Speaking from personal experience, having dealt with deep, dark depression, despair and disappointments, there is great hope. Psalm 23 speaks of “the valley of the shadow of death” and psalm 84 talks of “the Valley of Baca” or “the vale of tears”. If we are hidden in Christ, hidden in the cleft of the Rock, then we can say with the psalmist David, “The LORD is my Shepherd; I shall not want.” We can even say, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me …” This is the first key to going through depression … Jesus is with us. He told His disciples, in Matthew 28, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” This is a promise that we can hold onto. Jesus also says in Hebrews 13, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” This is so important to understand … the Presence of the LORD … He is always with us, even if we sin.
It is important to understand that a key component of depression is anger. This is why the Apostle Paul says in Ephesians 4, “ “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another. “Be angry, and do not sin.” Do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.” Note that a certain kind of anger is allowed by God, but it needs to be without sin. It doesn’t mean that you can vent your anger in an uncontrolled fashion. Also, observe that you need to resolve your anger before you go to sleep at night, or before the sun goes down. If you don’t, you give Satan, the devil, an opportunity to build a stronghold. Note also, that speaking the truth to your neighbor and to yourself is the second key to staying balanced, and getting out of depression.
One of the persons that you may be angry with is God. You may want to go back to the page on keeping a journal. Journals are great for working through anger issues with anyone, and certainly with God. Are we right to be angry with God? Probably not. He is good in every way. But we need to come to terms with the fact that He allows evil and bad things in this fallen world. God can handle our anger toward Him, and He will help us resolve it rightly, if we ask for His help.
Micah, the prophet, says in chapter 7: “Therefore I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me. Do not rejoice over me, my enemy; when I fall, I will arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD will be a light to me.” Don’t be afraid of sitting in darkness … Jesus is with you … speak truth.