HOW TO OVERCOME DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY THROUGH CHRIST

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2 Corinthians 10:4-6 “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.”

In today’s increasingly complex and demanding world, with its relentless societal pressures and the often-negative, pervasive influence of social media, the struggles of anxiety and depression have become tragically widespread, even, at times, among professing believers. Anxiety that is gnawing on the persistent sense of fear and dread about the future, often gives way to its darker companion, depression, a debilitating state of persistent sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in life. While this spiritual and emotional struggle may be more prevalent or openly discussed today, its devastating impact is really felt among the youths today who are more prone to this. Experiencing these two more often tragically leads to the ultimate despair of suicide.

It is important to remember that many prominent biblical figures also grappled with these intense emotions. Moses, burdened beyond measure by the constant complaints and rebellion of the Israelites, cried out to God in utter despair, even asking God to take his life (Numbers 11:10-15). David, after his grievous sin with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah, poured out his deep anguish and repentance in the heartfelt words of Psalm 51. Elijah, fleeing for his life from the wicked Queen Jezebel, felt utterly isolated, defeated, and despondent under the juniper tree (1 Kings 19:1-18). Job, stripped of his possessions, his children, and his health, wrestled deeply with God’s justice and the meaning of his suffering. Even the prophet Jonah, angry at God’s sovereign compassion for the repentant city of Nineveh, sank into a pit of self-pity and anger (Jonah 4:1-11). These powerful examples from God’s Word remind us that intense emotional and spiritual struggles are not new to humanity and that even the most faithful and the most dedicated servants of God can profoundly experience these.

But, praise God, the good news is this: our Lord Jesus Christ offers complete and absolute freedom from the binding chains of depression and anxiety! The true Christian life, as designed by God, is not meant to be a constant, wearying struggle under such burdens. Our lives paid by our Lord, is intended to be a life of divine liberty, overcoming victory, and progressive glory in Christ. It is high time, dear believer, to break free from these oppressive burdens and to fully experience the abundant, overcoming life that the Lord Himself promised in John 10:10.

John 10:10 “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

John 8:32 “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

If you find yourself trapped in the suffocating grip of depression and anxiety, it is a clear indication that you are not yet experiencing the fullness of Christ’s victorious life within you. You need to know the truth, so that you will be free. Our Lord Jesus came to set us absolutely free (Gal. 5:1) – free from the penalty of sin, free from the power of sin, free from fear, anxiety, depression and free from every form of demonic and psychological bondage. Ultimately, for us to be free from the presence of sin. His own earthly life was characterized by divine freedom, spiritual authority, and perfect peace, and He desires the very same for us, His beloved children.

Romans 6:12 declares:

“Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.”

Depression and anxiety can often be lingering remnants or by-products of sin’s destructive influence in our lives, or deeply ingrained patterns of negative thinking. While true, born-again Christians cannot be demon-possessed (for the Holy Spirit indwells them), we can certainly be plagued and oppressed by strongholds – which are deeply ingrained patterns of thought, belief, and behavior established by Satan and his influences, often before we came to saving faith in Christ. These strongholds, though ultimately rooted in lies and deception, can exert a powerful and detrimental influence on our emotions, our mental state, and even our physical health.

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 provides us with the divine key to dismantling these satanic strongholds:

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”

Anxiety and depression are some of these strongholds that grip us and chain us. Here are the steps on how to destroy these strongholds:

1. Identifying the Lies
Strongholds are, at their core, built upon lies just like anxiety and depression. You are anxious and you are depressed because of the strong lie that there is no hope. And that there is no one to help you.

These are examples of deceptive mindsets, ungodly philosophies and perverted reasonings that may even contain subtle elements of truth to make them more palatable, but are ultimately false and contrary to God’s Word. These lies, when repeated and reinforced over time, often through personal experiences, cultural influences, or direct demonic suggestion, become deeply ingrained habits of thought that are incredibly difficult to break by human effort alone. This is how they became strongholds.

2. Destroy the Fear
Fear is the very foundation of anxiety. It has been rightly said that FEAR is “False Evidence Appearing Real.” It is a lie that takes root in our minds, distorts our perception of reality, and causes us to react as if the lie were true. Fear is the antithesis or the opposite of faith. It erodes our trust in God, His character, and His precious promises. The one that can destroy fear is to REMEMBER. It is remembering how the Lord has saved you before. It is remembering your countless experiences of overcoming your problems because the Lord is with you. It is remembering His promises that He will never leave you nor forsake you (Heb. 13:5). It is remembering His word.

3. Remembering the Source
2 Timothy 1:7 assures us:

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

Whenever anxiety and depression arise, we must immediately remember their true source: it is always Satan and our fallen flesh. We need to decisively reject their influence in the name of the Lord Jesus.

4. Confronting the Roots
The deep roots of pervasive anxiety and depression often lie in past experiences, particularly those shaped by societal pressures to conform, traumatic events, or relational wounds. The fear of rejection, the fear of abandonment, the fear of failure, or the fear of man, can create fertile ground in the soul for anxiety and depression to take hold. You need to confront these fears. All of these are not true because there is One who will never leave you nor forsake you. That you have security and peace in our Lord.

To confront these roots of anxiety and depression, we need to renew our minds. Romans 12:2 tells us:

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

This means actively, consciously, and consistently rejecting the lies that fuel our fears and deliberately replacing them with God’s unchanging truth as revealed in His Word. You can do this by immersing yourself in fellowship with believers and Bible sharing.

5. Shifting Our Focus
A tremendously powerful way to overcome fear is to intentionally shift our focus from ourselves, our problems, and our feelings. We need to start focusing on our Lord—His greatness, His faithfulness, His love, and His sovereignty. Our actions, our work, our relationships – all are to be done “as unto the Lord.” This divine perspective liberates us from the crippling fear of man and empowers us to live boldly and confidently for Christ.

6. Courage in the Face of Fear:
Courage, in its meaning, is not without having any fear at all, it is actually the opposite. Courage is still facing life even if you are afraid. It is still going on to continue living, even if you are afraid. Our Lord Jesus was sore afraid when facing the cross that He even sweated blood the night before. But He still go-on, continuing the purpose of God for Him even if He is afraid.

God-given courage is deeply rooted in faith. Joshua 1:6-7,9 repeatedly exhorts us to be strong and of a good courage, trusting implicitly in God’s unfailing presence and His immutable promises.

7. Surrendering Our Anxieties to God
Isaiah 41:10 beautifully reminds us:

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”

We don’t have to face our anxieties alone. We can, and must, surrender all our anxieties to Him, trusting completely in His sovereign care and His perfect love for us (1 Peter 5:7). We need to learn to surrender them to our Lord.

Another advice we can learn from this verse on how to fight anxiety and depression is knowing how to cast down imaginations. Imagination are actually lies that appeared to be true but are not true. These are the causes of depression and anxiety. Here’s how to cast them down:

1. Exposing Imaginations

2 Corinthians 10:5 explicitly calls us to be actively engaged in spiritual warfare by “casting down imaginations” – that is, to actively challenge, refute, and demolish the lies, false reasonings, and proud imaginations that exalt themselves against the true knowledge of God. Every time a negative, fearful, or depressive thought arises in you, you need to immediately bring it captive to the obedience of Chris, that is, by comparing that imaginations to the truth of Scripture. And if found that they contradict the truth, you need to hold on the the verses that contradicts them.

2. Speaking Truth to Ourselves

Psalm 43:5 provides a powerful, inspired model for combating despression:

“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.”

When overwhelmed by negative emotions, we must learn to preach God’s truth to ourselves, intentionally reminding ourselves of God’s unwavering faithfulness, His past deliverances, and His sure promises for our future.

3. Focusing on the Truth

Philippians 4:8 instructs us:

“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.”

By deliberately dwelling on these God-honoring things, we cultivate a mindset of peace, joy, and spiritual resilience.

As believers who have experienced or are experiencing God’s deliverance, we have a solemn responsibility not only to overcome these struggles in our own lives but also to lovingly equip and support others to do the same. Especially those who are still weak in the faith. Here are some practical ways to minister effectively to those battling depression and anxiety:

1. Create a Safe Space
Foster an environment of genuine love, acceptance, and confidentiality where people feel comfortable and safe sharing their deepest struggles without fear of shame, judgment, or condemnation.

2. Offer Biblical Counsel
Provide sound, compassionate biblical guidance, gently helping individuals identify the specific lies they are believing and patiently teaching them how to replace those lies with God’s liberating truth.

3. Encourage Prayer and Worship
Pray earnestly with and for those who are struggling. Encourage them to pour out their hearts honestly to God, to cast all their cares upon Him, and to find solace, strength, and healing in His manifest presence through worship.

4. Promote Community and Support
Connect individuals with supportive, Christ-centered relationships within the local church community, fostering a vital sense of belonging, mutual encouragement, and accountability.

5. Teach Practical, Scriptural Strategies
Offer practical, biblically-based tools for managing stress, renewing the mind through God’s Word, and cultivating healthy spiritual and emotional habits.

6. Point to the Ultimate Source of Healing
Ultimately, true, lasting healing and freedom from depression and anxiety come from a deep, abiding, personal relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. Consistently encourage individuals to seek Him wholeheartedly, to surrender their burdens completely to Him, and to find their all in Him.

By diligently understanding the spiritual nature of depression and anxiety, by faithfully applying the eternal truths of Holy Scripture, and by continually relying on the enabling power of the Holy Spirit, we can break free from these oppressive chains and truly experience the abundant, victorious life that Christ offers. May we, as ministers of the Gospel and as fellow believers, be divinely equipped to lead others into this same glorious freedom, so that together, as the Body of Christ, we can all walk in the fullness of Christ’s victory. Amen.