Depression is real and rising. Why? Life is growing more complex. Statistics don’t reflect the rippling impact. When a person is depressed, everyone around them is also affected. Families, jobs, and relationships suffer.

People can give the impression that being depressed is wrong. Christians shout, “We are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus!” And we are! But sometimes we need a little help along the way. That’s why I want to open up the topic. We have no reason to be embarrassed or ashamed. There is something we can do.

Thoughts = You

“For as he thinks within himself, so he is.”

—Proverbs 23:7 (NASB)

What you think eventually becomes who you are. Your life will always go in the direction of your strongest thought. If you constantly think, “No one likes me. I’m no fun to be around,” your life will eventually look like that. People won’t want to be around you. That’s why it’s essential to control what stays in your mind—thoughts and imaginations are powerful!

No More Devouring

“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”

—1 Peter 5:8 (NLT)

The devil is trying to see if he can devour you. How does he do that? By putting thoughts in your head. It may start with, “I don’t have any friends.” If you yield to that thought, it can grow into, “My life stinks. I’m horrible. I don’t even know why I’m alive.” If you continue to meditate on it, you start to accept it as truth. The enemy has preyed on your mind and knows he can devour you.

But know this: every thought the devil puts in your head is a lie because he is a liar! Just because a thought popped into your mind does not mean it’s true! It does not have to become a reality. You have control over it. Let me tell you what I do.

Throw It Out

“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”

—2 Corinthians 10:5

We all have untrue or irrational thoughts. Because I am a visual person, I literally “grab the thought” out of the air and throw it down. I say, “In Jesus’ Name, I take that thought captive! I throw it down and bring it into subjection to Christ.” Then I quote a scripture—the truth about whatever thought was trying to enter.

When I do that, the enemy has to move on. I imagine him saying, “I can’t devour her! She’s controlling her thought life.” We are not helpless against the enemy! The Greater One lives in us, so we can keep our thoughts from spiraling out of control.

Powerful Prayer

I pray Colossians 1:9–11 in the New Living Translation over myself and my family. Everything you need is right here in a few verses. Take a moment and pray this now for yourself and those around you:

Lord, I pray that I [and ____________] will have complete knowledge of Your will, and You will give us spiritual wisdom and understanding so the way we live will always honor and please You. Our lives will produce every kind of good fruit. We will grow as we learn to know You better. I pray that we will always be strengthened with Your glorious power, so we will have all the endurance and patience we need. And we will always be filled with joy.”

You can pray it over yourself every day. There’s nothing better than praying the Word. It is powerful—more powerful than depression.

Practical Help

There are simple ways to help combat depression. Commit to doing one thing every day.

1. Exercise

2. Nutrition

3. Laughter

4. Natural Sunlight

5. Music

6. Do something nice for yourself

7. Give/Volunteer

Need a little help? Our Prayer and Healing Center is available to pray with you: 918-258-1588, ext. 2980, Monday–Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CST (voicemail available after hours).