The struggle is real.
Depression is a battle fought by many people. Sometimes for a season. Sometimes for a lifetime. Depending on the severity, depression can range from a mild influence to a debilitating agent of destruction. Right now, I am praying for several people I love who are struggling.
I am, thankfully, not prone to depression. Still, there was a season in my life where depression sank it’s ugly claws into me so deeply that I could hardly get out of bed. One day I found myself driving with hardly enough emotional strength to even steer my vehicle. I somehow managed to call my Pastor to ask for an appointment. I knew I was in some deep trouble. He encouraged me to stop at the church right then. After a short discussion, he prayed for me, taking authority over the forces of wickedness that had taken ahold of me. Within minutes, the depression began to lift. Thank God, it is gone, and has never returned.
There are many things in this life that can contribute to or create depression. Unresolved anger, abuse, failures, physical or chemical imbalances… the list is long. I do not mean to minimize or dismiss any pain or suffering, or impose some kind of “spiritual guilt” on anyone. I don’t pretend to be God or even completely understand all of the ways of God. What I do know is that God is faithful to his Word, and hears and answers believing prayer.
Believers know that the mission of the Devil is to kill, steal and destroy. One of his demons is the demon of depression. It steals our joy. We know the joy of the Lord is our strength. If the devil can steal our joy through depression, he has us in a weak and helpless state of being. We also know that in His (God’s) presence is fullness of joy.
If you are plagued with depression, find your way into God’s presence. You may not be able to do it alone. Grab onto someone who is connected with God to pray with you. Soak your mind in His Word.
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction” Psalm 103:2-4
*** Gordon Howie *** is an author and CEO of Life and Liberty Media 
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Good piece Gordon. I, like you, have never been plagued by depression. I get down, or disappointed, but bounce right back up. It never lasts. Doesn’t matter if it’s personal, professional, political or anything else. I do believe prayer matters but I also believe that taking a hard grip on yourself and CHANGING what needs to be changed and realizing your own mistakes and short suits is also important. Until you do that you can never really move forward. Call it forgiveness of yourself if you want. Guilt and worry contribute to depression and they are (according to author Wayne Dyer) the two most useless emotions. I fear people get mired in the muck of guilt and worry. I’m kind of a tough love person and feel that you have to buck up and move on. Or as my mother used to say, “no need to cry over spilled milk.” I always hesitate to try to “help” some of my friends for fear that my tough love opinion may not be exactly what they need at the time. I usually (rightly or wrongly) give them a wide berth so as not to offend them or say the wrong thing.