When my spirit was overwhelmed within me,
Then You knew my path.
In the way in which I walk
They have secretly set a snare for me.
(Psalm 142:3 NKJV)

The river accompanied the birds’ melody as I breathed in nature’s fragrances. I strolled on a path through the trees. Suddenly, without warning, a snake strikes my leg injecting his venom. Not a true story, but that’s what a depression trigger is like. A beautiful day is suddenly turned upside down.

Depression behaves like allergies. You might sneeze, and I might cough. I might cry, and you might isolate. Its’ triggers are just as varied, but I recognize them, and if you have battled depression for some time, you know your triggers too. The things that begin the cycle of a downward spiral. Since we know our triggers, how can we defuse them? It’s the same way we would handle a snake bite.

Prevention comes first. My husband uses snake chaps when he hunts. They are worn over the foot and legs. They are made out of a material that prevents the fangs from making contact with the skin. They basically bounce off the chaps.

God has given believers His armor to wear as a defense against spiritual warfare. Satan doesn’t want God’s girls singing praises and full of joy. He decides to trigger that depression. He stalks us, and he knows exactly when and where to inject the poison.

Ephesians chapter six gives us a list of all the armor available for our use. Each piece is vital, but the helmet of salvation protects the mind, the point of most satanic attack, especially with depression. We must guard our minds taking every thought captive, renewing our minds, and setting our minds on things above.

If we can’t avoid the bite of the enemy, we must get to God’s spiritual hospital – prayer. Our immediate response to a depression trigger is prayer. We aren’t fighting flesh and blood. We must call on God to fight this battle. Pray without ceasing and give thanks for the coming victory. No weapon formed against us will prosper.

If you are bitten by a poisonous snake, the hospital staff will inject you with anti-venom to stop the damage from the toxins. The Word of God is our anti-venom. It is the only offensive part of God’s armor. The Sword of the Spirit. Have your sword handy at all times. Jot down the verses you need so you can administer the anti-venom quickly.

Finally, let’s stop calling it “my depression” or “our triggers.” Depression has not attached itself to us. It is a ploy of the enemy, but we don’t own it. It doesn’t define us. So, let’s stop claiming possession of it.

Sister, are you ready to dress in God’s armor? Let’s fight this battle down on our knees with our swords drawn.

Lord, grant me the discernment to recognize the triggers. Lead me to the scriptures that will wound my opponent as I draw ever closer to You. I claim victory in Jesus’ name, amen.

DIG DEEPER

Read Psalm 142.

HIKING THE TRAIL

In Psalm 142:4, can you identify with any of David’s statements? The persecutors in this psalm represent the depression triggers. What gives David hope from his persecutors?

RELATED RESOURCE

Each time I hit rock bottom with depression, God has never allowed me to take my life. Eventually, I learned why I could go no further when I was living on empty. Read about this and much more in Eyes of Faith: Winning the Battle Between Our Feelings and Our Faith.

Learn more here!

Originally posted on August 17, 2020 @ 3:00 am