Conquering Depression/ Renewing Your Mind

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2

Way before cognitive therapy, God said that we could renew our mind to live a healthy life. Replacing the thoughts that are not healthy or good and thinking on things that are positive. Phillipians 4:8 says “…whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Why? Because as cognitive therapy suggests, replacing the destructive thought patterns with positive thought patterns will change your attitudes, your emotions, your life.

Bob Gass says to change this pattern we must first identify the cause of deppression: “Unconfessed sin is like a stone in your shoe. Get it out! No vacation, job change, relationship change, or doctor will heal it: “Your iniquities have separated between you and your God”(Isa 59:2). Greed can depress you too. King Ahab’s obsession with Naboth’s vineyard affected his entire family: “He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house” (Pr 15:27). Constantly comparing yourself to others can also depress you. So can finding fault. “Whoso keepeth his mouth…keepeth his soul from troubles” (Pr 21:23). So can an unforgiving attitude. Fatigue is also a major cause. One U.S. President refused to make important decisions at the end of the day, insisting that rest was necessary to exercising good judgment. As great as their assignment was, Jesus often called His disciples aside to rest. He knew that when fatigue walks in, faith walks out.”

There are some key points to fighting depression in your life. Whether you are clinically depressed, or simply struggling with the emotional “blues” in life, these three things are key to finding your healing.

1) Prayer: When you release your fears, anxieties and pain to God in prayer and truly leave them there you are free to not worry about them. Sometimes we have to release them many times a day, because we try to pick them up again. But once you find that freedom and let go of the control God can move in your life in a way you could have not done on your own.

2) Through God’s Word: Jeremiah said “When your words came I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight” You may not always feel like reading God’s word, but as you pray and read the word He can bring revelation and healing to you.

3) Renew Your Mind: Throughout your day there are millions of thoughts that go through your head. Be conscious not only of the words you speak, but even the thoughts you think. Paul says “…demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2Corinthians 10:5 NIV) As you think a thought that is not positive you have to make a conscious decision to stop the thought and change into a positive thought. This is renewing your mind, this is cognitive therapy.