Stop Pretending
Today's Scripture
"The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." - (2 Corinthians 10:4-5 NIV)
Thoughts for Today
This week we are looking at symptoms of depression. Think about these three:
- Interpersonal relationships are difficult. Emotions are likely to be flattened despite the likelihood of bouts of weeping. There is often a desire to withdraw from social contacts, even with family members.
- Irritability and anger sometimes take control. That's one reason intimate relationships become difficult. Depressed individuals usually admit they overreact to external events and don't understand why they become so angry over trivial matters.
- Sleep disorders—from having difficulty sleeping to sleeping too much.
Consider this …
To overcome depression, we must lean on God's strength, not our own. We must trust his wisdom. We must place our faith in his Word. We must stop pretending that we can handle everything on our own. We must stop letting our thoughts dwell on our problems . . . on what ifs . . . on our fears . . . on our confusion. We can't control our thoughts, so we need to ask Jesus to take control and help us dwell on truth. The truth of his Word. We must "take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."
Prayer
Father, I know I've taken my eyes off you and focused on my fears and anger and confusion. I'm trying to work things out on my own instead of leaning on your strength. Forgive me. I want every thought to be obedient to Christ. Please help me. In Jesus' name . . .
These thoughts were drawn from …
Understanding Depression: Overcoming Despair through Christ by Donald G. Miles, Ed.D. This study deals with depression, a condition common throughout the world, and is suggested for use in support groups and Christian counseling.
- Understanding what depression is and how it affects relationships
- Understanding the relationship between depression and spiritual warfare
- Ways to fight depression with scripture, prayer and mutual support
- Understanding the special prayer needs of depressed persons
- How to pray for healing and what to expect
- Serves as a powerful evangelistic tool by providing a way to minister to people's felt needs and then lead them to Christ
Note: This curriculum was written especially for small groups, and we encourage people to use it that way. However, it can also be used effectively as a personal study for individuals or couples.
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