A Prayer When it Feels Like Depression Is Getting the Best of You
By Vivian Bricker
Bible Reading:
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” - Psalm 34:18
Read or Listen Below:
I have struggled with depression since I was a teenager; however, I was not diagnosed until I was in college. The first symptoms I started noticing were feeling down all the time, struggling with motivation, wanting to spend time by myself, and the desire to disappear from the world. I felt everyone hated me, and this led me to slip into deeper depression. It wasn't until my twenties that I started reaching out to a therapist and working through some of these issues.
My primary care doctor prescribed antidepressants, while my therapist prescribed working through traumatic memories. Depression is a difficult thing because there is not a cure. You can take antidepressants and attend therapy, but still gradually get worse. In other words, depression is not a one-size-fits-all type of illness. Different people experience depression in various ways. Some people cry a lot, while others constantly make others laugh. This is why we need to pay attention to our own actions as well as to the actions of others.
Through therapy, I learned that making other people laugh and telling jokes was my way of coping. I had never known this before, yet once she pointed this out, I realized she was right. To cover up my own pain, I would bring laughter to others. In this way, I could help them not feel the same pain I feel. Even today, when something traumatic happens to me, I can turn it into something to make others laugh. While I cannot fully explain it, it is a self-made coping method. Extinguishing and replacing the terrifying with laughter helps me push on through the years.
Depression might be the same for you, or you could cope with it differently. As long as it is a healthy coping mechanism, such as expressing yourself in art, talking with a friend, or seeking out therapy, it is excellent. However, we need to be careful about coping in unhealthy ways. At times, depression can try to cause us to cope in unhealthy ways, but the Lord can help us stay on track and do things that are healthy for our bodies in the long run. In addition to doing what we can to help our situation, we must also turn to the Lord. Jesus loves us, even if our depression tells us otherwise. When my depression is getting the best of me, it convinces me that Jesus doesn’t love me. This is a complex issue, yet it is something that the depression feeds off. If you also struggle with this, know that the Lord does love you (John 15:9).
The Bible tells us this vital truth: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18). Those of us who struggle with depression are the brokenhearted and those who are crushed in spirit. This passage tells us that the Lord is close to us as we go through intense periods of depression. He will never leave us, nor will He cause us to walk through this season alone. He takes us by hand and tells us to find comfort in Him. He is close to you: hold on to this promise and reflect upon it when times are hard. The Lord will repair our broken hearts and restore our crushed spirit. By Jesus’ love, we can have brighter days and brighter futures.
We don’t have to allow depression to consume us any longer. While we will still struggle with this mood disorder, it doesn’t have to control us. By going to the Lord in prayer, resting in His love, and taking the necessary steps ourselves to prevent any nasty flare-ups, we can get through this season of depression. One day, in Heaven, we will never have to face depression again.
Let’s Pray:
Dear Jesus, depression can be overwhelming at times. There are certain times when I feel like it is my entire life. Please give me hope during these times and equip my heart with the love it needs. I know Your light is in all things, and Your grace is abundant. You are my mighty God, and I trust in Your healing, comfort, and love. Give me the strength to keep going and a heart focused on you, and I know I can face all the hard days ahead. I know I am serving You, and once I am with You in Heaven, my depression will be gone. In Your Name, I pray, Amen.
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