*I posted this under the anxiety/panic disorder section as well.*
I just finished reading a few threads posted by people who deal with anxiety and depression. I want to take the time to tell you my story and how the Lord delivered me from the darkness that surrounded me. I gave my life to the Lord on November 5th 2000. Not more than a week or two after I made the decision to live for him I was completely overwhelmed, or what I felt was overwhelmed, with a darkness that I had never felt before. It was a suffocating spirit of fear and depression. There were times when I thought I was on the edge of loosing my mind. Ive never had to fight so hard in my life to stay afloat. It was the most intense spiritual battle ive ever been invloved in. These feelings of anxiety, fear, depression, hopelessness, ect consumed all my energy every single day. I remember spending hours and hours every day reading and praying and meditating on the word of God. I started attending 2 different churches. I went to bible studies, seminars, sermons several times during the week. I had prayer partners. I read book after book on spiritual warfare and psychology. I new exactly what I was dealing with, and there was nothing I wanted more in the world than to be free. To have peace of mind, to feel joy, to have hope again. Although I did have hope. The hope that the word of God was the truth. I decided to believe, no matter what doubtful thought crept into my mind. I refused not to believe. I told myself day after day that I was now a child of Christ and I had an identity in Him. I made a list of all His promises that applied to me. All of the scriptures that my identity lay in. Real quickly I want to give you a few that helped me. Some of my favorites
2 Timothy 1:7 "For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind." This anxiety, this depression, this fear that your feeling is not of God. And since your His child it does not have any place in your life. Its no longer part of your identity. I would encourage you to declare that. To say it right now. The second half of that scripture tells you what the Lord HAS given you. And that is a spirit of power and love and a sound mind. We all know that perfect love casts out all fear. And anxiety and depression and all things related to them are rooted in a spirit of fear. So since God has given you His perfect love and this scripture, His written word, His promise to you, clearly states that He has given you a spirit of love, fear and depression and anxiety and worry and all of the worldly demonic spirits that would oppress you, HAVE NO RIGHT to you anymore! So then declare it, say it, speak it over yourself. God has also given you a spirit of POWER! These things need not torment you or oppress you anymore. Tell them to beat it, scram, hit the road. Your a son or a daughter of the most high God and your identity lies in the promises that the Lord has given to you. I know ive kinda got off track. lol I have a tendency to do that sometimes. So that is just one verse. Here are a few more. Philippians 4:6-8 "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 understanding, will gaurd your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy- meditate on these things". Do you know what the peace of God is? A peace that surpasses all understanding? It is a peace that no matter what you could possibly be experiencing, this peace surpasses what your mind can comprehend. For example, if you were being burned alive, your mind would be registering all of the excruciating pain you would be feeling. Now the peace of God goes beyond that. That peace, that complete contentment, that ultimate feeling of calmness and tranquility exceeds any possible experience you could be going through. This may sound odd, but anytime I feel stressed out or worried I start thanking God for everything He has blessed me with. Its the stangest thing in the world but when I start doing that my worries fade and my stress subsides. I havent come to any conclusion or any resolution with the things im dealing with at hand but when I give thanks like that this peace, the peace of God, comes over me and helps me deal with my circumstances. The second half, Phillipians 4:8 Paul lists a few things to meditate on, to think about, to dwell on, that are benifical to the well being of your mind and spirit. If your constantly filling your head with negative thoughts and worldly concepts thats whats going to rule your mind. Garbage in, garbage out. I read a great book on that very principle. Its by Casey Treat, its called "Renewing the Mind". Its a little dry but still a very good read. Ok, last scripture. 1 Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." Now its very important that you understand what Paul was talking about when he said "temptation". In greek it translates into enticement towards evil and/or testing in general, including various kinds of trials. So what that scripture is saying is that God will not allow you to bear more than you can endure. I used to cling to this verse when I was going though that trying time in my life. When I felt like I was surrounded by darkness I used to tell myself again and again that God will not abandon me and He will not allow me to bear more than I can handle. And if He was faithful to me, He will be to you aswell. So let me conclude my story. This fear and anxiety and depression lasted for around 3 months. It all ended one day. I went to a Cleansing Streams seminar one weekend. I wasnt actually suposed to be able to go to the weekend retreat because I hadnt attended previous functions but somehow God made a way for me. During this seminar you are given the opportunity to recieve prayer for different concerns and over different areas of your life. I went and asked for prayer for the fear and anxiety and depression I had been consumed by for the past few months. When I walked into the building I completely surrendered everything to the Lord. I told Him I felt completely hopeless, I was at the end of my rope, if He didnt deliver me then I couldnt see when it would happen. I said, "Jesus, im begging you from the bottem of my heart, please deliver me from this oppression ive been under!" And then I said, "I beleive that you will, because of your promises to me. Because of my identity in you. Because of what your Word says. I will be free today." I said that, with all hope. I put as much faith behind that as I could. Did I have doubts? Was I worried, "Well what if?" Yes but I refused to think about it. When I was prayed over it was by a tiny little lady that was no more than 5'4" 110lbs. I didnt fall down, and start shaking or anything like that. I was bawling like a little baby though. lol And im a pretty big guy. It was quite a site, im sure. But I walked away a free man. When I walked out of those doors, the darkness had completely lifted. I was happy, I was at peace. I think that was the single most faith defining event of my life. I have no doubts anymore. No one can convince me otherwise. The word of God is the absolute truth and He is faithful to fulfill His promises. He will deliver you. His word is the most real thing in this universe. Everything else will come and go. His word, you can bank on it. I hope this testimony helps and encourages people. If it only helps one person then it was worth my 2 1/2 hours typing it. The Lord loves you, He wants you to be totally free. The best piece of advice I can give you is to fill your mind with His promises to you and His word. Declare the truth over your life and rebuke the lies that the enemy would have you beleive. And then GO GET PRAYER from others. In person, have the elders of your church lay hands on you and pray with you. God will be faithful to deliver you. I pray that you are encouraged and exhorted. -Ryan
I just finished reading a few threads posted by people who deal with anxiety and depression. I want to take the time to tell you my story and how the Lord delivered me from the darkness that surrounded me. I gave my life to the Lord on November 5th 2000. Not more than a week or two after I made the decision to live for him I was completely overwhelmed, or what I felt was overwhelmed, with a darkness that I had never felt before. It was a suffocating spirit of fear and depression. There were times when I thought I was on the edge of loosing my mind. Ive never had to fight so hard in my life to stay afloat. It was the most intense spiritual battle ive ever been invloved in. These feelings of anxiety, fear, depression, hopelessness, ect consumed all my energy every single day. I remember spending hours and hours every day reading and praying and meditating on the word of God. I started attending 2 different churches. I went to bible studies, seminars, sermons several times during the week. I had prayer partners. I read book after book on spiritual warfare and psychology. I new exactly what I was dealing with, and there was nothing I wanted more in the world than to be free. To have peace of mind, to feel joy, to have hope again. Although I did have hope. The hope that the word of God was the truth. I decided to believe, no matter what doubtful thought crept into my mind. I refused not to believe. I told myself day after day that I was now a child of Christ and I had an identity in Him. I made a list of all His promises that applied to me. All of the scriptures that my identity lay in. Real quickly I want to give you a few that helped me. Some of my favorites
2 Timothy 1:7 "For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind." This anxiety, this depression, this fear that your feeling is not of God. And since your His child it does not have any place in your life. Its no longer part of your identity. I would encourage you to declare that. To say it right now. The second half of that scripture tells you what the Lord HAS given you. And that is a spirit of power and love and a sound mind. We all know that perfect love casts out all fear. And anxiety and depression and all things related to them are rooted in a spirit of fear. So since God has given you His perfect love and this scripture, His written word, His promise to you, clearly states that He has given you a spirit of love, fear and depression and anxiety and worry and all of the worldly demonic spirits that would oppress you, HAVE NO RIGHT to you anymore! So then declare it, say it, speak it over yourself. God has also given you a spirit of POWER! These things need not torment you or oppress you anymore. Tell them to beat it, scram, hit the road. Your a son or a daughter of the most high God and your identity lies in the promises that the Lord has given to you. I know ive kinda got off track. lol I have a tendency to do that sometimes. So that is just one verse. Here are a few more. Philippians 4:6-8 "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 understanding, will gaurd your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy- meditate on these things". Do you know what the peace of God is? A peace that surpasses all understanding? It is a peace that no matter what you could possibly be experiencing, this peace surpasses what your mind can comprehend. For example, if you were being burned alive, your mind would be registering all of the excruciating pain you would be feeling. Now the peace of God goes beyond that. That peace, that complete contentment, that ultimate feeling of calmness and tranquility exceeds any possible experience you could be going through. This may sound odd, but anytime I feel stressed out or worried I start thanking God for everything He has blessed me with. Its the stangest thing in the world but when I start doing that my worries fade and my stress subsides. I havent come to any conclusion or any resolution with the things im dealing with at hand but when I give thanks like that this peace, the peace of God, comes over me and helps me deal with my circumstances. The second half, Phillipians 4:8 Paul lists a few things to meditate on, to think about, to dwell on, that are benifical to the well being of your mind and spirit. If your constantly filling your head with negative thoughts and worldly concepts thats whats going to rule your mind. Garbage in, garbage out. I read a great book on that very principle. Its by Casey Treat, its called "Renewing the Mind". Its a little dry but still a very good read. Ok, last scripture. 1 Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." Now its very important that you understand what Paul was talking about when he said "temptation". In greek it translates into enticement towards evil and/or testing in general, including various kinds of trials. So what that scripture is saying is that God will not allow you to bear more than you can endure. I used to cling to this verse when I was going though that trying time in my life. When I felt like I was surrounded by darkness I used to tell myself again and again that God will not abandon me and He will not allow me to bear more than I can handle. And if He was faithful to me, He will be to you aswell. So let me conclude my story. This fear and anxiety and depression lasted for around 3 months. It all ended one day. I went to a Cleansing Streams seminar one weekend. I wasnt actually suposed to be able to go to the weekend retreat because I hadnt attended previous functions but somehow God made a way for me. During this seminar you are given the opportunity to recieve prayer for different concerns and over different areas of your life. I went and asked for prayer for the fear and anxiety and depression I had been consumed by for the past few months. When I walked into the building I completely surrendered everything to the Lord. I told Him I felt completely hopeless, I was at the end of my rope, if He didnt deliver me then I couldnt see when it would happen. I said, "Jesus, im begging you from the bottem of my heart, please deliver me from this oppression ive been under!" And then I said, "I beleive that you will, because of your promises to me. Because of my identity in you. Because of what your Word says. I will be free today." I said that, with all hope. I put as much faith behind that as I could. Did I have doubts? Was I worried, "Well what if?" Yes but I refused to think about it. When I was prayed over it was by a tiny little lady that was no more than 5'4" 110lbs. I didnt fall down, and start shaking or anything like that. I was bawling like a little baby though. lol And im a pretty big guy. It was quite a site, im sure. But I walked away a free man. When I walked out of those doors, the darkness had completely lifted. I was happy, I was at peace. I think that was the single most faith defining event of my life. I have no doubts anymore. No one can convince me otherwise. The word of God is the absolute truth and He is faithful to fulfill His promises. He will deliver you. His word is the most real thing in this universe. Everything else will come and go. His word, you can bank on it. I hope this testimony helps and encourages people. If it only helps one person then it was worth my 2 1/2 hours typing it. The Lord loves you, He wants you to be totally free. The best piece of advice I can give you is to fill your mind with His promises to you and His word. Declare the truth over your life and rebuke the lies that the enemy would have you beleive. And then GO GET PRAYER from others. In person, have the elders of your church lay hands on you and pray with you. God will be faithful to deliver you. I pray that you are encouraged and exhorted. -Ryan
