BATTLING DEPRESSION
By Carolyn Dale Newell
The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.
Ps. 9:9 NKJV
I thought I had won the war on depression. It had been kicked to the curb a long time ago, but there I was, falling into a deep, dark pit with nothing to grab onto along the way.
My triggers can be hormones or the side effects of certain medications. Throw in a mix of loneliness, discouragement, and great disappointment and you have a recipe for despondency. I felt like such a burden to some, and a doormat to others. Satan began whispering, “They will never miss you.”
What? How was this happening so quickly? I am stronger than this! God has great plans for me. Was I too ashamed to turn to Scripture? Too filled with despair to turn on uplifting gospel music? It was time for this prayer warrior to go into the battle on my knees.
Psalm 9:9 tells us that God is a refuge for the oppressed. For many days, I prayed through the entire Psalm. It speaks about putting our trust in Him. That was my mistake. I trusted in myself when the enemy attacked or depression snuck in. God is my refuge in times of trouble. “Times of trouble” – for God knows there will be multiple seasons when we need to seek refuge in Him.
Friend, are you taking on heavy artillery from the enemy? Are you settling into the black sea of depression? Maybe a little of both? God is your refuge. God didn’t intend for us to fight these battles alone. The battle is His, and we must give it to Him. His Hebrew name is “Elohim Machase”, “God our Refuge”. Life happens and it is not kind, but we have a loving Father who gives us strength. He wants to comfort us. Run to Him! God is the refuge for life’s refugees.
Father,
Forgive me for even considering that I can handle things myself. I need You as my refuge, my shield, and my strength. Hedge me from Satan. Free me from conditions like depression. Thank You for always being there even when no one else is. In Jesus’ name, amen.
DIG DEEPER
Read Psalm 9 and pray through it.
HIKING THE TRAIL
If you suffer with depression, please see a medical doctor. It is a very real medical condition and there are medications which can help. Like anything else, Satan often uses these situations to triumph over us, but God has the victory. The only way to fight spiritual warfare is through prayer.
Copyright 2015 Carolyn Dale Newell.
Originally posted on July 23, 2020 @ 8:03 pm