As you go, and as you row, and as you cut through the waves of life be adamant to continue. Your healing is available to you. Reach out and touch your Healer. As the lady with the issue of blood reached out and touched Jesus, the Bible says that she was healed. You too can touch the Lord with your depression and be healed.
What is Depression?
Even though the Bible does not explicitly mention the term “depression,” the concept is woven throughout its pages. Depression, a common mental disorder marked by a prolonged depressed mood or loss of interest in activities, affected many Biblical characters. Job, for instance, was so overwhelmed that he despised life itself. David expressed his despair, saying, “My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear” (Psalm 38:4, NIV). Many others in Scripture faced similar struggles, but the common thread was their decision to trust God by faith in the midst of their trials.
Depression is a stark reality today. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 3.8% of the global population experiences depression. With this in mind, it is crucial to seek Godly, sustainable ways to overcome this affliction.
The Bible offers us the power of God to sustain us in our moments of weakness. Here, we explore five faithful habits that can help you overcome depression and guide you toward a life of wholeness.
1. Walk by faith and not by sight
For We Walk By Faith And Not By Sight – 2 Corinthians 5:7
As you journey through your brokenness, it is essential to walk by faith while trusting in God. Walking by faith is a faithful habit to help you overcome depression. It goes beyond merely believing what God says—it means making His word your life’s philosophy. Your perspective is key. When you learn to view life through the eyes of faith, your path becomes less painful. Walking by faith means following God’s word in every situation, no matter what your thoughts or emotions may tell you.
Eyes of faith will see through the lens of understanding, knowing that although God may allow seasons of brokenness, He holds your healing in His hands. David, despite facing the reality of depression, knew that God was with him. In Psalm 18:6, he says, “In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: He heard my voice out of His temple.” David understood that as he called out to God, the Lord was faithful to respond.
As you confront your own struggles with depression, remember that faithful habits to help you overcome depression include trusting God daily. He cares for you far more than you could ever imagine, and He desires to heal you as you continue to trust in Him.
2 . Praying and praising through your depression
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. – Hebrews 4:16
When we talk about Biblical ways to overcome our depression, praying and praising are two of the most important practices. In moments of deep need, especially during depression, it is vital that we remain steadfast in constant prayer. But it’s not just about praying; we must also praise God through these challenging times. In fact, true prayer often leads to the highest form of praise.
There is something powerful about praying and praising that can lift our spirits into a higher atmosphere of worship. Depression often leaves us feeling dry and drained, but when we develop the faithful habit to help you overcome depression, we fill ourselves with the spiritual fuel needed to keep moving forward.
The Bible holds prayer in high regard. It says, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much,” meaning that the prayers of a righteous person have great power and produce wonderful results. As you trust in God and pray through your depression, God will strengthen, keep, and ultimately heal you. The faithful habit to help you overcome depression includes prayer and praise, which will carry you through, bringing hope and renewal even in your darkest moments.
See Also – 10 Bible Verses On Joy
These Bible verses will remind you of the joy you have in Jesus Christ– as you travel through your brokenness.
3 . The habit of seeking help
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. – Galatians 6:2
You can develop the habit of seeking help. As you navigate through your depression, it’s important to recognize that you are in need of support. The truth is that the feelings of depression often stem from a lack of assistance. Therefore, it’s crucial to do whatever it takes to seek help from the resources around you. God has strategically placed people and resources in your life to assist you in overcoming your struggles. As stated in Galatians 6:2, “Carry each other’s burdens,” reminding us of the importance of leaning on one another.
The good news is that help is always within reach. Sometimes, all it takes is an encouraging word from a friend or loved one to lift your spirits. The assistance you need might also be found in a book, a podcast, or a church service. As you walk with God, trust that He will provide the necessary resources and support to help you through this challenging time. Remember, developing the faithful habit to help you overcome depression includes actively seeking the help you need.
4 . Living in the Word of God
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. – Hebrews 4:12
There is nothing more powerful than the Word of God. Scripture tells us that every word of God is pure, and He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. When seeking help, there is no better place to look than in His Word. The Bible not only strengthens us with the Gospel but also empowers us with truth. The truth is that God is always with you in your depression, and as you trust Him, He will heal you.
The Psalmist declares, “He sent his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions” (Psalm 107:20). This verse highlights the incredible power of the Word of God. When we cry out to God for help, He responds by sending His Word to heal us. This is a reminder of the faithful habit to help you overcome depression—leaning on the promises of Scripture and allowing them to guide you toward healing and restoration. Embrace the truth of His Word, and let it be your source of strength during difficult times.
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. – Hosea 4:6
As we consider the biblical ways to overcome our depression, we must continuously improve ourselves. It is often a lack of knowledge that leads us into our depression from the first place. Many times we lack understanding of what is going on and that is why it keeps going on. When we educate ourselves on the situation, and seek to understand it through eyes of faith, then we will be properly empowered for victory.
We must enlighten ourselves on what God requires of us in our situation. When we do things God’s way then we are sure to heal.
5. Positive Expectation
I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. 14 Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord! – Psalm 27:13-14
We can develop the habit of expecting positive things for our lives. As we do this we will experience God’s best. In our depression this might seem farthest from reality. Yet the truth is that Gold is made in scorching fire and life is formed in the dark . As we experience our brokenness let us remember that there can be beauty from our ashes as we believe. God will sustain us as we continue to trust Him and He will make beauty from our brokenness.
I was speaking to my brother Pastor Jermaine James a little while ago and we were speaking about a podcast we are working on called the Healing Time Podcast. This podcast is done to help broken people. As we spoke Jermaine mentioned that this podcast is so wonderful that it can make all the struggles we have faced make sense.
When I say beauty from our ashes this is what I mean – when we reach a point where all of our struggles make sense. The is trading ashes for beauty. Expect that one day you will be much more valuable because of all the depression and the brokenness you have experienced. It is true that broken roads often lead to beautiful destinations.
Additional Content – 10 Bible Verses To Help You Overcome Your Depression
1. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”Philippians 4:13
2. And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8
3. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
4. “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” – Psalm 34:18
5. “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:38-39
Related Bible Verses – 16 Bible Verses About our identity in Christ
6. “Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”– Lamentations 3:22-23
7. “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” – Lamentations 3:22-23
8. “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.”
– Psalm 46:1-2
9. Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand – Isaiah 41:10.
10…but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.– Psalm 46:1-2
