Depression
The Lord spoke of a spirit of heaviness in Isaiah 61. Heaviness means exactly what it sounds like. Depression, or the word “depress” means to push down, weight down, burden or crush. That is how it feels–a cloud over you, a weight that crushes the very life out of you, so you despair of doing anything or having any hope of joy again. Exodus 6:9 And Moses spoke so to the children of Israel: but they did not listen to Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage. Prov. 15:13 A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
Jesus gave you the authority over these spirits (Luke 10:19). You can fight back. The devil is ruthless with you, so you must be ruthless with him. God actually commanded you to. But be aware it is no easy fight. It is possible you may need to add some fasting to your prayer, or agreement with others in the prayer of faith.
Heaviness does not glorify God. He wants us to be trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord that He may be glorified. This means not being weighed down by despair and discouragement, which leaves little room for faith in God. The problems will magnify themselves above God. Satan knows how to make a problem look insurmountable, and to make one think God is far off and does not care. Remember you serve the living God who created all things, NOTHING is impossible for Him. No problem is too hard. And His love for you is beyond your understanding. He wants you to keep your eyes on Him, not the problem. Satan will draw you away from the Word of God in your pain. Seclusion, loneliness, self-pity, fear, worry, sadness, and hopelessness will slowly become a way of life as you are farther and farther from the Lord and everyone else. It becomes too much effort to go see friends or family or invite others over, or go to church. The same schedule, same disappointments, same problems make it seem like there is no way out. Heaviness moves in and pushes one to contemplate ending it all. What a lie. There is no peace in destroying the life God created. You are precious.
Isaiah 61:1-11
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord has anointed me to preach good tidings to the meek; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; to appoint to them that mourn in Zion, to give to them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified. And they shall rebuild the old ruins, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the ruined cities, the desolations of many generations…Instead of your shame you shall have double honor, and instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double; everlasting joy shall be theirs…I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
Psalm 69:20, 29-33 Reproach my broken heart, and I am full of heaviness; I looked for someone to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none…but I am poor and sorrowful; let Your salvation set me up on high. I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving. This also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bull (ritual sacrifice)…for the Lord hears the poor, and does not despise His prisoners.
Notice here in both these scriptures the connection of praise to God as a relief from depression and heaviness! Taking time to praise God, sing to Him, and honor Him will lighten your spirit and chase away depression. But you have to put it on like a garment, whether you feel like it or not. It takes action on your part.
King Saul was attacked by depression when the Spirit of the Lord left him because of his disobedience. It was actually an evil spirit. The evil spirit would leave him when he listened to David’s praise to God. I encourage you to listen to praise music, sing, speak it, as this will help. God inhabits the praises of His people, see Psalms 22:3. (Of note this distressing spirit was allowed to come on Saul as a result of his rebellion, and when he became jealous of David).
I Samuel 16:14-23 But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and a distressing spirit from the Lord troubled him. 15 And Saul’s servants said to him, “Surely, a distressing spirit from God is troubling you. 16 Let our master now command your servants, who are before you, to seek out a man who is a skillful player on the harp. And it shall be that he will play it with his hand when the [g]distressing spirit from God is upon you, and you shall be well.”17 So Saul said to his servants, “Provide me now a man who can play well, and bring him to me.”18 Then one of the servants answered and said, “Look, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome person; and the Lord is with him.”19 Therefore Saul sent messengers to Jesse, and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.” 20 And Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine, and a young goat, and sent them by his son David to Saul. 21 So David came to Saul and stood before him. And he loved him greatly, and he became his armorbearer. 22 Then Saul sent to Jesse, saying, “Please let David stand before me, for he has found favor in my sight.” 23 And so it was, whenever the spirit from God was upon Saul, that David would take a harp and play it with his hand. Then Saul would become refreshed and well, and the distressing spirit would depart from him.
I Samuel 18:8-11 Then Saul was very angry, and the saying displeased him; and he said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed only thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?” So Saul eyed David from that day forward. And it happened on the next day that the distressing spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied inside the house. So David played music with his hand, as at other times; but there was a spear in Saul’s hand. And Saul cast the spear, for he said, “I will pin David to the wall!” But David escaped his presence twice.
Isaiah 10:27 And it shall come to pass in that day that His burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulders and His yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.
The anointing is God’s power. A yoke was is the wooden bar that was put on an ox’s neck and attached to the plow for it to pull along. It was often connected to another ox. God’s anointing is what beaks heaviness off of us.
Pray: Thank You Jesus for setting me free, teaching me Your Word, healing my broken heart, opening the prison for me, and granting me new life. I refuse to stay in this prison of depression when You came to give me life abundant as You said in John 10:10. Help me to see Your open door. Thank You I now have joy for my mourning, beauty for the ashes of destruction in my life and family, and praise to You instead of depression. Thank You for planting me on solid ground, growing me up and maturing me in faith, and establishing me in strength and liberty for Your glory and my peace. Jesus, heal my broken heart, and proclaim liberty to me. Remove the scales from my eyes. Comfort me. Help me to praise You and thank You, even when my heart is broken. You are a loving God, full of compassion and mercy. You are wonderful and patient, who is like You?
I declare this is my acceptable year in the Lord, the day of vengeance of my God against the enemies of my soul. I will have beauty for ashes and the oil of joy for mourning. I call myself a tree of righteousness, the planting of the Lord that God may be glorified over my life. I bind the spirit of heaviness from oppressing me and command it to leave me in the name of Jesus. You said Jesus Matthew 16:19 “And I will give to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
Lord wrap a garment of praise around me. Help me put it on and find my peace in You. I will rebuild the old ruins of my life. I will raise up the former desolations and repair the ruined cities of my soul, the desolations of many generations in my family line even. I declare every generational curse of depression and heaviness broken off of me now in the name of Jesus, and I declare whom the Son sets free is free indeed. I am free. Instead of shame, I will have double honor. Instead of confusion I will rejoice in my portion. Therefore in my land I will possess double, and everlasting joy will be mine. Lord, restore to me peace and joy, and give me double for my trouble. Thank You God the burden is lifted, the yoke of bondage is destroyed from off of me, because of the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
Isaiah 42:22“But this is a people robbed and plundered; they are all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison houses: they are for a prey, and none delivers for a spoil, and none says, ‘Restore.’” I say ‘restore’ Lord. Restore to me my peace and joy, my right mind, and my very life. Where the thief Satan has robbed from me joy and happiness, I say ‘restore!’ in the name of Jesus. John 10:10 The thief comes only for to steal to kill and to destroy. Jesus came that I might have life and life more abundantly.
Suicide
Satan is seeking to kill. Jesus said in John 10:10 he comes ONLY to steal, kill, and destroy. The problem may look overwhelming to you, but just believe and it is possible, God will rescue and heal. The Lord promised in Isaiah 43:2-5, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire you will not be burned, for I am with you, nor will the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God…since you were precious in My sight, you have been honored, and I have loved you…fear not, I am with you.” He said in Isaiah 59:19 So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, And His glory from the rising of the sun; when the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him. You must trust in the Word of God, “thank You Father You promised all these problems will not overwhelm me. I thank You for strength, and You uphold me. When the enemy comes in like a flood, You lift up a standard against him.” Psalm 61:2 From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
We cannot let self-pity creep in if circumstances in relationships have not worked out the way we designed or hoped. Forgiveness has to work in us. Walking out forgiveness is a continual process. God will heal our hearts of the hurt and the pain of broken relationships as we keep it surrendered to Him, and not allow wrath, envy, or bitterness to take hold. Rom. 8:28 says we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. God is very good at finding a way to make good from bad somehow.
Look at the account in the following scriptures. Mark 9:22-23 “And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” Jesus said, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Matt. 17:14-21 “Bring him to Me.” And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” Jesus said this was a demon oppressing this child, trying to make him commit suicide. He called it a deaf and dumb spirit. Sometimes a spirit can get involved with depression, and drive a person to give up entirely. Suicide and depression go hand in hand, as we all know.
Is. 53:4-5 Surely, He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows…the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.
Pray: Lord I thank You that You have borne my griefs and carried my sorrows. You were chastised (harshly corrected) so I could have peace. I believe by Your stripes I am healed of the oppression of depression, sorrow, fear, and thoughts of suicide. Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus, I renounce the lie that I can find peace and freedom by taking my own life. I confess rejection of myself as sin, and ask Your forgiveness. I ask You to forgive me for the times I attempted or thought about suicide. I renounce the death wish. I bind the spirit of death and command it to leave me. I declare now that I choose life over death, to the glory of God. I shall not die but live and declare the works of the Lord. Lord You created me for a great purpose, and I embrace that. The thoughts You have toward me are of peace and not of evil, to give me a future and a hope (Jer. 29:11). In the name of Jesus Christ, I command all evil spirits that would have come in through attempted suicide and thoughts of suicide to depart from me now, even any deaf and dumb spirit. Thank You Lord for setting me free.
Jeremiah 29:11-12 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.”
Psalm 118:17 I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.
Pray for yourself:
We are all aware of our weaknesses. Do not think you should not pray for yourself to be strong and to follow God. Pray for His strength. Pray you have ears to hear Him and a heart to obey Him. Pray you do not fall in temptation. Pray you do not give up. Here are good scriptures to pray over yourself out loud and make them personal, so you can fight depression.
Isaiah 40:29-31 He gives power to the faint; and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: but those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Psalm 61:2 From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
I Cor 10:4 …all our fathers were under the cloud…and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.
Luke 6:47-48 Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.
Luke 22:31-32 And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”
Hebrews 4:14-16 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Romans 8:34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
Pray: Lord I come boldly to the throne of grace to obtain mercy and find grace to help in my time of need. I come in the name of Jesus my Savior. I come with my Advocate, Your Holy Spirit You gave me. I thank You that You give power to the faint, and to those who have no might You increase strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but as I wait upon You, You promised that I will have my strength renewed and I will mount up with wings as eagles. I will run and not be weary and I will walk and not faint. I will wait upon the strength of the Holy Spirit every day for all that I walk through. When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the Rock that is higher than I. You are my Rock Jesus. On You I stand firm. I will believe Your Words over all other words I hear. Keep me and preserve me that I should not fail. As You prayed for Peter, so pray for me that my strength and faith should not fail. You are my intercessor to the Father. You know how I feel going through every hard time. Holy Spirit You are my Comforter for the agony and difficulty. Keep me comforted in hardship. Help me stay in peace. Do not let me be overcome. Surround me and protect me from the enemy’s fiery darts. Strengthen me in my weakness. I lean on You Holy Spirit.
You said in I Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: casting all your care upon Him; for He cares for you. So I cast my cares on You, for You care for me. The hairs on my head are numbered, and I am of more value to You than many sparrows. Luke 12:6-7 “Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.” You watch over Your children with care Lord.
Be the lifter of my head and encourage my heart. Psalm 3:3 But You, O Lord, are a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. Psalm 119:28 My soul melts for heaviness: strengthen me according to Your word. You promised in Zechariah 10:12 “And I will strengthen them in the Lord; and they shall walk up and down in His name,” says the Lord.
Holy Spirit I lean on You for comfort and hope. Jesus You said in John 14:15-18, 26 “If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you… But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.”
(Helper is the Greek word parakletos meaning helper, comforter, or advocate. Para means alongside of).
John 16:7 “Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.”
Romans 8:26-27 “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”
II Cor. 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
Father Your Word says in II Cor. 12:9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. And in II Tim. 2:1 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Lord I am decreeing by faith that Your grace is sufficient for me, and Your strength is made perfect in my weakness. The power of Christ rests upon me though I am weak, I am strong. You said in Joel 3:10 Beat your plowshares into swords And your pruning hooks into spears; Let the weak say, ‘I am strong.’ ” So I say I am strong. Strong in the Lord and the power of His might. Ephes. 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. The God of all creation abides in me. Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world. I John 4:4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. In the Lord I have righteousness and strength. All my enemies in the spirit who seek my fall will be ashamed. Isaiah 45:24 Surely, shall one say, “in the Lord have I righteousness and strength”: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed.
Ecclesiastes 7:19 Wisdom strengthens the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city. Lead me in Your wisdom Lord. Help me follow Your Word and Your leading through this. For wisdom strengthens the wise more than ten mighty men in the city.
Job 17:9 The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he who has clean hands shall be stronger and stronger. Help me Lord to walk in righteousness, with clean hands, and I will be stronger and stronger.
You promised in Isaiah 41:10 “Fear not; for I am with you: be not dismayed; for I am your God: I will strengthen you; yes, I will help you; yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of My righteousness.” And in Habakkuk 3:19 The Lord God is my strength, and He will make my feet like deer’s feet, and He will make me to walk upon my high places.
Psalm 105:24 And He increased His people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies.
I pray for myself God according to Ephes. 3:16-18 That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love…
Isaiah 35:3 Strengthen the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, “Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompense; He will come and save you.”
You said in Psalm 27:14 Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. I call for the grace of God to carry me, I ask for grace upon grace Lord. To this mountain before me I say “Grace, Grace to it’ before me you will be made a plain. The Lord said whatsoever you say to this mountain, be removed and be cast into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart, he will have whatever he says. To this mountain of depression, pain, grief, sorrow, tribulation and distress, to this mountain of fear or worry, trouble and heartbreak, be removed from me and be cast into the sea in the name of Jesus. I will not be overcome by this storm. I say peace be still in Jesus name, I will stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. I will trust Him through the trial. He works patience in me, let it have its perfect work, so that I will be complete and lacking nothing. If I must go through this testing, I thank You God I will come through refined like gold, and none of this suffering will be in vain. He who began a good work in me is faithful to complete it. No weapon formed against me will prosper. My righteousness is from God. When I walk through the fire I will not be burned, and when I go through the floods, they will not overflow me. Raise up a standard against the flood of the enemy Lord, against this flood of hardship and trouble, sadness and depression.
Isaiah 59:19 So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.
Isaiah 43:2 “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.”
Zech 4:7 “Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone with shouts of “Grace, grace to it!” ’ ”
Mark 11:23 “For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.”
1 Peter 5:10 But the God of all grace, who has called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that you have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
Phil. 1:6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.
Isaiah 54:17 “No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me,” says the Lord.
Exodus 14:13 And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever.”
II Chron 20:7 “You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.”
Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!
Zech 13:9 “I will bring the one-third through the fire, will refine them as silver is refined,
and test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, and I will answer them.
I will say, ‘This is My people’; and each one will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’ ”
Depression and Grief
The spirit of heaviness can perpetuate an abnormal state of grief and mourning, stealing the joy of living. Grief is a God-given emotion to be expected with loss, allowing us to empty the deep feelings that must not be kept inside. However, perpetual grief can be destructive. If we never get over the death of a loved one, or the loss of something precious to us, we magnify death and loss over God. It creates fear and hopelessness. As people of God we “forget those things which are behind and reach forward to those things which are ahead, pressing toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus,” Philippians 3:13-14.
For the death of a loved one, God appointed 30 days of mourning, no more. He knew any more than this would cause it to overwhelm and cripple the soul. Read through Deuteronomy 34: 5-8 and Joshua 2:1-7 about this. When Moses died, the people mourned 30 days, and then God essentially said ‘it’s time to move on in what I have for you.’ That does not mean that after 30 days we forget the loved one. It means the deep sorrow, the crying and the agony, the anger and the questioning, needs to come to an end. We can continue to pray for God to heal our soul, but we cannot continue to isolate ourselves, withdraw from life and obligations, and wallow in loss and pain or anger about it. We will always miss them, and there will be sad times when we think of them, but that is not what God is talking about. He does not want us to come to a halt in our life and never move again because of the grief, to cling to the past and let it keep us from our future. He does not want us developing idolatrous coping mechanisms to deal with the pain of the loss. If it is a year later and we are still depressed, withdrawn, agonizing, angry, fearful, and anxious because of the loss, this is not God’s will. Grief is controlling us.
Perpetual grief can open the door to depression, anxiety, mistrust, doubt, a break in our faith, eating disorders, anger and bitterness, drug use, and all kinds of negative things. We can get our eyes off of God as our Comforter, and put them on the wrong things to try to bring us comfort or escape from the pain.
If you feel like grief has an abnormal and depressing hold on you, pray the following:
Father in Jesus name, I confess grief has taken hold of me, and I have allowed it to rule in my life. I choose to forgive anyone involved in the loss of my loved one. I will not blame or question You Lord, I will trust You. You mean only good, never harm. I understand this is a fallen world where death is still a part until You come again. I command the spirit of grief and heaviness to leave me in the name of Jesus and never return. I command all negative consequences of grief to leave me and I declare by faith I am free of that oppression. I ask You God to forgive me of any idolatrous means of coping that I may have allowed to rule in me. You are my Comforter God. I will no longer agonize and mourn. I will remember them with good thoughts. I will go on in what God left for me to do here, and I will look forward to seeing my loved one in heaven. I refuse to be brought down by fear and anxiety over the loss, because I have not been given a spirit of fear but of love, power and a sound mind. I renounce all depression, fear, and grief. In the name of Jesus my Savior, Amen.
Sadness/Broken-heartedness
Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are bruised (crushed).
Psalm 56:8 You number my wanderings; put my tears into Your bottle; are they not in Your book?
Psalm 34:18 The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit.
Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all of the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalm 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Ps. 61:2 When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.
Ps. 77:1-3, 7-12 I cried out to God with my voice—to God with my voice; and he gave ear to me. In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord; my hand was stretched out in the night without ceasing; my soul refused to be comforted. I remembered God, and was troubled; I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed…Has His mercy ceased forever? Has His promise failed forevermore? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has He in anger shut up His tender mercies? And I said, “This is my anguish; but I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High. I will remember the works of the Lord; surely I will remember Your wonders of old. I will also meditate on all Your work, and talk of Your deeds.
Lamentations 3:20-26 My soul still remembers and sinks within me.21 This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope.22 Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,
because His compassions fail not.23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!”
25 The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. 26 It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Pray: Lord, You know my hurts and my pain, and I know that You are near to those with a broken heart. You are not a God afar off, and I thank You that You are intimately concerned with my well-being. Thank You Jesus that you carried my sorrows and you bore my grief on the cross. You came to heal the brokenhearted and give beauty for ashes. I trust You Lord that You are working all things together for my good, because I love You. Forgive me for not trusting in You completely at all times, and allowing grief, broken heartedness, heaviness and sadness to overtake me. Lord I see You as my hope, my reason for living, my freedom. Set me free Jesus, restore my joy. I reject any thoughts of self-pity. Satan I bind your spirit of heaviness and grief in my life, for whatever I bind on earth is bound in heaven. I command you to leave and not come back to me again, in the name of Jesus. Lord consecrate my spirit so that I will stay free, and help me to keep my faith in You alone, to look to You for joy and peace and fulfillment. I thank You that You said if I would seek the kingdom of God first, that all the things I need and desire would be added to me. You said commit my ways to you and trust in You and You would bring it to pass, that if I delighted in You, You would give me the desires of my heart. I ask You Holy Spirit the Comforter, the Healer and Restorer of my soul to bring comfort and healing. Restore my peace. I receive the garment of praise and the oil of joy. Thank You Lord for the peace that passes understanding. You know what is best for me. Let Your perfect will be done in my life. And I praise You, and thank You even in the valley for Your faithfulness.
Lord I thank You that You will heal the broken-heartedness in me, and set me at liberty where I have been bruised. You keep my tears in Your bottle, and know all the secrets of my heart. You know what is causing me anguish and I pray You heal it. Lead me to healing. Make my heart ready to receive it. Turn my eyes from hopelessness. Help me to remember Your goodness and Your ability. Remind me of Your power. You are my shepherd. I will not want. Lead me beside still waters and restore my soul. Show me You are there to comfort me. Prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. Thank You goodness and mercy follows me all the days of my life. Lift up a standard against the enemy of my soul, so that I am not overwhelmed. Great is Your faithfulness Lord, Your mercies are new every morning for me. I will trust in You and Your lovingkindness. I will not forget it is through the mercy of God I am even here.
Isaiah 51:12-13 “I, even I, am He who comforts you. Who are you that you should be afraid of a man who will die, and of the son of a man who will be made like grass? And you forget the Lord your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth; you have feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, when he has prepared to destroy, and where is the fury of the oppressor?
Ps. 119:81-82 My soul faints for Your salvation, but I hope in Your word. My eyes fail from searching Your word, saying, “When will You comfort me?”
Is. 49:13 Sing, O heavens! Be joyful, O earth! And break out in singing, O mountains! For the Lord has comforted His people, and will have mercy on His afflicted.
II Cor. 7:6-7 Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming, but also by the consolation with which he was comforted in you, when he told us of your earnest desire, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more.
Pray: “Lord cause me to find comfort in Your Word. Lead me to Your promises for my life. Send me the word in due season, and the encouragement I need. God will comfort all my waste places, and make my wilderness like Eden, and my desert like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness will be found in my life, thanksgiving and the voice of a melody. I will not fear, for God will deliver me. Where is the fury of the oppressor? Satan you are not ruler over me. I belong to Jesus. I rejoice Lord for my deliverance. You are the Comforter Holy Spirit. I trust You to heal my heart.”
Psalm 29:11 The Lord will give strength to me; the Lord will bless me with peace.
Philip. 4:7 And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep my heart and mind through Christ Jesus.
Depression and physical healing
Sometimes depression can cause physical manifestations, sickness, and disease. There may be issues with the heart. Because depression frequently goes with fear, and fear is often associated with heart troubles, it would be wise to cast out fear whenever you cast out depression, then speak healing to the heart. If there is bitterness, anger, or resentment, even envy, it can affect the joints and the bones. Forgiveness and repentance for this is key for healing.
Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life. (Disappointment, delay, and unmet expectations are very emotionally distressing, and can affect the heart spiritually and physically. There is actually a medical diagnosis called ‘broken heart syndrome.’) Depression always tries to usher in hopelessness. We must cast out hopelessness and keep our hope in the Lord and His faithfulness to His promises. If we lose all hope, depression has won. Focus on scriptures of hope, and promises on the situation.
Psalm 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Isaiah 35:3 Strengthen the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, “Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompense; He will come and save you.”
Psalm 34:18 The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit.
Proverbs 12:25 Anxiety in the heart of a man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad.
Psalm 31:24 Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord.
John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you: not as the world gives do I give unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
Luke 21:25-26 “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.”
Proverbs 17:22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
Psalm 31:10 For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.
Proverbs 14:30 A sound heart is life to the body, but envy is rottenness to the bones.
FEAR: Anxiety almost always goes with depression. Even the psychiatry field knows this. Anxiety is basically fear, and it is often birthed out of a history of trauma, loss, woundedness, insecurity, abuse, shame, and broken relationships. All of that can bring depression.
Proverbs 12:25 Anxiety in the heart of a man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad.
I John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
Fear brings torment in the mind and heart with all the ‘what ifs’, the ‘whys’, the ‘hows’ and ‘whens.’ It will rob you of peace, and of sleep. It is tormenting to lose rest. Perfect love is God’s pure and boundless love. If we understand He has perfect love for us, then we can trust Him to work it all out for our good as we pray and believe. PERFECT love has no room for fear, the God of all creation is my Daddy, and He has got my back. If I fear, I have forgotten that perfect love. Knowing the love of the Father for you and trusting in that, casts fear out.
Luke 10:19-20“Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”
James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
II Tim. 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (‘sound’ here means self-discipline with wisdom, not bound in irrational thought)
Pray: “Spirit of fear I cast you out because I know the perfect love of the Father for me. Tormenting spirits leave in the name of Jesus. Thank You Jesus I will not have a spirit of fear in me, but of the power of God, an assurance of Your perfect love for me Lord that keeps me and has only good for me. I have a sound mind, not bound in irrational thoughts and worries, but moving in the wisdom of God.”
Pray this every night before bed.
Psalm 4:8 I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone Lord make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 127:2 (Instead of being anxious) He gives His beloved sleep.
Prov. 3:24-26 When you lie down you will not be afraid; yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet…for the Lord will be your confidence.
David spoke this when he was hiding from Saul, who was out hunting him down to kill him. He could have been afraid to go to sleep, that Saul and his men would creep up on him in the night, but instead he rested in the fact that he knew God would protect him. Complete trust. This is how Jesus was sleeping in the boat through a storm.
Fear brings weakness and incapacitation:
Psalm 138:3 In the day when I cried, You answered me, and strengthened me with strength in my soul.
Psalm 31:24 Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord.
Pray: Thank You Lord for strengthening me, that I will not be weak, timid, and afraid, but bold and confident because Almighty God is on my side. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, as You said in Philippians 4:19. You promised in Zech. 10:12 “And I will strengthen them in the Lord; and they shall walk up and down in His name,” says the Lord.
Isaiah 41:9-10 “I have chosen you, and have not cast you away. Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” You said in II Cor. 12:9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Isaiah 40:30-31 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Worry is fear. Fear is faith in the wrong thing.
Matthew 6:32-34“Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?…for all these things the Gentiles (people who do not know God) seek. For your heavenly Father knows you need all these things. Seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Worry often involves fear in things that will very likely never happen. Sometimes the fears can be very irrational. Sometimes they are legitimate. Either way, it is a ridiculous way to live, and it robs you of peace. Deal with today. No one is even guaranteed tomorrow.
Pray: Father thank You that I can come boldly to the throne of grace to obtain grace to help in time of need, because of the blood of Jesus over me. I confess before You fear, anxiety, and worry in my heart. I ask You to forgive me for fearing and not trusting in You. I receive Your forgiveness, and ask You to cleanse me of it.
I realize that fear is the opposite of faith, which is why You always tell us in Your Word not to fear. It is faith that pleases You (Heb. 11:6). I will not serve a spirit of fear and allow fearful thoughts to rule my attitudes, words, and decisions. I will serve the Lord Jesus, who promises He is with me and will direct my path when I trust in Him (Prov. 3:5-6). Your perfect love for me God casts out all fear from my heart and mind. I will settle in my heart that Your ways are higher than mine, that You know every detail of my life I cannot even see, and the plans that You have for me are good and not evil to give me a future and a hope (Jer. 29:11, Is. 55:9). All things are possible with You, and You have many ways to deliver me out of every concern, to meet my every need, and to bless me with the good things that You desire to give me. You are my Father and my friend, and I trust You. Help me to mold my words in faith and not fear. I bind the spirit of fear and I command the spirits of fear, anxiety, dread, and worry to leave me in the name of Jesus now. I command any spirits of infirmity attacking my health because of fear to leave me in the name of Jesus. Thank You Lord for setting me free. Satan I reject your lies. I will trust in the sovereignty and love of God.
Jesus said to me in Is. 43:1-3 “Fear not, for I am with you, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by your name, you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor will the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” Thank You Lord that I belong to You and have no need to fear. You are always with me to deliver me. If I walk through a fiery trial, I will not be burned. If I pass through waters that would overwhelm me, I will not be overcome.
Jesus said John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you: not as the world gives do I give unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Thank You Jesus, I receive Your peace. Phil. 4:5-7 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Thank You Lord the peace of God guards my heart and mind through Christ Jesus. Col. 3:15 and let the peace of God rule your hearts…I Peter 5:7 casting all your care (anxieties, worries, burdens) upon Him, because He cares for you. I will cast my cares on Him, for He cares for me. Psalm 56:3-4 Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God, I will praise His word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can man do to me?
Ps. 34:4-10 I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears…the angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him. The young lions lack and suffer hunger, but those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing…The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears open to their cry…The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all…The Lord redeems the soul of His servants, and none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.
II Kings 6:16 And he answered, “Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.”
Psalm 118:6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
Proverbs 1:33 But whoever listens to me (wisdom) shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.
Psalm 23:4 Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff they comfort me.
Psalm 112:6-8 Surely he shall not be moved forever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.
Psalm 91:5-11 You shall not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flies by day nor for the pestilence that walks in darkness; nor for the destruction that wastes at noonday. A thousand shall fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because you have made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, your habitation; there shall no evil befall you, neither shall any plague come near your dwelling. For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.
Isaiah 54:14 “In righteousness shall you be established: you shall be far from oppression; for you shall not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near you.”
Hebrews 13:6 So that we may boldly say, the Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do to me.
Matthew 8:26 And He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
Isaiah 51:12-13 “I, even I, am He who comforts you: who are you, that you should be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass; and forget the Lord your maker, who has stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and have feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? And where is the fury of the oppressor?” (The oppressor is Satan)
Is. 8:9-13 Be shattered Oh you peoples, and be broken in pieces! Give ear, all you from far countries. Gird yourselves, but be broken in pieces; Gird yourselves but be broken in pieces. Take counsel together, but it will not stand, for God is with us.
Mark 5:36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid, only believe.”
Psalm 118:13-17 You pushed me violently that I might fall: but the Lord helped me. The Lord is my strength and song, and has become my salvation. The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the Lord does valiantly. The right hand of the Lord is exalted: the right hand of the Lord does valiantly. I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.
Psalm 116:1-9 I love the Lord, because He has heard my voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore will I call upon Him as long as I live. The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell laid hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow. Then I called upon the name of the Lord; O Lord, I beseech You, deliver my soul. Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; yes, our God is merciful. The Lord preserves the simple: I was brought low, and He helped me. Return unto your rest, O my soul; for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with you. For You have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living.
Trauma:
Traumatic events are a very vulnerable time for us. We must be careful not to be taken away by the fear and sadness of the event. There is a place for the mourning, but that is not to perpetuate indefinitely in us. Traumatic events vary from person to person how traumatic it is to us. There is obvious trauma such as going through unexpected death, natural disasters, accidents, divorces, adultery, rape, abuse, victims of crime, war, and such. But there are also other events that may occur in our lives that were particularly traumatic for us. This is very individualized. If you suffer from fear, anxiety, or depression and all its various manifestations, you must become a detective to trace the symptoms back to an inciting event or events. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you with this. Comb through your life and find the thing that happened to you that affected you so deeply. That is the root, the open door the enemy took advantage of. That is the trauma that needs to be healed, and from which the enemy roots must be pulled up.
Speak directly to the spirit of trauma and command it to leave. Pray through that event, and ask Jesus to heal that place. Find scripture that counters that event. If it was the death of a loved one, pray through the grief, the fear of loss, the anger and the questioning why, the blaming of God or other people or yourself. If it was adultery and divorce, pray through forgiveness and bitterness, and who you are in Christ to deal with the rejection, asking Jesus to bind up that wound and bring restoration again. You must then let it go. You have to announce out loud to the devil that this event will not control your life any longer.
Command the fear that came in to leave. Announce your trust in God’s perfect love for you that though something bad happened, it is not His fault, and He did not abandon you. You must let go of anger toward the Lord. You must realize this is a fallen world with a very real devil, and very real consequences of man’s sin all around us. But at the same time, God made a way of salvation while we are still here to live in peace and victory in the middle of dark places and difficult times. Until He comes again, we are all here together in this earth awaiting the culmination of His plan. The saved, the unsaved, and the devil and his demon spirits. The Bible makes this clear. Though the world is uncertain, God’s love for us is certain, and He wants us to trust in Him. If things do not go the way we think they should, it is Him we should run to for comfort, rather than turning away from Him because we feel He failed to meet our expectations. He is not our genie in the sky. He is Almighty God, and we are His creation. But He cares for every intimate detail, and not one is insignificant or unheard.
PTSD:
The medical world has named it post-traumatic stress disorder. This is simply the grip of fear, depression, anxiety, and the perpetual reminding of the traumatic event. It is that unsound mind the enemy tried to put on us instead of the sound mind the Lord gave us. Once you identify the root of the traumatic event, you must first choose as an act of your will to forgive any offenders that caused the trauma. Then you can speak to the trauma, fear, anger, or whatever else is associated with it to leave in the name of Jesus and take all its underlings with it. Then ask the Lord to bring inner healing. To bind up the wounds.
Pray: In the name of Jesus Christ, I command the spirits of trauma to leave me. Lord, I ask You to heal me of the trauma to my soul from ____ (that event). Thank You by Your stripes I am healed, the chastisement for my peace was upon You (Isaiah 53). I command all fear, anxiety, and stress from that event to leave me in Jesus’ name. All spirits of torment and flashbacks go from me. The peace of God that passes understanding is mine, and I have the mind of Christ. I have not been given a spirit of fear but of love, power and a sound mind. I call my mind, my thought, my brain out of agreement with fear and trauma, and into agreement with life and peace in the Lord Jesus Christ. I speak to all the neural pathways in my brain to be healed from the trauma, and be realigned to function as God designed. I call peace to my sleep in the name of Jesus. I command all nightmares and night terrors to leave me and never return. I refuse torment and command every spirit of the enemy that would torment me through trauma to leave now and never return, in the mighty name of Jesus. Whom the Son sets free is free indeed.
Leave a Reply