THE MIND-KILLER

The mind is racing. Sadness fills the human brain. Feelings of hopelessness, loneliness, and exhaustion begin to dominate the mind. You lose sight of yourself. You lose joy in the things you once loved. You slowly lose faith in the creator. You’re stuck in darkness and want to desperately get yourself out, but you can’t. You want happiness, but it doesn’t arise. You realize that life isn’t worth living, so you fill the mind with earthly voids (money, drugs, fame, sex, etc) to keep sane. However, the voids still leave you empty.

Depression is a difficult battle that outsiders will never understand. A battle that only God understands. Depression is a mind-killer. What causes depression? Well, clinical depression is caused by imbalances of the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin in the brain which play a role in mood regulation. It is classified as a mental illness. Depression can also be caused by a situational event. A devastating event occurs in a person’s life causing them to feel depressed. Depression affects millions of people each day. It can cause you to lose sight of yourself and scary enough, it may cause some to lose faith in God. I believe that most individuals who are dealing with depression are dealing with situational depression. A traumatic event causes the mind to lose joy.

There are many chapters in the Bible that discuss depression. For example, Psalms 73 demonstrates how even God’s people go through trials in life and experience depression, anxiety, and darkness. It’s important to know that walking with God doesn’t exclude you from these feelings. These feelings are a part of life in this heartbreaking world and any human can experience them. However, there’s good news: YOU ARE NOT ALONE. God is always by our side comforting us through the storms. In the Bible, God’s chosen people went through traumatic events. During those events, God was present even when it didn’t seem like it. We may think that God has forsaken us, but he’s guiding us safely.

For my readers who are dealing with depression, I want you all to know that it will get better. You are never alone. God is always here! It may be easier said than done but you have to allow the Holy Spirit to work. Depression is a lifelong battle. You must pray and push yourself to overcome the mind-killer daily. No one will ever understand the battle that you face with depression. God understands though and is always by your side working spiritually. Feelings of depression that are too deep and chronic can also benefit from counseling (there’s nothing spiritually wrong with that ). Amid your sadness, God is here. Trust in him. Keep praying, keep fighting, and keep reading the word. Don’t allow your depression to end as a mind-killer. You are strong and you CAN do it.

TIPS:

• Read psalms 6, it will remind you that God is always there and will lead you through any dark time.

• Positive affirmations: Look in the mirror and say out loud, “My temple is covered. Depression will not live here anymore, I am anointed. I have a purpose, so every spirit that is not like Christ is evicted, in Jesus Name!” - Pastor Darius Washington

• Support: Therapy, counseling, support groups. Crisis text line Text SHARE to 741741

• Sunlight: Go outside and enjoy the SUNLIGHT!