a lack of movement. Therefore, the ability to choose; the ability to ‘change your mind’ is still intact, regardless of whether you feel like it or not. That’s important because the problem is not with your brain, the problem is with your heart.  The way to change your heart is to change your mind because the only One who can change your heart is God.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10

I am speaking to the Christian.

If you are depressed and you do not know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, then there is a good chance you are going to struggle with your infirmity (and the world’s solution for it). The key to recovery is to accept Jesus and then repent towards Him. In other words, change your mind. Read this passage and you will see the method:

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:1-5

Consider the choices: a depressed individual who despises his condition and understands the problem is in his heart and not his head will receive peace, stand in grace, rejoice in hope, and glory in tribulations, because God heals. God honors faith and He honors commitment. In time, tribulation, the thing that once served to destroy, is now the very thing that God uses to correct and modify us. It serves to lead us towards hope and a heart that is in agreement with the mind (the mind committed to change and align with God’s plans).

How Long?

Don’t be like most folks and give-up before the miracle happens. The length of the process is up to God. I suffered with depression (as a Christian) for a long time and I was content that my ultimate healing would come when I crossed over. I truly was at peace. Then one day, in a matter of moments, God healed me. These are the words God spoke directly to me: “From now on, if you find yourself depressed, it is the choice you have made.”

From now on, if you find yourself depressed, it is the choice you have made.

Changing your mind (repentance) is something Christians must do on a regular basis. While I am tempted to say it is something that you must do daily, I know from my own experience that it can also be a moment-by-moment responsibility. Like Paul said, the Christian walk is a kin to a marathon, but it is not a 50 yard dash (paraphrase mine). Keep your eye on the prize…

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.” Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:1-6

(*Like I alluded to in the blog, God healed me of my depression. When I was healed, I was taking prescription medication for depression. I DID NOT stop taking the medicine immediately, but rather weaned myself off them SLOWLY over several weeks and under the care of a physician. Stopping your depression medicine suddenly can be dangerous. I am not a doctor and I am not a pastor. I am a Christian who believes in Jesus Christ)

These articles may or may not relate to the blog (I have not read them):

• Music and the Bible Believing Christian (livesharp.org)
• God Encounters / Transformed (j4man.wordpress.com)
• The revelation of the mystery hidden long ago (achristian.wordpress.com)
• A response given. Dated 5/15/2012 (omharris.com)
• It Is Finished (pilgrimpassing.com)
• The Way (How to walk in it) (worksbyjjchristianblogs.wordpress.com)
• Mrs. Baugh’s Bible Treasure 5 – Bible Answers – Part 8 – Support of the Gospel (faithfulnibbles.wordpress.com)
• Mobilized by Love (frontlinedispatch.wordpress.com)
• Eve was Adam’s bride. We are Jesus Christ’s bride. (achristian.wordpress.com)
• Measuring My Spiritual Growth (pastorjonev.typepad.com)

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