How to Conquer Depression

Without question, the most popular page on this blog is “How to Conquer Depression,” a book excerpt you will find in the materials section of this blog. Almost every day someone clicks on that page. That tells me that a lot of people may look like they are doing okay, but on the inside, they hurt and may even be desperate. If you are one, I want to encourage you today with the best solution I know. That is to understand and trust God loves you and will willingly show you His lovingkindness… the special little unexpected things God does for us because He loves us.

You may feel like there’s no point praying for God’s favor, because you know you don’t deserve it. Why should He cause an unexpected word of encouragement from a friend you haven’t seen in a long time? Why should He provide something you really needed today? Why should He draw your attention to a song or book that turns out to be a breath of fresh air at the right time? Well, He does it because He delights in doing those things, and especially to those who expect Him to. And that’s not just wishful thinking on my part. You can be bold and ask God to show you kindnesses even when you feel like pond scum. Pray something like this… “Lord, I don’t know why you would show me a favor of kindness today, but it would preserve me another day if you would just show me your love in some way.”

Does that sound weak to you? Good. Because we are weak. David was weak, too. Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me. Psalms 40:11

But I don’t want to completely dismiss the undeserving feeling you might have. If you’re thinking, “If only you knew,” it might be that there is some sin you are involved in that you know is wrong, but you do it anyway.

You know what you need to do. You need to confess and forsake that sin. It’s called repenting. Admit it to God, ask for forgiveness. Come to terms with Him. Ask Him to help you stop it. Cast yourself on Him.

Whatever you’ve done, someone else has done it too and gotten victory through confessing and turning to God. Remember David’s sin with Bathsheba? He went a little while without repenting. He was miserable. Maybe you are too. But finally God sent someone to confront him about his sin. He confessed to God. It may be time for you to do the same. Then pray this with David: Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Ps. 51:1

The lovingkindness you might receive today is forgiveness, which will certainly bring relief as you restore your relationship with God.

Now, if you are all confessed up and you know you’ve put your heart in God’s hands, determine to stay in fellowship—with His help. Here’s a prayer for you. Quicken (enliven) me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth. Psalms 119:88