In their day-to-day life, many Christians struggle with discouragement, disillusionment, or even depression. Sadly, some believers are afraid to be open with others about such emotional battles. This devotional explains how the biblical heroes handled the times of emotional turmoil that they went through. It also tells the believers how to overcome their internal struggles with the help of the Word of God and their church family.
Walking In Grace / Richard Caldwell
Day 1
Scriptures: Psalms 22:1, Psalms 73, Matthew 27:46, Luke 23:46, 1 Corinthians 10:13, 2 Corinthians 1:3-5
Depression Existed in the Bible
Discouragement or depression is one of the most common struggles we face in this life. Sadly, Christians often feel alone and even ashamed when they find themselves fighting emotional battles. The first aspect of feeling discouraged that believers need to understand is that it is common to all humanity. In fact, the Bible records many instances where its heroes and writers felt disappointed, disillusioned, or depressed.
There are multiple examples of discouragement or depression in the Scriptures. In the Book of Psalms writers give free expression to such negative feelings. One of the psalmists, Asaph, gave voice to his disappointment when he witnessed what he believed to be the prosperity of the wicked and the suffering of the righteous. This reality troubled him so much that he said that he almost slipped into unbelief. His faith was severely tested by what he saw. He did not know what to do with his anger and disillusionment.
However, he went into the sanctuary of God and found help. His perspective was changed because God reminded him of where the wicked ultimately end up and what the end is for the righteous. Asaph realized that what he saw in this world was momentary; it did not represent the whole story. His psalm shows us not only the reality of discouragement and depression, but it also gives us the answer on how to deal with it. We need to run to God, and we need to listen to His Word.
When we find ourselves angry with this world, angry with our circumstances, or even angry with God, the temptation is to turn away from the Lord. We should, however, run to the Lord with all our feelings, even the negative ones. God can handle our disappointments and discouragements. He has done it for thousands of years. Many biblical writers felt that God forgot them, yet they expressed their feelings to the Lord and found encouragement in His presence. Even Christ on the cross cried out the words of another psalm, saying, “My God, My God. Why have You forsaken Me?” Later, He was able to commit His spirit into the Father’s loving hands.
No matter how sad we feel, no matter how thick the darkness we are going through is, we can entrust our heavenly Father with our lives and our emotions. In His presence, we can find the comfort that we need.
Day 2
Scriptures: Matthew 7:7, Ephesians 5:11-13, 1 Peter 2:9, 1 Peter 5:8, 1 John 1:5-6
Depression Needs to Be Acknowledged
The biggest mistake that believers make is feeling ashamed of and hiding their depression. Sometimes, we believe a lie: that as believers in Christ, we can never feel disillusioned, disappointed, or unhappy. Such thinking causes Christians to hide their negative feelings from their family, their church, and even God. However, darkness is where our sinful nature seeks to dwell, and it is only through Christ’s redemptive work and the light of His Word that we can overcome it. Sin or negative feelings can be overcome by God’s light.
The first way to conquer disillusionment, disappointment, or depression is by bringing these emotions into the light. In other words, we need to be honest with ourselves about our feelings. We must also be honest with God. He is not displeased with us when we are disappointed or disillusioned. The devil lies to us by telling us to hide our negative feelings in shame. However, we should expose them.
Satan prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking whom to devour. Satan is a nasty player; Scripture reminds us to be aware of his strategies. He hits us when we are down, alone, and isolated. When we hide our depression in shame, the devil comes and delivers the final blow. That is why the worst outcomes result when we handle our emotional struggles alone. We need to acknowledge when we are depressed, recognizing it as part of our fallen human condition, and seek help through the means of grace that God has provided—His Word, prayer, and the fellowship of believers. This state of mind points us to our continual need for Christ’s saving grace.
Do not be ashamed of feeling down, disappointed, or depressed. Do not feel afraid to confess that you are experiencing these emotions. Go to God in prayer and tell Him how you feel. Also, tell your family or your trusted friends. Do not be embarrassed to ask for prayer and ask for help. Scripture tells us to ask, and we will receive. We can be honest with others about our needs, including the emotional ones.
So, do not isolate yourself. Do not hesitate to pick up the phone and call a Christian friend. Tell him or her, “You know what? I am discouraged today.” It is OK not to be OK. Do not be afraid to admit that to others around you. Do not be embarrassed to use the word depression, either. If you are depressed, tell someone about it. Be transparent. This kind of transparency allows others to help you and to speak God’s truth into your life.
Day 3
Scriptures: 1 Samuel 30:6, Psalms 27:13-14, Psalms 42:5-6, Psalms 43:5, Philippians 3:13-14, Philippians 4:6-8, Hebrews 12:1-2, 1 Peter 5:7
Depression Can Be Overcome by God’s Word
One of the dangerous aspects of depression is that it causes us to focus inward, detracting from our focus on God’s sovereignty and our identity in Christ. When we are discouraged, we center on ourselves, our unfortunate circumstances, and our negative feelings. This only makes our emotional struggles worse. Scripture tells us that, as believers, we run this race by fixing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Finisher of our faith. This means that we need to look away from ourselves and focus on God, and on the truths found in His Word, even when our circumstances do not align with these truths.
Scripture is full of examples of how we are to focus on God’s Word when we are discouraged. The Book of Psalms honestly describes the depression that God’s children can experience. It also shows us how to overcome such emotional struggles—through preaching the truths found in God’s Word to ourselves. Many psalms record King David or other psalmists talking with their own souls. They said, “My soul, why are you discouraged? Why are you downcast? Put your hope in God.” They would also tell their souls to remember the times when the Lord saved them in the past, to reminisce about His goodness that they have experienced, and to wait on the Lord in their current circumstances. The psalmists ended these conversations with thanksgiving, saying “I will yet praise God, because He is my Savior.” As Christians, we can follow their example and preach the Word of God to ourselves.
The New Testament also tells us to take our anxiety and cast it on the Lord because He cares for us. This Scripture literally instructs us to hurl our anxious thoughts at Jesus: they are too dangerous for us to carry alone inside our souls. Another Scripture says not to be anxious about anything, but to bring our concerns to God in prayer, and with thanksgiving exchange our worries for His peace. Then, we are able to think true, pure, and praiseworthy thoughts we find in His Word.
The Bible is full of examples that show believers how to handle their emotions and thoughts of discouragement. First, we need to confess our anxious thoughts to God. Then, we need to receive the truths found in His Word about our situation. As a result, our hearts will be filled with peace that is beyond human understanding.
Day 4
Scriptures: Psalms 139:16, Isaiah 40:28-31, John 3:16, Romans 5:8, Romans 8:18, Romans 8:28, Romans 8:38-39, Romans 11:33
Depression Can Be Overcome by Truth
It is important to understand that the Word of God does not instruct us to pretend that our problems are not real. The Bible does not tell us to ignore our depression. Neither does it teach us to cover our worries with artificial positivity. When people are depressed, they do not need to hear superficial phrases saying that everything is OK or that they just need to feel better. God is not calling us to positive thinking; He is calling us to align our minds with His absolute truth revealed in Scripture. The answer to a discouraged heart is God’s permanent truth. Godly truths will lift our hearts out of despair.
Here are truths of Scripture that can encourage us. The Bible tells us that God works all things together for good for those who love Him. We can trust in that, even when we do not understand our current predicaments. The Scripture also says that our present earthly sufferings cannot be compared to the glory that will be revealed in us. Even when we are going through unexplainable difficulties, we can be assured that God is at work. He is working behind the scenes to turn everything around for our good and for His glory. How can we know that? Because we know the character of God.
Through reading God’s Word, we can remind ourselves of His attributes. Does God know what we are going through? Yes, He is all-knowing. Does God care about what we are going through? Yes, He does. He loves us with the love that is always faithful. Is God powerless in this situation? No, He is not. He is omnipotent. Being all-powerful, has He somehow restricted himself so that He does not involve Himself in what we are going through? No, He is sovereign over everything. He is the Lord over every single detail of our lives.
The more we can remind ourselves of God’s truths, the more accurate our perspective becomes. The Bible tells us that when God is for us, we do not need to be afraid of anyone or anything. The Scripture also says that nothing in this world can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. These truths can fill our heart with eternal hope.
Day 5
Scriptures: Isaiah 35:3, Matthew 26:41, Galatians 6:2, Galatians 6:10, Ephesians 3:14-16, 1 Thessalonians 5:12, 1 Thessalonians 5:14, 1 Peter 5:2-4
Depression Can Be Overcome by God’s Family
Sometimes people can go through unbearable difficulties. They can be so depressed that they do not have the drive necessary to pull themselves out of the pit of despair. They know, as Christians, that they need to pray and read the Word of God, but they have no willpower to do so. Even Christ said that the human spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. This is exactly why we need to be involved in a local church.
The Bible calls a local church “a family of believers.” Every Christian needs to be part of such a family. The church family is there in the good times to celebrate Christ’s love together. It is also there in the bad times to help us when we need it the most. Many Scriptures recognize that there are times some believers are weaker than others because of their struggles. The Old Testament says that the people of God should encourage the exhausted and strengthen the feeble among them. The New Testament instructs the family of believers to be there for one another.
The Bible says that we should carry one another’s burdens. It also says that those who are strong need to help those who are weak. Those who are fainthearted need to be encouraged. That is why we need to be open with our Christian brothers and sisters about our emotional struggles. They can pray with us for the Lord to strengthen our inner selves. They can also preach the Word of God to us and encourage us in His truths until we are able to do so for ourselves.
That is also the reason we have our spiritual pastors, overseers, and mentors. The Bible says that they watch over our souls. They can persuade us in God’s truths and guide us to the help we need. Be open with your church leadership about your feelings of discouragement or depression and ask them for help that you need. No matter the depth of the emotional struggle you are in, do not be ashamed to seek the help necessary to get you out of darkness and bring you into the light of God’s love for you.