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Overcoming Depression & Burnout
Depression, burnout, and stress are to the mind what
sickness and disease are to the body. his is emotional
"illness" is a growing problem today. Doubt,
discouragement, and depression are all primary weapons
used by satan in the battle against our minds. He maligns
God's character and faithfulness, redirects our focus on
our problems instead of God's promises. There are many
things we can do to win this battle though. Of course,
first and foremost is turning to Christ and trusting in
Him to strengthen us.
Below you will find many scriptures to help in the area
of depression. Feel free to print this page out and keep
with you if you would like. I encourage you to read the
bible every day, several times a day if needed. Being a
single mother, unemployed, "dating" when the
opportunity arises, and living in a world under constant
conflict I personally invested in a small extra bible and
carry it in my purse everywhere I go. Money I didn't feel
at the time I could afford but well worth the investment.
I find myself turning to that bible while waiting in
doctor and dentist's offices, waiting at the school to
pick up my son, and don't tell anyone but have even been
drawn to pull it out while driving down the road. I often
ask my 10-year-old son to take it out and look something
up for me while were traveling even just to the local
store. Hey, this serves 2 purposes, gives me the
scripture, encouragement, strength I need plus gets him
to read scripture also.
After the list of scriptures you will also find a couple
prayers I might suggest to help. These don't need to be
prayed word for word but only a help to get you started
if needed. Last but not least are a few "fun"
things I have found that help me greatly in fighting
depression, which by the way also includes loneliness.
Suggested Prayer:
Lord, thank you that I don't have to live under a cloud
of depression. I praise you that you are at work even
now, restoring the joy of my salvation, and restoring my
soul in every area. Father, help me to put on a garment
of praise instead of a spirit of heaviness. Help me to
fix my eyes upon Jesus, and not upon my problems. May I
find my comfort in you, Amen.
Please note there are a lot of scriptures here. I do not
suggest
that you set and just read them to read but instead take
each scripture one at a time, concentrate on that verse,
let the Holy Spirit talk to you as you read, then move to
the next. You may want to take one a day or several a day
- some you may want to read over and over, let the Spirit
guide you. And don't forget there is a printer friendly
version of this page to make it easier for you to refer
to later. Of course you are always welcome to bookmark
this page and come back as often as you like.
Psalm 28:7
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted
in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly
rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith
the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you
an expected end.
2 Chronicles 32:8
With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our
God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people
rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of
Judah.
Lamentations 3:21-26
This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of
the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his
compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great
is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my
soul; therefore will I hope in him. The LORD is good unto
them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It
is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for
the salvation of the LORD.
Psalm 9:9-10
The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a
refuge in times of trouble. And they that know thy name
will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not
forsaken them that seek thee.
Psalm 16:11
Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is
fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for
evermore.
Psalm 23:3
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of
righteousness for his name's sake.
Psalm 31:7
I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast
considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in
adversities;
Psalm 31:22-24
For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine
eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my
supplications when I cried unto thee. O love the LORD,
all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful,
and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. Be of good
courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that
hope in the LORD.
Psalm 34:17-19
The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth
them out of all their troubles. The LORD is nigh unto
them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of
a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the
righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
Psalm 37:23-24
The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he
delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be
utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his
hand.
Psalm 42:5-8
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou
disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet
praise him for the help of his countenance. O my God, my
soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember
thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from
the hill Mizar. Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of
thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone
over me. Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in
the day time, and in the night his song shall be with me,
and my prayer unto the God of my life.
Psalm 51:12
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me
with thy free spirit.
Psalm 55:22
Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee:
he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
Psalm 61:1-4
Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end
of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is
overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower
from the enemy. I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever:
I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.
Psalm 63:6-8
When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in
the night watches. Because thou hast been my help,
therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. My
soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth
me.
Psalm 95:1
O come, let us sing unto the LORD:
let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.
Psalm 103:1-5
Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me,
bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and
forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine
iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth
thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with
lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy
mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like
the eagle's.
Psalm 116:7-9
Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt
bountifully with thee. For thou hast delivered my soul
from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from
falling. I will walk before the LORD in the land of the
living.
Psalm 118:15
The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the
tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD
doeth valiantly.
Psalm 118:24
This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice
and be glad in it.
Psalm 130:5-7
I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word
do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they
that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that
watch for the morning. Let Israel hope in the LORD: for
with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous
redemption.
Psalm 146:8
The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind: the LORD raiseth
them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth the righteous:
Isaiah 12:3
Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells
of salvation.
Isaiah 26:3
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed
on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
Isaiah 35:3-4
Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble
knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be
strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with
vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and
save you.
Isaiah 60:1
Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the
LORD is risen upon thee.
Isaiah 61:10
I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be
joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the
garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe
of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with
ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her
jewels.
Isaiah 50:10
Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the
voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath
no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay
upon his God.
Isaiah 54:14
In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be
far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from
terror; for it shall not come near thee.
Zephaniah 3:17
The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will
save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in
his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
Matthew 11:28-30
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and
I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of
me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find
rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden
is light.
Luke 4:18-19
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath
anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath
sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance
to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to
set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the
acceptable year of the Lord.
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as
the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be
troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 15:10-11
If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love;
even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide
in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my
joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
Acts 13:52
And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy
Ghost.
Romans 4:17-18
(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many
nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who
quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be
not as though they were. Who against hope believed in
hope, that he might become the father of many nations,
according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.
Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to
them that love God, to them who are the called according
to his purpose.
Romans 8:31
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us,
who can be against us?
Romans 14:17
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but
righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Romans 15:13
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in
believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power
of the Holy Ghost.
1 Corinthians 2:16
For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may
instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man
perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our
light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for
us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
While we look not at the things which are seen, but at
the things which are not seen: for the things which are
seen are emporal; but the things which are not seen are
eternal.
Galatians 1:4
Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us
from this present evil world, according to the will of
God and our Father:
Ephesians 4:23-24
And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye
put on the new man, which after God is created in
righteousness and true holiness.
Ephesians 4:27
Neither give place to the devil.
Philippians 2:5
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Philippians 4:6-9
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made
known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all
understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through
Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are
true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are
just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are
lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be
any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these
things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and
received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of
peace shall be with you.
Colossians 3:1-2
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which
are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the
earth.
Hebrews 12:2
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;
who for the joy that was set before him endured the
cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right
hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:12-13
Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the
feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest
that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it
rather be healed.
1 Peter 1:13-14
Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and
hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto
you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient
children, not fashioning yourselves according to the
former lusts in your ignorance:
1 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 careth for you.
The following Prayer is rather long but is based on many
of the scriptures listed above. It was taken from a book
I have been reading, "Prayers That Avail Much"
by Germaine Copeland. The prayer is titled "Victory
Over Depression" and has been very helpful to me as
we are to pray to our Father with a positive attitude, He
will answer our prayers and claiming "Victory"
is very uplifting!
Father, You are my refuge and my high tower and my
stronghold in times of trouble. I lean on and confidently
put my trust in You, for You have not forsaken me. I seek
You on the authority of Your word and the right of my
necessity. I praise You, the help of my countenance and
my God.
Lord, You lift up those who are bowed down. Therefore, I
am strong and my heart takes courage. I establish myself
on righteous- right standing in conformity with Your will
and order. I am far even from the thought of oppression
or destruction, for I fear not. I am far from terror for
it shall not come near me.
Father, You have thoughts and plans for my welfare and
peace. My mind is stayed on You, for I stop allowing
myself to be agitated and disturbed and intimidated and
cowardly and unsettled.
In the name of Jesus I loose my mind from wrong thought
patterns. I tear down strongholds that have protected bad
perceptions about myself. I submit to You, Father, and
resist fear, discouragement, self-pity and depression. I
will not give place to the devil by harboring resentment
and holding onto anger. I surround myself with songs and
shouts of deliverance from depression, and will continue
to be an overcomer by the word of my testimony and the
blood of the Lamb.
Father, I thank You that I have been given a spirit of
power and of love and of a calm and well-balanced mind. I
have discipline and self-control. I have the mind of
Christ and hold the thoughts, feelings and purposes of
His heart. I have a fresh mental and spiritual attitude,
for I am constantly renewed in the spirit of my mind with
Your Word, Father.
Therefore, I brace up and reinvigorate and cut through
and make firm and straight paths for my feet - safe and
upright and happy paths that go in the right direction. I
arise from the depression and prostration in which
circumstances have kept me. I rise to new life, I shine
and am radiant with the glory of the Lord.
Thank Your, Father, in Jesus' name, that I am set free
from every evil work. I praise You that the joy of the
Lord is my strength and stronghold! Hallelujah!
The following are some other suggestions that when used
along with the above scriptures can really help in your
daily battle against depression:
1) Pray - unceasingly, you are never alone and God loves
to hear from you and often, I talk to Him "in all
things", driving, cleaning house, relaxing!
2) Light - Let the sun shine in! Open those curtains turn
on lights, burn (safely of course) lots of candles. Satan
loves darkness so take that away from him.
3) Fresh Air - Get lots of fresh air! Along with the
curtains if possible open up those windows,
4) Exercise - go for daily walks outside if possible this
combines the above also, light and fresh air.
5) Music - crank up that stereo, music can soothe the
soul, pick cheerful uplifting music for motivation or
calm relaxing music to end a day.
6) Activities - think of things you love to do and do
them! Whether it's reading, writing, doing puzzles,
painting, some form of exercise (walking, running,
swimming, biking, tennis, etc.) Be creative, when's the
last time you colored a picture in a coloring book or
tried a new recipe?
7) Involvement - Get involved in a support group of some
sort, your local church is a great place to start.
Fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ will not
only lift your spirits but most likely they will also be
more than willing to pray with and for you during your
battle.
8) Help Others - often the best cure is to see how others
have it worse than yourself. You may volunteer at a
homeless shelter, get on a prayer list and pray for
other's needs, befriend a neighbor or church member who
is in need (older people are terrific sources of
knowledge and encouragement and often crave just the
least bit of attention).
9) Treat Yourself - this may be buying yourself fresh
flowers, eating your favorite ice cream, or in my case
locking the family out of the bathroom and taking a long
hot bath (bubbles, candles, and bible often my
companions).
10) Try Something New - sometimes we get stuck in a rut
and that rut can be our demise. Why not try a new hobby,
activity, or project. My latest is raising guppies! I
have the tank right next to my desk so can from time to
time look over to watch the little darlings swimming
around or do a head count on how many new babies we have.
Because HE Lives (lyrics)
GOD Sent HIS SON,
They called HIM JESUS;
HE Came to love, heal and forgive;
HE lived and died
To buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there
To prove my Saviour lives.
CHORUS:
Because He lives
I can face tomorrow;
Because HE lives
All fear is gone;
Because I know
HE holds the future,
And life is worth the living
just because HE lives.
How sweet to hold
A new born baby,
And feel the pride,
And joy HE gives;
But greater still
The calm assurance,
This child can face uncertain days
Because HE lives.
Chorus:
And then one day
I'll cross the river;
I'll fight life's
Final war with pain,
And then as death
Gives way to victory,
I'll see the lifghts of Glory
And I'll know HE lives.
Words & Music by: Bill Gaither
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