It is our duty as Christians to find delight in the Lord (Philippians 4:5). Nevertheless, a lot of Christians experience periods of severe worry and melancholy. In what way might these be overcome? Considering that Christians can rest certain in God’s love for them, why do they even experience these problems in the first place?
When God was disobeyed
Anxiety and depression originally appeared in human existence at the very moment when God was disobeyed. Before then, Adam and Eve were at total peace with their Creator, as well as with one another and themselves. This was something they naturally had; they didn’t need to work at it. The first humans disguised themselves for God; as soon as they disobeyed God, this serenity vanished from their hearts and anxiety and dread showed their ugly faces (Genesis 3:8–10).
Man and wife relationships also became troublesome when their relationship with God was disturbed, and their self-perception also changed. Now, they were ashamed of who they were (Genesis 3:10).
The Bible is very honest
The Bible speaks candidly about depression and anxiety. Heroes of religion experienced difficulties with it, and they were honest about it. Elijah desired to pass away (1 Kings 19:4). He believed that only he continued to follow God (1 Kings 19:10). At several points in Numbers 11:11–15, Moses is at his wits’ end and even accuses God of “dealing ill” with him. David expressed his fear throughout the Psalms, such as in Psalm 22. Jeremiah (Lamentations 3:1–21) bemoaned the whole darkness in his life. There is not a single ray of light in Psalm 88. Depression and anxiety are real. Our planet is broken.
Jesus reconciled us
God be praised, for on the cross, Jesus made peace between us and God, as well as in other relationships. true joy and true peace that surpasses comprehension are available to us because we are in Christ and know Him (Philippians 4:7). We are able to coexist peacefully with other people. Because Jesus has set everything right for us, we can have peace with ourselves (Ephesians 2:13,14). However, it is not as natural as it was before the Fall; in fact, Paul tells his listeners to put in some effort on it (Philippians 4:4-8).
How to overcome depression and anxiety?
1. Turn to God with your emotions
First and foremost, pour out all of your feelings to the Lord. Never try to conceal them. It doesn’t matter whether they are uncooked. The verses described above, together with the Psalms and the book of Job, demonstrate that God is capable of handling intense emotions.
2. Put the yoke down
Second, remember that Jesus says: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). This means that you need to acknowledge the burden you have placed on yourself. Is your anxiety caused by you being too hard on yourself? Put this yoke down; take if off your neck. “Take my yoke upon you“. Set your mind on finding out what yoke Jesus wants to give to you; it will not be too heavy but just right for you, custom-made. “I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls;” Jesus invites you to be like Him, humble and kind, and when you become like him, your soul will find rest. This is a wonderful promise. Stay close to Jesus, cling to him. He is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:5).
3. Seek help
Third, you may need to ask for assistance. It is not our place on this earth to be alone. Ask God to send you a friend, a knowledgeable person, or your pastor—someone who will listen to you. Perhaps it’s time to get expert assistance. In that situation, it is advisable to consult with a Christian expert since your counselor or psychologist needs to be aware of the tight connection between issues of the heart and our relationship with God. A professional is qualified to ask the appropriate questions, which will first help you identify the source of your anxiety and sadness and then assist you in overcoming these emotions.
4. Do not turn away from God
But please, do not stray away from God in anything you do. Kindly realize that although He appears far, He is actually very close (Acts 17:27). Recall that everything, including extreme worry, has been experienced by Jesus (Hebrews 4:14, 15; Hebrews 5:7). Being us is scary, he knows that. However, He doesn’t let it stop there. Every step of the journey, he is by your side. And in a little while, the radiant brightness and comfort of the magnificent future Jesus has set for you will cause all of your sorrow to vanish (2 Corinthians 4:17). Once more, you will easily experience peace.
