Depression. This is such a sensitive topic, but it needs to be talked about. I have struggled with depression over the years, but to a mild degree compared to the many broken hurting people around me. I do not feel qualified to write a post on depression, but I pray that God can use what I write to speak truth into your heart.
During a 2015-2018 study done by the CDC, 13.2% of Americans over 18 took antidepressants within the last 30 days¹. I think I can safely say that this percentage definitely hasn’t dropped. One of the side affects of antidepressants, which is noted on many pills, is suicide. According to the World Health Organization, 800,000 people die from suicide every year². While not all these tragic deaths are linked to antidepressants, some are.
When I am feeling depressed, I just want to feel better. I want to overcome the feeling that I am covered by a heap of blankets, suffocating from everything weighing down my mind and emotions. If I can put my finger on what is causing me to feel so overwhelmed, then I will be better prepared to fight for joy. That is what we are going to talk about in this post. We’ve stated that depression is a prevalent issue in our society. Why?
There are many different ways of thinking that can lead us to depression. It also depends on personality to a degree. Some of us are more emotionally oriented, so we tend to carry weight from problems that are not ours to carry. Circumstances and people around us will influence us too. Children who were neglected or abused are more likely to struggle with depression³.
For myself, I usually experience depression because of lies that I believe. I think that most cases of depression will come back to one or more of these lies, no matter what the circumstances are. Satan wants to destroy us, and he will use literally anything to make us feel hopeless and doubt God. He tells us lies to make us feel worthless. What are these lies?
I’m not doing enough
My circumstances are bigger than God
God doesn’t love me
People don’t love me
If Satan can get us to believe these lies, he then has a grip on our lives. There is power in acknowledging why we feel depressed and discouraged. In part 2 of this post, we will explore ways to fight depression. For now, don’t dwell on depressing thoughts, but do consider why you personally may struggle with depression. Acknowledge what lies you might be believing, and take them to the Healer, Jesus Christ.
Written by Ginger
pursuingourpurpose.com 