Overcoming depression with a good word!… what does that even mean?  Let me share that I just made a conscious choice right now not to wallow in my feelings of loneliness and sadness but instead to acknowledge that they are there and they are valid, but they do not rule me.  I have a choice to allow myself to give into these feelings and head down a path of  negative thinking which will only cause anxiety about my current situation which really isn’t bad or anxiety about the future.  My choice is to look upward and not inward; to step outside of myself and entrust what I’m feeling to my Saviour.  As I turned to God for sweet comfort and relief, I came across a Scripture which inspired me from the book of Proverbs chapter 12 verse 25.  It reads: “Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad.” God is so faithful, He never fails to provide what we need just when we need it!  So I’ve decided to turn to His Word, His truth to bring me (and you) comfort and relief while weathering these stormy waves of loneliness and sadness.  The first Scripture that comes to mind is Psalm 46:10 which says: “Be still, and know that I am God.”  We’re actually applying this Scripture right now by turning ourselves and our feelings over to the care and trust of God knowing that He can comfort and bring relief and that we can find gladness for our hearts in His Word.  I find it most helpful to address specifically what we’re feeling with Scripture that speaks truth to counter the lies that our feelings may lead us to believe.  For example, I’m feeling lonely right now but does that mean that I’m alone? No, so I will read and meditate upon a Scripture which speaks truth into my being. In Isaiah 41:10 God says:

“Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

I also know that I never have to worry about being alone because as a born again believer in Jesus Christ, He has promised to never leave me nor forsake me.  “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)

Finally there’s one more Scripture I’d like to meditate on and that’s from Jeremiah 29:11:

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” 

That is one of my favorite Scriptures because it offers so much hope about a future that is unknown to us but known to God.  During these emotional times we have a choice to let our feelings rule us and lead us into anxiety and depression or turn to a loving God who is in control and knows every detail that lies ahead.  I choose to trust! I trust that as I choose to trust God I will be blessed – maybe not necessarily with what I want when I want it, but definitely with what I need when I need it.  He knows my needs better than I do  and He is a faithful provider.

I’d like to pray tonight for anyone that may have an anxious heart…

Dear Lord,

Thank you for Your mercy and love for us.  You truly are compassionate and you care enough about your children to want to carry our burdens and give us rest.  Lord I pray for all the anxious hearts tonight. Father please gives us the rest and peace that only You can provide as we surrender ourselves, our feelings and our emotions completely to You.  Please give us the strength Lord to lift up our heads even though we may feel so low and to look upward and not inward so that You may shine Your glory upon us and bring us sweet relief and comfort during this time.  Father I pray for your protection so that we may not be led into the temptation to give into the enemies tactics to use our feelings against us by feeding us lies.  Help us to turn to You through Your word so that we may equip ourselves with Your armour so that we may withstand and share in Your victory.  Father God, thank you! To you be all honour and glory.  In the name of Jesus, Amen. ❤

For those who feel alone who do not know Jesus as your personal Lord & Saviour I pray that you will turn your heart over to Him who will love and rescue you from eternal separation from Him.  He loves you and cherishes you so much that He died for you.  Hear that… Yes you are worth dying for! Romans 10:9-10 clearly says “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” I urge you, don’t wait another minute! Run into the arms of Jesus right now and allow Him into your heart. Ask Him to forgive you of your sins and to give you His gift of eternal life.  You are loved!