This thing called DEPRESSION...can you overcome it?

Depression is a spirit that leaves you feeling alone and lonely, hopeless, dejected and most often, in extreme cases, suicidal. But the good news is: you can prevent it. Even better, there is a cure for it. 

The rate of suicide all over the world has greatly increased so much so it's almost common. Did you notice? No day passes by without a suicide ish. There is this recent story of how a pastor who dedicated himself to suicide prevention ended up committing suicide! What happened? Depression. That man was a pastor, meaning anyone can get depressed but it's up to you to choose how you respond to it. It's either you choose to succumb to it or you are determined to overcome it. 

This is what depression does to your mind: you simply look at your world and you feel sad and lonely. As you continue to nurture that that feeling, you begin to feel there's  nothing left for you here, that there's nothing to live for. Hopelessness. Loneliness. Dejection. Loss of joy. Life entirely becomes colourless, tasteless and meaningless. 

I have been depressed sometimes myself but not to the point of despair or becoming suicidal. I think it's because I refuse to dwell in my depression. I am sure at one point or another in our lives we all have become depressed for some reasons. 

It could be because you lost a loved one, or a job, loss of properties or probably you have not been blessed with children since you have been married etc. In some cases, depression sets in because of an emptiness you feel in your inside, that even the millions in your bank account cannot suffice. You can't seem to place your hand on it, but it is there eating you up. Bottomline is that situations (known or unknown to you) trigger depression. 

Unfortunately money can't cure depression. Fame doesn't. Beauty can't. Drugs can't take it away. Alcohol will only escalate it. We have heard about very wealthy and popular people who committed suicide right at the peak of their careers! So how is it that these people still feel there is something missing despite being surrounded by so much money, family, friends and fans? Why is that a pastor who fought against suicide will end up doing the very same thing he fought against? 

The depression spirit is a battle every single one of us will have to face at one point of our lives or another. And knowing this is a secret battle most people are facing I charge us to love more! Yeah, love more.

Arm yourself day in, day out with a kind word,  a smile, a listening ear, an observing eye, a helping hand and a waiting arm. Be less aware of yourself and be more aware of others. Depression is not always written on people's faces but it's there. The agony these people face when they are alone is heart rending, so make love your daily accessory. 

Sometimes what these people need is for someone to be truly there for them, paying close attention. You know you can be surrounded by so many people but nobody is paying attention to what's really up with you? That's their story. 

Pay attention. If you ask someone,  "How are you doing?" really stop to know how he is doing. Pay attention. Love, love and love more! A kind word or gesture or literally being there can save a suicidal person. Sometimes they need to know they are genuinely loved. Make them feel loved. Make love a habit. 

Depression is a spirit. I believe it's more than a mental issue. It is sometimes spiritual too but we choose how we respond to it. Either we choose to defeat it or we allow it defeat us. It is just like anger. It's either we take control of it or it takes us.

Thankfully, the Bible says there is a prevention for depression. A joyful heart! A heart that is continually joyful can never be depressed. This kind of joy does not come from what you have or don't have. It springs from a peace that passes all understanding only Christ can give. 

"A joyful heart is good medicine and a broken spirit dries up the bones." Pro 17:22

To stay joyful or to rejoice always like Paul put it in Philippians 4:4 is a deliberate act. A choice. Your decision. We can choose to rejoice in a bad situation or stay sad in that same situation. The natural human response to a bad situation is to feel sad, angry and depressed but rather than wallow in low spirits, we have a choice to say, "I am not happy about this but I know everything is turning around for my good!" That is a demonstration of faith. 

So Paul encourages us Christians, "Always be joyful in the Lord. I say it again - rejoice!" He was saying that no matter what you are going through, choose to stay joyful. It is at this point we ask the Holy Spirit to help us stay joyful. It's so easy to rejoice when things are going well but difficult when things aren't. The Holy Spirit God put inside of us when we received Jesus has the capability to help us stay joyful despite what we facing if we ask Him to help us. 

How do you handle depression? 

👉Talk to God about it. It means pray! 

👉Talk to someone about it. Be open and share your fears with someone spiritually mature. Whilst a professional therapist can be of help to an extent, I advise you look out for one who is also spiritually sound. Most times you may not afford professional help then talk to a spiritually mature friend, relative, acquaintance, colleague, neighbor you can trust or your pastor. 

Depression thrives in secrecy. If you keep it a secret, it will continue to grow until it overwhelms you. That's why you need to nip it in the bud before it grows and even makes you suicidal. The extreme stage of depression is more difficult to handle but definitely can still be overcome. 

👉Look at the Word of God and do what it says. Fix your thoughts on what is true, honourable and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Practicing this will help flush out the negative thoughts and feelings you are having. It may not seem to be working initially but hey, something is happening in your spirit. Please be patient and give it time. 

👉Get busy. Get active. Get distracted. Serenade yourself with spiritual songs. Mingle with positive people. Read books. As much as you can, try not to be alone doing nothing.  

Depression is a spirit but you have the ability to get rid of it with the help of the Holy Spirit. Please don't give up. Fight until you win! Don't believe the devil's lies that you can't conquer it cos truth is - you can. 

Bear in mind also that there is a void in every man only God can fill. Drugs, sex, alcohol, partying, friends, spouse, marriage, children, beauty, money, fame, power can never fill that void. Only God can. Many people relapse into depression because they know in themselves that something's missing. They try drowning it with life's vanities but it still remains, a void, a deep black hole bored within their soul. Only God can fill that emptiness. Find God, find joy. 

 

*If you have any helpful tip on dealing with depression please share.