Depression – There is Hope

2 Timothy 1: 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

Within each and every one of us is the ability to Move Forward beyond our fears and troubles to accomplish infinitely more than we think we can. It is because of God’s holy spirit that we are able to do this.  We are given the Power to do so!

In our daily battles with fear we need to remember this, to live our lives knowing that God has always given us the Power to go beyond what WE see as our limits. God is limitless and through him nothing is impossible. Put your trust in God, tear down those walls of personal pride and start living your life this way each and every day!
Read Psalms, 142 and 143, to encourage your faith this blessed day.

Psalms 142:1.  I cry aloud to the Lord;
I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy.

Psalms 143:1 O Lord, hear my prayer,
listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief.
*David is losing hope, caught in paralyzing fear and deep depression. At times we feel caught in deepening depression, and we are unable to pull ourselves out. At those times we can come to the Lord.
* David, before he prays for the Removal of his trouble, PRAYS for the Pardon of his sin, and depends upon Mercy alone for it.
David  bemoans the weight upon his mind from outward troubles.

**The more we consider the POWER of God, the less we shall fear the face or force of man.
David looks up with earnest desires towards God and his favor. This is the BEST course we can take, when our spirits are overwhelmed.
The believer will NOT forget, that in his BEST actions he IS a sinner.

Meditation on the Truth of the Word and prayer will recover us from distresses; and then the mourning soul strives to return to the Lord as the infant stretches out its hands to the indulgent mother, and thirsts for his consolations as the parched ground for refreshing rain.

I was interested in what David was going through when he said, “When my
spirit was overwhelmed in me, then you knew my path” (142:3). He repeats this
in verse 143:4, “My spirit is overwhelmed in me; my heart within me is desolate.”
David is actually saying to God,
* “I am drowning in trouble.
* I am under attack by my enemies.
* It is bringing me low.”
** He cried to the Lord, “Hear my cry, for I am brought very low… Bring my soul out of this prison” (142:6-7).  Is that a man in truble or a In depression?

Beloved, these words are written for our sake, for our instruction.
***There  is Hope and Encouragement for all of God’s people who are overwhelmed by troubles, afflictions and depression.
. Some are drowning in financial troubles, overwhelmed with debt.
Multitudes of precious believers can hardly make ends meet. Many families, widows and elderly couples are barely making it.

Often I have been accused of being too gloomy, too negative. People say nobody wants to hear bad news, that they turn off anyone who talks about pain, suffering, depression and troubles.
But the truth is, most of US(I believe all of us) live in a world where life can be absolutely overwhelming at times.
*Like David, we face a flood of troubles; we are afflicted even in our righteousness.
*We endure sickness, death of loved ones, times of confusion, not knowing what to do next.
* We face hellish attacks of Satan against our faith.

It is in our overwhelming times we learn to SEEK God and learn to cry out in
our pain.
Isaiah 41: 13 For I hold you by your right hand—I, the Lord your God.And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.

David said, “I poured out my complaint before him, I showed before
him my trouble” (142:2). “In thy faithfulness answer me” (143:1).

Are you even now overwhelmed by circumstances in your life? Do what David did:
• “I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsts after thee,
as a thirsty land” (Psalms 143:6).
• “Hide not your face from me… Cause me to hear your loving
kindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way
wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul to you” (Psalms 143:7-8).
• “Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies: I flee to you to hide me.
Teach me to do your will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into
the land of uprightness. Quicken me, O Lord, for thy name’s sake: for thy
righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble” (Psalms 143:9-11).

Be encouraged. God has everything under control! He will meet your need right on time.

Phil. 4:13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

Thank you Father for choosing me, for seeing me and through your Spirit you sanctified me to obedience to your son Jesus – Lord help me dwell on Your identity. God, You are my shield. My stronghold. My light. My strength. My sustainer. My rescuer. My fortress.
Help me Lord to Meditate on Your perfect attributes.  Dwell on Your identity. Adore YOU. Respect YOU. Honor YOU. Love YOU. Exalt YOU. Help me use the rest of my life getting ready to worship our awesome God forever, overflowing in His LOVE.
John 14: 27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.
In Jesus Name,Amen