Chapter 5: Praising My Way Out of Depression

Praising My Way Out of Depression

When I started putting Biblescopes on paper, a specific chapter about depression was not part of the plan. However, God spoke a gentle word to me and said write how you overcame depression. It hadn’t been long after a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis that I wasn’t able to carry out my regular daily activities. I was calling in sick at work frequently. I couldn’t sleep at night but I could sleep all day and get nothing done. I’d stay in my room and watch the same sad old movies over and over again. I was sinking quickly. I needed a life raft.

I did continue to go to church where I sang in the choir, ministered to the youth, and attended intercessory prayer times each Tuesday morning at 5:00AM. I had a life raft. I just didn’t see it because when circumstances are overwhelming and help is not recognized through the shroud of despair surrounding me, help is the last thing I expect or feel I deserve. Wallowing is much easier. Floundering is the reflex of the hopelessly depressed. That was me—hopeless. One morning after 5:00AM prayer time, I stayed behind to speak to my Pastor. I had a feeling he knew things weren’t well with me. So, we sat and talked for a little while. I briefly explained to him how depression was affecting my life and I just couldn’t stop the destruction it was causing me and my family. He listened attentively and handed me tissues when they were necessary then in his quiet and authoritative voice he said these things to me. “Edee, the best place to find help for depression is in the Psalms.”

All I could think was that reading the Bible had become something I didn’t look forward to any more but I still listened to him. He continued, “I want you to go home and start reading at Psalm 1. I also want you to write it verse by verse in a journal and after each verse write this: For this I give You praise, Lord.” Pastor said do it whether you feel like it or not. When I didn’t “feel” like it was the time I should. He asked to see my notes one week from that day.

I bought a new notebook for journaling. I didn’t have a computer to use so I wrote every verse by hand responding to each one with, “For this I give You praise, Lord!” He also told me to put my name in the verse when it was applicable like when it says ‘man,’ put Edee. This is how my notes looked starting with Psalm 1.

Psalm 1:1 “Blessed is the man (or woman, Edee) who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.” “For this I give You praise, Lord!”

Psalm 1:2 “But his/her (Edee’s) delight is in the law of the Lord. And on His law he/she (Edee) meditates day and night.” “For this I give You praise, Lord!”

Psalm 1:3 “He/she (Edee) is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he/she (Edee) does prospers.” “For this I give You praise, Lord!”

The following Tuesday at Prayer Time I showed Pastor Mike my notes. He looked over them and said with a smile, “I see God’s countenance on your face. This is working, isn’t it? You need to continue this practice of seeking God to heal your heart, mind, and emotions. You’ll know inside yourself when it’s time to stop.” Using the ‘Plus Thirty Principle’ revealed consistent themes throughout the Psalms and Proverbs that confirmed what I was doing was God-directed.

Depression replaces life-sustaining thoughts and applicable God-directed instruction . We turn in on ourselves feeling no one cares so it’s better to isolate ourselves and stay away from anyone that might see what is really going on. King David understood depression and what it does to humans. David speaks of everyone’s worth before the Lord and how accessible God’s love and mercy is to us all. Psalm 42: 5 & 6 is a perfect picture of the despair David felt even as a king.“(v.5) Why are you so downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me?

Put your hope in God for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and (v.6) my God. My soul is downcast within me; therefore, I will remember you from the land of Jordan.” According to the writers of the Life Application Bible (NIV), depression is a common ailment that disturbs our emotions and mental state. Do you meditate on the Word? It’s not some New Age practice or Yoga activity. Meditation, on God’s Word, is when you read it and listen to what God is saying. Meditation is a medication that takes our destructive self-centered thoughts away from ourselves and focuses our notions and beliefs on God—His goodness, mercy, and unconditional love. Promises from the Word of God make us take a second look at our personal circumstances taking stock of what the future holds. When life becomes difficult like I’m losing control, I understand David’s idea of being downcast. When my troubles are many and bitter, I know I will be raised from the depths of it as God’s increases my honor and comforts me once again.

Psalm 71:20 & 21 (NIV) says, “(v.20)Though You have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth You will bring me up. (v.21)You will increase my honor and comfort me once again. ”If you’re dealing with depression and can’t get a hold on it, see your physician right away and find a pastor or mentor that will help you through your overwhelming circumstances using God’s Word. Hopelessness is a demonic symptom that becomes a stronghold passed to us by our ancestors. I had an uncle who committed suicide. My mother stayed depressed, anorexic, and was constantly in a state of rage. Depression is rage we turn in on ourselves. Suicide is the most angry statement you can make to those who love you because they don’t get to fight back, make their voice heard, or hold you in comfort.

Hope is our God-given right promised to us by the very life Jesus gave on the cross. Every stripe on His back was for curses to be broken and bodies to be healed. His body was broken and bruised so ours could be made whole and well. Coming out of depression isn’t an easy thing to do but God’s Word and the Psalms are a blessed start.

Start with Psalm 1. Write every verse down one at a time and after every verse write, “For this I give you praise, Lord.” One thing I want to make clear to you. Sometimes depression is not easy to overcome when you’re feeling inadequate, overwhelmed or too weak. Please, get help. Call a suicide helpline, see your family physician, or talk to your pastor but tell someone. Get someone to be accountable to concerning using the Psalms and Proverbs for recovering from depression. Despair resolves more quickly than depression however, despondency takes longer to respond to God’s Word. When researching definitions of depression, despair, and despondency, I noticed that the three are intertwined with similar symptoms.

• Depression is a state of feeling sad; symptoms include inactivity in daily routines, difficulty thinking and concentrating, too much or too little time eating and sleeping; feeling dejected, hopeless, and having thoughts of suicide.
• Despair is to lose all hope; to have utter hopelessness.
• Despondency is a state of desperate dejection; having lost all or nearly all hope arising from a feeling of uselessness with no reason for trying or going on.

Reading and praising God throughout the Psalms and Proverbs shed the light of God on the darkness of despair. Practice writing and praising until the curtain of dejection lifts and the saving grace of God's love puts depression on the run. When you can truly write or say, “For this I give you praise!” and it not feel like a lie or something forced from inside you, peace will begin to replace hurt and regret.

Remember to seek help from a counselor or physician for any form of overwhelming depression. Unable to sleep? Abusing medicines in any way? Thoughts of suicide? Rage and bitterness out of control? Isolating yourself from people who care about you? Don't wait to get help! Get it now! I can only share with you from my personal pain and how I was helped with the Word of God. I also sought professional help. God doesn’t want us to be alone and feel we don’t deserve help. He has placed physicians here for help in times of need as well as friends and His Living Word. Don’t isolate yourself. It is the enemy’s greatest weapon against us—separating ourselves from one another. We are one body, one fellowship, and we need each other.

The Biblescope for the thirtieth of the month gives hope for recovery from depression and despair. Psalm 30 & Proverbs 30 say;

“Today God will raise you up out of the depths. If you seek healing today, take it. It is yours. Today you’ll experience God’s favor throughout your busy day. If you feel unworthy of favor and kindness take it anyway. Then give it to others through mercy and grace. Sing and don’t be silent. Sing unto the Lord a new song. Dance and be filled with joy.”

“Take care of relationships that involve your family. If you owe someone forgiveness give it and if they owe it to you don’t expect it. God will take care of them. Don’t think yourself better than others. Stay away from situations that can lead to anger and strife.”

A mistake that may add to our suffering is not telling God what we are really thinking or feeling and as a result we may not hear God answer our prayers for help. It’s the “pity party” syndrome. If however, our spiritual ears are in tune to God, our “awareness and appreciation of God grows as we are honest with Him” (NIV, 1996). It’s been easy for me to understand and relate to David because so many times he expresses what I’m thinking or feeling and I gain insight to my trials and troubles that are so much like his own. There is something so cleansing and freeing than when when we are open and honest with our Creator. Starting with a dark, heavy soul that is exposed to God’s Holy light leads to peace and stability. Give it a try! David often expressed his disappointment in God’s slowness to answer his prayers. The lesson we should take from this situation is that patience leads us to trust and the ability to wait on God’s response to our needs. Keep God’s unfailing love ever in front of you. It should be the point of reference that holds you steadfast with faith in your Heavenly Father (NIV, 1996).

Staying steadfast in your faith can be anchored by memorizing the verse IITimothy 1:7 and never letting it leave your heart. Remember, God wrote through Paul to Timothy to you at this time in your life in the year 2010 A.D. Paul wanted Timothy to stand fast to opposition because of his youth that was criticized by believers and unbelievers alike. Be bold against the spirit of depression. You must remember, Jesus took the curse of depression back to hell where it came from before He left Satan with no keys to take prisoners in hell ever again. Hell was created for Satan and his evil cohorts. Depression is a lie from the father of lies--Satan himself. The scripture to remind you of your strength to overcome a spirit of fear with a sound mind, secure mind--the mind of Christ--is this one.

“For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind.” II Timothy 1:7

Power is in you by the presence of God’s Holy Spirit. He loves to teach and direct us and write His Words on our hearts for later use. He replaces fear with faith evident in power to overcome disappointment and anger replaced with love and forgiveness and a mind that is balanced, strong, and recoverable when life seems too difficult. Now, think about this verse from Paul.

“Reflect on what I’m saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all of this.” II Timothy 2:7

Reflect? Find the meaning of the scripture you’re referencing so that its meaning becomes part of who you are and a reflective action that is an extension of you to the world to glorify God and share Christ as you become His hands, feet, voice and heart. Paul was teaching and preaching hard to Timothy because Timothy had to mature in the Lord quickly for his life’s ministry.

Understanding + reflecting= pattern of sound instruction

Paul ran a tight boot camp dealing with his own pain and suffering while not giving up but pressing on for the prize. Meditate! Reflect! Pray! There is no need for a mantra or repetitive humming of nothingness or hypnosis and hypnotic dance states. All you get back is more nothingness. Speak God’s Word out loud. It puts the enemy on the run. Put your armor on one piece at a time going through the motions as if you are really dressing for battle. Refer to Ephesians 6:11-18 for explanation of the armor of God & its significance to victory in battle. Repeat the scriptures Jesus used in the desert after fasting for forty days and forty nights. He was tired and hungry. Have you ever been so hungry that you’d give all that you have for one piece of bread?…one spoon of peanut butter?...cool fruit smoothie? See how Jesus put the father of lies on the run at the close of His fast in a dry & dreary desert told in Matthew 4: 1-11. After Satan's lies spoken to Christ were thwarted with "it is written" and scriptures were held up to the evil one so he could not continue to tempt the Lord, our Savior, he had to leave Jesus. Then our Lord was ministered by angels. Put these scriptures in your heart.

It is the true intent of this chapter to help you find healing for depression, despair, or despondency. Hopeless--I was. I had been since I was 23 years old after the birth of my second child and a subsequent divorce from the man I thought would love me forever. Then, after twenty-three years of drowning in depression after the diagnosis of MS, I found help and healing by praising my way through Psalms and Proverbs. It wasn't an easy journey or a short trip. The addiction was deep. I was sinking into a miry pit and being consumed from the inappropriate use of my prescription drugs. After all, I had a good excuse.

Coming off all opiates, muscle relaxers, antidepressants, and antianxiety medicines was the most painful experience I had endured. when my withdrawal was complete, my doctor helped me realize I wasn’t depressed. He found no signs of clinical depression after assessing me every day for nine days. I have no need for antidepressants after being on them for 35 years! So, did I praise my way out of depression? Yes! I once was lost and now I’m found. I am healed and have a clear mind that is healing itself along with my memory, my moods, and my spirit of all-consuming fear. The Holy Word of God has replaced an addiction to medicines with my passion for Christ. As Paul taught me. I haven’t been given a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind! For this I give God praise!

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Copyright 2010
Excerpts from book, Biblescopes: Prophecy from One Who Created Stars
by Edee Payne
Contact me: www.biblescopes3.blogspot.com
edlovesrp1976@gmail.com