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The temptation to give up was strong.
Depression weighed on me like a wet blanket. I couldn’t seem to shake it, and no matter how hard I tried, the hurts played over and over in my head. Being in tears was becoming a way of life.
At the Bible college, we were all assigned a mentor. Deciding I needed some guidance, I contacted my mentor and she called back shortly. All of the sudden I was pouring out my heart to a woman I had known for only a short time.
“After you hang up the phone, I want you to turn on some worship music, and I want you to worship. Then I want you to get out your Bible and read it,” she instructed.
I hung up and did what she said, it was either that or dwell on my problems some more.
The depression was strong. But the power of worship was stronger. The more I worshipped, the more the depression dissipated. After several days, it lifted completely.
From that time in my life I learned that there are things we as Christians can do to keep ourselves spiritually Healthy and strong.
Praise and Worship Worship is a powerful thing (2 Chron 20:22). It helps us draw near to our Heavenly Father. When we draw near to Him, He draws near to us (James 4:8). We are strengthened and filled in His presence. I use a worship CD to sing along with at home, and I also sing while I’m driving.
The Word When we spend time reading the Bible, we are building ourselves up spiritually. Take some time to feed your spirit and keep it strong. The Word says that man does not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4). The Bible is food for your spirit. I was really helped by some great books on how to read the Bible for myself.
Prayer (1 Thess 5:17) While worshipping, something will come to mind to pray about. I pray about it and go back to worshipping. I also pray while I’m reading the word. When something jumps out at me I’ll stop and talk to God about it.
My husband worships and prays on his way into work in the morning. And another friend of mine takes a morning walk and does her praying then. I pray when I’m getting ready in the morning and even while I’m doing my dishes. We can incorporate prayer into many parts of our day.
Fellowship (Hebrews 10:25) I have run into so many people who have been hurt at church and stopped going because of it. I’ve been hurt at church too, but when I’ve been hurt, the Lord has always led me to go back. Are we going to let that once incident, or that one person, steal from us all the good that comes from attending church and being involved? There are good churches out there with good people. Ask the Lord to lead you to the right church for you.
Incorporating these things into my life has strengthened me, my walk with Christ, and my relationships. I don’t do them because I have to. I do them because they keep me strong.
I am so grateful to the woman who was bold enough to not just listen to my problems, but challenged me to put into practice things that would help me overcome those problems. May we all have the courage to be that bold.
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