Yesterday morning, the spirit of depression tried to come upon me. I was dealing with business issues and have no idea when they will be resolved completely. Typically, depression tries to come to me when I face situations in which I feel helpless. I like taking action and don't like the frustration of dealing with things beyond my control. And yet, you can't control everything in life!

So I felt that familiar darkness try to envelope me, like a blanket. But I know that blanket does not offer comfort. Instead, it wants to smother me. It wants to keep me down and hold me back from the purpose God has for me. As soon as I recognized that truth, I said to myself, "Oh no. I am not going there again."

I had some dishes left over from last night's dinner that I didn't feel like doing when I got home from church. So I prayed in the Spirit as I got busy cleaning up the kitchen. One small thing that helps to lift my Spirit is to focus on a task I can do something about, not focus on things I can do nothing about.

Then, I started thinking about 7 things I wanted to praise God for at that moment; one thing I have learned about depression is that it feeds on a negative perspective. But even in the most dire situations, you can always find a reason to praise God, the most positive thing you can do!

The prescription for depression for me is found in 2 scriptures:

• Isaiah 61:3 - To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified."

• Psalm 119:164 - Seven times a day I praise You, Because of Your righteous judgments.

When I used to battle depression frequently, I actually started a praise journal and challenged myself for 30 days to write down 7 things each day for which to praise God. It became a habit so that now when depression tries to come to me, I automatically know what to do.

After the kitchen was clean and I thought about my seven things, I raised my hands in surrender to God and just said to Him: "Whatever you want to do in my life, I surrender all to you." That REALLY made me feel better because I know adversity doesn't come into your life without God knowing about it; if He allows it, that means that He wants to work it out for your good. That is true, even when it doesn't feel good!

Lastly, I went on to exercise. Man, that was so tough that I forgot about everything except getting through that workout! By the time it was over, I had a new perspective. I recalled one of my favorite quotes by Eleanor Roosevelt: "You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.'"

I thought. "I am going to live through this. I can take whatever comes along with God's help. I can't do this without Him."

The truth of the matter is, we are all just passing through this life. We have a heavenly home and a reward waiting on us. Even though depression tries to get us to believe trouble will last forever, it is a lie. We walk "THROUGH" the valley of the shadow of death. So when depression tries to get you to build a house there and decorate it with self pity, don't do it!

Take the hand of your Good Shepherd and let Him lead you through. He is faithful and will see you all the way to your true HOME.

Kimberly Taylor

Take Back Your Temple

P.S. Want to learn more about how to turn challenges into triumphs using the scriptures? Live every day with security, faith, and confidence with Godly perspective on life's challenges. 

The Anxiety Relief Scriptures: The 30-Day Daily Devotional for Overcoming Anxiety and Worry is an easy but powerful read that will renew your mind to God's word.