Are You Suffering From Depression?
Is Depression getting you down? It is time to start to get back up! There is help for depression, it begins with prayer! I have been hit by depression two major times in my life at age 16 and 45, both times were very difficult, but with God and help from my doctor, family, and friends, I made it through alright. There is hope for you too! Here are some encouraging scriptures about depression.
Depression Is To Be Respected But Not Feared!
Holding on to hope that depression will pass over because it will pass, believe me!
It Is A Fact That Depression Hurts!
I know that there is help for times when you are feeling very down because I have already gone through severe depression twice in my life. Once in high school and the other time when I went through a painful divorce.
Depression is very real, and it is very crippling to have to deal with. But there is help for depression which is very real too!
God puts the right people in your life when you need them, sometimes a good friend, other times a family member.
God can use a pastor, counselor, doctor, therapist, friend and even strangers to encourage people.
Remember that you are not alone! There is help for depression available. You will see your faith and trust in God getting stronger as you strive to find solutions for depression from God, this page, and others in your life! ~ Bill Greguska
Here Are Some Helpful Links:
- How can a Christian overcome the feelings of being depressed?
- Is it wrong for a Christian to be depressed?
- When emotionally down, what can a Christian do to feel better?
- What does the Bible say about sadness?
- Where can I find help if I think I am depressed?
Overcome Depression With Help
25 Ways To Overcome Depression
Check out the physical list here: List25.com/25-ways-to-overcome-depression
- Get outside
- Stop negative self-talk
- Eat healthy
- Sleep
- Listen to happy music
- Do something
- Learn something new
- Use a sun lamp
- Write
- Talk to your friends
- Exercise
- Get a pet
- Smile
- Do something artistic
- Paint your walls
- Touch someone
- Sing something
- Eat Omega 3 fatty acids
- Change your diet
- Take care of yourself
- Avoid alcohol
- Establish a routine
- Get cognitive therapy
- Get help online
- Do something for somebody
The Above Ideas Are Great
…but I would add three more ideas that are very important:
- Pray to God
- Read your Bible
- Talk to your pastor and other Christian friends
If Depression Hits You Turn To God!
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Depression gets better in time as you take care of yourself!
Getting The Help You Need Is Just A Step Away!
Don’t Hesitate If You Need Help!
If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or otherwise in severe crisis, call 911, go to the nearest emergency room, or call the Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.
Don’t try to do this on your own. Beyond your doctor and therapist, you’ll want to bring a group of trusted friends and family members in your corner. There will be times you need others to comfort you, help you with tasks, and hold you accountable.
Deal With Depression One Day At A Time!
Depression may seem to last forever, but it too shall pass!
Some People Do Not Have A Clue About Depressed People!
Some people just don’t understand. They will tell you just to get over it, or just stop being depressed. Some people will likely say things that are unhelpful and wrong. Do not listen to these people. Others may have the best of intentions, but we all know where that road leads! Avoid these people, if possible, while working through your problems.
Do You Understand The Signs Of Depression?
In my experience, divorce takes you out for about 10 years, but you hear people talk about it lightly. The same with depression. You only have to have one good breakdown before you realize you need help. It’s pretty frightening. ~ Julia Cameron
Psalm 143:7-8 Answer me quickly, Lord; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit. Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.
Look Up To Find Help For Depression!
There is help for depression, call upon the Lord! And get some exercise, eat healthy, get enough sleep and think about what is good and Godly!
There Is Help For Depression!
Situational depression is caused by one or more situations. This can definitely be upsetting, but not necessarily a real depression. Possibly a loss of a job, a divorce, the death of a loved one, etc.
When you’re depressed, things may feel hopeless – but with spiritual help, support and Encouragement, you can get better.
Learning emotional illness, including its signs, symptoms, causes, and treatment is the first step to overcoming the problem.
There Will Be Storms In All Of Our Lives
Weathering the storms of depression is something that needs help from a close friend, church member, or possibly medical treatment.
My pastor’s wife, Sue Sauer, helped me a lot during the time when I was depressed while going through a divorce I did not want – also my mother, Pastor Mark Mallwitz, and Pastor Dave Briscoe were all very encouraging.
Looking back, I learned that when I trusted a close friend for support, it took the load off my shoulders. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Remember that sadness is a very regular part of life. Depression does not have to be a way of life! Similar to a dog, depression can be controlled and trained bottom line; you can overcome depression!
President Abraham Lincoln Battled Depression!
President Abraham Lincoln battled depression and suicide all his adult life. Lincoln would not allow himself to carry a knife, for fear that he would hurt himself, or worse.
Sometimes depression can be a purely spiritual thing, it must be fought with God’s word. Take your concerns to the Lord and ask the Lord for His help to sort things out with you.
Depression is the physical and emotional result of hopelessness, the “feeling” of hopelessness. We live in a world devoid of hope, and depression is the emotional product of that reality.
The only thing that will actually change one’s life sufficiently to destroy the cause, mechanics, and effects of depression is God’s hope and His word of hope. The answer is to get God’s hope back inside of you.
The Right Medical Help Can Be Very Helpful
If I were you, I would go to see my doctor or therapist before I got too far down. Pay attention to your symptoms and the feedback of trusted friends and loved ones. The sooner you recognize and admit you are depressed, the sooner you can turn things around.
There are times when using anti-depressants for a short time can be very helpful. If you or someone you know suffers from depression, there is hope for depression, and there is help available. You are not alone. With God’s help, you will climb out of this hole.
These scriptures on depression will give you hope and will build your faith. Confess and meditate on them to win the fight. The key is not losing Hope.
Allow the hope of God to seep back into you. Remember, there is a real Person (God) behind each and every one of these promises. He promised them to you for a reason – to help you.
- Psalm 145:14
- Proverbs 12:25
- Isaiah 40:31
- Isaiah 53:4
- Mark 9:23
- Philippians 4:6-7
- James 4:8
- James 4:10
- 2 Peter 2:9
- 1 Peter 5:7
What Is Depression?
To put it simply is an illness that involves the brain. It can affect your thinking, mood, and daily activities. Depression is more than feeling sad for a few days. Depression can be mild or severe.
Mild depression can become more serious if it’s not treated. Often people use the expression, “I am depressed about (___________)”, which is not necessarily the same as clinical depression.
If you are diagnosed with real depression, you aren’t alone. Depression is a very common illness that affects millions of adults in the United States every year. The good news is that it can be treated.
Trying to get help is the best thing you can do for yourself and your loved ones. You can feel better. Often talking with a close friend, pastor, counselor, can help you to initially determine what is actually going on. It could be a situation, or lack of proper sleep, diet, exercise, etc.
What Are The Signs Of Depression?
It’s normal to feel sad sometimes, but if you feel sad or “down” on some occasion. When you are down for more than 2 weeks at a time, you may be depressed. Depression affects people differently. Some signs of depression are:
- Losing interest in activities you usually enjoy
- Feeling hopeless or empty
- Forgetting things or having trouble making decisions
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Gaining or losing weight without intending to
- Thinking about suicide or death
To learn more, take this quiz to see if you might be depressed.
How Is It Treated?
It can be treated with talk therapy, medicines (called antidepressants), or both. Your doctor may refer you to a mental health professional for talk therapy or medicine.
Check out these websites to learn more
- General information about depression
- Help for older adults
- For women
- Information for pregnant women and new moms
- Resources for Veterans
Depression Is A Real Illness…
If you think you might be depressed, be sure to see your doctor.
- Talk to a doctor about how you are feeling.
- Get a medical checkup. Ask to see a doctor or nurse who can screen you medically.
- Either a doctor or nurse may also check to see if you have another health condition.
- A situation like a thyroid disease can cause depression or make it worse.
- If you have one of these health conditions, it’s important to get treatment right away.
What About Cost?
If you don’t have insurance, you can still get health care. Find a health center near you and make an appointment.
Get treatment. When you have depression, seeking help is the best thing you can do. You and get help through prayer, also it can be treated with talk therapy, medicines.
Take Action!
First prayed about it then…
Ask your doctor for a referral to a mental health professional or use this treatment locator to find mental health services near you. Some programs offer free or low-cost treatment if you don’t have insurance.
Here are some places you can go to for help with depression:
- Doctor’s office or health clinic
- Family service or social service agency
- Psychologist
- A counselor or social worker
- Psychotherapist
- Remember, even if asking for help seems scary, it’s an important step toward feeling better.
Check out this guide to finding a mental health professional
Depression Is Like Being In A Storm!
Get Support!
If you have depression, it can also help to reach out for social support. You don’t have to face depression alone. A trusted family member, friend, or faith leader can help support you as you seek out medical treatment.
Get Active!
Getting active can lower your stress level and help your treatment work better. It can also help keep you from getting depressed again. But it’s important to know that physical activity isn’t a treatment for depression.
- If someone you care about is down and can not get back up.
- If you think a friend or family member may be depressed, check out these tips on how to talk to a loved one about depression.
Get help right away if you or someone you know is thinking about suicide.
- To get help for yourself or someone else, visit the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or call 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).
- If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.
(Above Information partially supplied by https://healthfinder.gov website)
Ideas To Help Fight Depression!
If you or someone you know are in need of help, here are some helpful tips and encouragement about how you can overcome this type of thing and build your faith:
- Avoid being alone; be with people who love and care about you.
- Sing or listen to uplifting, Godly music.
- Read the Bible daily (especially the Psalms) and draw your strength from it to renew your faith in God.
- Get enough rest! Don’t try to handle your depression when you’re sleep-deprived.
- Exercise and examine your diet for needed changes.
- Eat more fruits and vegetables and fewer refined sugars.
Related Pages Of Encouragement:
A Special Link for a Little Extra Encouragement
More Ideas To Fight Depression
- Seek help from others if you feel overwhelmed with your discouragement.
- Praise God and give thanks, even if you don’t feel like it. Try to speak words of encouragement instead of falling into the rut of complaining. Focus on your blessings: You have many of them, even if you can’t always see them.
- Work on the solutions for your problems, don’t focus on the symptoms.
- Is there a spiritual problem you need to deal with? Is there a relationship you need to reconcile? Become active in a recreation you enjoy.
What If My Problems Seem Out Of Control?
We Trust You Find Hope And Encouragement From Our Links!
- If you just started believing in God, we have a page specifically for you.
- If you are dealing with anger, stress, or depression, we have information that can be of help to you.
- We have phone helplines, website links, youtube videos.
- You can learn more about us and our goals and our purpose.
- If you have a drug/alcohol problem, or if you just want to get right with God you are at the right place!
- If you need to talk to someone right away, you can call 800-633-3446 or click here.
- Finally, if you have any questions, or would like to get on our email list, just let us know.
For Encouragement Call 1-800-633-3446 or Chat
Please contact us if you have any questions or comments or would just like some encouragement?
I had some experience in dealing with people who have mental illness and depression, but I didn’t see the signs in myself. I couldn’t ask for help because I didn’t know I needed help. ~ Clara Hughes
Psalm 42:5-6 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.