Encouragement and Depression

I know, perhaps as well as anyone, what depression means, and what it is to feel myself sinking lower and lower. Yet at the worst, when I reach the lowest depths, I have an inward peace which no pain or depression can in the least disturb. Trusting in Jesus Christ my Savior, there is still a blessed quietness in the deep caverns of my soul, though upon the surface, a rough tempest may be raging, and there may be little apparent calm.


~C.H. Spurgeon

Self murder then, is never an option for the Christian, because at the very core of his being, he knows with Whom he has to do, and knows he must bow the knee to HIM. True peace, which comes after being brought to peace WITH God, surpasses all circumstance,as does joy. Phil. 4:4-9 is key. We who are in Christ have a LIVING HOPE (hope= confident expectation, not a mere wish) which is based in HIM alone and His faithful Word. We must, in our battle, keep renewing our minds and hearts and thus anchor our thinking in the faithful and true Scriptures.

Php 4:4  Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! 

Php 4:5  Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. 

Php 4:6  Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 

Php 4:7  And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

Php 4:8  Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. 

Php 4:9  The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.