I have had a few episodes of depression in my life and each time I have prevailed with God on my side. stronger mentally and spiritually with God on my side. One thing is certain when you fight depression with God, you come out from under that dark and heavy cloud of depression and you will find the peace from God that surpasses all understanding. You will have a new drive for life, a new drive for your faith and even a drive to help others. It is World mental health day and I am using this platform to encourage anybody out there who is suffering from depression.
When I was in the midst of some episodes of depression, I felt like I was going backwards. I didn’t want any help. I just wanted to be in that state of depression because I was afraid of the unknown. Imagine you are on a train in a dark tunnel with no light and the train is on the move for a while, but you cannot see anything but darkness. You can’t see the world outside, you can’t see the direction you are going, you can’t even see if there is anything blocking your way. That is what depression does to you. It is like a dark tunnel with no end in sight. It stops you on the tracks and keeps you in the dark tunnel for as long as it can.
Christians who are suffering from depression ought to take action against this silent killer. Although it is a mental health symptom, a sign of a chemical imbalance within the brain, low self-esteem/ self-worth triggered by an incident, you should not condone it in your life. In as much as you pray and read your Bible, you should seek counselling or some other type of therapy to combat and overcome depression. It is high time you stopped looking at counselling as if you are relying on the physical and not on what God can do. It is high time you do all that you can for your health’s sake.
When feeling overwhelmed, wanting to stay in the dark tunnel because you cannot see any light at the end of it or afraid because you don’t know what is out there; this is when you need to walk in faith. Reach out and walk with God whose plans for you are good plans. He wants the best for you and as much as you feel like you are alone in that dark tunnel, God is there urging you to come out, come to the light, to his warmth, to his embrace, to that feeling of peace.
Each time I went through depression I became stronger. You too can and will become stronger, and it’s not just having faith but also walking in that faith. You just continue to move and you will eventually see the light and the outside glory. You can then see where you are going, what is around you. You have to move you have to make changes. Speak the word of God over your life. Confess positive affirmations, watch out for positive influences in your life, watch what you read and watch tv shows that make you laugh, be thankful and focus on what you have and not what depression makes you believe you lack.
The moment you keep going forward, you will see a glimpse of light, and as you get closer, the light will get bigger and bigger until you get to that light. Never ever give up no matter how long it may take you to get over this demon. Your winnings may take a while but you will surely have victory. Think about how long the Israelites were held captives in Egypt before they gained their freedom, but they eventually gained their freedom. So now you know how that feels, if you ever have to go through another dark tunnel again you will know to keep going. You will even be eager to get to the end of that tunnel. So you will be freed too, from your burdens. Be radical with yourself, your mental health is very important so keep going because when you come out of the tunnel you won’t look back. I promise.
Author: Vivienne Ogunsola
Make a bold declaration of faith with me today
I declare the truth about me in God’s word over my life today. It says that I am well loved by God and nothing can separate me from the love of God. I am convinced through the word of God that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate me from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus my Lord. I am loved (Romans 8:38-39)
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
I declare today that my thoughts are aligned with God’s thoughts about my life. I shake off negative thoughts and negative energy and I embrace God’s thoughts about my life. Henceforth my thoughts are true, my thoughts are noble, my thoughts are right, my thoughts are pure, my thoughts are lovely, I think on things that are admirable, excellent and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8) therefore depression shall flee from me.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
I declare that the Lord is with me at all times. Hence, today I defy loneliness and aloneness. I defy dark shadows that creep up on a person who seems to be alone. I am not alone. The Lord is with me and he goes before me. He will never leave me nor forsake me and I will not be afraid or discouraged as a result (Deuteronomy 31:8).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
I declare that the Lord hears my prayers and he answers me because of his righteousness given to me through Christ. Henceforth, I am delivered me out of many troubles (Psalm 34:17).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phillippians 4:13)
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The Lord God turns my mourning into dancing. My sackcloth is loosed, I am clothed with gladness (Psalm 30:11)
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The Lord God is with me like a mighty warrior comforting me in times of pain, calming my fears and restoring hope to me. Therefore I will not fear nor be dismayed (Deut 31:8)
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The Lord is my shield, my glory and the lifter up of mine head. He fights my battles and lifts my up. Therefore I will not be sorrowful and I will not be anxious (Psalm 3:3)
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
