Friday, 29th March 2024
To guardian.ng
Search

Fighting back at the spirit of depression

By Austen C. Ukachi
31 July 2022   |   1:46 am
Depression is real. As we stated earlier, “The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that about 3.8 percent of the population is affected, including 5.0 percent among adults ...

Austen C. Ukachi. Photo: HEISALIVEBLOG<br />

Depression is real. As we stated earlier, “The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that about 3.8 percent of the population is affected, including 5.0 percent among adults and 5.7 percent among adults older than 60 years. Approximately 280 million people in the world have depression.” These statistics may be more. Increasingly, people are becoming isolated and falling victim to depression.

No one is immune to depression, even if it is temporary depression. Unless we fight back depression it may linger and take its root.

In two of our previous articles, we saw how Elijah and our Lord Jesus went through depression. We also addressed how Jesus fought back depression. In this article, we shall consider what steps to take to fight back depression.

Martyn Lloyd-Jones believes preaching truth to one’s self is important in overcoming spiritual depression. In his book, Spiritual Depression, he writes,

“Have you realised that most of your unhappiness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself instead of talking to yourself? Take those thoughts that come to you the moment you wake up in the morning. You have not originated them, but they start talking to you, they bring back the problems of yesterday among others. Somebody is talking . . . you are talking to yourself. Now this man’s treatment (in Psalm 42) was this: instead of allowing this self to talk to him, he started talking to himself. “Why art thou cast down, O my soul?” he asked. His soul had been depressing him, crushing him. So, he stood and said: “Self, listen for a moment. I will speak to you,” (Psalm 42: 20–21).

Piper writes: “The battle against despondency is a battle to believe the promises of God.” To overcome depression, we must be intentional in reading, meditating and believing the word of God. The word of God imparts life to the spirit man. It quickens us from spiritual lethargy. It speaks to us directly and enlightens the heart. The word of God gives us hope in our darkness and rekindles joy in the battered and despondent soul.

Secondly, talk and preach back to yourself as you read the word of God. The Psalmist said: “Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance. O my God, my soul is cast down within me; therefore, I will remember You from the land of the Jordan, And from the heights of Hermon, from the Hill Mizar,” (Psalms 42:5-6 NKJV).

You can worship your way out of depression. Sing songs, play inspiring songs and join in the worship of songs as you play them from your tablet.

Push back at the devil in prayer to get out of depression. Pray and claim the promises of God. Prayer is warfare. Depression is a spirit of darkness, which must be resisted. Unless you resist the devil, he will not flee. If need be, have a prayer partner; a friend, a brother or your wife. Let him or her pray along with you. Pray until you get your victory.

Fellowship with others; do not carry your burden alone. Depression causes isolation, but you must associate and relate with others. We were born to be relational beings and not to isolate ourselves.

Lastly, seek counselling. Let me restate again, admitting that one is going through depression and seeking help is no sign of failure, rather, it is living in self-denial. Own up to your problem. 
• Contact:pastoracukachi@gmail.com

In this article

0 Comments