In my life, I have been through periods of depression marked by high anxiety and feeling stuck, especially when situations were uncertain. There are a few things that I have found helpful to get me moving forward. As I share this list, I want to acknowledge that people suffer depression that is more than seasonal or situational. Many will need the assistance of mental health professionals. However, I believe anyone can benefit from these steps:
Anchor your identity in Jesus.
When I try to anchor my identity in being a musician, a dad, a husband, or anything else, I fail miserably in those roles, and my identity gets crushed. However, when I place my identity in the righteousness of Jesus, I am released from being perfect in all those roles and more!
During seasons such as this, when the situation seems uncertain and no end in sight, I return to scriptures that help remind me of who I am in Jesus. A great place to start is Ephesians 1.
In Jesus:
I am chosen.
I am adopted.
I am redeemed.
I am forgiven.
What else do you see in this chapter that we can claim as our identity in Jesus?
Get up and get moving.
The first few days of not going into work because of the pandemic, I found myself binge-watching TV and binge scrolling social media. One morning last week, I did a Forest Gump, and I just started running. (Well, in truth I was walking, but I needed the quote to work). I walked my entire neighborhood, and as I walked, I prayed for the homes and people living near me. C. S. Lewis said, ”I pray because I can’t help myself. I pray because I’m helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time, waking and sleeping. It doesn’t change God. It changes me.”
I have found that walking and praying for my neighbors change my heart and mind to see the needs of others. It is at that point when I can begin to do the work of a follower of Jesus in my community.
I pray because I can’t help myself. I pray because I’m helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time, waking and sleeping. It doesn’t change God. It changes me.
C. S. Lewis
Fill your mind with truth.
There is no greater truth than what is in the Bible, God’s Word. We are encouraged by Paul, who wrote most of the New Testament, to keep our minds filled with good things (Philippians 4:8).
Earlier this week Greg St Cyr, one of my pastors, shared with us three anchors to put our faith in during uncertain times. I encourage you to watch this video on Facebook for the full context of these anchors listed below:
- God is sovereign and in control – Psalm 103:19
- God is Good – Psalm 106:1
- God causes all things to work together for good for those called according to His purpose – Romans 8:28
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Philippians 4:8
I pray you will find these helpful. What other steps do you take to help you move forward? Leave me a comment below.
Photo by Frank Busch on Unsplash
Comments 1
As a child of God who has dealt with severe clinical depression, I know I need to refocus my brain. It is so easy to pity my life, but that just leads to deeper depression. In fact, when I am on this track, my enemy is only happy to remind me of other things for which to be pitied. (I might add, it is also a poor testimony to the love of God for me.)
I believe in Praise and Thanksgiving….praising God for who He is and thanking Him for what He has done and is still doing in and around me. This includes the difficult things that come my way, knowing He is in control of those too! Every time I want to sink back into pity, I need to stop myself right there and thank Him for what He is doing in that. Phil. 4:6-8
He IS Faithful!