Overcoming Depression #2 of 2

Excerpt taken from book Overcomers, A Study on Gaining Victory Over the Obstacles in Life by Jeffrey Bush 

Last week we shared the first part, and today we continue and conclude with Overcoming Depression...

Don’t follow your heart.

It seems like an innocent little cliché to say, “follow your heart” when you need to make a decision, but it’s not sound advice. According to Jeremiah 17:9, your heart is deceitful above all things. Feelings come and go, so don’t follow your heart. Follow something greater than a good feeling, something much firmer, something unchangeable. Follow God and His unchanging Word. God has never led anyone astray, and you will not be the exception. When you need to make a decision, follow God’s commands and God’s principles. If there’s not a specific verse on what you should do, find out if there’s a principle in God’s Word that will guide you. Keep your heart sensitive to the Lord, but make sure nothing you do is contrary to what God teaches. 

Is it something you can control? 

Your past and your future are portions of life that cannot be changed or controlled. Many negative feelings and worries are from thoughts that are out of our control. Whether it was something that was said or done to you, or something you said or did to someone else in the past, you must realize that it is in the past. If you can apologize or seek understanding for something, by all means do it. But beating yourself up over something that is out of your control is not worth it. Maybe you have been through a divorce, abuse, or a bad time in the past, but replaying what was said or done back then will not change the past no matter how hard you try. Dale Carnegie said, “All the king’s horses and all the king’s men can’t put the past together again. So let’s remember: Don’t try to saw sawdust.” Trying to change what is out of your control will cause you to become depressed or continue to live in depression. 

Is the problem another person? Maybe something your spouse, neighbor, friend, or parent does is driving you crazy. If you are depressed because of something they’ve done or said to you, you have two choices: either you need to distance yourself if it is truly toxic, or you need to think differently of that person. Allow me to remind you that you cannot change others, you can only change yourself. Maybe you need to change the way you think or act towards another person, and when your perception is changed, then it will seem the person has changed as well. Romans 12:18 talks about living peaceably with all men, if it’s possible, as much as lies within you. There are times that it is not possible, but much could be salvaged if we did everything within ourselves to make it possible. Pray for the person, change the way you speak to them, and be kind to them. It might just be the game changer for the way you feel about the other person. Either way, you do not have to live depressed because of another person. Control what you can and don’t try to control what is not within your power. 

Nail down the source.

Why are you feeling how you are feeling? Is it a relationship you need to end? Is it an attitude you need to fix within yourself? Is it something you are doing? If you can pinpoint the reason you are depressed, you are on track to overcoming your feelings. God tells us in 2 Corinthians 10:5 that we are to filter all of our thoughts, taking them captive and submitting them to Him. If a thought is not from God, then don’t allow that thought to linger. Is it God that’s telling you that you’re unloved, unwanted, and unworthy? Of course not. If you know the source is not God, then take those thoughts captive to His power. There should be no room for ungodly thoughts. Philippians 4:8 commands us to think only upon that which is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, or on what has virtue and praise. So, find out the source of your depression, and if it’s not from God, uproot those thoughts and throw them in the weed pile to be scorched by the sun. 

Let’s close out this chapter meditating on the old hymn entitled “I Must Tell Jesus.” No one can bear their burdens alone, but thankfully you can tell Jesus, the One who can and will help you! 

I must tell Jesus all of my trials,
I cannot bear these burdens alone;
In my distress He kindly will help me,
He ever loves and cares for His own.

I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
I cannot bear my burdens alone;
I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
Jesus can help me, Jesus alone.

I must tell Jesus all of my troubles,
He is a kind, compassionate Friend;
If I but ask Him He will deliver,
Make of my troubles quickly an end.

I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
I cannot bear my burdens alone;
I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
Jesus can help me, Jesus alone.