My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, I hope you enjoyed the holidays celebrating Christ’s birth. The brightness of the season with gaily wrapped presents should serve as a reminder that Christ wants each Christian to have abundant life by living the gospel. Biblical precepts give daily skills to overcome evil and the hardships of life. From this abundant life in Jesus, you not only help yourself but share love and love comfort with others.
Sadly, many people are not able to enjoy the Christmas season, millions of people who already suffer from chronic depression have their condition worsen, and others get the blues which can turn into depression. It does not matter what is happening in your life. The Bible says you can have joy and peace by divine means of the Holy Spirit; those in the kingdom of the world will never know. Romans 15:13 declares,
“13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”
Choosing to live an abundant life is your decision. God created mankind with free will, and everyone has a choice, will they accept Christ as their Savior or make no choice which is to choose separation from God. As believers, you decide whether to daily live for Christ by following His commandments. Remember the old saying, “no plan is to plan to fail,” then when unexpected hardships or uncomfortable situations happen you fall back on old emotional habits instead of the fruits of the Spirit. God knows what is best for each person and wants you to have a fulfilled life, experiencing the incredible joy, love, and peace that comes from a dedicated life to God.
Our Savior wants you to be joyously renewed through His Word and the Holy Spirit. So what can you do when depression slithers near you, seeking to encompass you in darkness? Go to the source of Light, the Word. Christ gave weapons of the spirit to His children, the Bible says, joy and laughter to combat sadness. God wrote thousands of years ago in Psalms 126:2-5,
“2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them.
3 The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.
4 Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the south.
5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.”
In Proverbs 17:22,
“22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.”
How can you find joy when you are sinking in despair, wounded by life? There is nothing like the joyous lift that fills your inner man while praising and worshipping King Jesus. If you are too tired to praise, listen to worship music; it works. David played worship for King Saul to drive away dark thoughts and evil oppression. If it worked in the Old Testament; how much more will it work for you who has the indwelling of the Holy Spirit? In Philippians 4:4, we find,
“4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.”
When you are exhausted and facing challenges and read the words “rejoice in the Lord” you wonder how can this apply to your life? Did you know the Apostle Paul was in imprisoned, fettered with chains, in a dark cell full of rank odors when he wrote rejoice in the Lord (1). The very dark place that Paul was in lets you realize that the Holy Spirit gives supernatural power to rejoice. Wherever you find yourself and whatever is going on in your marriage, family, job, or life, God will give you a divine attitude of thanksgiving and joy to make it through. The Holy Spirit wrote through Paul in Philippians 4:4-7,
“4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
No matter where you are, rejoice and pray. Pour out your problems to God, for who better to listen than the one who never sleeps? Be it health issues, depression, finances, or family, Jesus longs to hear from you. The Bible tells us Christ tenderly leans down to listen to what you need. Read Psalm 116:2-4,
‘2 Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.”
Be specific in what you need, for He is Jehovah Jireh, the Lord, our provider, who loves you so much that He collects your tears in a bottle. Read Psalm 56:8,
“8 Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?”
Dearly, beloved of Christ, I would be amiss if I did not say that if you suffer from mental health issues that worsen or affect your life, please reach out to a pastor, Chaplain, PCP, mental health counselor, or crisis line. Jesus always listens to our prays and may answer them in a way we do not expect. Sometimes Christ sends healing through physicians, modern medicine, or therapy. Do not suffer in silence; your depression could be health-related. Be assured God loves you, and never forget Christ will never leave you.
If you and your health care professional decide on medication and/or therapy, remember to practice prayer and thanksgiving to God along with the treatment, for His Word will bring joy and peace, for Christ is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).
“7 Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.
8 Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me.”
Micah 7:7-8
God bless you till we meet again.
Chaplain AB
How do I accept God’s gift of love for me?
Admit all have sinned, including you.
The payment for your sin is death.
Jesus took the payment for your death.
Accept the gift of God.
Believe in your heart that Christ died for your sins and rose again.
Confess or say with your mouth that you believe in Christ. (2)
If you did the above, you are now a child of God.
Prayer line:
1-800-700-7000 (CBN-ask for Prayer Team)
1-800-525-5683 (K-love- ask for Pastoral Team)
Mental health:
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is 988
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-888-273-8255
Arsenal Of The King 