OVERCOMING DEPRESSION: A Bible Study

Overcoming depression is more difficult than most anyone could imagine! If you haven’t had to fight that battle, count your blessings! If you have, then realize that this is sadly, a very “normal” battle. It isn’t easy, but it is one that most people battle with at some point in their lives.

“Fits of depression come over the most of us. Cheerful as we may be, we must at intervals be cast down. The strong are not always vigorous, the wise not always ready, the brave not always courageous, and the joyous not always happy.” (Charles Hadden Spurgeon)

When one is attacked by “fits of depression,” sometimes the cause is circumstantial. Other times it is spiritual. And other times it comes about because something has gone wrong physically, hormonally, and/or bio-chemically. (Medication is then needed either in the short-term, or long-run.) Or it could be a whole combination of reasons.

Whatever the cause, if you or your loved one is suffering in this way, I pray the Lord brings revelation so you can obtain the help needed to reach the other side of the valley of darkness. I pray you experience light, hope, peace of mind, and joy once again.

Tools God Uses in Overcoming Depression

One of the many tools that God often uses to help a person get to a better place emotionally and spiritually, is the Bible. It may not be the only tool God wants to use in this journey. That is because the resources and often, the people, He wants to use are many. But it is the most powerful one.

I know from personal experience that the Word of God, the Bible, can lift up a person who is struggling to persevere THROUGH dark times that invade his or her life. I know, because I have been there and have experienced dark times. There have been times when it seems as if it will swallow you up into it and never allow you to escape its grip.

And yet I am here to write that I have escaped. Joy is present in my life once again, even though I doubted that it ever would.

In the Dark Times

It’s during those dark times that a person grabs onto whatever help God brings his or her way. Sometimes it’s a friend that is needed, and/or a spouse. Sometimes it’s a physician, or a psychiatrist who can help us get through, to somehow help poke holes in the darkness. And sometimes God will use the Bible to cut through it all, with His sword.

He used all of these “tools” to help me. God used my husband, friends, doctors, medication, and the Bible. And He just may do the same for you or your loved one. I don’t know. But please don’t exhaust going down the many avenues of help that God brings your way. One of them is to embrace His Word.

The following is a web site link to a Bible Study, which you can prayerfully go through on the Internet. We take you to the first part of the Bible Study. And then, you can go on to other studies concerning depression, if you wish.

It’s a Bible study for groups or individuals, to help you as you go through this “doubt storm” time in your life.

A Challenge in Overcoming Depression

I pray for you that you will now be better prepared to soak in what the Lord wants you to learn as you go through the following Bible Study. You can do this all in one sitting, which may be a bit much, or you go through it in smaller increments. Also, you will find additional articles linked below this one that also deal with depression.

Please take advantage of what they offer. So first, read the following:

• DEALING WITH DEPRESSION

And then, here is a link to another article that I encourage you to read and implement. You can have all of the tools in the world to help you deal with a situation, but you need to pick up and use what will best work for you. And it may not be a one-time-does-it type of situation. Pray, read, glean, and apply as many times as you need:

• USING WEAPONS THAT FIGHT DEPRESSION

To help you in this fight, below is a document that gives you truths from God’s Word to “encourage you and bring light in the darkness.”

• LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS: God’s Promises for Depression

May God’s Word comfort you as you reach out for the help you need during this difficult time in your life!

“Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once again.” (Psalm 71:20-21)

Cindy Wright of Marriage Missions International wrote this blog.

If you have additional tips to help others, please “Join the Discussion” by adding your comments below.

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