If you or your spouse is battling with depression, you know the horrible control it can have over your life. Unless someone has lived with it, it’s almost impossible to describe the depth of pain and isolation a depressed person can sink into. That is why we have to fight depression in any way that is possible.
Depression can totally paralyze you from doing that, which you want to, and should do. It seems to possess your life when you’re caught within its grip.
At Marriage Missions, we receive more emails, and posted comments than we can count from those who are either battling depression, either firsthand, or via their spouse. They’re crying out for some type of relief, and help, and understanding.
How we wish we could ease everyone’s pain that is being affected and infected from the devastation that depression causes— but we know that’s not realistic!
Giving Insights
Yet, even though we may not be able to give a DEFINITE answer of what to do when you or your loved one is depressed, we came across a 3-part radio podcast and few good articles to give you at least SOME type of insight and help.
While most of these articles don’t address clinical depression they will at least give some insights you can use.
The first is a link that will take you to a 3-part podcast where you can listen to (and/or read the transcripts) to a Family Life program where:
“Tommy Nelson, the pastor of Denton Bible Church in Denton, Texas, along with his wife, Teresa, talk about his bout with clinical depression that left him feeling numb and confused” and “challenged Tommy’s health and ultimately their marriage.” Tommy also recalls “the moment when his depression engulfed him and the anxiety and physical pain that followed” and how God helped him out of this depression.
Next:
Here’s some additional material to help you in your fight against depression. These articles may or may not minister to your heart, but it is our hope that you will be able to grab onto at least some nuggets of helpful truth.
To learn from an article (and the book it came from: Conquering Depression: A 30-Day Plan to Finding Happiness
To read the article, please click on the link below:
• USING THE WEAPON THAT DEPRESSES DEPRESSION
— ALSO —
You may find the following linked articles helpful as you pray. Ask God to show you what you should apply to your life. Please know that everyone’s depression is different. Ask God to show you what you can and should use and the discernment to know what won’t work for you. Allow the Holy Spirit, our Wonderful Counselor, to guide you.
To learn more, please click onto the CBN.com articles to read:
• 10 TIPS FOR MANAGING DEPRESSION
May you:
“Stand firm child of God, and trust in God and His mighty power. You will see how He will deliver you from your depressed condition. You may not understand the depth of His ways as He leads you. However, rest with the assurance that at the end of the day, you will sing victory songs.
“Finally, child of God, remember that depression can attack any of us. This happens without considering our spiritual, physical or material attainment. When such a situation confronts you, the first and most important thing you should do is to seek God. You can then be encouraged by what He tells you in His Word.” (Roy Okonkwo)
We’re told in God’s Word:
The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all. (Psalm 34:18-19)
I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. The Lord lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. (Psalm 40:1-2)
If you have tips you can share to help others, please “Join the Discussion” by adding your comments below.
Filed under: Mental and Physical Health