Grief, Depression, Suffering and Disappointment 3

Grief because of Past Sin. 3

Why God allows problems in our life. 4

The Secret to Victory over Depression. 5

Believe your sins are forgiven. 5

God is with us during depression. 5

God will get us through depression. 5

Pray when we are depressed. 6

Do right when you are depressed. 6

Depression sometimes follows victories. 6

Grief- loss of a loved one. 6

Health: physical, mental, emotional

Isaiah 63. 9. In all their affliction He was afflicted.

Matthew 8. 2. And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. 3. And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleanse

Sickness gives an opportunity to glorify God. 2 Corinthians 11.30. If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.

2 Corinthians 12. 9. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Sickness- and recovery

Mark 9. 23. Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. 24. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

John 4. 50. Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.

Genesis 33. 24. And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. - Do not give up on God's promises- keep praying.

Exodus 2. 24. And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. God sees your tears and remembers every hurt.

Exodus 3. 7. And the Lord said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;

Deuteronomy 12. 8 Thou shalt rejoice before the LORD. -The best way to get through a problem is to thank God for it.

1 Samuel 1.15. I have poured out my soul before the Lord.

1 Samuel 7.12. called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.

1 Samuel 30.6. David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.

1 Kings 18. 41. for there is a sound of abundance of rain. 42. So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees. Elijah knew who gave rain and who withheld it, as well as every blessing. Pray believing today for something so far you have never had the answer. Believe it. And wait for the manifestation of it.

Psalm 34.17. The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

Psalm 46.1. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Psalm 51.17. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

Psalm 55.22. Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Psalm 56.3. What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

Psalm 84.11. For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.

Psalm 107.19. Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses.

Psalm 138.3. In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.

Isaiah 40. 31. They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Isaiah 43.2. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

1 Corinthians 11. 29. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 30. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. 31. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. Sometimes, not always, our sickness is because of our sin. Repentance might bring healing.

James 1. 12. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

Hebrews 4. 16. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

James 5. 13. Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. 14. Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: 15. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. 16. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

1 Peter 4. 1. Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 2. That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

1 Peter 5. 6. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7. Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 8. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9. Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 10. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 11. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Terminal Illness

Psalm 116.9. I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living.

Psalm 138.3. In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.

Isaiah 12. 2. Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.

Isaiah 25. 8. He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it. 9. And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.

Isaiah 27. 12. ... and ye shall be gathered one by one, O ye children of Israel.

Isaiah 33. 17. Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off.

Isaiah 35. 4. Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you. 5. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. 6. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. 7. And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes. 8. And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called the way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. 9. No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there: 10. And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

God can heal you! Daniel 3. 29b. There is no other God that can deliver after this sort.

1 Corinthians 15. 54. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56. The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 5. 1. For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:

2 Corinthians 5. 8. We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

Hebrews 4. 16. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Suicide

God loves you!

Isaiah 49. 15. Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. 16. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.

Trust Him! Proverbs 3.5. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

Take care of yourself! Proverbs 4. 23. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

Wait on God to make things better! Isaiah 40. 31. They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Isaiah 53. 3. . He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. Jesus carried our sorrows on the Cross- we do not have to carry them!

Isaiah 53. 5. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: Jesus died for our sins- we do not have to die for them.

Isaiah 53. 6. 6. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. Jesus paid for our sins!

Isaiah 54. 7. . For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. 8. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer.

Suicide is often a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Problems are temporary! God will bless you. Wait on Him!

Isaiah 57. 15. For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

Jeremiah 33. 3. Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

God's advice- Change your mind, and LIVE! Ezekiel 18. 30. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. 31. Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? 32. For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.

Ezekiel 33.11.. Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

PRAY BOLDLY RIGHT NOW- Hebrews 4. 16. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Suicidal Homicide-

2 Kings 1.3. Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that ye go to inquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron?

There is a God in the Bible, the God who died for the sheep. Why go to a god where the sheep die for the Shepherd? You do not have to die for your sins, Jesus did! Suicide, even homicidal suicide, is futile- Jesus died for all your sin and mine. Take your burdens to Jesus. Do not take them out on innocent people. That is first-degree premeditated murder.

Grief, Depression, Suffering and Disappointment

Matthew 11. 28. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Acts 14. we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

Romans 8. 18. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us

Romans 8. 26. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Romans 8. 28. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Romans 8. 32. He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

Romans 8. 35. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36. As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

Do not be afraid! Philippians 1. 28. And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. 29. For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

Grief because of Past Sin

Grief Counseling for Depression Caused by Guilt

No one but you knows the traumatic emotions you are going through if you are living a life of depression because of past failures and sin.

You cannot forgive yourself. You think you deserve to afflict yourself rather than accept the joy, peace and righteousness God offers in His Son. You think being a Christian means to kick yourself the rest of your life for your sin. Wrong! Being a Christian is to accept forgiveness. Jesus died for you sin! You do not have to! Jesus carried your sorrow. You cannot carry them. I hope you will find the joy and comfort God offers freely in the following verses.

We forgive you. We will be your friends.

Don and Minnie Giddens

Jesus died for our sins[i]- all of them. If Jesus died for them you do not have to make yourself pay for them the rest of your life. Instead, let it go, and accept God's forgiveness when you admit your guilt[ii]. Accept His forgiveness. You know He will never remember them any more. The alternative is to not forgive yourself, not to accept His offer of forgiveness by dying for that sin, and living your life in guilt and remorse. Then, facing God who will ask the question, "Why? I sent my Son to die for the worst sin." You rejected Him, and rejected me.

Jesus died for our sorrows. We sometimes glory in the valleys[iii], and have been accustomed to carrying our pain so long we want to keep on. Our sin is something we think demands a lifetime wallow in sorrow and depression. You do not have to pay for your sin by dying. You do not pay for your sin by grieving. Jesus carried our sorrows on the cross. Every lash on His back was for your sorrow. Every brutal blow was because for your sorrow. So, my friend, let go, and let Jesus carry every tear. Every howling accusation leveled at Jesus was for you sin. He paid it all.

He arose victorious over sin and death. Do you think when He came out of the tomb He was still carrying your sorrow? Of course not: He left it all in the tomb. Removed it as far as the East is from the West, never to remember it again!

Our sins are gone. Our grieving has been done. We won. Jesus won for us. Christianity is joy, peace, and righteousness; not remorse, and ungodly worry.

Suppose you were convicted to the electric chair for murder. Guilty. Heaven's doors were closed. Eternity loomed ahead with grief that never left for your sin. YOUR sin. Then, suppose the Judge, the Righteous Judge, would say, I know you deserve the penalty. I know you cannot avoid death, but I am going to die with you. We are going to buried together six feet deep. And in three days we are coming out together. Free! The guilt paid. Joyful- the sin and shame gone!

When Jesus died on the cross we died with Him.

When He arose we arose with Him.

Our life now is hid in God.

Please pray this prayer of thanksgiving-

Heavenly Father,

Jesus wept enough for my sin of ________. I weep no more.

Jesus paid enough for my sin ___________ I pay no more.

I cannot weep enough. I cannot pay enough. I am poor, naked, blind, helpless.

All I have is Jesus.

Thank you, Father, for sending your Son to die for my sin, and my sorrow.

I offer to you my joyful praises forever.

Amen.

Isaiah 53.3. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

4. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

5. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Why God allows problems in our life

So we can help others 2 Corinthians 1. 3. Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 4. Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 5. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

So we will trust God, not ourselves. 2Corinthians 1. 8. For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:

9. But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:

So others can see Jesus in us. 2 Corinthians 4. 7. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 8. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9. Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 10. Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

So we can have fellowship with Him! Philippians 3. 10. That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death

Chastening because of continual sin in our life. Hebrews 12. 6. For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8. But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 9. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? 10. For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

James 1. 12. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

So we will be more like Jesus. 1 Peter 1. 6. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7. That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

1 Peter 4. 12. Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13. But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 15. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.

16. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

The Secret to Victory over Depression

Thank God for everything. The quickest way through any problem is to thank God for it.

1 Thessalonians 5. 18. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Psalm 147.3. He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. 4. He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.

Job 1.21. Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.

2 Kings 4.22 Run to the man of God.

Job 13.15. Though He slay me, yet will I trust in him:

Psalm 3. 3. But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. 4. I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.

Psalm 27.14. Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.

Psalm 30.5. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

Psalm 37.3. Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. 4. Delight thyself also in the Lord: and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart. 5. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and He shall bring it to pass.

Matthew 5. 4. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Ephesians 5. 20. Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Believe your sins are forgiven

Psalm 130.3. If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? 4. But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.

1 John 1.9. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

God is with us during depression

Genesis 28. 16. And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not. 17. And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven. - How often have we been there, and known it?

Genesis 33. 24. And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. - Do not give up on God's promises- keep praying

Exodus 2. 24. And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. God sees your tears and remembers every hurt.

Exodus 3. 7. And the Lord said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;

1 Samuel 7.12.called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.

Job 23.10. But He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

Children from broken homes Psalm 27.10. When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.

Psalm 37.24. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.

Psalm 46.1. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Isaiah 63. 9. In all their affliction He was afflicted

God will get us through depression

Exodus 13. 3. And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the Lord brought you out from this place: - Our victories depend upon God's deliverance.

Exodus 19. 4. Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself.

Deuteronomy 12. 8 Thou shalt rejoice before the LORD. The quickest way to get over a problem is to thank God for it. -Don Giddens

Joshua 1.8. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

2 Chronicles 20.15. Thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.

Job 23.10. But He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

Psalm 27. 1. The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 34.17. The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

Psalm 37.23. The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.

Psalm 51.17. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

Psalm 55.22. Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Psalm 71.16. I will go in the strength of the Lord God: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only. My life verse. Don Giddens.

Psalm 84.11. For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.

Psalm 107.19. Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses.

Psalm 119.133. Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

Psalm 147.3. He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. 4. He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.

Proverbs 3.6. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Isaiah 12. 2. Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.

Isaiah 26. 3. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. 4. Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength:

Isaiah 61.1. The Spirit of the Lord hath... sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; 2. ...to comfort all that mourn; 3. ... to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;

Lamentations 3. 22. It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. Trust God's mercy and follow Him.

Daniel 3. 29b. There is no other God that can deliver after this sort.

Our depression never exceeds God's comfort if we let Him. 2 Corinthians 1. 3. Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 4. Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 5. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

2 Timothy 1. 12. For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day. committed unto him against that day.

1 Peter 1. 6. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7. That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

Ask the Holy Comforter to comfort you.

2 Corinthians 7. 6. Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;

Pray when we are depressed

1 Samuel 1.15. I have poured out my soul before the Lord.

1 Samuel 30.6. David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.

Psalm 51.12. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

Psalm 56.3. What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

Psalm 138.3. In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.

Jeremiah 33. 3. Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

Romans 12. 12. Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer.

Psalm 34. 4. I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. 5. They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. 6. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles

Hebrews 7. 25. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

Do right when you are depressed

Psalm 122.1. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.

Psalm 126.5. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

Psalm 126.6. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

Proverbs 3.10. Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the first-fruits of all thine increase: 10. So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. So shall thy barns be filled with plenty.

Proverbs 4. 23. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

Titus 3. 8. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

Hebrews 10 25. Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching..

James 4. 6. But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. 7. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

8. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Get over your bitterness

Acts 8. 21b. thy heart is not right in the sight of God. 22. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. 23. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.

Hebrews 12. 14. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 15. Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; Bitterness leads to other sins!

Depression sometimes follows victories

1 Kings 19.1 What doest thou here, Elijah? Beware. Mountain-top experiences are followed by valleys. Stay out of the Valley of Depression.

Grief- loss of a loved one

1. 1 Thessalonians 4. 13. But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Grief is natural- 2 Samuel 18.33. O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!

The child went to Heaven! 2 Samuel 12. 23. But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.

Isaiah 11. 6. The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.

God will go with you through this valley. Jesus died such a tie as this. Isaiah 43.2. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

Death to a child or Christian is like going tosleep here, and waking up in Heaven.

My child committed suicide. Did he go to Heaven? The Bible does not say, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and do not commit suicide and thou shalt be saved."