God's Word or Your Emotions?

Faith Fact #3

If I could, I’d put a big red star beside this article.  I’d also have arrows pointing to it with the words:  “IMPORTANT!  PAY ATTENTION!” 

emotionsThat’s because what I’m getting ready to discuss is THE MOST IMPORTANT principle that Bruce and I exercise in our own lives.  It is more important than any other medical or faith fact you’ll find on this website or in our book, “Hope Again.” 

We believe you can overcome your depression.  Notice I didn’t say, “You’ll never have depression again.”  Like me, you may well have to fight it the rest of your life.  However, we believe you can lessen the depression and make the mood swings farther apart by following today’s Faith Fact. In addition, we’ve found that it’s possible to live a godly life filled with peace, even in the midst of the depressive episode!  In other words, your depression no longer controls you . . . and, yes, it’s possible.  Here’s how.

You must decide that the Bible, God’s word, will be your ultimate authority.  This means that when your emotions tell you the opposite of what the Bible teaches, you will always believe the Bible.  It doesn’t matter how loud your emotions scream at you, or how black is the pit that says it will suck you in because no one loves you or cares for you.  Though every fiber of your being wants to pull away from others, not pray and not read God’s word, YOU MUST DECIDE NOT TO OBEY YOUR EMOTIONS!

As you learn to do this on a regular basis, an amazing transformation can take place.  In this transformation, you no longer fear depression.  Instead, you ask God to use the episode to help you increase your faith; you give the depression to God and ask Him to help you use it to strengthen others.  Your prayer time and Bible reading time become deeper and more meaningful. 

Let’s look at several scriptures that are particularly relevant: 

2 Timothy 3:16:  “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (NIV).

In other words, not only is all scripture correct and infallible (God-breathed), studying it will change your life for the better.

We have already looked at the 8th chapter of Romans, but it’s worth repeating several verses again:

Romans 8:38-39:  “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (NIV).

What does this say?  God tells us that our depression cannot separate us from His love!  So, you have a choice.  Are you going to believe your emotions while depressed, or will you believe God’s word?  As you choose the Bible more and more, you’ll find that your fluctuating emotions affect you less and less . . . and that means you’re on your way to conquering the depression in your life. 

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