What is Depression? Depression is a medical condition in which a person feels very sad and worried. The person feels that his/her situation is a hopeless one. One of its symptoms is when that person finds it hard to sleep. Depression can attack young or old people, including people of all social levels. Some Causes of Depression A woman can be depressed soon after giving birth to a baby. The death of a husband or a child can cause great sadness to a woman. The loss of job or failure to pass an examination can depress. Ministers of God can also experience this condition. Here are some examples: a. Prophet Elijah was so depressed that he told God in 1 Kings 19:4, “I have had enough, LORD. Take my life, I am not better than my ancestors.” b. When Jacob lost his son Joseph, he was depressed and refused anyone to comfort him. He said in Genesis 37:35, “…. In mourning will I go down to the grave to my son.” c. The burden of leading the people of Israel was too much on Moses that he told God to put him to death straight away. (Numbers 11:15) 3 Important Things You Should Do As a Christian When Depression Attacks You Don’t handle depression lightly. It is dangerous, and can attack any of us. Here are some of the things you should do when depression strikes you: 1. Remember God and Think About Who He is. The first thing you should do when you are depressed is to remember God. Go to His Word immediately, study it, and think deeply about His divine nature. Turn over in your mind what the Bible says about Him. Remember that He is an all-knowing God and perfectly understands what is happening to you. Remember also that He is closely watching you and watching over you. Psalm 147:5 says that our God is great and mighty in power and His understanding has no limit. God can use the depression you are facing to work out something good for you. That’s why the Bible says in Romans 8:28 that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him and who have been called according to His purpose. Remember what Jeremiah said in Jeremiah 32:17 concerning God. He said, “Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you” God has the power to pull you out of where you have sunk into in your depressed condition. David said in Psalm 40:1, 2: “I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. 2. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.” 2. Think About What God Has Done Decide to think deeply about the wonderful things you have read in the Bible that God did for His people. Be persistent in thinking about them, and your faith in God will start building up. This is a positive sign that shows you are on your way out of depression. Your distressed and gloomy condition will start turning to a happy and cheerful one. 3. Trust In God Put all our trust in God. Listen to this advice in Isaiah 50:10: “Who among you fears the LORD and obeys his servant? Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God” God loves you with an everlasting love and has drawn you to Himself with loving-kindness. (Isaiah 31:3). He will never abandon you. Continue to trust Him. He has spoken these words to help you trust and cling to Him firmly. He says, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” (Isaiah 43:2) He also encourages you with this… 15. “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you. 16. See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.” (Isaiah 49:15, 16) And He said in Zechariah 2:8, 9 that whoever touches you touches the apple of His eye, and He would punish the person who does so. Stand firm child of God, and trust in God and His mighty power. You will see how He will deliver you from your depressed condition. You may not understand the depth of His ways as He leads you. However, rest with the assurance that at the end of the day, you will sing victory songs. Finally, child of God, remember that depression can attack any of us without considering our spiritual, physical or material attainment. When such a situation confronts you, the first and most important thing you should do is to seek God and be encouraged by what He tells you in His Word. Remember also that God is with you at all times, and He is always ready to deliver you from any oppressive condition. May our God keep you safe in Christ Jesus our Lord. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Roy Okonkwo is a Nigerian Pidgin Bible Translator and the General Overseer of Mercy Christian Ministries. Mercy Christian Ministries is involved in Bible Translation, Works of Mercy, and the use of its website at http://www.superb-christian-web-sites.com to help empower people of God spiritually, physically, and materially.