“Is there something wrong with me?” she asked. She had been battling this deep dark secret. Others would not understand and she felt ashamed for thinking this way. She felt so unworthy being a Christian and having these feelings. Did she do some horrible sin? No. Did she not have enough faith? No. Is she truly saved? Yes! Then why is she struggling with depression?
There is a growing rate of Christian teenagers who are dealing with depression. Depression can be associated with environmental issues or a hormonal imbalance. It can be caused by genetics or medication that you have been prescribed for that has a side effect. It can be physical, mental and even spiritual such as attacks from satan who can cause oppression. You can also be affected with depression brought on by a traumatic event in your life as well. Depression can come thru many different avenues.

Some of the most asked questions about depression:
1. Did someone sin and that is why they are depressed? Sin can cause conviction on the heart and make a person very sad for their actions. Constant sin can open a door to depression later on. However, in most cases, depression wasn’t caused by sin.
2. Is my depression still going on because I don’t have enough faith? I knew many God honoring, spiritually grounded and strong Christians in their faith who dealt with depression. Even Church leaders can be affected by depression. They all had a lot of faith, but depression was something they struggled with like any other person.

Did you know that there were quite a few people in the Bible who also suffered from depression? Let’s look at Job. He shares in Job 3:25-26 “What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me. I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil.”, and in Job 7:15-16 “so that I prefer strangling and death, rather than this body of mine. I despise my life; I would not live forever. Let me alone; my days have no meaning.”

Then there is King David – Psalm 69:1-3 “Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me. I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God.”
Psalm 13:1-2 “How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart?”

And of course, we cannot forget others such as Jeremiah, Jonah, Elijah, and more. God must have felt it was important that we see others in His Word that struggled with the same pain and hurt as us and that we are not alone. By reading these verses I’m sure you will find yourself empathizing with what they are sharing.

When you are going through depression, it is very difficult to function, let alone pray. You may not even have words to say as if you had lost your voice. However, God understands this. He understands your distress, your sadness, the depth of your affliction and loss that you can’t seem to overcome.

By confessing those feelings to God, you are opening your heart, your mind and your spirit for His healing. You don’t have to say big words or pray so many times a day as if that would be the answer for your healing.

Those in the Bible didn’t have medications to control their depression or counselors to call on to discuss their feelings and thoughts and get the assistance the way we do today. But when they cried out to God for help, it is as if they were speaking the words for you, sharing their innermost groanings to show us that we are not alone.

I have read the Bible and studied the Word many times, but when you are going through depression, the Bible is often the last book you want to read no matter whether you are a babe or seasoned Christian. It is by encouragement of others, prayer support from others and accountability to others that begins the process of removing that stigma first of all, then accepting the help, and incorporating the Word to refresh your spirit and mind so that you can finally walk that path of healing you so desperately need.

Reading over the Psalms and connecting with King David in his trials, his deep sadness, his battle with emotions and so much more, gives us a reason to feel that we are not in this battle alone and that God truly does love us and comprehends how we feel.

My last advice – Take action (see below) to get the help you need. Have hope – you don’t have to live like this anymore because there is an answer. Remember the promises of God – read through His Word and His light will uplift you and guide you. Confess your own weaknesses – to yourself and to God and ask for strength. Rejoice! God will never forsake you for He endures forever!

• Get a check-up at the doctors to make sure you are in good physical health (Physically & Mentally)
• Seek counsel from someone spiritual that you trust
• Journal your feelings (Dear God…) it will help you express your depression, hurt, stress, etc…
• Read the Psalms. King David loved the Lord but he also went through some really heavy stuff in his life. He knows those feels very well of what you are going through.
• Music is soothing to the soul. Think of King Saul and how David played the harp for him to quiet the torture he was feeling inside of him. Do a 30 day challenge in which you only listen to Christian music. You will sense His presence and peace in your spirit.

Pick out specific scripture to memorize so when you are in that deep low place, use it as a prayer. Here are a few scriptures that you can read and print out and make as a prayer.

Psalm 18:6 In my distress I screamed to the Lord for his help. And he heard me from heaven; my cry reached his ears. (God’s faithfulness to us)

Psalm 55:2 Hear me, Lord! Listen to me! For I groan and weep beneath my burden of woe. (a plea to the Lord for help)

Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed. I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. (His answer to your cry of help)

Psalm 42:5-6
Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me?
Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him, For the help of His presence. (Remind yourself that God is bigger than your depression)

Psalm 31:7 I will rejoice and be glad in Your lovingkindness, Because You have seen my affliction; You have known the troubles of my soul, (Rejoice because He knows and understands)

Remember most of all, God will be by your side throughout all of your depression. Call on the name of Jesus which is very powerful. One word. One word prayer. JESUS

SOME OTHER SONGS TO MINISTER TO YOU IN YOUR TIME OF STRUGGLE