How to Overcome Depression

Many people who are suffering from depression today and looking for a way out think the only way to overcome depression is by drinking and smoking. Many think that smoking and drinking will suppress depression. When they look for a way out through smoking and drinking and find no solution, they think that the necessary thing to do is to kill themselves by hanging or any means by which death can come. Thousands of people have killed themselves while they were looking for a way where there is no way. The only way out of depression is in CHRIST JESUS.

Depression hits almost every family. Depression can be a normal reaction to the adverse circumstances of life. It can also be a feeling that follows the loss of a loved one, the loss of health due to an accident or illness, or the loss of something that we consider valuable such as a job, a business going bankrupt, or status to name a few. 

People suffering from mild depression usually recover in a short period of time. For others, recovery is a longer process. It is one of the most common emotional problems people experience. When you are depressed, you feel sad, discouraged and unable to get "on top of things." 

The Bible teachings about depression are enormously encouraging. Jeremiah is an excellent example, which can be found in the book of Lamentations. We can find hope and help from the times of our disappointment and discouragement all the way to despair and depression. Here is how. 

Jeremiah is even sometimes called the “weeping prophet”; this is seen in Jeremiah’s words, which vividly illustrate the conditions of depression. 

“I have become a laughing stock to all my people, their mocking song all the day. He has filled me with bitterness; He has made me drunk with wormwood. And He has broken my teeth with gravel; He has made me cower in the dust. And my soul has been rejected from peace; I have forgotten happiness. So I say, ‘My strength has perished, and so has my hope from the Lord.’ Remember my affliction and my wandering, and the wormwood and bitterness. Surely my soul remembers and is bowed down within me” (Lamentations 3:14-20). 

Jeremiah's Solution

The great news in the Bible teaching about depression is that there is hope for you and me. There is a different way of viewing calamity and/or the problems that sometimes consume us. There is a way out of the dungeon of depression. Here is how Jeremiah did it. 

In verse 22, which follows Jeremiah’s thinking pattern of depression, we find out how he dug his way out of the black hole of depression. It is exciting! He said, “This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope” (Lamentations 3:21). There you have it! The key! He changed his thinking, and his way of looking at his circumstances! Hope returned! What then, did Jeremiah start thinking about? 

He reminded himself of God’s loving kindness, compassion, faithfulness, goodness, and delivering power (Lamentations 3:22-26). He also said this, “Who is there who speaks and it comes to pass, unless the Lord has commanded it?” (Lamentations 3:37). 

In other words, the Bible teaching about depression instructs that God is in control of life and events of history. It is wrong for us to complain about how God does things (verses 39, 40). When we don’t understand our circumstances, we must leave matters in the hands of God who loves and cares for His people. 

 How Would You Describe Depression?

1. In Paul’s life, what was one trigger and solution of depression (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)?

2. How did Job describe his depression (Job 9:21-10:1)?

3. What were some things that happened to Job (Job 1:12-19; 2:7-10)?

4. What was the source of calamity that hit Job (Job 2:7)?

5. Summarize how God told Job to handle his circumstances and depression (Chapters 38-42).

6. What were the symptoms of David’s depression (Psalm 32:3, 4)?

7. What was the initiating factor of David’s depression, and how did he deal with it (Psalm 32:5;            Psalm 38).

8. What did David suggest to cope with depression (Psalm 32:6-11)?

9. What is suggested to relieve depression in Proverbs 31:6, 7? 

10. What stood out to you the most in this study? Explain.

11. Finally, there is a solution for your depression, no matter how big your problem is, there is a way out (1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT)

By Pastor Remmy-GreenPasture Adekunle Peter