Depression is a widespread condition, affecting millions of people, and can rob of us of the joy God intends. On the flip side, many have a tendency to use the word “depression” to describe disappointment and hard times. Clinical depression is a physical condition that must be diagnosed by a physician. It may not be caused by unfortunate life circumstances, nor can the symptoms be alleviated by one’s own will. We encourage you to seek professional medical help if you have clinical depression but also know God is there and loves you.
Battling depression, condemnation and anxiety requires you to embrace a number of reversals: Resting instead of striving. Grace instead of works. Asking instead of doing. It also requires a tremendous amount of patience. God is determined not to allow you to remain in the shadowy valley of a worried, anxious life. He desires instead that you would rest in the grace, peace and joy available through Jesus.
There are some things that will help you do that such as staying in the Word, even when you do not feel like it. Emotions can lead us astray, but God’s Word stands firm and unchanging. We must maintain strong faith in God and hold even more tightly to Him when we undergo trials and temptations. The Bible tells us that God will never allow temptations into our lives that are too much for us to handle.