What causes depression and what can you do about it?

by Barbara Latta

More people today are suffering from depression than ever before. Television commercials abound with promises that will alleviate the malady by swallowing a pill. A new drug even

Pills are not the answer

claims you have to have their pill to make the first one effective. Now you need two drugs to rid yourself of bad moods. While these may aid those with medical issues, the prescriptions will never be the cure.

The Cause

Depression comes when we are thinking on the wrong things. Meditating on problems magnifies them in our minds until any answer appears impossible. In I Samuel chapter 30, David and his men returned to their city to find their wives and children had been taken captive by their enemies. The people who were with David blamed him for these tragic events so much they considered stoning him. The Bible says that David was very distressed.  But he did not stay that way. “And David was greatly distressed; for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David strengthened himself in the Lord his God” (v.6 emphasis mine).

The Remedy

How did David get out of his depression? He asked God what to do (v. 8), and after

Depression is caused by our thinking.

following God’s instructions David and his men recovered their families and took the spoils of battle from the captors.  

David had a great victory because he did not give in to his feelings. If he had sat around with his head in his hands crying, “Woe is me,” his family and those of his men would have been gone forever. God’s name was glorified when these warriors didn’t let circumstances control their actions. They had to act on God’s commands

in faith even though their hearts were saddened by the events that had taken place.

Philippians 4:8 tells us to think on good things. You may feel as if there is nothing good to think about. God loves you! That’s the best thing we could ever think about.

The key to victory over our feelings is to find scripture that speaks to us personally. Some of the ones I use are these:

• "Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength"  (Nehemiah 8:10).
• "But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His spirit who dwells in you" (Romans 8:11).
• You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).
• I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).

If you will speak scripture over yourself and place your name in the verse as you quote it out

God's Word brings peace and victory.

loud the Word becomes personal to you. When you believe and embrace it, you are replacing the root of depression with joy and peace.

Without God, living free of depression is impossible. Continuing to think about whatever is going on will only get us farther into the valley of depression. In Psalm 42:5, the Psalmist is telling himself to hope in God. He is our answer—not a little pill in a bottle. Take the medicine of the Word and encourage yourself in the Lord.

Charles Capps has a book that can help you keep the Word of God before you with confessions for different circumstances. You can order it by clicking this link God's Creative Power.

What are some of your favorite scriptures to stand on?

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