Spiritual Ways to Combat Depression
I received a letter the other day from a woman asking for help to overcome depression, especially during the summer months coming up when she is not working outside of the home. Let’s look to God’s Word for spiritual help to combat depression.
Ephesians 5: 18-19 warns us, “And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,” and again in Colossians 3:16 again admonishes us, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”
First of all, it says in Ephesians 5:18, “be not drunk with wine”. Oftentimes, when people are suffering from depression they turn to alcohol, drugs, anti-depressants, food, pornography… These and other things are temporary highs, but they cannot fix the problem causing the depression. God is your only answer.
Here are 6 spiritual ways to combat depression that can help you.
- Become Born-Again. This is where we are to begin. If you are not already a Christian, it is time to become born-again. John 3:3 tells us, “Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” God and His kingdom ways are filled with hope, new beginnings, and victory in Christ.
- Look to Jesus. “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Joy will come when we keep our eyes on Jesus.
This word, “look” means to turn the eyes away from other things and fix them on something, and in this case it means to fix our eyes on Jesus. (Strong’s G872 – aphoraō). When we focus on Jesus, the things of this world lose their grip on us, and Jesus becomes our stronghold.
- Be baptized with the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 4:4 shows us how to encourage ourselves, “He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.” When we pray in tongues, it edifies and builds us up. This is a very important tool that needs to be taught to the whole body of Christ. Imagine how a spirit of depression would flee from the Church!
- Think godly thoughts. It says in Philippians 4: 9-10, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.” The next time you hear yourself thinking negative thoughts ask yourself, “Is this thought pure, lovely, good news, virtuous, or praiseworthy?” If not, purposefully change the theme going on in your mind.
- Renew your mind. In order to think godly thoughts you are going to have to renew your mind with God’s thoughts. Romans 12:2 puts it this way, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
6. Singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Our opening Scriptures from Ephesians 5:18-19 and from Colossians 3:16 talk about singing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. And this is our last point we will cover in today’s message.
The Bible has a lot to say about the power of songs, words put to music, for example a psalm of praise sung by Moses and the Israelites after they passed through the Red Sea, and then Miriam and the women continued on with song and dance.
Songs of praise to our God have a way of lifting our spirits that puts smiles on our faces, joy in our hearts, and even sets our feet to dancing.
When joy is always difficult to find in life, then it is more than disappointing or hurtful circumstances causing the depression. And would be a spirit of depression over you. One way for deliverance from a demon of depression is by prayer and fasting that I have discussed in other blog posts. See “Do You Need a Breakthrough?” I would also recommend that you see a Christian counselor nearest you.
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© 2016 Author Becky Dvorak–Healing and Miracles International, All rights reserved.
Fighting depression with spiritual means sounds like a very good thing to try. After all, people in the bible had to go through some terrible things. But they still, for the most part, stayed positive. Also, it seems like a good idea to draw strength from faith when fighting depression.
AMEN! You’re on the right track.