Regardless of the things which are coming upon this earth, regardless of the trials, circumstances, and attacks of Satan upon your mind, you do not have to become depressed like the people of the world who are living in spiritual darkness.
You must recognize depression for what it is: a major strategy of Satan. Satan is using depression in an attempt to stop the progress believers are making in pushing back the forces of darkness in the nations of the world. We are not talking about depression that results from a physical condition, such as a lack of serotonin. We are talking about an all-out attack of spiritual and emotional depression that is rampant in the Body of Christ.
There are multiplied thousands of Christians today who have failed to recognize depression as an attack of Satan. They do not know how to fight and win the war over depression and they are being spiritually immobilized on the sidelines.
Many Christians consider depression a natural reaction when they face difficult trials or attacks of the enemy, such as long-term sickness, marital problems, death of a loved one, loss of a job, or extreme financial difficulties. But the Bible says that believers are to be joyful in the midst of trials, giving thanks in every situation--not depressed.
There are some Christian ministers and leaders who are experiencing “spiritual burnout.” They have been carrying such a heavy workload, pushing themselves twelve to fourteen hours a day, seven days a week, giving themselves unselfishly in meeting the needs of others. In so doing, they have failed to spend time in God’s presence being strengthened and refreshed by His Spirit. They have been so involved in doing the work of the ministry that they have failed to take time with the Lord to be renewed in their minds. Hence, they become tired, discouraged, and depressed.
Proverbs 18:14 CEV "Being cheerful help when we are sick, but nothing helps when we give up."
Depression is a major tool of the enemy, but you do not have to succumb to it. God has promised you a 100% victorious mind through the power of the Holy Spirit. Take authority over depression today! Do not allow it to operate in your life, today or any day. The minute a depressing thought comes, begin to praise and worship the Lord and it will flee.
Some believers are depressed because of past failures. Satan brings up their past sins and uses these thoughts against them. Some people are depressed because of guilt over bad habits, temptations, and sins they have been unable to overcome. They have struggled to be free, but when they continue to fail, their hearts and minds are filled with guilt.
Many Christians today are frustrated, worried, and depressed over financial problems. They have overdue bills and other commitments they are unable to pay because their income is insufficient to meet their basic needs.
Others are deeply distraught and depressed concerning their marriage relationship. There are those who have unsaved spouses and there is no peace or harmony in their home. Some have mates who have left them for someone else or have asked for a divorce. Others feel their spouse no longer loves or appreciates them. Some are living in abusive situations.
On the job, there are thousands of Christians who are depressed. Faced with a heavy work load, pressures, demands, and deadlines with which they are unable to cope, they are worn-out mentally and physically.
Others are depressed because of pain or sickness. Research indicates eighty-three percent of patients with chronic pain are depressed. Long-term illness fills their minds with doubt, worry, and self-pity--all of which lead to depression.
Depression is not a normal reaction for believers facing adverse circumstances. We must realize that depression is not an acceptable reaction to problems. We must recognize it as more than a leading cause of major illness. It is time that we go to the root cause and recognize depression for what it really is: Depression is a spirit that Satan is using to attack our minds!
You are not a helpless victim of depression. Regardless of the great distress and perplexity--the stress, fear, and hopelessness that surrounds you--you do not have to become depressed. Set your mind for victory. Refuse to allow Satan, others around you, or your own thought life to program your mind for failure, defeat, or depression.
From this day forward, determine that by the power of the Holy Spirit you will not allow your mind to be ruled by depression. Set your mind for victory!
Satan wants you to accept depression as if there is nothing you can do about it. He wants you to be depressed and stay depressed, so that you will be unable to fulfill God’s purpose and plan for your life.
To successfully overcome depression, you must learn to stop it the moment it attacks your mind. You must recognize that the thoughts which you allow to remain in your heart and mind are what causes your depression--not your negative circumstances. None of the circumstances you are facing or ever will face can cause you to be depressed. It is your response to your problems that determines whether or not you will be depressed. You do not have to ever be depressed again! God's Word has promised:
1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV "No temptation (trial) has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted (tried) beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted (tried), he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."
This is God’s guarantee against depression. God will not allow any circumstances, trial, temptation or attack of the enemy to come into your life that you are unable to bear. In every circumstance you face, He will make a way of escape that will bring you out victoriously.
The Apostle Paul had every reason to be discouraged, defeated, and depressed. Think about the circumstances he faced. He was rejected, beaten several times, stoned, shipwrecked, and imprisoned. Yet, he was not depressed. He despaired of life at one point, but he did not become what we call "clinically depressed." Paul declared in 2 Corinthians 4:8, 9:
"We are troubled on every side – yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed."
In the prison cell where Paul and Silas were incarcerated for preaching the Gospel, Paul had every reason to be depressed in Acts 16. His back was bruised and bleeding and he was bound by chains. He was no doubt hungry and physically exhausted. He had been unjustly imprisoned. But, he was not depressed. He was not fearful, worried, angry, or filled with self-pity concerning his circumstances. Instead of griping, complaining, and feeling sorry for themselves, Paul and Silas sang praises to God and in so doing won the victory over depression. As they praised and worshiped God, He supernaturally intervened in their circumstances and delivered them. Through praise and worship, they found the way of escape. There is no temptation you are experiencing but what is common to man. God is faithful to His guarantee that your circumstances will never be more than you can bear. There is always a way of escape.
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