• The General Mental Health Forum is now a Read Only Forum. As we had two large areas making it difficult for many to find, we decided to combine the Mental Health & the Recovery sections of the forum into Mental Health & Recovery as a whole. Physical Health still remains as it's own area within the entire Recovery area.

    If you are having struggles, need support in a particular area that you aren't finding a specific recovery area forum, you may find the General Struggles forum a great place to post. Any any that is related to emotions, self-esteem, insomnia, anger, relationship dynamics due to mental health and recovery and other issues that don't fit better in another forum would be examples of topics that might go there.

    If you have spiritual issues related to a mental health and recovery issue, please use the Recovery Related Spiritual Advice forum. This forum is designed to be like Christian Advice, only for recovery type of issues. Recovery being like a family in many ways, allows us to support one another together. May you be blessed today and each day.

    Kristen.NewCreation and FreeinChrist

  • Starting today August 7th, 2024, in order to post in the Married Couples, Courting Couples, or Singles forums, you will not be allowed to post if you have your Marital status designated as private. Announcements will be made in the respective forums as well but please note that if yours is currently listed as Private, you will need to submit a ticket in the Support Area to have yours changed.

  • CF has always been a site that welcomes people from different backgrounds and beliefs to participate in discussion and even debate. That is the nature of its ministry. In view of recent events emotions are running very high. We need to remind people of some basic principles in debating on this site. We need to be civil when we express differences in opinion. No personal attacks. Avoid you, your statements. Don't characterize an entire political party with comparisons to Fascism or Communism or other extreme movements that committed atrocities. CF is not the place for broad brush or blanket statements about groups and political parties. Put the broad brushes and blankets away when you come to CF, better yet, put them in the incinerator. Debate had no place for them. We need to remember that people that commit acts of violence represent themselves or a small extreme faction.
  • We hope the site problems here are now solved, however, if you still have any issues, please start a ticket in Contact Us

Depression Tips and Scripture, too

RuthD

blah blah blah
Site Supporter
Jul 2, 2006
90,798
20,531
Earth
✟236,532.00
Country
United States
Gender
Female
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Others
I started a thread like this when I first came to CF. Anyone who wants to can post the things that helped them when they were depressed bad or things that help you now when you are depressed.
I will start.


1. I have a routine every day, just a simple one. I get up, have coffee, wash my face and brush my teeth. Having a routine is helpful for me so I feel like a part of the world again.

2. I practice self talk when I am belittling myself I tell myself I am a good person no matter how bad I put myself down. I keep doing this and it seems to work for my bad thoughts. I also tell myself that my bad thoughts are from my illnesses, OCD gives me crazy thoughts and I recognize that now. Then I just try to let go by doing something else like washing the dishes, etc.

Anyone have any depression tips? Scripture would be very good for this thread too.
 

RuthD

blah blah blah
Site Supporter
Jul 2, 2006
90,798
20,531
Earth
✟236,532.00
Country
United States
Gender
Female
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Others
Colossians 1:11-14 “May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
 
Upvote 0

SplendidTree

Legend
Aug 8, 2009
28,377
1,901
✟68,000.00
Faith
Lutheran
Marital Status
Private
Upvote 0

RuthD

blah blah blah
Site Supporter
Jul 2, 2006
90,798
20,531
Earth
✟236,532.00
Country
United States
Gender
Female
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Others
Thank you! I got out today, too. It was a really nice day.
 
Upvote 0

RuthD

blah blah blah
Site Supporter
Jul 2, 2006
90,798
20,531
Earth
✟236,532.00
Country
United States
Gender
Female
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Others
Ten Tips for Overcoming Depression

by Karl Perera
I know you came here looking for depression tips and help that you can use to feel happier. So I've put together my best tips for you...
Some of these tips are physical and about your health. Some are mental and concern your mind and your thinking. All this advice you can put in pratice today..

So here we go, my top ten tips for beating depression (they are all equally important):
  1. Fresh Air. Open the windows in your house and breath in fresh air. Go for a walk and enjoy the benefits that a fresh supply of oxygen has on your brain. Just getting outdoors will relax you and melt away your stress. Your negative thinking will disappear and you'll feel happier.
  2. Exercise. This follows on from the previous tip. Exercise will help you to forget your worries and will help you feel more positive. Your energy will increase and you'll feel ready to face the world with a new happier attitude. Exercise also helps to make you look better and will boost your confidence. Just try exercising and being negative - you can't!
The rest of the 10 tips:

http://www.depression-helper.com/ten_top_depression_tips.htm
 
Upvote 0

RuthD

blah blah blah
Site Supporter
Jul 2, 2006
90,798
20,531
Earth
✟236,532.00
Country
United States
Gender
Female
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Others
For whatever was written was given to us for our learning, that through patience and comfort of the scriptures we might have hope. (Romans 15:4)
For the word of God is living and powerful! It is sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the dividing of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105)
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0

RuthD

blah blah blah
Site Supporter
Jul 2, 2006
90,798
20,531
Earth
✟236,532.00
Country
United States
Gender
Female
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Others
  • God knows me by name.
"But now, God's Message, the God who made you in the first place, Jacob, the One who got you started, Israel: 'Don't be afraid, I've redeemed you. I've called your name. You're mine. When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you. When you're in rough waters, you will not go down. When you're between a rock and a hard place, it won't be a dead end—Because I am God, your personal God, The Holy of Israel, your Savior. I paid a huge price for you . . . that's how much you mean to me! That's how much I love you! I'd sell off the whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you. ' " Isaiah 43:1-4 (The Message)
  • God cares when I am hurting.
"The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all." Psalm 34:17-19 KJV

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are- yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:15-16 KJV
  • God will not scold me when I feel depressed.
"A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering (dimly burning) wick he will not snuff out." Isaiah 42:3
  • God has not forgotten me.
"But said, 'The Lord has forsake me, the Lord has forgotten me.' Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me." Isaiah 49:14-15

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6
  • God wants me to tell Him what I am troubled about- honestly.
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30
"Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the ends of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy." Psalm 61:1-3

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Psalm 139:23,24
  • God is big enough, wise enough, and strong enough to care for me.
"The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." Deuteronomy 33:27

"But now, this is what the Lord says- he who created you, your name, he who formed you O, your name; Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 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." Isaiah 43:1-2
  • I won't give up.
"So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded." Hebrews 10:35
" . . .there is hope for a tree: if it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its new shoots will not fail. Its roots may grow old in the ground and its stump die in the soil. yet at the scent of water it will bud and put forth shoots like a plant." Job 14:7-9

"Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:18,19
  • For everything I go through, there is a purpose. God is a Redeemer God- he can bring good out of anything if I commit it to Him.
"Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. He humbled you, causing you to hunger and feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord." Deuteronomy 8:2-3
" . . .to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified." Isaiah 61:3
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." James 2:1-5
"Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her. There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the Valley of Achor (trouble) a door of hope." Hosea 2:14,15

" . . .who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the suffering of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows." II Corinthians 1:4-5
  • I will not always understand what is happening to me.
"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than you ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:9
"Not my will, but thine be done." Luke 22:42, KJV
"The 11th chapter of Hebrews bears relevance to believers who have gone through great sorrow and suffering. Described in that chapter are the men and women who persevered in hardship and danger for the sake of the Cross. Some were tortured, imprisoned, flogged, stoned, sawed in two and put to death by the sword. They were destitute, mistreated, persecuted and inadequately clothed. They wandered in deserts, in mountains, in caves and in holes in the ground. It is most important to understand that 'they died not receiving what they had been promised.' In other words, they held onto their faith to the point of death, even though God had not explained what He was doing." Hebrews 11:35-40 Dr. James Dobson


  • Making proper choices are essential- little things matter.
"This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live." Deuteronomy 30:19,20
  • I need others for encouragement and accountability.
"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
  • One day all suffering will be over - that gives me hope.
"Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, and there shall be nor more pain, for the former things have passed away." Revelation 21:3-4, KJV
"They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe every tear from their eyes." Revelation 7:16-17, KJV


  • His word can be depended on.
"For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope." Romans 15:4

When I am grieving, I know this to be true: I can depend upon God. His word is true. He will walk with me on my journey. He will never leave me. He will never forsake me. He will lead me into truth.
  • His word will strengthen me as I feed upon it.
"My soul is weary with sorrow, strengthen me according to your word." Psalm 119: 28
  • If I listen, He will sing to me.
"When I call thee to mind upon my bed and think on Thee in the watches of the night, remembering how thou hast been my help and that I am safe in the shadow of thy wings, then I humbly follow thee with all my heart." Psalm 63:6-8 New English Bible
"We went through fire and water; but you brought us out to fulfillment." Psalm 66:12 TLB
"The Lord will command His loving kindness in the daytime; And His song will be with me in the night, A prayer to the God of my life." Psalm 42:8


 
Upvote 0

RuthD

blah blah blah
Site Supporter
Jul 2, 2006
90,798
20,531
Earth
✟236,532.00
Country
United States
Gender
Female
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Others
10 Steps for Transforming Negative Thoughts into Positive Beliefs
By Alex Blackwell on Nov 13, 2008

We can always choose to perceive things differently. You can focus on what’s wrong in your life or you can focus on what’s right. – Marianne Williamson

We have the ability to create our own reality. For the most part, we can look at a situation and see the good or we can look at the same situation and choose to see the bad. Often times the lens we use to view what’s happening is filtered by our thoughts.
Positive thoughts create more positive circumstances. Alternatively, negative thoughts contribute to feelings of dissatisfaction and disappointment. Therefore, changing our negative thoughts is essential to achieve happiness and peace.
The following are the most common negative thinking behaviors. Becoming aware of these is essential to transforming negative thoughts into positive beliefs.
The ten steps...http://www.thebridgemaker.com/10-steps-for-transforming-negative-thoughts-into-positive-beliefs/
 
Upvote 0

Krissy Cakes

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Aug 5, 2008
17,533
1,617
34
Idaho
✟118,293.00
Country
United States
Gender
Female
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Scriptures Against Depression:


Deuteronomy 31:8 – The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.

Deuteronomy 33:27 – The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.

2 Samuel 22:17-22 – He sent from above, he took me; he drew me out of many waters; (18) He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them that hated me: for they were too strong for me. (19) They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the Lord was my stay. (20) He brought me forth also into a large place: he delivered me, because he delighted in me. (21) The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me. (22) For I have kept the ways of the Lord, and have not wickedly departed from my God.

2 Samuel 22:29 – You are my lamp O Lord; the Lord turns my darkness into light.

Ecclesiastes 9:4 – Anyone who is among the living has hope.

Psalms 9:9 – The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.

Psalm 27:14 - Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Psalm 31:22,24 – You heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help… Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.

Psalm 34:18, 19 – The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (19) A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.

Psalm 37:23-24 – If the Lord delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumbles, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.

Psalm 43:5 – Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God.

Psalm 55:22 – Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.

Psalm 62:5 – Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.

Psalm 126:5 – Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.

Psalm 143:7-8 – Answer me quickly, O Lord; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit. Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I’ll lift up my soul.

Psalm 147:3 – He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Psalm 145:14 – The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.

Proverbs 12:25 – Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down (depression), but a good word cheers it up.

Isaiah 26:3-4, Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusts in Thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength. (Perfect means complete. If I keep my part of the promise by staying steadfastly focused on the Lord Jesus Christ, He will keep His promise to give me His perfect peace. See also Philippians 4:6-7 below)

Isaiah 35:10 – And the ransomed of the Lord will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away

Isaiah 40:31, But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Isaiah 53:4 – Surely he took up our sicknesses and carried our sorrows.

Mark 9:23 – Everything is possible for him who believes.

Romans 4:18-22 – Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, so shall they seed be. (19) And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb: (20) He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God. (21) And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able to perform. (22) And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

Romans 15:13 – May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

II Corinthians 7:6-7 – Nevertheless God, that comforts, those that are depressed, comforted us by the coming of Titus; (7) And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.

Philippians 4:6-7 – Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

James 4:8 – Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

James 4:10 – Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

2 Peter 2:9 – The Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials.

1 Peter 4:12 – Dear Friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.

1 Peter 4:13 – But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed

1 Peter 5:7 – Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
 
Upvote 0