Recovery begins by saying, “I have a problem and I need help.” There are adequate answers for depression but you have to want to get well and be willing to do whatever it takes to be free. The key to any cure is commitment. Over the next few days I will share in sequential order the steps for overcoming depression.
First: Submit to God and resist the devil (Matthew 6:33; James 4:7)
God can do wonders with a broken heart of you give Him all the pieces. In our western world we have been conditioned to seek every possible natural explanation and cure first. When that is not successful, Then there is nothing more that we can do but pray. Scripture has a different order. “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33). The first thing a Christian should do about anything is pray. I suggest the following prayer to begin the recovery process:
Dear Heavenly Father, I come to You as your child. I declare my total dependence upon you and acknowledge that apart from Christ I can do nothing. Thank You for sending Jesus to die in my place in order that my sins could be forgiven. I praise you for Your resurrection power that raised Jesus from the grave in order that I too may have eternal life. I choose to believe the truth that the devil has been defeated and that I am now seated with Christ in the heavenlies. Therefore I choose to believe that I have the power and the authority to do your will and be the person You created me to be. I submit my body to you as a living sacrifice and ask You to fill me with Your Holy Spirit. I desire nothing more than to know and do your will, believing that it is good, perfect, and acceptable for me. I invite the Spirit of truth to lead me into all truth that I may experience my freedom in Christ. I choose from this day forward to walk in the light and speak the truth in love. I acknowledge my pain to You, and confess my sins, doubts and lack of trust. I now invite you to search my heart, try my ways, and see if there is any hurtful way within me, and then lead me into the everlasting way by the power and guidance of Your Holy Spirit. In Jesus precious name I pray. Amen.
The “Steps To Freedom In Christ” are intended to help you resolve any conflicts that may exist between you and your Heavenly Father through repentance and faith in Him. Essentially the process helps you submit to God and resist the devil (James 4:7). Doing so eliminates the influence of the evil one and connects you with God in a personal and powerful way. Now by the grace of God you will be able to process the remaining steps for overcoming depression.
Dr. Neil
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