“But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 NKJV
“You seem rather happy to be from [around here],” said the grumpy old man while we waited in line. My response to his comment was also forthright, “Jesus Christ has transformed my life!” The man explained that his disappointment resulted from the community’s failure to deliver in his pursuit of happiness. It certainly was a classic example of an unrealistic expectation & misplaced dependency that deceived this man and therefore enslaved his soul by such falsehood.
This scenario is not unique to that locale but is played out worldwide being the human condition. Long faces, bad attitudes, & depressed hearts that seem to plague that area though cannot be cured through simply changing circumstances. Relief from stressful situations can help temporarily but victory over depression is possible despite the circumstances of life. Being anchored in objective truth, having a thankful heart, humble servanthood, & walking in dependent trust upon Christ is the only way to experience lasting victory over adversity & depression.
Truth often conflicts with our emotions & circumstances so we must respond by faith in the absolute reality of God’s Word, the Bible. Emotions are good servants but lousy masters. They are like a train caboose that is meant to follow behind the engine, hoppers, & box cars. Our hearts must be driven by the mighty engine of God’s Word in order to experience victory over depression. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Ps.119:105 NKJV).
Embracing an attitude of gratitude by rejecting criticism & despair is also key in this battle. We live in a broken world but God is still in control. He allows adversity into our lives because He has an eternal plan from which He is working. His people should be unrelenting optimists because He is the One who is good & great even when life hurts. Anything better than eternity in the burning fires of hell is a cause for rejoicing. “In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (I Thes.5:18 NKJV).
Being a humble servant offering help wherever needed & therefore refusing selfish arrogance is critical to enjoying victory. Depressed people are usually proud, insecure, & self-centered. Rather than saying, “I am NOT gonna do that!”, ask instead, “How can I help?” “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, & to give His life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45 NKJV).
Walking daily in dependent trust on God & rejecting self-reliance is also key to experiencing victory over depression. We do not have the wisdom, courage, or power needed to move forward out of any pit of despair we may find ourselves in. Jesus Christ is always THE Answer to everything. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding” (Prov. 3:5 NKJV).
Freedom, victory, & triumph are available to everyone & can be displayed on your face despite the adverse circumstances of life. Unrealistic expectations & misplaced dependencies need no longer to enslave the soul by such diabolically insidious falsehood.
It begins by turning your eyes away from self toward heaven to behold the all-glorious majesty of GOD’s holiness. Condemned before Him, may your heart be surrendered at Calvary where the Lord Jesus Christ died for sinners & rose again. Trust Him today & live! “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift” (2 Cor.9:15 NKJV)!
Practical Equipping Tools
- How can you renew your heart, mind, & body, whenever you’re feeling down & out?
- Instead of being focused on “me, myself, & I,” who can you reach out to for the purpose of being a blessing & encouragement? Write down their names:
- Christ gave His life for us to give His life to us to live His life through us. Memorize the verse below ASAP!
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 NKJV
