Daily life with Jesus by Grahame Howard: The Antidote for Depression

"Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise Him again - My Saviour and My God." Psalm 42:5 NLT

Depression, is a robber of hope. It can steal our joy and, at times it can completely take over a person's life, so much, that they feel there is no way out except death. Many of us suffer depression, it creeps up and grabs a hold of us; it grips us like a vice does a piece of wood and, it is difficult to find a way through. In fact, at the time we feel that there is no hope but there is, we just have to make a choice to find it.

Depression is one of the most common, emotional ailments. However, there is an antidote and that is meditating on the Word of God. Now, this is not easy, nothing is with depression but, it is a choice you can make. You don't need to get your bible out and plough through stuff that, at the time, makes no sense. You have memories and perhaps you can remember a special time when God showed His kindness to you. This is all you need, that memory can lift your spirit and put you back on the road again. This is what the Psalmist was saying, "Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise Him again - My Saviour and My God."

Why are you discouraged? Why so sad? Is there anyway that playing the video back in your mind, can help find a way to resolve these issues? Do you need to forgive somebody? Do you need to forgive yourself? Many times, there is very little we can do to make things better. But God can; He is brilliant at mending things, especially broken hearts. And this is why meditating on a memory He has given you, or reading through His word, rather like this Psalm today, can help so much.

Notice that as we go through this meditation period, the Psalmist writes 'I will put my hope in God, I will praise Him.' What has happened here? As the Psalmist was working through the why's and where for's, he has come to the conclusion that, the only way forward is God so, he puts his hope in Him and begins to praise.

There's a lot of hurt in this world, but there is much more love in Jesus. There is a lot of sadness and discouragement but, Jesus can help take this away. How? By using the antidepressant that God provides by placing Him uppermost in your thoughts. Why think about bad stuff when Jesus can turn the bad into good?

In closing this piece, you may ask, 'What about the people who don't know Jesus?' The answer to this is, God can find a way to introduce Himself to them. I wasn't looking for Him and I was very depressed but, He found me, He will them too. Just focus on yourself today and allow Him to mend your brokenness. You can help the others later.

If you don't know Jesus or, have fallen away, why not say this prayer right now:

'Lord Jesus, I have sinned and I ask you to forgive me and be my Lord and Saviour. Please come into my heart, fill me with Your Spirit and give me a brand new start today.

In Jesus' Name. Amen'

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