Depression is a serious mood disorder causing persistent sadness, loss of interest, and difficulty with daily activities like sleeping, eating, and working affecting feelings, thoughts, and behaviour. Symptoms of depression are; fatigue, changes in appetite/sleep, difficulty concentrating, feelings of worthlessness, and sometimes thoughts of self-harm.
My beloved, remember everything happens in the realm of the spirit before it manifests physically. Our spiritual life is the engine that fuel our physical life. This is why the first place we must prosper as humans is in our spiritual life.
The bible says in Matthew 6:33- But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Once an individual’s spiritual life is not in alignment with the word of God, their physical man will be affected. Our spiritual man is the true representation of us. Our flesh body is the host for the spiritual man, and because we are here on this earth, we need our physical temple to exist here on this earth.
Before a person becomes depressed physically, they would first be depressed spiritually. The scripture says that the joy of the Lord should be our strength. When we don’t have the joy and peace of the Lord, automatically, there will be an emptiness, disconnection, and loneliness. It would be like a car that uses diesel being filled with 87 fuel. This will cause a malfunction.
It’s easier for an individual who doesn’t have a relationship with God to fall into depression. However, people who are close to the Lord can also experience depression. My beloved, remember that there are evil forces that are set out to kill, steal, and destroy. Forces that are determined to bring a man who stands close to God down to the ground through oppression and suppression, which will automatically bring depression. A man whose life is aligned in the word of God, who bears the fruit of the Spirit, is oftentimes a target. At times, they will experience frustration because Satan will make sure he inspires his agents to do so. Satan will assign his agents on a mission to destroy anything that is close to Jesus.
Jeremiah was depressed due to the overwhelming rejection and persecution he faced for his message. He was also grieved over the impending destruction and spiritual decay of his people. Jeremiah became depressed spiritually before it manifested physically.
As Jeremiah was depressed there are many Christians who are depressed because their husbands, wives, kids, relatives or friends are not walking in the word. They want them to do better and so they become spiritually depressed. Eventually, physically, those signs will manifest through the thoughts. Some parents are not able to eat or sleep well because constant fear of death. Thinking their loved ones may lose their soul.
We are living in a world that is depressed. The earth is in distress and the carpet of depression is spread upon the earth and the sheet of depression spread across the world. All the nations of the world will feel the effect of the state in which the world is in. What will you do?
Luke 21:25- And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
Satan is petitioning the master for many of us as he did for Peter in the book of Luke.
Luke 22-31: And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
Satan doesn’t petition the Lord for lukewarm Christians. This is simply because lukewarm Christians are already his. There’s no competition because they are already his. When any human being is not fulfilling their purpose you will find that depression will also be present. They will feel out of place most of the time. This is because everyone on this earth was born with a purpose. When that purpose is not being fulfilled, they will feel out of place and empty. This is because there would be a wrestling between the flesh and the spirit. When an individual is in their rightful position then they would feel fulfilled.
1 Kings 19:4- But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.
Elijah felt weary of the situation hence he spoke to the Lord. Elijah rather was to be with the Lord and as humans at times we do feel as though it’s better to be with the Lord when challenges come.
Paul said in Corinthians 5:8- We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.
If one is absent from the flesh body in means that they would have gone on to be with the Lord.
1 Kings 19:9-10- And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah? And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
Elijah was telling God that he’s hiding in a cave because he’s completely discouraged. Israel had abandoned God, destroyed His altars, killed His prophets, and now they’re trying to kill him Elijah too. This caused Elijah to feel isolated and in danger. Elijah was saying that he has tried so hard but everyone else has turned away, and now his life is dangerous because of his faithfulness!
The Lord gave Elijah instructions in 1 Kings 19:11-19
And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah? And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria: And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room. And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay. Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him. So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him.
Let’s look on the quick summary of this encounter Elijah had with God. Elijah encountered God not in the powerful wind, earthquake, or fire, but in a “still small voice” on Mount Horeb, revealing God’s presence in quiet intimacy rather than overwhelming force, prompting Elijah to share his despair and God to commission him to anoint new leaders (Hazael, Jehu, Elisha) and reveal that 7,000 still worship Him, culminating in Elijah finding Elisha plowing and casting his mantle on him, symbolizing succession.
Elijah was experiencing depression, and the devil’s desire was to destroy him. In moments of weakness, Satan is always present marking our words in order to use them against us because satan is the accuser of the brethren. Elijah was feeling out of place and he no longer had the desire to be present in the physical. He was living in a world where he no longer wanted to stay. Was he suicidal? No, he was not! Elijah ran the race and kept the faith. However, I have learned that whenever a servant of God gets tired, weary, and discouraged, the Lord would normally allow them to come home. A discouraged servant is a recipe for disaster. The Lord, however, who knows our hearts, honoured the request of his servant Elijah. God is a God of wisdom and he told him to hand over the mantle to Elisha.
Before depression operates in an individual’s life, suppression and oppression will operate. This is why we have to do spiritual assessments and placing all challenges before God. If you are facing depression as a child of God, it’s not good to keep it to yourself. It’s best to speak to a mature Christian counselor who will guide you in all truth using the word as a lamp through dark periods and with your willingness and God’s ability, the Lord will intervene.
There are many readers that are not Christians who will read this article and I recommend Jesus Christ. I also recommend seeking professional help.
John 3:16- For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
In a world where the carpet of depression has been laid out and the sheet of depression is spread across the world, we need the guidance of God Almighty in order to navigate in this season.
Jeremiah 29:11-13- For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
God bless you in Jesus Christ mighty name!
Prayer Points
1. I break every evil covenant and soul-tie with the spirit of depression in Jesus name.
2. Oh lord, I submit my mind and thoughts to you today in Jesus name. I cast down every thought that exalts itself above the knowledge of you in Jesus name.
3. Father Lord, captivate and restore my life today in Jesus name.
4. I reject sadness, unhappiness, stress and frustration in Jesus name.
5. Matthew 11:28 says Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Dear lord, grant me the rest that I need in my mind, in my heart, in my spirit and in my soul in Jesus name.
6. Psalms 34:18 says The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit”. Oh lord heal me where I need healing and deliver me where I need deliverance in Jesus name.
7. Oh Lord, I cast all my cares upon you in Jesus name.
8. John 14:27 says Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. I receive the peace of God in my mind, in my heart, in my soul, in my spirit. In Jesus Christ mighty name.
9. My Lord; silence every evil voice of depression in Jesus name.
10. I command every strong man of depression that’s tormenting me to die by the fire of God in Jesus name.