HOW DO WE FIGHT DEPRESSION?
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Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28
Have you ever considered how hard the oxen or the Clydes-Dale horse works? How they pull, move and heave equipment, wagons, sleds, and millstones? Do we ever consider the stress of the job they perform, the exhausting time they put in? Yet as humans, when we work hard, and the stresses of life get to us, we try to look for answers that really have no solutions at all in the world.
I knew a man who struggled every day in his life. He looked for an answer in the areas that were not present in this world. He became depressed, and withdrawn from people and form himself.
It is the same when we try to look for answers outside of our Lord Christ Jesus.
Where does depression come from?
Doctors have discovered that a good percentage of people suffer from clinical depression, often caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain.
Bi-Polar which is a term for extreme mood swings, will one day be happy and the next minute depressed.
There are people who are light sensitive. They are really happy on sunny days, but on cloudy overcast days, they are just really down and out.
But there is another way depression can hit us and that is through NOT doing the will of God, and in following the worldly pleasures of the fleshly life.
Jesus told us: "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)
Like the oxen or Clydes-Dale horse, who return to their master for rest, refreshment, food, and love after a hard day's work, Jesus wants us to come unto Him, to seek Him and He will give us rest.
When our burdens of this life become so strong and we have no place to turn, or so we think, Jesus is right there for us.
Let's look at the rest of this passage. Matthew 11:29-30 tells us: "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." Burden, also meaning load.
When we stand outside the will of God and begin to live in sin and the fleshly or natural man, he likes to take control. The load of cares takes over and they become too much for us to carry.
In Jeremiah 31:25 we find: "For I have satiated the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul."
But, I'm seeking peace?
We all try to find peace when we are feeling down.
Peace from the world doesn't work. In fact, it only adds to it. I'd like to share with you a time when I was a young Marine. I remember talking to a Navy Corpsman in Okinawa, Japan. He was into yoga. I saw him in his room one say standing on his head. I asked him what does that accomplish. He said it helped him relax and to find peace. I never understood how drowning your brain brought inner peace. The only thing I could see it doing was giving you one heck of a head rush.
In John 14:27 Jesus tells us: "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
Peace we can achieve through or Lord and Saviour Christ Jesus. He gives us an inner peace, and that is by us doing the will of God and following His Commandments. Don't let the doctrine of man or doctrines of the world pull you away from the true focus on our Lord who can give you rest.
James 1:22 says: "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves."
You see, when we do the Word, when we put our faith into action, the depression is blown away like dust in the wind. Like the faith of the ox or the horse that goes to the master in the time of need.
Many in the world say, "I'm afraid that the depression won't go away." We can't hang onto the silliness, because it does drag a person down.
James 1:21 tell us that: "Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls." Remember that sin feels good to the flesh. It may feel good for a minute, but it always leaves you empty inside, which leaves a door open for depression!
In 2 Timothy 1:7 we find: "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
We have victory through Christ Jesus. He has given us tools that we may withstand anything that comes against us, such as depression.
When we stay in line with our Lord we are able to stand in the tower of His righteousness and love, just like the ox and horse, are able to stay out of the wind and rain for the master has built them a stable to live in, to be safe in.
In 1 John 1:9 we are told that: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
When we run unto Him and confess our sins, He brings us in and comforts us and gives us that peace. "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)
Is depression overcoming you today? Are you depending upon the world to relieve your worries and stresses? Come and run into the power of His Righteousness and seek His Love, Power, and Strength. Give it to the Lord today. Confess all unrighteousness that hinders you today that you may be cleansed. Just as the ox or horse is washed, the Lord washes the dirt of the flesh away from us. Come now and receive rest for your soul.
(c) 1998 by Pastor Aaron D. Lint
