Overcome Depression By Knowing Jesus

Depression is a disorder undermining the mind and body afflicting millions of people worldwide.  Its symptoms range from lethargy and sadness to severe despondency and lack of interest in life and/or living.  According to the Center for Disease Control, “Depression is a mental illness that can be costly and debilitating to sufferers. Depression can adversely affect the course and outcome of common chronic conditions, such as arthritis, asthma, cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and obesity.”

More Depression Statistics

In 2005 approximately 18.8 million American adults are affected by depression.  Everyone, will at some time in their life be affected by depression.  Pre-schoolers are the fastest-growing market for antidepressants. At least four percent of preschoolers -- over a million -- are clinically depressed.  The rate of increase of depression among children is an astounding 23%. 

30% of women are depressed. Men's figures were previously thought to be half that of women, but new estimates are higher.  

54% of people believe depression is a personal weakness.

41% of depressed women are too embarrassed to seek help.

80% of depressed people are not currently having any treatment.

15% of depressed people will commit suicide.

Depression is one of the greatest problems and killers of our time. Depression will be the second largest killer after heart disease by 2020 -- and studies show depression is a contributory factor to fatal coronary disease.  www.upliftprogram.com

Needless to say, Depression is a serious condition that generally goes untreated and undetected for millions of people.  Since most people believe it’s a personal weakness and should be overcome with sheer will power, it is not treated or taken seriously until severe symptoms occur.

Psalm 43:5

Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.

According to the bible, many were afflicted with depression: King David, Joseph, Job, Hannah, just to name a few.  This number and the statistics of depression shouldn’t come as a surprise to us since the ruler of this world is Satan himself.  He and a third of the angels were kicked out of heaven and have nothing better to do than to wreak havoc on us, his unwitting victims.

Revelation 12:9-12

So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him...for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.

Signs of Depression

• Lack of energy; Lethargy; Lack of motivation

• Deep Sadness

• Inability to Sleep or always sleeping

• Little to no activity or constant activity without proper rest

• Acting Out in sinful behaviors: i.e. lying, alcohol/drugs, over spending, rage, argumentative, gambling, sexual promiscuity, entering into wrong or inappropriate relationships, etc.

• No interest in life or living; suicidal thoughts

Psalm 143:3-4

For the enemy has persecuted my soul; He has crushed my life to the ground; He has made me dwell in darkness, like those who have long been dead. Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is distressed.

I am no stranger to Depression.  I suffered from depression most of my life.  Being a creative, deep thinking introvert, I was susceptible to this debilitating disease.  I can still remember my first bout of depression when I was separated from my dad at age three, when he left the Philippines for America for a better life.  Once in America, I struggled with dyslexia and Attention Deficit Disorder (A.D.D.) at school.  I was often teased and called “Dumb” by everyone.  Add to that acne and being overweight in a family of mostly thin, petite, attractive people.  Being raised in a conditional and performance based environment made me a walking billboard for depression.  Only by the grace of God did I overcome many obstacles and traumatizing events.  As an adult I learned to thrive in my environment with a spirit of perseverance.  However, depression wasn’t too far behind me.  I spent years in therapy and took antidepressant drugs when getting out of bed was too overwhelming.  My depression varied from severe clinical depression to slight bouts of lethargy.  After the birth of my son Charles, I suffered from postpartum depression for several months.

In 2009, I fought back and no longer wanted to be a prisoner of sadness or my past.  Here I was a child of the Everlasting God chained to my emotions and feelings; not living victorious in His riches and power.  Enough is enough already! We are more than conquerers and greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world.  I am happy to report that I no longer suffer from Depression!  I still get knocked down every once in a while, but I always get back up and won’t stay down for long.  In the past, I would be knocked out for weeks or months.  Now it only takes me a few hours or a couple of days to recharge from the enemy’s ploys and I'm no longer laying in bed paralyzed by sadness or negative emotions.  Those days are gone forever!  I am a new creation; old things have passed away;  behold, all things have become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17  "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

Psalm 13:2

How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? 

How long will my enemy be exalted over me.

The following Reasons and Causes for Depression can be directly linked to the devil who wants to thwart our inner peace and relationship with God so that we will turn to vices and worldly solutions that will only continue to lead us on the path of destruction.

Reasons/Causes

1 - Environment

2 - Biology

3 - History

4 - Sin

5 - Lack of Contentment and Gratitude

6 - Lack of Knowledge

7 - Lack of Faith

Our environment can cause us to be depressed due to our less than ideal living situations or conditions, either by not having enough or by having too much. Busyness, fatigue, stress, too much media in the forms of t.v., movies, internet, games, music, does not help our state of mind. “Do not conform to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds...” Romans 12:2.  There could also be an oppressor(s) in our midst in school, work, or home making our lives difficult to bare.  In my article “Jesus was Bullied” I touch on living with oppression.  With the economy, unemployment, and higher cost of living, our environment is definitely a source of hardship.

Biology has to do with the inner workings of our bodies.  There could be an imbalance in hormones, chemicals, and nutrients that could affect our thinking and emotions.  Our diet plays a big part in our emotional and physical well being.  Unhealthy eating, abusing energy drinks, excessive consumption of alcohol, drugs, etc. and not getting adequate rest and down time equals not being a good steward of our bodies. This affects proper physiological function that directly affects biology and brain function.

Our history i.e. past and/or childhood traumas and events play a major part in our emotions and how we react to circumstances and situations.  If we don’t deal with our issues, they will continue to follow us wherever we go.  Not resolving past/present issues and conflicts is like carrying baggage around like a heavy weight.  It shows up in how we interact with others.  Unforgiveness in the form of bitterness, hostility, and anger cannot be hidden especially to God.  He sees everything.  The accuser loves to remind us of our past wounds and mistakes and rubs our faces in it. “...for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.”  Revelation 12:10

Bad things can happen to anyone.  We’ve already established that the devil rules this earth, so expect unfortunate things to happen.  Read the Book of Job.  I’m not trying to cast a dark cloud, but I am trying to give you a clear perspective on what is really going on behind the scenes.  There is Spiritual Warfare going on 24/7 in us and around us vying for our attention, allegiance, minds, and hearts.  Take heart, God is still in control!

Genesis 50:20

But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.  

Sin will definitely cause major depression.  All unrighteousness is sin according to 1 John 5:17.  Disobeying God and walking outside of His will, precepts, and commands leads us outside of His hedge of protection; giving the enemy legal right to do as he pleases.  Sin breaks our relationship with God.  Consider the vast emptiness in our lives if God left us alone to fend for ourselves.  To a lesser degree this is how sin separates us from God.  This break up leaves us empty and void of the Holy Spirit’s leading and comfort in our lives.  Prolonged separation caused by disobedience and sin eventually leads to death. “But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul; All those who hate me love death.”  Proverbs 8:36

Leviticus 26:14-16

But if you do not obey Me, and do not observe all these commandments, and if you despise My statutes, or if your soul abhors My judgments, so that you do not perform all My commandments, but break My covenant, I also will do this to you: I will even appoint terror over you, wasting disease and fever which shall consume the eyes and cause sorrow of heart. And you shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it.

Depression affects millions worldwide.  Due to the varying degrees of affliction, victims of depression do not always get treatment or fully recover.  The only upside of depression is that at times, God allows it to happen.  It’s His way of letting us know that we need Him.  The sadness, anger, and/or unresolved issues force us to take action instead of keeping it hidden and locked away.  He wants us to cry out to Him and tell Him our hurts; not just our sins.  

When my son Charles was three years old he would run around the house and would occasionally injure himself.  It would be apparent to me when this happened because he would let out a loud nonstop wail.  It wasn’t from the actual pain, but from his need for me to run to him and comfort him.  He would continue to wail loudly until he felt better.  As soon as I reached him, I would hug him and ask him where he hurt himself.  He would continue to cry out loud and point to his boo boo.  Then I would check for any serious injuries.  When I see he’s alright, I would tell him it’s okay and continue to hug him and console him.  His wailing would slowly quiet down with my reassurance that he isn’t badly injured.  Then he would feel better and free himself from my loving arms as soon as he felt better.  Then he would scurry off and continue playing.  God wants us to cry out to Him like this, so He can check us and heal us in His loving arms until we are better and strong enough to stand on our own.  Even then, He wants to guard us and watch over us at every moment.

Psalm 139:7-10
Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.  If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me.

In the past, I used to cry out to therapists and others to get sympathy and consolation for my pain and sadness.  But this is all it was...sympathy and consolation.  When we cry out to God and allow Him to cover us with His love, His Spirit moves within us and performs surgery to heal our hearts and spirits to wholeness.  Most of us are too busy running around to allow Him to hold us and cradle us in His loving arms.  

I’m sad to mention that at age nine, Charles no longer cries when he gets hurt and he’s proud of it.  He revels in being a big strong boy, but he still needs consolation and comfort when he’s hurt.  We all do.  No one is immune from getting hurt.  As we mature, we learn to be brave.  We stop showing emotions and almost become hardened to stop feeling pain.  This is not what God wants for His children.  We must be like little children in order to experience true healing from our Father for our broken and wounded spirits.  He can hear our cries from afar and longs to comfort us during our distress.

Exodus 22:23
If you afflict them in any way, and they cry at all to Me, I will surely hear their cry;


2 Samuel 22:7
In my distress I called upon the LORD, And cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, And my cry entered His ears.

Matthew 18:3-4

Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Lack of Contentment and Gratitude will lead us into feeling unhappy and eventually depressed if left unchecked.  With social media sites like Facebook and Twitter, the world is a stage for over sharing details.  These details lead others to feel discontent with their lives, wanting to “Keep Up” or fit in.  (See my article “Facebook Depression”).  The devil is too quick to tell us that we need to buy this or do that in order to be accepted by others.  These messages add up and can spiral out of control; then lead us into depression.

Hosea 4:6

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me;

God takes our lack of knowledge seriously because He makes himself clear in the bible, but so many of His precepts and commandments go to the wayside.  As followers, we must study the bible and know everything written in it.  I myself was guilty of this.  I was only studying and meditating on what was common to everyone at church.  I didn’t dig deeper into the word through bible study or otherwise.  Unfortunately, not many churches teach the full counsel of God’s word, so we don’t hear a lot about God’s truths.  This is why it’s vital to study the bible in its entirety.  It wasn’t until I did this that I truly understood what being a Christian really is.  This is when I started to grow in my faith, which helped me overcome depression once and for all. 

Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Without the knowledge of God’s whole word, we will not fully know what to believe in.    Not fully grasping our identity in Christ or knowing our powers and benefits as children of God is a tragedy because so many Christians live in destitute and depressing situations unnecessarily.  They lack the knowledge and faith to live in Christ’s power and might, so they continue to live under the devil’s strong arm, which keeps them defeated.  It’s alarming to find out how many Christians take antidepressant drugs and depend on them to be fully functioning.  Many also depend heavily on therapists to solve their problems.  I am not against Psychotherapy to manage serious situations for a fixed period of time. My sister Rachel is a very good therapist who helps many people who cannot solve their issues.  But to depend on a therapist regularly and to have one on your speed dial is a problem.  This tells God that you are depending on man to solve your problems.  God commands us to depend on Him, not man.

Jeremiah 17:5-7
Thus says the LORD: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man And makes flesh his strength, Whose heart departs from the LORD...Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD.”

Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

“If we don’t let God’s word define us, then we are letting the devil define us with his web of lies.”  -- Mila Omilig (My Spiritual Mentor)

The world’s prognosis for healing depression is not very promising.  According to the Uplift Program antidepressant drugs only have up to 30% effectiveness.

More Statistics

• Standard antipressants, SSRIs such as Prozac, Paxil (Aropax) and Zoloft, have recently been revealed to have serious risks, and are linked to suicide, violence, psychosis, abnormal bleeding and brain tumors.
• Government (FDA) warnings highlight concerns over the efficacy and use of antidepressants in children. Antidepressants with the exception of Prozac have been banned in Britain for children. 
• Antidepressants (particularly SSRIs) work only as well (or less) than placebos.
• Most doctors advise a combination of therapy and antidepressants.

Here is a list of what the world suggests are effective long-term treatments.  The Uplift Program has a 94% success rate, according to follow-up questionnaires up to 2 years later.):

• Good relationships: studies show that relationships with partners, carers, teachers, co-workers and a supportive social network results in physical and emotional healing, happiness and life satisfaction, and prevents isolation and loneliness, major factors in depressive illness.
• Identifying emotional, cognitive, relationship and neuromuscular patterns and learning concrete tools to change these.
• A safe, supportive and non-judgemental group environment.
• A good relationship with a therapist or physician.
• Techniques to boost self-esteem and a sense of competence.
• Moderate and even gentle exercise such as a brief walk. 
• Meditation, prayer and relaxation exercises such as yoga or our own Meditations in Movement. 
• Fostering spiritual beliefs and a sense of purpose and sharing them with others.
• Spending time in nature and with pets. Even a potted plant or view from your office will help. 
• Experiencing an ongoing environment that is free from trauma and very supportive so that the body and the brain can heal and develop.

I have to agree with some of these suggestions, but would like to suggest approaching them in a Godly perspective, focusing on God’s precepts rather than man’s.  

Good Relationships are key.  Surrounding ourselves in healthy, loving, supportive relationships with family and friends is crucial in overcoming depression.  However, the most critical relationship we should depend on and foster is with Jesus Christ.  Without Jesus’ Truth, ways, and standards anchoring our thought life and relationships, we could be led astray in a hundred directions; all leading to dead ends; literally and figuratively speaking.

1 John 5:12

He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.

1 John 5:20
And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.

Identifying the source of our issues and learning to overcome them is definitely helpful.  We know that the devil is the source and mastermind of many of our issues.  He uses our relationships with others to get to us.  He also plants hundreds of lies in our minds and hearts to keep us distracted and focused on the wrong things, thus keeping God’s truth away from us.  Our battle is not against flesh and blood; and neither is our battle plan to overcome the enemy.  The bible says that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty in God.  We have to get our directives from God, not man.  These instructions are all written in the bible.  Again, I cannot stress enough the importance of reading God’s Word daily!

Ephesians 6:12
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

2 Corinthians 10:4-6
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

This is why taking antidepressants are not very effective in the long run.  To take down the devil’s strongholds in our life, we must overcome him with God’s power, not manmade pharmaceutical drugs.  To stop the devil in his tracks, we must hang on to God’s Word instead of the words of men.  A potted plant or an animal cannot save us or cleanse us from our sins.  They only bring temporary pleasure and relief.  Clinging to a religion, meditation, or a positive philosophy in life is great, but they do not usher the Holy Spirit in our lives.  Only Jesus has the power to do this, overcome the devil, cleanse us from unrighteousness, save us from eternal damnation, heal us from the inside out, and bring us unspeakable Joy and Peace.  Jesus died on the cross; paying not only for our sins, but also for our sadness and depression.  He overcame all of this for us.  He is the solution!  

A key verse to meditate on is John 10:10.  ”The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”  Jesus is not only our savior, He is our Redeemer, our Restorer, our Counselor, our Prince of Peace.  He overcame ALL that is known and unknown to man so that we can live on this earth in abundance.  In this passage, He wasn’t referring to material goods, but mainly our perspective on our inheritance, our power to overcome,  and our state of well being.  Abundantly means: large quantities, plentiful, overflowing.  Depressed means: reduced, sunken, lacking.  These are complete opposites.  Jesus was speaking from an authoritative standpoint to make His point to show the disparity between His objective versus the devil’s.  To overcome Depression we must stand on His Word and choose Him daily instead of falling under the devil’s wicked schemes to steal, kill, and destroy what Jesus already died on the cross for.

If you think about it more deeply and philosophically, it’s comical to realize that Depression is really a tool for the devil to keep us from receiving what Jesus already paid for on the cross.  Have you ever paid for something and later realized you could’ve gotten it for free? Have you ever stood in line for something and later realized you could’ve avoided the line if you just payed attention and read the signs more carefully?

Jesus paid so you can go freely with abundance without waiting in line.  The devil set up turnstiles, confusing signs, road blocks, and make believe conditions to make you pay, stand in line, and suffer needlessly; while others come and go freely proudly wearing Jesus’ badge.  While you are shackled, the devil taunts God and tells Him about your needless imprisonment that is self induced.  He mocks God as he reminds Him how His children don’t know The Truth and don’t trust His Word.  They take drugs, seek comfort in the wrong things, and believe in countless lies.  This breaks God’s heart.  I am here to free you from your false imprisonment.  Take Jesus on His word. He came to give you life and have it more abundantly.

Malachi 4:2-3

But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves.  Then you will trample on the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty.

Steps to Overcome Depression

1 - Receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior; then confess your sins.

2 - Choose to walk in God’s Truth everyday...dispel the lies that are taking you down and bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ!

3 - Choose to LIVE Happily in Peace and Harmony, walking in Love with Everyone

4 - Partner with Jesus to clean up your life: inner and outer environment, relationships, diet/exercise, etc. With the help of the Holy Spirit through God’s Word, find a Happy Balance to experience the Abundant Life.

5 - Read and meditate on God’s Word Daily.  The more truth you ingest, the more the lies flee out of your system.  The more you embrace and establish your identity in Christ the less the devil can deceive you and trick you.

6 - Seek wise counsel and/or Godly relationships that are supportive and positive

7 - Help and Serve Others.  Self-centeredness exacerbates depression.

The first step is the foundation and is most critical because this step initiates the power of the Holy Spirit to dwell in us.  It gives us the supernatural strength to discern the truth from the lies and fuels us to follow the remaining steps.  The six remaining steps are ongoing.  We must choose daily to LIVE in Spirit and in Truth...otherwise, we allow the devil to choose for us if we go through each day on autopilot.  

I wake up every day giving Him Thanks and Praise first thing in the morning.  I listen to praise and worship music to usher His presence of Joy and Peace to dwell in me throughout my day.  I highly recommend Lincoln Brewster, Chris Tomlin, Ashmont Hill, and Hillsong.  Then I choose to be HAPPY and Walk in His TRUTH.  I continue to follow the six steps consistently to continue walking in abundance and victory! 

Philippians 4:6-9

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice.  And the God of peace will be with you.

The Takeaways

1 - Depression is a byproduct of the war raging between the devil and God.

This ongoing war for your salvation, your mind, heart, and allegiance takes place 24/7, so be on alert.

2 - It breaks God’s heart to see us Depressed, stressed, and worried because He already paid the price for it and made provisions for us to Walk in boldness.  He doesn’t want to see us locked down by our own self induced prison cells.

3 - Meditate on the Truth! This is my #1 advice for overcoming depression.  “...whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”  Philippians 4:8 is one of my favorite verses to meditate on.  It is also a good litmus test on my thought life.  If I start to think or speak of anything that is not on this list, I am compelled to stop.  We must question everything that enters our minds and hearts.  If it is not true, pure, or lovely, it does not belong in our minds or lives.  We must be vigilant to cast out all ugly thoughts, words, and deeds, because they come straight from the pit!  

4 - The more depressed, stressed, and worried we are is an indication of the multitude of lies that are embedded in our minds and hearts.  These become Strongholds in our life.  God’s Word and Spirit is mighty and can surgically remove the infestation of lies that are keeping us down and holding us back.

5 - God wants to be our Rock...our Stronghold!  He wants us to cry out to Him so He can rescue us.  “The Lord is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him.” (Nahum 1:7)

6 - He wants to see us rise up and walk in His Truth, Peace, and Abundance, for His Glory!  Jesus already paid for it.  It’s time to Receive, Walk, and Stand in it!  RISE and SHINE for this pleases God!