I glanced over my phone seconds after receiving a notification from one of the news apps and was quickly saddened. Another hurting soul, gone too soon because of suicide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 700,000 people die from suicide every year. In addition, the Center for Disease Control (CDC), states that a person commits suicide in the United States about every 11 minutes. Many individuals who succeed in completing suicide appear as if they have it all figured out in life. Many of them have great physical health, wealth, success, loving families and support systems. So what’s the problem? One would think. The glaring problem is the “d” word- depression.

Depression is a ruthless, merciless, tortuous monster that robs one of joy, confidence, and happiness. It always leaves one feeling defeated, depleted, and invokes feelings of worthlessness and unrest. It causes one to feel lonely and isolated, even when surrounded by others. One can never be too rich, too attractive, or too successful to cross paths with and battle this monstrous disease.

Unfortunately, due to the negative stigma surrounding depression, many face and war with it alone. The overwhelming and constant feelings of shame, failure, and inadequacy are daily companions that further deepens the pit of despair. I would like to encourage anyone living in the darkness of depression and let you know that God loves you and cares for you more than you will ever know. He created you on purpose for a purpose and will utilize your pain for good if you let him. Depression does not equate weakness or failure. Do not believe the lies of the enemy. You are never alone even if it feels like it. You are stronger than you think and will overcome this.

Everyone, at one point in life or another, has or will face a level of depression stemming from various life events, such as grief, disappointment, health crisis or concern, and so on. However, majority of the time, over time, and sometimes with therapy, those feelings dissipate. There is another type of serious, more chronic depression, called clinical depression or major depressive disorder that tends to linger and requires professional help to manage. According to the Mayo clinic, this type of depression may be caused by chemical changes in the brain, genetics (inherited from a parent who also suffer from depression); hormones related to postpartum, and so on.

Some of the common signs and symptoms of depression, according to the Mayo Clinic include:
*”Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness or hopelessness
*Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration, even over small matters
*Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities, hobbies or sports
“Sleep disturbances, including insomnia (not sleeping enough) or sleeping too much
*Tiredness and lack of energy, so even small tasks take extra effort
*Reduced appetite and weight loss or increased cravings for food and weight gain
*Anxiety, agitation or restlessness
*Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements
*Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, fixating on past failures or self-blame
“Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things
*Frequent or recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts or suicide
*Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches.”

If you experience any signs or symptoms of major depressive disorder, please seek medical attention before it is too late. If you notice a loved one struggling with the above, please reach out to them.

If you are feeling suicidal, remember you are not alone. Please do not try to navigate through those difficult emotions by yourself and seek help. Cry out to the Lord of Lords and all powerful God for peace of mind and reach out to the US National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) any time day or night, or chat online via the https://988lifeline.org/ website. The Crisis Text Line also provides free, 24/7, confidential support via text message by dialing 741741.

Prayer

Dear Lord,

I pray for peace of mind and joy in the hearts of everyone suffering from depression right now. Please help them to understand how worthy and valuable they are. Remind them of your unconditional love for them and help them to see themselves through your eyes. Those who are struggling with suicidal ideations, I pray you will give them the strength to seek professional help and receive the medical treatment they require. I trust that you will use this dark season of their lives to help bring others out of the same pit you deliver them from. May your goodness and mercy follow them all the days of their lives, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Relatable Verses on Depression:
Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
II Corinthians 4:16‭-‬18 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/2co.4.16-18.NKJV

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever. Psalms 23:6 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.23.6.NKJV
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
II Corinthians 12:9‭-‬10 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/2co.12.9-10.NKJV

But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/isa.40.31.NKJV

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
Isaiah 41:10 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/isa.41.10.NKJV

casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
I Peter 5:7‭-‬11 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/1pe.5.7-11.NKJV

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Matthew 11:28‭-‬29 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/mat.11.28-29.NKJV

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
John 15:7 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/jhn.15.7.NKJV

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.
Psalms 139:14 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.139.14.NKJV

The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.
Psalms 34:18 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.34.18.NKJV

casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
I Peter 5:7 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/1pe.5.7.NKJV

The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, A refuge in times of trouble. And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.
Psalms 9:9‭-‬10 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.9.9-10.NKJV

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
Psalms 23:4 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.23.4.NKJV

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.
Psalms 23:1‭-‬3 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.23.1-3.NKJV

Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.
Psalms 55:22 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.55.22.NKJV

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”
Psalms 91:1‭-‬2 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.91.1-2.NKJV

Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.
Psalms 37:5 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.37.5.NKJV

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
I Corinthians 13:4‭-‬7 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/1co.13.4-7.NKJV

References:
Depression (Major Depressive Disorder) (Mayo Clinic)
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20356007
(Please read the article for more information on depression.)

Facts about Suicide (Centers for Disease Control)
https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts/index.html

Suicide (World Health Organization)
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/suicide