Fighting Depression
This blog post on anxiety and depression took me a long time to write as it was hard to express my emotions in words. But now that I am in a better frame of mind, I am ready to share my journey.
Let’s dive into the meaning of the word “depression”, what it means, how people can have depression and why it should not be a stigma?
The meaning of the word “depression” is a mental health disorder characterised by persistently depressed mood or loss of interest in activities, causing significant impairment in daily life.
There are several levels of depression, and I am not a doctor nor giving professional advice on treating depression. However, this post is a personal experience of depression and how the word of God has helped me fight against it.
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” - Ephesians 6:12
As the bible says, we live in both the natural and spiritual realm. Therefore we ought to guard ourselves against the enemy's attacks physically and mentally.
As per Beyond Blue’s description, we don’t know exactly what causes depression. Several things are often linked to its development. Depression usually results from a combination of recent events and other longer-term or personal factors rather than one immediate issue or event. Life events Research suggests that continuing difficulties – long-term unemployment, living in an abusive or uncaring relationship, long-term isolation or loneliness, prolonged work stress – are more likely to cause depression than recent life stresses. However, recent events (such as losing your job) or a combination of events can ‘trigger' depression if you’re already at risk because of previous bad experiences or personal factors.
Personal factors such as (family history, personality, serious medical illness, and drug and alcohol use). Here are further ways to know the signs and symptoms of depression.
While the above information gives us context on what depression is and how we can recognise it. Depression is not a myth, and it is a critical topic that we ought to be aware of, especially in this day and age.
Studies showed by the Australian Bureau of Statistics that in 2020-21, 15% of Australians aged 16-85 years experienced high or very high levels of psychological distress. In addition, 3.4 million Australians aged 16-85 years (17%) saw a health professional for their mental health. In addition, 5% of Australians aged 16-85 years reported feeling lonely in the previous four weeks, while 16% of households experienced at least one financial stressor, such as not being able to pay bills on time.
This leads me to share my story; at the beginning of 2021, I started attending counselling sessions to help with panic attacks, lack of sleep, spurs of emotions, uncontrolled crying, anger, anxiety and grief. My doctor has described my condition as mild depression, and it was the result of a series of events that have led to this outcome.
Many of us millennials (1981-96) might have felt that the two best years of our lives were stolen in 2020 and 2021 by COVID-19. I’ve had lengthy discussions with the baby bombers generation (1946 -64) that these were meant to be the prime years of our lives and thus the reason for my intense grief.
Previously, I’ve described what depression can feel like; it's a range of emotions that can be difficult to navigate over a prolonged period of time. However, during those times, what has helped me was to take each day as it came was the word of God.
If you are going through depression or processing difficult emotions, I encourage you to speak up about your mental health because it truly matters. You are not alone.
God is with you always. He promises to be with you till the end of time.
“I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” - Matthew 28:20
During the depression, I asked myself this question, “Why would God give me depression?”. Needless to say, I didn’t want to have mental health problems, but God showed me that in my weakness, he was strong.
“All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” - Romans 8:28.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” - 2 Corinthians 12:9
How can we fight back against depression as Christians?
We speak against the doubts.
We believe in the truth of the bible.
We renew our minds with the word of God.
We know that we are not alone.
We know that God loves us.
We make a list of God’s promises over our lives, and we fight back the lies of the enemy with (scriptures for a sound mind)
We humbly ask for help and surround ourselves with loved ones.
As a result, we will see God restore all that the locust have eaten over the years, and he will give us a double the portion for your trouble.
Bible verse to fight depression, anxiety, and worry:
When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul. – Psalm 94:19”
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. – Psalm 43:5
Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. – Nehemia 8:10
Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. – Psalm 126:5
My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. – Psalm 121:1-2
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid but gives us power, love and self-discipline. – 2 Timothy 1:7
When you lie down, you will not be afraid; your sleep will be sweet when you lie down. – Proverbs 3:24
My prayer for you: I pray that you will be healed from depression in the name of Jesus Christ. I pray that your darkest valleys equal to your highest mountain tops. The heartaches and tears you've cried will become rivers of living water. I pray for restoration over your mind, soul and body and that no weapons formed against you shall prosper in Jesus' mighty name. Amen
Love,
Ems
.xx