Depression can hardly ever start in a night. There are frequently slight murmurs of despairing words reverberating within the heart even before a state of depression has settled in. It might sound like: I can no longer see this, nothing is ever going to be different or I am all alone. Not in vain is this a warning, these "last words"--they are warning signs that the heart and mind are descending into despair. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” (Proverbs 18:21). What we keep repeating to ourselves will determine how we feel, our attitude and ultimately our spiritual wellbeing.
The enemy bathes in these few words of defeat. In saying this, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10). The symptoms of depression usually emerge when the truth of God is covered by the lies of worthlessness, failure or loneliness. But Christ makes us change these destructive words with his life-giving promises.
The last words before depression are often whispers of defeat—but when replaced with God’s Word, they become declarations of life.
Rather than saying I cannot go on, we can say: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13). “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Hebrews 13:5). “Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.” (Isaiah 43:19).
The farewell words before depression do not necessarily have to be the last words of your life. Faith will give you the option to use the words of despair instead of the words of life. Proclaim the words of God over your soul. Find people to be around who will be telling you the truth. Be truthful in prayer, although you may have no more to say than, Lord, help me. “Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar doth inhabit: let the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains.” (Psalm 42:11).
Every murmur of despair is a warning sign, but every promise of Scripture is a lifeline strong enough to pull you out of the pit.
Whether you are about to drop into a state of depression or not, make sure that you hear the things that you are saying to yourself. Are they death words, or life words? Today, choose life. Turn the last of the words before despair to the first of hope: 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 27:1).
Whispers of the enemy can never be more than the Word of God. His promises are even more radiant in your darkest hour, and then you come out of the valley of depression into the light of His peace.
