HELP!

“Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord.” (Psalm 130:1)

“Help me God!” is a familiar phrase to many Christians, so much so we often incorporate it into our testimonies. These believers will go on to tell you that after crying out to God they discovered, either immediately or later on as they matured in their faith, that the help they needed was always there – Jesus provided it 2000 years ago and all that was required was to lay claim to it.

What must we say to take ownership?

“I believe.”

Of course it’s just not uttering those two little words, it must be a truthful confession and it must be all encompassing – in due time you must believe Jesus, His account and commands, as they are recorded in the Bible – the whole Bible. When you desperately call to God for help, you’re agreeing to surrender your ways of doing things for His way of doing things, despite not knowing or understanding all that that means. That is the essence of faith. Some key things you may grasp initially (or will eventually):

1) I’m a sinner and I’m going to hell.

Many folks have difficulty accepting that. They’re not yet in the ‘depths’ (sometimes referred to as ‘hitting bottom’) and life appears to be good; they enjoy their sin and it doesn’t seem to be hurting anyone. They laugh at those who tell them their path is the way of destruction, but then it happens: their habitual sin begins to hurt, causing pain to themselves and to others. In time it brings them to a place where they cannot escape. It’s from these ‘depths’ they eventually cry out, “Help me God!”

2) There’s NOTHING I can do to save myself.

a) You want to reject sin; turn away from it, but you can’t. You may stop for a season, but it always draws you back. You’re desperate.

b) Your sin-history prevents you from going to Heaven and there’s nothing you can do to change that. You can’t ‘do good’ to counteract the bad. Entrance to Heaven requires perfection and our sin (just one sin) makes us all imperfect. Once again, you’re desperate.

3) Jesus is your only help. He is perfect and He paid the penalty for our sin.

It’s not required to understand all the doctrine behind Christ’s atoning sacrifice on the cross, at least not initially, not when you’re crying out to Jesus from your depths of despair. Just accept the fact by faith that He did it and He’s the only one who can help you. Later on, when the bonds of sin have been broken and you’re free from satan’s grasp, you’ll desire to know more about the Jesus who saved you. You’ll come to realize that He wants a relationship with you and you’ll want a relationship with Him. In so doing, your faith and knowledge of Jesus will grow, and you’ll desire to share Him with others.

4) God will help you even if you don’t believe.

Can that be true?

Yes, but it’s not a wise course to take. I have heard countless stories from folks who, in the depths of despair cried out to God for help and He helped them. Myself included. Promises were made and promises were broken, not by God, but by us. We may have uttered that we believe, but there was no truth in those words. God knew, but He helped us anyway. But our words were empty and the bonds of sin were not broken, therefore our reprieve was temporary. We were pulled out of the quagmire and given a chance to repent; to keep the promises we made, but instead we rejected God. As a result we wound up in a worse place. Sometimes it took several trips before realizing Jesus way is truly the only way.

5) You don’t have to hit bottom

It seems most people take the hard way to faith, but some people actually discovered that there is an easier way. The path is essentially the same, but without having to endure all the pain and suffering caused by self-inflicted sin. They simply believed the testimony of Christians (many of whom took the hard way) or opened their Bibles and learned (and believed) for themselves. God spells out the path very clearly in His word:

• Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” 
• Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” 
• Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
• Romans 10:9, “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
• Romans 10:13 “for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

That’s it in a nutshell. Believe it and you’re saved. Repentance, ie turning away from your sin and turning to Jesus, is implied in the text and explicitly recorded elsewhere in Scripture. Turning away from sin is not a work, it’s a choice. Besides, good works (deeds) are not needed to be saved. Actually, they’re useless. However, you will develop good works as a result of having been saved. If you’re truly saved, good works are inevitable and you will enjoy doing them.

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Depression: Your Fallen Countenance

So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.” Genesis 4:6-7

The Onset

When God asks, Cain, “Why has your countenance fallen,” it is the first allusion to depression in the Bible. What makes it such a significant reference is that in this short passage we are able to examine the cause, the consequence, and amazingly, God’s cure for the disorder.

Before depression sets in, the Bible discloses that Cain was a selfish, prideful, and faithless man. The account in Genesis bears witness to this. Cain and Abel present offerings to the Lord and God was not pleased with Cain’s for the aforementioned reasons. While all of Cain’s traits contributed to the objectionable circumstances, the primary issue was his faithlessness.

By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain… Hebrews 11:4a

The thing Abel did, he did by faith, and since God declares in Romans 10:17 that, “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God, ” we know that both Cain and Abel had communication with God. Regrettably only Abel was obedient — Abel did well (in his faithful obedience) and Cain did not do well (in his faithlessness).

The Cure

“Do well.”

In the context of the story, we know that ‘do well’ does not mean to execute good deeds, work hard and redeem yourself, or even pull yourself up by the boot straps. The reality of doing well is to employ the faith God has given, obey His word, and as a result you will be accepted. You may be interested to know that he word ‘accepted’ here in the Hebrew is ‘seh-ayth’ and it actually means to be elevated or lifted up. One might even say that you will be ‘un-depressed’ by the healing hand of God. Focus on making God happy rather than yourself, and watch what happens!

In steep contrast, God warns that ‘sin lies at the door’ for those who reject the cure, the consequences of which bring you lower, intensifying the despair. In other words, how deep (and low) you go is a choice you make. Odd as it may seem, the medical community does not really dispute the inference. According to them, when you are depressed the serotonin level in your brain drops.

Did you catch that?

The drop in serotonin is not the cause of depression, but a symptom; it comes as a result of being depressed, or in this case, choosing to refuse the cure when depression is in its earliest phase. In other words, depression is not chemically induced, but can be chemically sustained as the patient declines the cure. In cases where the chemical change is severe, it stands to reason that medicine(s) are sought to bring a brain back ‘chemically’ to where decisions can be made intelligently, but even then we should not discount God’s power to restore (that’s my testimony).

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting. Romans 1:28

If like Cain a person refuses to repent and do well, that one will be handed over to a debased mind, in this case depression. God is not mocked and we will reap what we have sown. God lets us go to attain that which we fervently pursue. We do not have to look very far to witness this. The world abounds with curses not imparted by God, but rather self-imposed by means of personal faithlessness. Historically, as Cain murders his brother, he fulfills the prophecy declared by God only one sentence before—sin reigns in the faithless heart.

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Sacrificial Sacrifice

Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. Hebrews 13:15

Bummed

Have you ever had one of those days? Today is not one of them for me, but I’ve had my fill. I remember a one time waking up really  bummed. I won’t say that I was depressed, I just

wasn’t happy. I rose from bed in a foul mood and it carried throughout much of the day. As far as church and worship went, I just wasn’t into it. But in a moment of discernment, I found myself praying to the Lord that [ironically] I had earlier lagged to praise, and wouldn’t you know it, Jesus responded. God is faithful even when I am not, and accordingly, He provided me a Bible study which focused on continual sacrificial praise. As a result I came away with a renewed appreciation for sacrificial giving, whether it is in regard to worship, service, or benevolence.

Seasons

Seasons (and the feelings that accompany them), will always be with us; there will be always be rain in spring, growth in summer, harvest in autumn, and stillness in winter. Changes occur over the course of a lifetime or in a moment in time, with the only certainty being that there will be change. Having said that, Christians know (or should know) that we are a people led by the Spirit and not our emotions.

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Galatians 6:9

God Knows

The fact that we have emotional ups and downs is no secret to God. He gave us the emotions to begin with, but He also gave us choice. As a result, God has provided a way by which we can give sacrificially; praising Him in spite of our emotional or physical condition. Anyone can praise God when there is spiritual growth or harvest, but when the rain pours or our hearts are cold, we’ve been given an exit strategy divine — it all boils down to the choices we can make in the light of any affliction. I suspect that the widow in Mark 12 had some impassioned feelings regarding her poverty, yet she still chose wisely. Is this not of God? Is this not praise?

This poor widow has put in more (praise) than all those who have given…for they all (praised) out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had (Mark 12:43b-44, paraphrase mine)

I Missed Out

God’s message to me was timely and I found myself that morning praising Him for His faithfulness to me in my times of faithlessness. He had lifted me out of an emotional pit and had placed me on higher ground, able to praise Him with abundant joy where there was done previously. However, I also realize that I had an opportunity to praise Him sacrificially (in my emotional poverty) and let that chance slip through my fingers. That knowledge might be depressing to me if not for this truth:

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:1

(If you enjoyed the post please ‘like’ it, share it, subscribe to the blog, or leave a comment below and keep the discussion going. God bless).

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You Just Don’t Understand!

Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The Lord executes righteousness And justice for all who are oppressed. He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.  Psalm 103:2-7

“You just don’t understand what I’m going through.”

Have you ever said that?

Did you ever stop to think that maybe it’s a good thing that the person you said that to doesn’t understand and that maybe God has determined that your present situation doesn’t require two emotional wrecks and therefore placed this person in your life to be a spiritual voice of reason.

Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety. Proverbs 11:4

Having said that, it’s also a reality that God might allow stupid, callous, and insensitive people into our lives when we are struggling emotionally. Not only are they oblivious to what it is you’re going through, but they are typically oblivious to what qualifies as Biblical wisdom.

There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health. Proverbs 12:18

This is all the more reason that as a follower of Christ Jesus, you should be firmly grounded in His Word, His church, and sound Christian fellowship, so when disaster strikes you’ll know, by the guidance of he Holy Spirit, who you can talk and listen to and they’ll know, by the same Spirit, when to talk and when to listen to you.

It’s written in Proverbs, “Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad.”  These words should be etched upon every tear, for when difficulties come (and they will) we tend to forget that one of the purposes of the church is for restoration. While anxiety, fear, and stress serve to blind us, exercising our faith (receiving sound, godly counsel as opposed to rejecting it), revives our sight and sharpens our vision.

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.  James 5:13-16

Related articles

• No. W.O.R.D.S. (futureflyingsaucers.wordpress.com)
• He Sent His Word (edandbethbarnesministries.wordpress.com)
• True Maturity (beingabetteru.wordpress.com)
• How to Make Good Decisions (counselofafriend.wordpress.com)

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Don’t Kill Yourself, Just Die

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

Depression

At the mention of the ‘D’ word (depression) many people typically take one of two positions: ‘You-just-don’t-understand-what-I’m-going-through’ or ‘Snap-out-of-it.’ Grievously, both myopically sidestep the solution to the condition—‘snapping out’ of it suggests that people have a natural ability to fix themselves and ‘you don’t understand’ implies that sufferers have had their choices stripped away. My apologies to both camps, but these notions are dangerous and likely the very thing that makes the situation worse. I know because a) I have been there and b) I have been cured.

The Solution Revealed

In You, O Lord, I put my trust; Let me never be ashamed; Deliver me in Your righteousness. Bow down Your ear to me, Deliver me speedily; Be my rock of refuge, A fortress of defense to save me. For You are my rock and my fortress; Therefore, for Your name’s sake, Lead me and guide me. Pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me, For You are my strength. Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth. Psalm 31:2-5

Did you see it; did you catch the seven-word remedy? I’ll give you a hint: Jesus the Messiah spoke these same words from the cross.

And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ ” Having said this, He breathed His last. Luke 23:46

So What is the Solution

The answer is death. Jesus was delivered from all His anguish when He submitted to the will of the Father and died. In other words, Jesus clearly demonstrated that if want to be delivered from depression or anything else for that matter, we must die to self. And just so we are very clear my brothers and sisters, I AM NOT talking suicide.

If indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:21-24

If Indeed…

Have you heard Jesus; have you received His teachings? More importantly, have you repented; have you put off your former conduct and put on the new man? Now ask yourself if you’re still able to make choices. That last question is most critical because so many depressed people say things like, “I am so debilitated; I just can’t get out of bed,” or, “I’m unable to leave the house.”

That’s the lie! You can do these things!

God has not removed the ability to choose from the depressed person, nor has the devil, or anyone else. That’s worth repeating—nobody has taken away your ability to choose. The good news is that you can still get out of bed if you decide to. People who say that they can’t [get out of bed] are lying; they can, but they don’t want to. Is that you? Once you realize that you can still make choices, you can go about doing things for others rather than yourself, whether you feel like it or not. Your emotions, by the way are not relevant to your healing.

If it makes it easier, look at it like God’s 12 Step Program for depression. Step 1: as guided by the Holy Spirit, do something selfless for somebody else. Step 2: repeat step 1 eleven more times. When you reach Step 12, start all over again.

Will you change immediately; as soon as your feet hit the floor, will you be cured? It could happen, but I doubt it. I will say that over time, or more accurately in God’s perfect timing, as you consistently and continually choose to do the next right thing, God will deliver you. As you change you mind, God will change your heart. Once again, consider King David’s depressive state:

Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am in trouble; My eye wastes away with grief, Yes, my soul and my body! For my life is spent with grief, And my years with sighing; My strength fails because of my iniquity, And my bones waste away. I am a reproach among all my enemies, But especially among my neighbors, And am repulsive to my acquaintances; Those who see me outside flee from me. I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind; I am like a broken vessel. For I hear the slander of many; Fear is on every side; While they take counsel together against me, They scheme to take away my life. Psalm 31:9-12

Is this how you feel? Good, because when I read it this account I cannot help but think of Jesus’ condition at the cross. In this regard, you and Jesus have something in common. We know what Jesus endured and we also know He would have preferred another way, but selflessly He chose His Father’s way and was subsequently delivered. Remember, this was King David’s testimony as well and when he committed his spirit into God’s hand, when he died to self, he too was delivered. The cure is available to all who receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Oh, love the Lord, all you His saints! For the Lord preserves the faithful, And fully repays the proud person. Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:23-24

Notice that David did not say, “Just get over it,” but rather, “Be of good courage!” the word ‘be’ implying consistency in our behavior. Can the depressed person climb out of bed and do something selflessly for someone else? Absolutely he can. Can he do it a second time, a third, a fourth? Yup. Does he have to be happy about it? Nope, he just needs to be faithfully courageous and trust that in time God shall strengthen his heart. Don’t deny it, try it.

These ramblings are typically (but not always) a byproduct inspired by God through my personal Bible study at SearchLight with Pastor Jon Courson and with my pastor at my home church, Calvary Chapel Coastlands

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Depression’s Remedy

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:1

It’s easier said than done to qualify one book of the Bible as better or more impacting over another (and I won’t here), but be that as it may, Romans is right up there. These inspired words of God are so commanding that in 386 A.D., Aurelius Augustine came to receive Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior after reading just one passage. Consider what others have said regarding Romans:

“Night and day I pondered Romans until I grasped the truth. I felt myself to be reborn. This passage of Paul became to me a gateway to heaven, ” Martin Luther.

“I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for my salvation; and an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins, ” John Wesley.

“When one gains a knowledge of this Epistle, he has an entrance opened to him to all the most hidden treasures of Scripture, ” John Calvin.

“It is the principle and most excellent part of the New Testament… No man can read it too oft, or study it too well; for the more it is studied, the easier it is; the more it is chewed, the pleasanter it is. . . the more it is searched, the preciouser things are found, ” William Tyndale.

I wanted to emphasize the amplitude of Paul’s letter here because of the serious nature of this blog’s subject matter: depression. That is not to say that justification, salvation, sanctification, and righteousness are of less importance—that would be silly, but rather to say that far to many born-again believers struggle needlessly with depression and despair. The previous chapters in Romans (one thru seven) reminded us that we’re wretched people with nothing good found within, but by faith, Romans eight tenders the cure found in Christ Jesus. The truth be told, if you are miserable and dreary you are likely struggling in one of three areas: the past, the present, or the future and chapter eight speaks to them all.

“Regrets? I Had a Few”

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:1

Who hasn’t lamented over past sinful conduct? I am certain I could write volumes on the subject. And I am certain you could too. Your sins might be worse (by human standards) or maybe mine are, but God says that for those believing in His Son it does not matter—the filthy slate has been wiped clean. Oh we’re not just forgiven in His eyes; we are seen as if we never committed the offense to begin with. Mull that over.

What Will Tomorrow Bring?

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

What does the future hold? Will you find a job; will they find a cure; will I lose my house–these are the things that tend to consume us. Our Father has effectively said that if we fear what the future holds, we’re not looking far enough into the future. Whatever occurs this side of Heaven will not and can not remove us from the love of God. God’s everlasting and timeless love is our hope and that hope necessitates our continuous focus.

But ‘Right Now’ Stinks!

‘We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.’ Romans 8:28

‘Right now’ only stinks when we forget that God uses stink in our sanctification (refining) process. In other words, if it doesn’t kill us, it makes us spiritually better—not better than anyone else, just better then the slugs we use to be before we knew Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. And if it does kill us, well then, welcome home my friend, welcome home!

Follow me on Twitter HERE http://twitter.com/Compassiondave

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*The Function of the Church

And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” Revelation 22:17

The Role of the Holy Spirit

But when the Helper comes…He will testify of Me…He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. John 15:26; 16:13-14

The primary function; the purpose and the responsibility of the Holy Spirit, is as a witness to and glorifier of Jesus Christ. It is also the role of the church, the ‘bride of Christ‘ as well. The church operates in conjunction with the Holy Spirit in order that together they will give the invitation to come and know Jesus as Lord and as Savior. So while it is absolutely true Christians and the Holy Spirit do other things, our underlining, foundational purpose is to glorify Jesus by making Him known. In other words, we are most effective when we  point to Jesus Christ.

Yesterday

God’s timing is wonderful. I post this blog all over the place, including my local newspaper, the Asbury Park Press and yesterday my blog topic revolved around depression and the solution for it found in Christ Jesus. Sadly, depression is one of those hot-topics and the piece was worn. The majority of the responses supported the biblical position, but one reaction was not so favorable. I am posting an excerpt here because the answer jives with the message of today’s Bible verse.

“Nonsense! Millions of people — Christians and non-Christians alike — have been successfully treated for depression with medicine and therapy and by other means that in no way whatsoever involve faith in Jesus Christ. Clinical depression is a biologically-based illness that is best treated by medical doctors. You are not a medical doctor, Dave. You are not at all qualified or competent to give advice on how to best treat clinical depression — or how best to treat any other medical aliment, I might add. You ought to be ashamed of yourself for intimating that a non-Christian who suffers from depression should best treat that illness by seeking out a Christian preacher rather than a medical doctor.”

The writer is correct on some points and very wrong on others. The proper rejoinder would be for me to focus on what it is I am qualified to do: in the name of Jesus Christ, I am qualified to point people to Jesus Christ. It is a duty I take delight in and an honor I cherish. I don’t have to, I get to. I get to work in union with the Holy Spirit to glorify Jesus Christ as both a witness and encourager. Let it be known I am the exact opposite of ashamed.

The reality is this: when we  sincerely believe we have been healed by His stripes, it’s a demonstration that we’re submitted to the Great Physician. He is our true (and faithful) healthcare professional. Let no Christian ever be ashamed to proclaim the name of Jesus. It’s our first course of action!

Open the Book

And he said to me, “Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand. He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.” Revelation 22:10-11

It is mandated by God that the Bible be an open book and it is mandated by God that Christians make the invitation to come. The Divine implication is that the two go hand-in-hand. Whatever happens after that, we are to do as God directed and let it be. The Christian is not required to defend his position. If he says, “The solution, the answer, the remedy is found in Christ Jesus alone, ” the truth of that remark stands on its own. Naturally if one is being drawn into a relationship with Jesus and is seeking clarification, we’re should amplify our remarks.

Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear (1 Peter 3:15)

However, if the truth is being rejected and an argument ensues, God would have us walk away. The Father”s timing is perfect and we may trust that He will provide discernment in this regard.

“What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” John 6:28-29

1. What do these verses say about God?
2. What do they say about ourselves?
3. What’s our recourse?

These articles may or may not relate to this topic:

• Altars, Genesis 12: 6-7 (5minutebible.wordpress.com)
• Eve was Adam’s bride. We are Jesus Christ’s bride. (achristian.wordpress.com)
• Sobriety leads to holiness…Did Saint Peter say that? Indirectly, I think he did…He may not have meant what you were thinking… (catholicjournaling.wordpress.com)
• Church On Every Corner (ninatidwell.com)
• Mobilized by Love (frontlinedispatch.wordpress.com)
• He Is Well Pleased!! (ireport.cnn.com)
• Measuring My Spiritual Growth (pastorjonev.typepad.com)
• Christ Jesus in Ignatius’ Letter (withalliamgod.wordpress.com)
• You Are What You……Believe? (notforitchingears.com)
• And Ye Shall Receive…power? (endtimeebooklibrary.com)
• Mormons! The Least You Should Know (abcnews.go.com) *I read this article and it is filled with lies and nonsense. Mormonism is a false religion. I have not read the other articles.

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*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

–

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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