Biblical Tools For Dealing With Sadness and Depression 

“Prayer is not a quick fix”…. I so needed to hear that! My prayer life has been suffering because I’ve become impatient with God.

In times when i feel overwhelmed with anixiety or sadness, i pray "Thank You Lord, that no matter how i feel, You have got this!" God is bigger than my feelings, which often lie to me.

Speaking from my own personal experience, I went through the last 5 years of my life going from mildly to severely depressed and all in between. I understand others may have a chemical imbalance so it may be different, but once I recommitted my life to Christ my whole mood and attitude has changed. I actually have HOPE for my future and I have begun to pick up my cross daily and walk in gratitude for what Jesus did for me. God wasn't kidding when He tells us that if we give it ALL to Him, that we will be TRANSFORMED by the renewal of our minds. Does this mean I never get sad anymore, absolutely not. But my focus is no longer on my sadness. It is on the ultimate truths that God has given us as His children (like who I am in Christ, the gospel, and trusting that God works all things together for our good). Changing my mindset was not easy, definitely one of the hardest things for me to do, but when you take captive every thought that is a vain imagination and counteract it with God's truths, then wow. Your life truly begins to change for the better, because your identity is lying in Christ. Thanks Pastor Mike for this great live stream, I always enjoy your content!

"Some people feel guilty about their anxieties and regard them as a defect of faith but they are afflictions, not sins. Like all afflictions, they are, if we can so take them, our share in the passion of Christ."-CS Lewis

A thing that I’ve noticed is that sometimes, when I feel depressed, it’s almost as if I enjoy being depressed. Like I don’t want to feel better and I deserve this little pity party I’m throwing for myself. It’s a really toxic place to be in and also a way depression can lead one to sin.

Suffered with severe depression for many (30+) years. Many times just praying that God would take my life. Sometimes contemplating suicide - though never attempted. As a young man serving God as a missionary, My life was full of joy and purpose - I had found my "niche in the Kingdom", so to speak. I wanted to live and die and be buried in my adopted homeland. Then my whole world fell apart - I can't tell you how or why. Depression hit with a vengeance. Back at "home" in my "home' church, just can't seem to find my "niche" - as one might say. Fitting in, doing what I can, just waiting and waiting and waiting, for the "door" to open .... hope deferred makes the heart sick..... Sometimes I feel lost, totally lost .... Sometimes I want to through in the towel and give up, exhausted from the fight ----but just somehow, I don't know how, I keep persevering, keep enduring. I cry, I weep, I pray, I read the Word - I hang onto the promises. Iam still in the fight - only just ar times. Somehow, God is holding onto me, His Spirit won't let me go, all Glory be to Him and Him alone. let Him who boasts, boast in the Lord.

Thank you for saying that it is alright for Christians to seeks a doctor's help and take medication for real depression. I know that my own experience with depression it was more then feeling sad. Not only would I would feel sad, but I would have uncontrollable crying, confusion, cloudy thinking, stomach pain, feeling helpless, thoughts of to end my life, feeling numb after hours of crying, and sleeping all the time. I do not remember a real happy day before I started taking medication. I prayed for many years for some relief. I finally took my parents advice and saw a doctor that put me on medication. In one half hour I felt a peace I have never felt before. I am now able to feel a happiness and enjoy life. I belief that this is God's answer to my prayers.

Wonderful video, Mike! I have dealt with depression on and off for many years. I have found that devouring the book of Psalms (over and over again) is a big help. Cry those verses and promises to God. Also, getting your focus off yourself and helping others, even when you don't feel like it, especially when you don't feel good, does wonders for your outlook and moods. The old adage about counting your blessings is true. I can remember many times just trying to recite all the multitude of good things God has done for me, and I'd do it repeatedly, all day or night. To Jesus Christ be all the glory!

The bible nails it once again!! Cognitive behavioral therapy has the highest rate of long-term success treating clinical depression for many people - without the risk of some meds. That technique mirrors much of what was taught here! God is so good!!!!

I have a Schizoaffective disorder and find myself depressed a lot. This is really helpful, thank you so much

This was so good. I struggle with depression and anxiety and the last two months have been dark and I've been feeling distant from God. This message has ministered to my soul and reminded me of God's love, goodness, and faithfulness and that I can choose to praise the Lord even in the midst of the dark times. Thanks you for your teaching.

This is so good! I so often chastise myself for these feelings but failed to notice (until now that you mention it using psalm 42) that throughout my despair I’m holding tightly to hope in God, I pray and continually I say thank you God. I feel so relieved, because I am so tired of hearing that I have little faith or that I have unbelief. The hyper Charismatic Movement has really been detrimental in my life and I’m so grateful that I got out, their teachings were still haunting me until today- thank you for this so much

Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. Jeremiah 33:3 KJV

I figured out my trigger for depression and haven't been depressed ever since. My trigger was feeling sorry for myself. I just don't let myself go there. Sometimes even be saying "no" out loud. Now each morning I wake up, I feel an inner Joy that only the Lord can give.

Thank you for giving specific verses to read instead of just saying “Just pray and read the Bible.” These Psalms and verses really helped me.

My wife left me in April. The Sunday after Easter. Crushed me. I have been fighting the feeling of hopelessness, no self esteem, darkness sadness ext. Thank you Mike for doing this. 🙏

Now that I know how you feel about cats, I can trust everything you say from this point forward. 😉

One of the best Biblical responses to depression/ anxiety that I have seen yet on RU-vid. I have dealt with this affliction for over 20 years... God bless you and thank you for this! I needed it so much. Thank you for pointing me to Jesus.

I just started watching this video a friend sent it to me. I was just thinking this last night. That even though I'm sad or crying I'm gonna praise, worship, give thanks, and Love God.

God send teaching for me at the perfect time. He is faithful!!! Thank you pastor Mike

Thank you so much for this message! This is something I struggle with every day and you don't often hear what to do from a biblical perspective.

Excellent presentation. You have given us a great "toolkit" with which to combat depression. So much of what you said has proven helpful in my life. I have dealt with depression for 40 years and have learned that medication, counseling, exercise, fresh air, good nutrition, friends, Christian community, worship, scripture, prayer and serving are all part of the mix. Thank you for reminding me of these elements and for your wonderful heart. I feel encouraged!

2019 - Got tired of being messed about by NHS doctors so went private. Was put on a drug and within a day I started to feel better. Then as time went on I progressively felt nothing at all, no emotion what-so-ever. I stopped caring about my job and literally everything. I got sick a bit later on, came off the drug and went back to my GP who put me on another which gave me some balance but drove me to overeat. When I eventually came off this drug, after 5+ years of being away from God I felt him draw me back. It was like he was waiting for me. I promised myself that I would never go back to taking medicine for whatever's going on with me. Here I am in 2021, in a pretty rough place but I'm adament that I won't go back. The advice about being thankful is really good and I think it works. You're right - it's hard to focus on anything let alone be grateful when you're wound up and tearing yourself to pieces. But then it's hard to be anxious when you're thankful. Great stuff.

Kevin Rider - Mike you nailed it here - 21:15 " 'My joy in the Lord' is not this ecstatic outward exuberant joy, it's more like a limiter to how low my heart goes at hard times." - I've had the same thought

I've heard sayings like "don't let the devil steal your joy" so this is very comforting to hear.

I really needed this, thank you

just the train analogy alone! wow. @51:30 and feeling better is NOT the goal. honoring Christ is. @52:50 This was SO KEY coming out of Word of Faith and Bethel.

I have clinical depression and social anxiety, and sometimes the sadness comes across as cynicism, so I think to myself God is the only one who loves me in a jaded cliche way. But really thinking about it, if God, the absolute creator of the universe, loves *me*, with all my (well-attested by myself) faults and insecurities, what else could I possibly ask for? I don't even have the right to ask for anything else. That's more than enough.

Thank you for your videos! Even 3 years later you make a difference in your videos Pastor Mike. This morning I felt down and did not “want” to turn to the Lord. The best I could do was type in “depressed Christian”. But this video was the first suggested for me and it was the nudge I needed to turn my entire attitude around today. Thank you for all you do.

This has been so so helpful and praise God for leading me to this session. It has been exactly what I needed as a Christian to deal with increased depression and anxiety. Beside the informative information this presentation is very professional. This does help with learning. Thank you so so much. God bless you.

Pastor Mike I am every bit as blessed as so many people have been over the past 3 years! 3 pages of notes later, I will study and pray and meditate on these words to heal myself, with the end goal to Glorify God!! God has given you an amazing gift, and I pray that your ministry grows exponentially. :)

Thanks Pastor Mike. Going through stuff and instead of drinking, I turned to your biblical lessons in this area.

Lots of good Bible references and advice. I also deal with indigestion issues and it was nice that you were transparent about that and other things as well :D

Thanks Mike i suffer with schitzophrenia depression and anxiety. Yet God is changing me, thankyou for the blessed ministry you have. Tou encourage me to continue to look to God through Jesus strengthened by the Holy Spirit. God bless you

The book _God's Smuggler_ had SO MANY examples of trust completely in God that I couldn't help but try to emulate it. My prayer was answered in an unmistakable way that same day! Much of my fears about uncertainty just melted away. Trusting in God is the cure for anxiety.

Truly found this greatly helpful this very day. I was awake at 4am writing my prayer to God to help me choose a better path for my future. Thanks for these Scripture verses during thia season of anxiety.

Thanks for this video. Regardless of the Christian viewpoint expressed in it, there is a lot of good advice in it that would be 100% backed up by any good counsellor or mental health professional (regardless of faith) and advice that could be followed by non believers also - for instance, the important points about 'making choices', and also how depression tempts us into 'sin' that does NOT help with depression, but instead just deepens our depression (from a non Christian position, if the word 'sin' was seen as meaning 'self destructive habits' the advice still is great advice). I would like to share my story here regarding depression & faith. I describe myself as "an agnostic who is moving back to faith". I was brought up Christian though my family weren't particularly devout. We went to church as a family when myself and my siblings were young, though in retrospect I think my parents viewed it more as a 'social' / 'community' activity. At about the age of 10, my faith just slid away, and for the last 4 decades I've called myself an 'agnostic'. I never felt fully 'atheist' though, and still retained a part of me that tentatively believed there was a 'higher power'. I just didn't KNOW what it was. Four years ago, a very traumatic event in my life threw me into an extreme depression, and I felt totally 'stuck' in it, and that it was never going to 'lift'. Then, about three months ago, through a strange set of happenings (too long to elaborate here,) I was introduced to the power of prayer,. At first, I just noticed that after praying I would have a feeling of deep happiness, and wasn't sure if this really was 'God' or just a 'placebo affect'. However, I was just grateful that I'd found something that could give me ANY happiness whatsoever (as it had been SO long since I'd even had a single 'happy moment) I pushed myself to discipline myself to pray every day (& that was hard because depression destroys motivation even for the simplest of tasks). Some days, the act of praying felt 'dry' and emotionless for me, but curiously I would always find that about 20 minutes after praying, a lovely sense of peace and calm would come over me. On other days, the praying felt very deep and profound, and one day while praying I found myself crying and 'letting go' of a huge amount of emotional pain I'd stored up. I felt a huge urge to read The Bible, and went out and bought one (KJV). I've been trying to discipline myself to read a little every day. Depression had demolished my concentration. Prior to the depression I was an avid reader, but all through the depression I read nothing whatsoever. I started watching Christian videos on RU-vid to help with my understanding of The Bible (& this channel is especially helpful). About two months ago, I was passing my local Anglican church, and realised I'd never really seen it (it's up a driveway, and hidden a bit by trees). I was bowled over by how beautiful it was (a lovely Victorian era church built in the gothic style). I found it had a little garden at the back with benches, so I disciplined myself to go there every day and pray in the garden. After a few weeks of doing this, I started going to the church services twice a week, and this has been LOVELY for me. Depression had made me cut myself off from the world, so the mere act of going into any 'social' space was at first really challenging for me. The congregation is really small (Sunday mornings they only get about 12 - 15 people) so everybody gets to know each other really well, especially as there is an hour of 'socialising' afterwards with cups of coffee etc. Despite all these Christian activities I have mentioned here (praying, reading The Bible, going to church) I still don't know if I'm a 'believer' or not. This is why I describe myself as 'an agnostic moving back to faith'. However, what I DO know is that I'm the CLOSEST to faith that I've been in four decades, and there have been some points at which I'm 'almost' there. As regards the depression it hasn't fully gone away, but it has lifted SO MUCH in such a short space of time that it seems like a 'miracle'. Since this little 'spiritual voyage' started three months ago, I have had some days where I cannot believe how happy I have felt.

Thank you, Pastor Mike. I really needed this tonight! God Bless you in this ministry to which you've been called. ☝️🙏😘

That was Wow. Thank you Mike. Praise God! "Brutal honesty tends to focus on the brutal part.. Total transparency tends to open up to insecurities.. and sometimes we hide insecurities with our anger.. " 27:35

This was excellent - thanks Pastor Mike! A great balance of understanding and practical tools. Most people either go too hard into “just pray your depression away” or “it’s not spiritual at all” - this was a great perspective and as someone with chronic depression I really appreciated it!

I'm a saved believer and I've been through alot. It has been the most difficult thing to pray I have hardly done it for a while and praise. I hardly feel like doing anything, I get some kind of attacks in my sleep it's been difficult and a struggle I need prayer. I don't know, I still read the Bible.

This was very helpful and encouraging. I go to Psalms 103 often. All the suggestions from this episode are strong, practical reminders for helping darker, sadder times that most people experience. Thanks kindly.

Excellent content. I want to say though that we should be very wary of receiving counseling from non Christian psychologists since their worldview is so vastly different than that of a believer.

Brother Mike, thank you for this video, it helped me as this week I've been really depressed. I find that I need to continually be throwing the coals of God's Word into the fire of my faith to keep me out of depression. It is not easy, but it is a matter of renewing our minds in the Word of our amazing God!

I was watching another video where you mentioned this video. And I was in a dark place, this helped me so much to take action during these times to praise GOD. Thank you …

I just glorify God for using you. Thank you Mike, always trying to watch your videos as much as I can...learning a lot. God bless you and everyone who are in this ministry.

I've been listening to your channel for about a year and I just ran across this. Much needed message. I've suffered from depression for most of my life. I've gotten really good at hiding it and except those who Im really close to wouldn't believe that I have it. Most well meaning people think it's a switch you can turn on and off, a choice you can make to "not be sad", or if your really a Christian your doing something wrong if you can't give "your depression to God" and be cured. It doesn't work that way. I have a beautiful and blessed life and have no real reason for current depression. I've gone through counseling and I've finally found medication that helps stabilize me and keeps me from bottoming out. But there are still times where it kicks in and it feels like my soul is dying. The only saving grace is turning to God and his love and his word. And He is there every time to pick me up and carry me through. I've accepted it as a thorn in my side and surrounded myself with support and God's word to support me through the darker days and joy in the better days. Thank you for presenting this non judgementally and from a place of love and support. Especially considering a lot of people don't.

Joy comes with the morning. I live with clinical depression. I think it's Psalm 30. The time aspect of my illness has a verse. Medication side affects are not tolerable for me. I have to rely on God. So this verse helps me a great deal. I can always make it to the dawn.

Thank you so much Mike. Your ministry is a blessing. Biblical thinking is not common enough in the Christian community these days. God bless you and your ministry.

I'm only at the beginning but it's been really helpful. As a 17 y/o going through GERD, I wonder if I'll ever come out out it and it has affected my day-to-day performance. Thank you, Mr Winger, thank you so much ❤

As much as I enjoy your apologetic videos, you have some amazing videos like these that are just very helpful for my walk right now. These videos bless me more than any other. God bless you and continue to give you His insight through the word for our generation and generations to come.

Needed to hear this. Thank you God! Also I wanted to personally thank you Pastor Mike for your videos and efforts.

I really enjoyed this so much. Thank you for doing this , my daughter has struggled with anxiety and im going to share this with her.

I needed this today. Thank you

I wanted to share how much these videos has helped draw me closer to God in life's challenges. I needed this today. Thank you for your ministry.

So good. God bless you brethren

Still an amazing and encouraging video 4 years later. Thank you.

Thank you for this video. Perfect timing, and super helpful.

This was a wonderful, beautiful, soul nourishing video Mike. Thank you so much.

I have to say I REALLY love this video. Just subscribed to you’re channel. Amazing.

I would recommend the Psalm 42 as sang by The Sing Team to anyone either touched by that psalm for depression, or if you are bothered by that psalm. This rendition of it has always been a favorite of mine, I would have had a lot more trouble hearing Psalm 42 without that song. The amount of times I said song and psalm just now 🤦🏼‍♂️

5 mins in and you've already helped me exponentially

This is so good!! Thank you and love your cats!!! ❤ Amen!!

The train analogy really helped me today. Thank you!

Perfect timing. Thank you Pastor Mike. Good food for thought here and very helpful.

Thank you, Pastor Mike.✝️You're awesome.

Thanking God for your ministry Pastor Mike ❤️❤️❤️

There are some AMAZING points in this video! Keeping it on file!! Thank you Mike!

Pastor Mike, this is wonderful and so right on. I'm going to save this so I can watch again. Thank you!

Was a few weeks out from proposing. She called things off today. Thanks for this brother. Christ be glorified.

This was wonderful,. Thank you❣️❣️❣️

Thank you again my brother in Christ, you can not know how much God is using you to help me! I thank God for you, and your ministry! God bless you Mike Winger, and your wonder staff! I recently had an email with Sarah, and she is such a help and inspiration, and I know you appreciate her as well! I am 63 and I am learning so much from you! I have never found someone who opens my understanding of the scripture as well as you! You have such a gift of taking the time to explain your thoughts, and do it with the Love of our God as your desire.

This came to me at the perfect time. Of all the videos to show up in my feed, this year old video showed up and was exactly what I needed to see. Thank you, God. Thank you, Mike for this video. God bless you.

I have a family member struggling with these. The study is incredibly helpful.... Will be sharing it today!!

I couldn't tell if the name was Brittney, but the question asking "Are you not a strong enough Christian if you have depression" thank you for asking it and thank you Mike for answering it. I've asked myself this question as well. It really helped me. Thank you. God bless.

This is SO beautiful. Very humble and thorough

Hi Mike. You are an excellent teacher and I love all of your videos. I plan on doing a study of the Psalms with this subject in mind. Although I don’t have depression at this time, I want to be prepared since we all go through this to some degree or another. Thank you!

Hey, Mike! I was browsing youtube tonight for some help with sadness because tonight I am really feeling down. Thanks for this video. It will help me for many days to come!

Thank you, Mike. This was a wonderful video. Bless you.

This was so helpful, may God bless you and strengthen you! Thank you!

Wow! I have encountered myself today with a lot of wisdom and blessings from the Lord through you Mike! Nobody had ever put this issue or topic the way you have and it has been such an eye opener to me and I feel so encouraged... God bless you and continue to give you wisdom to do your ministry!

Thanks Mike for what you do, your wisdom that’s shared in many teachings, really helps me as I continue to witness daily. Lifting you up in prayer. God bless

Thank you Mike for this superb podcast! I have forwarded this to others - it is a blessing!

Wow thank you 🙏

Amen, the train analogy is good.

Thank you; this is gold!

Mike I’m so grateful for all your videos, but that you thought to do a video over this! Sometimes this will be a topic no one wants to talk about but I’m so glad you did. It definitely gave me tools to use and a biblical way to look at depression/sadness. Thank you

Thank you for making these videos. They’re truly helpful. Thank you.

Great content. I wholeheartedly agree with your assessment of the warning of 'expressing anger toward God' starting at 23:48 and the 'brutally honest' discussion at 27:08. Getting 'in the flesh toward God' is a great way to word it (James 1:20). One thing that I've learned, and am still learning, is that our self centered inclination "I want the world to revolve around me and go my way' comes clearly into focus during episodes when anger is rising up. Keep up the publishing of great content Mike. Appreciate your ministry greatly.

Bless you my brother I often suffer with recurring depression. This videos has been such a resource for me over the years just reminding me to look to Christ and praise Him for all His good works in my life. It so helps just having someone to lay it all out. May God continue to Bless your ministry Mike.

Thank you so much. Perfect timing for me to see this video ⚘

Thank you ❤️ needed this

Thank you!!

So glad this video came back up , I was looking for it the other day too share with a friend

You are such a blessing Pastor Mike.

The volume turned up helped tremendously! Thank you Pastor for the blessing of your passion to help us through Christ’s word! God Bless You!❤️🙂🌼🌸🎚🌻🙏💖

So very good! Thank you 😊 💪🏻💪🏻 I am encouraged and reminded of critical truths.

Will and choice are gifts of God, as are the psalms and you dear brother in Christ. This welcome meditation like prayer is for our benefit and the way God has chosen to lead us out of being cast down. Thanks so very much brother Mike for this timely reminder. For all God's blessedness which is daily ours to be taken by faith keeps us from falling into a pit of pity, we remember with a growing sense of joy. God bless.

Mike. Thankyou so much for sharing this message. This helped me more than you know. In fact, i have been struggling with depression for a while now and a reoccurring circumstance came up that I felt helpless, and frustrated with, not knowing how to respond or articulate the situation. I was was praying, and your name came to mind and brought me here. This message was exactly what I needed to hear about God’s goodness and faithfulness, and regardless how we fee about his presence while working in our circumstances. Thankyou for sharing scripture and wisdom.

My kitties help me so much too, loved the video!