Depression can hide the light of day from your view and leave you in the darkness of despair. A sense of hopelessness lingers, but, amidst the heaviness and dark clouds of depression, God wants to lift your heavy heart and show you there is hope. Consider the verses and actions below and save this so that you can go back to these reminders.

“There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.”
Proverbs 23:18

Because depression can impact every area of my life, I must address it from multiple angles. As I walk through the darkness of depression into the light of dawn, I will . .

Recognize that my depression is real.

• I will acknowledge my feelings of sadness, anger, hopelessness, and other overwhelming emotions.
• I will not live in denial about my depression but will educate myself about depression and seek help to move forward.

“I am suffering and in pain. Rescue me, O God, by your saving power”.
Psalm 69:29

Remember that my pain is temporary.

• I will put my pain in perspective and acknowledge that God can help me. — I will remember that God will one day put an end to all pain and suffering.

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever”.
RevelatIon 21:4

Restrict the amount of stress in my life.

• I will identify the environmental or situational factors related to my depression, such as difficult life events, losses I’ve experienced, and the various sources of stress in my life.
• I will seek to adjust to stressful life events and deal with my losses in a healthy, productive manner.

“Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer”.
 Psalm 4:1

Reveal my emotional needs.

• I will talk with a trusted friend or family member, counselor, and especially with God about my emotions.
• I will honestly confront my feelings and process them with God’s help.

“I call to you, Lord, every day; I spread out my hands to you”.
Psalm 88:9

Restrain negative thought patterns.

• I will acknowledge negative self-talk and lies I believe about myself or my situation.
•  I will replace negative thoughts with God’s truth by meditating on His Word.

“Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable— if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things”.
Phillipians 4:8

Renew my commitment to get my spiritual needs met.

• I will cultivate my relationship with God through reflective prayer and Bible reading.
• I will attend church regularly to receive encouragement from God’s Word and to be with other believers.

“All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals, and to prayer”. 
Acts 2:42