What helps the most getting through your depressive times?

[Jeshu]

As someone who goes manic from anti-depressants i found that building good life with Jesus helps me most dealing with my depression.

What helps you most getting through your down days?

 

[Heavenhome]

Remembering it is not always going to be like this.

Revelation 21:4 is what I cling to.

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no note death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things have passed away.

I have suffered depression for 40+ years and though I don't like it I would rather have it, (because it really keeps me close to God) than be free of it and live a self sufficient life. If that makes sense.
I sometimes wonder if I'm like this because, maybe if I wasn't I would be more reliant on "self". Regardless, I trust God that how I am is how He has allowed me to be, in His wisdom and I truly believe that no one can snatch me out of His hand.

When I do have bad days, I know if I can ride them out it WILL pass.
Sometimes if I can't read my Bible, I listen to it on CD and I listen to " Scripture songs for Worship" ( its free online or YouTube) These are portions of Scripture set to song with soft accompaniment. They are in KJV or NKJV.
They have helped immensely to memorise Scripture, and are absolutely beautiful.

 

[mlepfitjw]

Hello jeshu, good question.

Trying to be thankful for moments that you really enjoyed rather than the negative imperfections that you brain might tell you. You are not loved, No one cares about you, You are not good enough, (thinking) About other peoples judgement toward you (those judgements do not matter as much as you think they might), reading scripture helps, being thankful and praying for others.

You can also write down some scripture in a composition note book and have them handy if you have a moment on breaks to read them.

Try to get your eyes not focused on earth, but on heavenly things instead.

Sometimes, anger or depression rises up in my own life because my natural form likes to rebel against others, and depression desires me to isolate myself from others.

Being open and honest with others about things you are going through can also help lighten up your spirit and burdens because some people will help bear our own burdens, and listen to you.

God does love us, forgive us, cares about us, sees us as his children or sons and daughters of Him, desires to hear from us and that is about all that could be said here from me.

Take care.

 

[Jeshu]

Remembering it is not always going to be like this.

Revelation 21:4 is what I cling to.

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no note death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things have passed away.

I have suffered depression for 40+ years and though I don't like it I would rather have it, (because it really keeps me close to God) than be free of it and live a self sufficient life. If that makes sense.
I sometimes wonder if I'm like this because, maybe if I wasn't I would be more reliant on "self". Regardless, I trust God that how I am is how He has allowed me to be, in His wisdom and I truly believe that no one can snatch me out of His hand.

When I do have bad days, I know if I can ride them out it WILL pass.
Sometimes if I can't read my Bible, I listen to it on CD and I listen to " Scripture songs for Worship" ( its free online or YouTube) These are portions of Scripture set to song with soft accompaniment. They are in KJV or NKJV.
They have helped immensely to memorise Scripture, and are absolutely beautiful.

Yes Revelation 21:1-8 is my favourite Word as well. So full of promise.

Great hearing Jesus is your best support, and you are right, depression gives us a humble out look on life, much safer to develop a good relationship with God being humble than being self reliant.

Have a blessed day.

 

[Jeshu]

Try to get your eyes not focused on earth, but on heavenly things instead.

My dear brother i found this harder to do the last 15 months than any previous time. So much going on i don't like to see going on.

Yet you are right, keeping our eyes peeled on Jesus helps against depression.

 

[mlepfitjw]

Wonder the cause of this last 15 months, though may not be good to talk about here, if you would like to private message and talk and let me hear you out will gladly do, fixing to go to work here however and here is some scripture.

Jesus was talking to his disciples: If you go and read all of Matthew 6, in verse 5 it goes into prayer and how we should pray which a great example prayer for us to learn from. Sir you take care, and like was stated pm me and I'll gladly listen.

Treasures in Heaven
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.

20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light.

23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Do Not Worry
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?

26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.

29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.

30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?

31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’

32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

 

[Jeshu]

Thank You for that. Scripture is very best weapon against the lies of my depression. i have found it hard to keep my focus on Jesus with this world going mad. The world i grew up in has all but disappeared. Maybe it is best to bury my head in the sand so i don't see what is going on. The good news is that Jesus is coming back, i love to see that day materialise for everyone on the planet. Wouldn't that be greatest?

Have a blessed day.

 

[mlepfitjw]

Personally believe he is already here with us, but you are more than free to wait if that is your belief and desire.

We can only handle the portion of the world we are given not the entire thing at large it will laugh at you, mock you, criticize you, and offer you things that are hard to refuse. For the world only gives us the lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, and the pride of life.

I remember the Pharisees mocking and laughing at Jesus wagging their head at Jesus when he was on the cross.

Jesus Christ the Lord give us peace, joy, hope, forgiveness, mercy, kindness, gentleness, and someone we can rely on to always be with us for he lives inside of heart already.

Galatians 2:20 take care, and may you find rest and peace in the Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father.

 

[Norbert L]

But the one who endures to the end will be saved. Matthew 24:13

 

[Jeshu]

Personally believe he is already here with us, but you are more than free to wait if that is your belief and desire.

i know He has come for me as well. i see Him rule from the clouds of Heaven every day, but i want to see Him there for all people. i long for the whole world to know and serve Him. Unlike it is now this world would be at peace then.

Like it says in Psalms 22:27-28
"All the ends of the earth
will remember and turn to the Lord,
and all the families of the nations
will bow down before him,
for dominion belongs to the Lord
and he rules over the nations."

 

[mae19681995]

As someone who goes manic from anti-depressants i found that building good life with Jesus helps me most dealing with my depression.

What helps you most getting through your down days?

I have found that worship music, scripture, prayer, and cultivating a grateful attitude helps on my down days. I pray for Jesus to bring to mind all that I have to be thankful for.... the smallest of things.... like a washing machine to do laundry, also a working car that gets me to and from work, my home, etc......

 

[Jeshu]

i suppose what i really found with Jesus is that He harvests me in my good life every day. The word sows the seeds. The Father makes them grow. The angels reap in the harvest. And i'm comforted by the loving truth at work in my heart.

It has been amazing to see how much Jesus is able to help someone with a depressive illness. Faith in His love has broken me free from the negativity my depression had on me. It is awful how bad believing my negativity made my inner world to be, yet it is amazing what the loving truth of the Gospel build in its place.

A strong spirit. Able to stand up against the wicked. Getting past the dragon accuser and finding safety under the shadow of His wings, that is what relying on His loving truth did for me.

Sure my depression gets bad. sometimes it physically floors me. Yet the love of God does not leave me no more. No matter how godforsaken my reality feels, the knowledge of His love does not leave or forsake me ever. It is the truth of His word that sustains me in love.

i can even pray down there. Rock bottom, surrounded by thickest darkness, with the wicked doing their utmost to make my life hell, the truth of God's love protects and shields me from all of that.

To leave my world behind and meet up with Him, time and again, until in my all in all i live with Him in glory, is the purpose of my existence. That is why i was born, that is why all of us are born. To meet up with Him! Our Creator, who loves us so incredibly much and wants to save us from the doom our flesh, this world we live in, and satan who controls it all, have brought upon us.

That the peace of Christ dwell in you richly and bring you peace.

 

[Salvadore]

I first noticed depression when I was 9 years old. That was 60 years ago. I did not get much help until I was about 30. Made lots of bad mistakes in my life, even after becoming a Christian at age 12. I would say my life has been a mental struggle, but God has blessed me more than I deserve. On bad days, I just go through it ( if that makes sense). I was raised by a very disturbed mother. If I wrote a book about myself, you would throw it in the trash. But, I am still here. I love God with all my heart. I am not perfect. I get often confused about my salvation and I like to sleep quite a bit. Like I said, it is a struggle. We all struggle in different ways. God knows this.

 

[Jeshu]

I first noticed depression when I was 9 years old. That was 60 years ago. I did not get much help until I was about 30. Made lots of bad mistakes in my life, even after becoming a Christian at age 12. I would say my life has been a mental struggle, but God has blessed me more than I deserve. On bad days, I just go through it ( if that makes sense). I was raised by a very disturbed mother. If I wrote a book about myself, you would throw it in the trash. But, I am still here. I love God with all my heart. I am not perfect. I get often confused about my salvation and I like to sleep quite a bit. Like I said, it is a struggle. We all struggle in different ways. God knows this.

So good hearing from you. i have been afflicted by depressive bouts from my early teens, i remember, my psychotic episodes started late teens, but i did not know that that is what psychoses was. i thought it was from the devil and my depression punishment from God.

Life was hard going thinking like that.

i just survive my bad days as well, carefully watching the Word work on my spirit, making me more and more capable to survive those down times in God's loving truth. i found out that being in God's truth makes all the difference to our suffering levels. And of course depression has so much more purpose. I know how bad it is to be bereft from my good life, and how powerful God's good life fights my bad life when i keep my eyes on Jesus and not on my suffering.

i see my flesh waste away, while in my spirit i'm renewed day by day, so my depressive days are numbered, for my life with Him is all that matters in the end.

You find that?

 

[andreha]

I suffered quite intense depression up to age 5. But what always helps is the reality of God's love for each and every one of us, His children. It's such a special kind of love, that never fails. To remind oneself that a time will come when He will catch us up into Glory, and there shall be no more pain or suffering.

 

[Salvadore]

I had one psychotic break when I was 23. I still have trust issues from childhood and abandonment anxiety. I sometimes read the Bible and end up condemning myself. It is better for me to read with others. I intellectually understand God loves me but do not always feel loved. I am "different" and I accept this. I recently divorced my second husband whom I felt abused by. I am not good marriage material! I currently live in a platonic relationship with a man who is 20 years my senior . We love each other and he brings joy to my life. He says I am the love of his life. He is not in great health. I will not marry again. I realize I should not have married a second time.

 

[zoidar]

As someone who goes manic from anti-depressants i found that building good life with Jesus helps me most dealing with my depression.

What helps you most getting through your down days?

It gets quite dark here in the winter. I have found going swimming indoors and sauna always makes me feel much better. There is something with the light reflecting in the water.

 

[SANTOSO]

Beloved one, have we not heard this:

“The Lord will give strength to His people; The Lord will bless His people with peace.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭29:11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Can’t the Lord strengthen His people who were depressed? He can. If He has strengthen them with His grace! Why we should remain depressed ? So we shouldn’t remain depressed, for we are strengthened by His steadfast love.

How we are strengthened by His steadfast love ? This is what we have heard David’s cry when his spirit failed or when he was depressed:

“Answer me speedily, O Lord; My spirit fails! Do not hide Your face from me, Lest I be like those who go down into the pit.

Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, For in You do I trust;
Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭143:7-8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

How do we hear the loving kindness of the Lord ? This is what we have heard:

My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me. -Lamentations 3:20
But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: -Lamentations 3:21
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; -Lamentations 3:22
"The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him." -Lamentations 3:24
The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. -Lamentations 3:25

Beloved one, when our souls, that is, (minds/emotions/wills) remembered our depression, our souls were bowed down. So to have hope, we have to call to our minds/emotions/wills that the steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end.The LORD is our portion, therefore we will hope in Christ. Though we were depressed, we were unable to pray or sing to the Lord, but we can wait on the Lord for His steadfast love (loving kindness) and tender mercies. When we have waited on the Lord, believe that we will be strengthen to pray and sing to the Lord. For we heard:

I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry. -Psalms 40:1
He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. -Psalms 40:2
He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD. -Psalms 40:3

So from these verses, we perceive that our Lord was working in us when we waited for His steadfast love and tender mercies.

Also, consider this:
“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.”
‭‭James‬ ‭5:13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

So beloved one, when we were suffering of depression, let us pray. How we should pray? This is what we have heard:

“My soul clings to the dust;
Revive me according to Your word.
I have declared my ways, and
You answered me;
Teach me Your statutes.
Make me understand the way of Your precepts;
So shall I meditate on Your wonderful works. My soul melts from heaviness;
Strengthen me according to Your word. Remove from me the way of lying,
And grant me Your law ( of faith )graciously.
I have chosen the way of truth; Your judgments I have laid before me.
I cling to Your testimonies;
O Lord, do not put me to shame!
I will run the course of Your commandments, For You shall enlarge my heart.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119:25-32‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Beloved one, as we pray this prayer. Let us perceive how the Lord revive us. Yes, He revive us according to His word. If we seek peace, let us seek the words that Christ have spoken peace to us. Yes, let us through this prayer that He taught us how He helped us.

So beloved one, be assured that the peace of Christ blessed us with and pray over our lives and believe that we receive what we pray:

Abba,
I ask that You may give to us, the peace that Christ leave with us, the peace that He gives to us.
For I believe, that You are our Heavenly Father who gives good things to us.
Thank You, Abba, that you grant us this peace always in every way.
I believe Abba, that neither our heart will be troubled in any way nor afraid, for You are with us.
Amen.

Another thing, we shoud consider when we were depressed:

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. -2 Corinthians 9:8
As it is written, "He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." -2 Corinthians 9:9

Since God is able to make all grace abound to us, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times — can’t He make us sufficient not to be depressed at all times ? He can. How ?

What Christ has distributed freely in 2 Corinthians 9:9? What Christ has given to us who were poor spiritually? Yes, Christ has distributed His righteousness freely to us. Yes, Christ has given His righteousness to us who were poor spiritually.

Why His righteousness? so that we can obtain precious faith. For we heard:

“Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:”
‭‭II Peter‬ ‭1:1‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Why we need this precious faith ? so that we can appropriate all grace abound to us, so that we have all sufficiency in all things at all times, that we may abound in every good work.

So beloved one, when we daily submit to God’s righteousness, we obtain precious faith, that we may receive what Christ has distributed freely to us, what Christ has given to us, that is, His steadfast love, that He is able to make all grace abound to us.

For we also are affirmed with what apostle Paul have told us:
“And we have such trust through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God,”
‭‭II Corinthians‬ ‭3:4-5‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

So beloved one, what helped me through my down days, I believed in my heart that His words revived me and spoke with my mouth that His words saved me.

I held fast to what He has taught me, the faith and love that is in Christ Jesus. I held fast that good things that were committed to me and kept by the Holy Spirit who dwell in me.

To God be glory and thanksgiving through Christ Jesus. Amen.

 

[Jeshu]

So beloved one, what helped me through my down days, I believed in my heart that His words revived me and spoke with my mouth that His words saved me.

Thank you brother sharing so many good truths with me. i agree knowing Jesus is awesome when depressed. His loving truth has made me stronger than my depressive bouts can bring to bear. No one is as good as Jesus in helping those fight the darkness.

i was rather disappointed at first that Jesus wouldn't heal my depressive illness, but i have learned to appreciate His work in my life down the dumps.

In my weakness He is strongest and that is all that counts. For i don't want myself in my weakness for eternity but i know in Him i'm not weak at all but very strong.

Thanking Jesus for His good life, His word is sure coming true.

Isaiah 65:17-25
“See, I will create
new heavens and a new earth.
The former things will not be remembered,
nor will they come to mind.
But be glad and rejoice forever
in what I will create,
for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight
and its people a joy.
I will rejoice over Jerusalem
and take delight in my people;
the sound of weeping and of crying
will be heard in it no more.
“Never again will there be in it
an infant who lives but a few days,
or an old man who does not live out his years;
the one who dies at a hundred
will be thought a mere child;
the one who fails to reach a hundred
will be considered accursed.
They will build houses and dwell in them;
they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
No longer will they build houses and others live in them,
or plant and others eat.
For as the days of a tree,
so will be the days of my people;
my chosen ones will long enjoy
the work of their hands.
They will not labor in vain,
nor will they bear children doomed to misfortune;
for they will be a people blessed by the Lord,
they and their descendants with them.
Before they call I will answer;
while they are still speaking I will hear.
The wolf and the lamb will feed together,
and the lion will eat straw like the ox,
and dust will be the serpent’s food.
They will neither harm nor destroy
on all my holy mountain,”
says the Lord.

 

[SANTOSO]

Thank you brother sharing so many good truths with me. i agree knowing Jesus is awesome when depressed. His loving truth has made me stronger than my depressive bouts can bring to bear. No one is as good as Jesus in helping those fight the darkness.

i was rather disappointed at first that Jesus wouldn't heal my depressive illness, but i have learned to appreciate His work in my life down the dumps.

In my weakness He is strongest and that is all that counts. For i don't want myself in my weakness for eternity but i know in Him i'm not weak at all but very strong.

Thanking Jesus for His good life, His word is sure coming true.

Isaiah 65:17-25
“See, I will create
new heavens and a new earth.
The former things will not be remembered,
nor will they come to mind.
But be glad and rejoice forever
in what I will create,
for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight
and its people a joy.
I will rejoice over Jerusalem
and take delight in my people;
the sound of weeping and of crying
will be heard in it no more.
“Never again will there be in it
an infant who lives but a few days,
or an old man who does not live out his years;
the one who dies at a hundred
will be thought a mere child;
the one who fails to reach a hundred
will be considered accursed.
They will build houses and dwell in them;
they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
No longer will they build houses and others live in them,
or plant and others eat.
For as the days of a tree,
so will be the days of my people;
my chosen ones will long enjoy
the work of their hands.
They will not labor in vain,
nor will they bear children doomed to misfortune;
for they will be a people blessed by the Lord,
they and their descendants with them.
Before they call I will answer;
while they are still speaking I will hear.
The wolf and the lamb will feed together,
and the lion will eat straw like the ox,
and dust will be the serpent’s food.
They will neither harm nor destroy
on all my holy mountain,”
says the Lord.

Beloved one, I was once depressed and Christ rescued me. I was once who were depressed so much that I can’t lift a prayer to God and sing to Christ but since then I perceived He worked in me and strengthen me in my prayer life and grant me His strength to praise His name.

Beloved one, this I perceive that Satan, our Adversary like us to perceive ourselves that we lack this and that but God has been always loving us, that God supplies through Christ, always more than enough. So we should believe that God supplies us this and that.

Much time, we didn’t perceive God supplies because we have not committed ourselves to do what He told us to do. This I perceive God equipped us as we gave ourselves to the works of God. Not that we are equipped before we gave ourselves to the works of God.

So beloved one, held fast to the words that Christ have spoken and the words that the Holy Spirit have spoken through His holy apostles and prophets — when we stand in this ground, we stand in the heart of our Lord Jesus Christ — we stand in His steadfast love — we stand steadfast in the faith. Believe beloved one, that we are standing in the presence of God — we are standing in the presence of the Spirit of His word. For we heard John the Bapatist testified:

For He whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. -John 3:34

Since Christ whom God has sent utters the words of God, for He ( God the Father ) gives the Spirit without measure.

So as we whom Christ has sent utters the words of God, for He ( Christ ) gives the Spirit without measure.

So beloved one, we whom Christ loved,
Christ gives us the Spirit without measure.

So beloved one, indeed, God supplies His Spirit to strengthen us without measure.

This is affirmation that we heard:
that according to the riches of his glory He ( God the Father ) may grant you to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being, -Ephesians 3:16
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith'that you, being rooted and grounded in love, -Ephesians 3:17

So beloved one, perceive God supplies in His holy words in the Holy Scriptures.

For where is God ? Are not God in His Holy words that He has spoken ? For where God’s presence that strengthen ? Is He presence not in His Holy words that He has spoken ?
beloved one, perceive God’s abundant supplies of His goodness and His wonderful works that He has spoken. For that our Lord have said, that will stand.

So beloved one, finally stand strengthen in the Lord.

To God be glory and thanksgiving through Christ Jesus. Amen.