Any person that is suffering with depression or suicidal thoughts does not need pharmaceutical drugs to help them. There is only one thing that can change the atmosphere and give these people the relief that they deserve. That is Jesus and His healing power. Him and Him alone can help them in their trying situation and give them hope, plus a new life. All He asks of them is to have an open heart to His will and He will do the rest. In prayer, the Lord is waiting for that person to open up to Him and tell God what is on their mind, and the Lord will not only listen to that person’s needs, but respond to him or her in a big way. Jesus is true to His words and you can take what he says to the bank, for I know it is true personally in my life. He said, 1“come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30) Paul also said, 2“now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” (Romans 15:13) It is by the Holy Spirit that we can become different. In the Spirit, a rebirth occurs within us and we become knit with Christ because of His mercy. As we are born again in Christ Jesus, new desires start to flow deep within us. This is when our faith comes to life, because of the Spirit, and God is able to do something greater in our life. No longer are our minds crowded with thoughts of sadness and bitterness, but gladness and great joy. If you are suffering because of depression or suicidal thoughts, then come to God about it today.
Pray often and allow others in the faith to pray over you also. Reading the Bible is also what you need to be doing daily, in order to withstand the temptations of the devil. You see, he is the one putting these disheartening thoughts into people’s minds, in order to trip them up. He doesn’t want us to get back on track with God, and therefore keeps us in bondage as long as he can. This is why your faith needs to come to life in these moments, in order to come out of it. What we need is hope in our lives to be happy and God is the only person that can give it. When seeking Him in prayer and in His Words, there is a response given to our needs. This comes by way of the Spirit, in order to convict our hearts of what needs to be changed in our lives, that things can get better. He desires to take that sense of despair and flip it upside down by way of a new life. And remember that God’s faithful are also His messengers, and their assistance and prayers are a sign of his response to us. Paul even said, 2“we then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.” (Romans 15:1) Therefore, the assistance of your pastor and other friends in the faith are there for our needs. Confess what is going on, that encouragement and prayers may be drawn up for you. And if you don’t have a church, but is desirous to come unto Christ, then find a good Bible believing church today and get involved with them. Having a family of friends in the faith will be a great relief for you, when times are the hardest. These people we can confide in, the same way we confide in with God. Hope is found in the Lord and He is preparing people to help us and bless our lives.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray for those people that are suffering right now with depression and suicidal thoughts. I know that many people that I know and love are in despair right now and need You to come inside of their lives, in order to lift them up. Please come to them now and give them the comfort they need to go on in life. Give them the hope that they really need, in order to get back on the right track again. Send people in the faith to their doorsteps and wherever they may be, that their needs may be met and prayers may be offered on their behalf. And put a sense of urgency in my heart and others hearts to find those that are suffering, that we may be a light to them, when only darkness is found. There is hope that can still be found and this can only happen when we in the faith are willing to respond to Your will. So many more people would be getting the assistance they need, if people would be willing to get out of their comfort zones and step out where needs are the highest. Lord, I am so grateful that You have sent people to me, when I was down and depressed. Not too long ago, when I lost my job, I was really hurting inside and You knew my pain and heard my prayers. Not only did you send me a sense of relief to what was going on then, but You sent friends of the faith to my house, that I would be prayed over also. Thank you so much for sending them and giving them the courage to respond to my needs. I needed good friends to help me in those times and You knew that from start. You put them there in my life and now I am so much happier. Things have gotten better over the last many months now with this new job and I give You all the glory. Thank You for taking my thoughts of sadness and giving me gladness in return. I love You Lord. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
1Matthew 11:25-30 (KJV)
25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
26 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.
27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
2Romans 15:1-14 (KJV)
1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.
8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:
9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.
10 And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.
11 And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people.
12 And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.
13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
14 And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.
You are marginalizing christians with mental disorders and contributing to their bad conscience when they pray for deliverance that doesn’t come. It is a fact that many Christians are never healed of their mental disorders, just like many are never healed of their physical illnesses. How do you think a depressed christian would feel if Jesus never heals his depression? He would probably think it was because of his lack of faith and then feel like a second-rate christian.
So why do you separate mental and somatic disease? Would you say to a person with cancer that all he needs is Jesus and his healing power and not chemotherapy or radiation treatment?
I agree that all of us need Jesus and his presence, but I believe antidepressants and mood-stabilizers have their place in a biblical treatment of mental illness. Depression isn’t simply a spiritual dark state we allow ourselves to sink into.
Your ignorance makes me sad, as does the fact that you influence suffering christians in such a negative way. I hope you take the time to research this topic more thoroughly. I also hope no other christians find your article.
There is a time and a place for getting the help we need from doctors, nurses, and pharmacists. However, I disagree with you when it comes to depression and suicidal thoughts. Jesus has the power to heal anyone with these types of thoughts who believes in Him. He will relieve this type of sadness and grief from anyone’s heart who puts there faith in Him alone. He is our healer and I’ve also seen people like this be instantly healed in the name of Jesus. Anyhow, getting an Elder or strong Christian involved to pray over the person in this type of condition and other things is very important. God bless you.
James 5:13-16 (KJV)
13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.
14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.