Depression can often overtake our lives in such away that it feels like there is a continual dark cloud following us – it seems that there is no hope or reason to keep going with life. You may be experiencing a wide range of physical symptoms and emotions for example, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, weight loss/gain, irritability, emptiness, numbness or suicidal.
Sometimes these symptoms and emotions may be accompanied by hearing voices, hallucinations or paranoia. Feelings of depression are very isolating and you may think that no one will understand what you are going through.
You are not alone
You may know other people who are depressed, but you may not know that the Bible has many examples of people who experienced difficult times – God identified with them in their time of need.
We want you to know that the ultimate friend we can turn to in the pain and darkness of depression is Jesus Himself. He can be trusted to handle your fears, doubts, frustrations and despair because He loves you.
A Depressed Woman Healed.
If we read the short story below and how this poor woman, an outcast, put her trust in Jesus.
[Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any, came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped. And Jesus said, “Who touched Me?” When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, “Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’ ” But Jesus said, “Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me.” Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately.48 And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.” Luke 8.43]
God’s Word for this
These passages come from what is preached and written here week by week — each one links to the full teaching it is taken from.
“To give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.”
God trades. Ashes for beauty, mourning for joy, heaviness for praise — and worship is where the exchange happens.
From the blog: Wanted — Worship Partners →“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord… Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him with His hand.”
Cast down is not the same as cast off. He upholds.
From the sermon: End from the Beginning →“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
There is a place where mercy, strength and hope are always found — and you can go boldly, as you are.
From the blog: Help in Time of Need →“Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
When the weight does not lift, bring it to the One who lifts it.
From the blog: Help in Time of Need →Where to go from here
Ask God Himself. He is not waiting for you to find the right words. You can speak to Him tonight, wherever you are, as simply as this: “God, I cannot carry this. Help me.” He hears that prayer.
Find a church near you. Lasting freedom grows in a Bible-believing local church where you can be known and walked with week by week — real people, real teaching, over time. How to recognise a church that will help you →
And let us pray for you. Send a prayer request — it goes to our prayer team, and it will be prayed over. You can say as much or as little as you want.
If you are in immediate danger or crisis, please call 999. For urgent medical help call 111. The Samaritans are free to call on 116 123, at any hour, any day.