When Anxiety and Depression Strikes

*Insert Jaws theme here*




As I posted earlier today, I'm not feeling emotionally or spiritually well today. I struggle with anxiety and depression and it's really weighing me down today. Unfortunately, when I have an episode like this it's almost as if there are these brick walls separating me from God, and I have to put in more effort to break through those walls. This is particularly difficult because one of the side affects of anxiety and depression is lack of motivation. So I've learned from experience that if I sit and do nothing, I only get worse. It is up to me to seek Him. So seek, I must.




Here are 21 great verses from the Bible that are a little dose of chicken soup for the soul if you will. Check them out. Crack open your bible and highlight where necessary:




http://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/depression-bible-verses/









The other medicine I lean heavily on during these times is Christian music. There are lots of playlists on Spotify that I use depending on my mood. What I like about Spotify is that you can build your own playlist. Also check out K-Love and Air1 radio stations too. Again, speaking from experience, secular music doesn't help me. I used to think it did. Now, I enjoy a good variety of all kinds of music, but when I'm emotionally and spiritually sick like this, there's only ONE that can help, and that is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.









Remember our friends from the Bible: Job, who lost EVERYTHING! He was blessed ten-fold because he never doubted God. Paul. Oh boy. Our worst days were probably comparable to his best days. Yet there he sat, in prison, writing letters to lift up his brothers and sisters in Christ. And oh, David. I can't tell you how much David GETS ME! Talk about hills and valleys! Yeesh!









So, if you're feeling lost, disconnected, discouraged, depressed, anxious...... take it from someone who has dealt with these feelings for a good 15 years. I'm just now getting it: There is no better medicine than Jesus.









We take His medicine like good patients are supposed to. We pray without ceasing. And we wait patiently on Him.









Lord, here I am, waiting on You to restore my soul. You know my heart, You know my troubles. You know I hate feeling like this. Please renew me and let me walk again with a confidence in You so that I may be a light to others in this dark world. Watching everyone around me go through troubles of their own doesn't help my own situation. I pray You would renew their hearts as well so that we may lift each other up. In Jesus' name, AMEN.