Depression

[Reynolds]

From a Biblical standpoint, how do you deal with severe depression? (For the person asking) Everything in life is good. God is infinitely better to him than anything he could ever remotely feel he deserves. Family life is good. Depression comes much more often and goes deeper every time. Is it depression or PTSD returning? He wakes up every morning at 3am (like clock work) completely soaked in sweat and having severe anxiety.
Is it a spiritual problem? Medication does NOT help.
I honestly think there may be demonic oppressive forces at work.

 

[StefanM]

Depression can have many causes. I would recommend finding a good counselor to help.

As for medication, I would want to know what all has been tried. There may be additional options that have not been explored. As someone with a related mental illness (bipolar disorder), I can attest that some medication is completely ineffective for me while others seem to help.

 

[Van]

I am sure that all our minds do not function in the same way. Things that are unimportant to me, are a big deal to my somewhat autistic grandsons. So I would say, study scripture and adhere to God's word. Most of us have minds that work well enough to grasp Jesus and remain secure in His promises. I trust God will treat those outside that sphere with perfect justice.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

From a Biblical standpoint, how do you deal with severe depression? (For the person asking) Everything in life is good. God is infinitely better to him than anything he could ever remotely feel he deserves. Family life is good. Depression comes much more often and goes deeper every time. Is it depression or PTSD returning? He wakes up every morning at 3am (like clock work) completely soaked in sweat and having severe anxiety.
Is it a spiritual problem? Medication does NOT help.
I honestly think there may be demonic oppressive forces at work.

What do you mean by spiritual?

 

[taisto]

There are physical, medical reasons for depression and these physical balances should be explored.
There is also demonic oppression that attacks the mind in anxiety and turning away from God.

I have a nephew who wants to control everything (which he cannot do). He is severely depressed. I have tried to share the love of Christ with him. I knocked on his apartment door and he would not answer. I then started praying out loud for him. He opened the door and started yelling that he didn't want to hear anything about God and not to speak to him about God. In that instance I recognize demonic oppression upon him. I am grateful for the experience because now I know how to pray. His anxiety is demonic induced and yet there is physical problems that feed into the depression.

@Reynolds, does your friend welcome talk of Christ as a very present help or does he get agitated when Jesus is brought up? The answer may help discern if the depression is physical in nature or spiritual.

I agree with Stefan. If he can find and meet with a Godward counselor who understands PTSD, that would be a very helpful thing.

 

[Reynolds]

What do you mean by spiritual?

Evil spirits acting in an oppressive manner.
I know this can happen. I have personally seen a shadow figure walk through a door. Was not my imagination. Room got cold before he entered and left. A demon can't possess a Christian, but they can oppress one. I could see parts of his face. He was almost 8 ft tall. I was reading my Bible when it happened.

 

[Reynolds]

There are physical, medical reasons for depression and these physical balances should be explored.
There is also demonic oppression that attacks the mind in anxiety and turning away from God.

I have a nephew who wants to control everything (which he cannot do). He is severely depressed. I have tried to share the love of Christ with him. I knocked on his apartment door and he would not answer. I then started praying out loud for him. He opened the door and started yelling that he didn't want to hear anything about God and not to speak to him about God. In that instance I recognize demonic oppression upon him. I am grateful for the experience because now I know how to pray. His anxiety is demonic induced and yet there is physical problems that feed into the depression.

@Reynolds, does your friend welcome talk of Christ as a very present help or does he get agitated when Jesus is brought up? The answer may help discern if the depression is physical in nature or spiritual.

I agree with Stefan. If he can find and meet with a Godward counselor who understands PTSD, that would be a very helpful thing.

Loves Jesus. Devout follower. Deacon in church.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

What do you mean by spiritual?

I am convinced most things that burden Christian’s is spiritual warfare. The devil even tried to tempt Christ…even wanted the Son of Man to bow down and worship the devil. This can be caught and vanquished via intense prayer and rejection of the devil and his minions. In short, send the devil packing. It also focuses the tormented totally back to the lord. We can explore this treatment further if you wish.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

I am convinced most things that burden Christian’s is spiritual warfare. The devil even tried to tempt Christ…even wanted the Son of Man to bow down and worship the devil. This can be caught and vanquished via intense prayer and rejection of the devil and his minions. In short, send the devil packing. It also focuses the tormented totally back to the lord. We can explore this treatment further if you wish.

You might want to check this out….the movie prayer closet - Google Search
the movie prayer closet - Google Search

 

[taisto]

Loves Jesus. Devout follower. Deacon in church.

Good to know.
While I am not a certified counselor, I would encourage him to open up the Bible before bed and, while reading the Bible, use the words of the Bible to begin praying. Pray from the passage and speak whatever God brings to his heart as he prays. Begin to pray that God would fill him with the Holy Spirit as Jesus taught us in the parable of the persistent friend (Luke 11:5-13)

Verse 13: "So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him."

That parable is about persistent prayer and your friend may need to persist in this prayer so that the oppression leaves him. I am sorry for any of us who go through these trials. The need for persistence in prayer is not always easy to understand when we want to burden lifted immediately. I can only point to what Jesus has taught us.

May your friend find rest soon.

 

[tyndale1946]

You might want to check this out….the movie prayer closet - Google Search
the movie prayer closet - Google Search

Have this one in the docket but have not watched it yet... Will get to War Room soon!... Then we will go from there... Brother Glen

 

[tyndale1946]

Good to know.
While I am not a certified counselor, I would encourage him to open up the Bible before bed and, while reading the Bible, use the words of the Bible to begin praying. Pray from the passage and speak whatever God brings to his heart as he prays. Begin to pray that God would fill him with the Holy Spirit as Jesus taught us in the parable of the persistent friend (Luke 11:5-13)

Verse 13: "So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him."

That parable is about persistent prayer and your friend may need to persist in this prayer so that the oppression leaves him. I am sorry for any of us who go through these trials. The need for persistence in prayer is not always easy to understand when we want to burden lifted immediately. I can only point to what Jesus has taught us.

May your friend find rest soon.

This may be of interest?... Brother Glen

William Cowper: The troubled and talented saint – Religion & Liberty Online.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Have this one in the docket but have not watched it yet... Will get to War Room soon!... Then we will go from there... Brother Glen

Lookin forward to it!

 

[tyndale1946]

Lookin forward to it!

Here is some others I might recommend you see if you haven't yet by the same brothers... The Kendricks'

Courageous, Fireproof, Facing The Giants, and Overcomer... Pam and I recommend them all... Outstanding family movies with valuable messages... Brother Glen

We have yet to see War Room (but will see it soon) Flywheel, Show Me The Father and their newest Lifemark!

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Here is some others I might recommend you see if you haven't yet by the same brothers... The Kendricks'

Courageous, Fireproof, Facing The Giants, and Overcomer... Pam and I recommend them all... Outstanding family movies with valuable messages... Brother Glen

We have yet to see War Room (but will see it soon) Flywheel, Show Me The Father and their newest Lifemark!

The Kendrick brothers grew up in a very Christian home and it’s no surprise they are active in Christian endeavors like ie authoring books and movies as a means of getting the ‘Word’ out. Their mother (with a Welsh first name) is a particularly strong prayer warrior and I believe who the brothers modeled as the woman in the movie ‘War Room.’ You have got to see it Glen… both you and Pam would love it! It could be a pattern for dealing with the devil and defeating him.

 

[taisto]

The Kendrick brothers grew up in a very Christian home and it’s no surprise they are active in Christian endeavors like ie authoring books and movies as a means of getting the ‘Word’ out. Their mother (with a Welsh first name) is a particularly strong prayer warrior and I believe who the brothers modeled as the woman in the movie ‘War Room.’ You have got to see it Glen… both you and Pam would love it! It could be a pattern for dealing with the devil and defeating him.

War Room is an interesting movie. A bit too Arminian for my taste, but still interesting.
I didn't know the Kendrick's mother was a black woman.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

War Room is an interesting movie. A bit too Arminian for my taste, but still interesting.
I didn't know the Kendrick's mother was a black woman.

Like how is that Arminian?. You really should knock that crap off.

 

[taisto]

Like how is that Arminian?. You really should knock that crap off.

Take this review as you wish.

War Room (the movie) A Review