Ixtheus Christian Devotionals

Depression can have many causes, medical, psychiatric, emotional. 
The first two are the realm of professionals, or miraculous healing;
But emotional depression is the result of our reaction to the bad things
that happen in our lives.

THE LANGUAGE OF DEPRESSION
Here are some negative thoughts that cycle around in our thinking..
unresolved, un-resolvable
 

If only I Had done so and so..... 
or
if only i had not done so and so...

What might have been if only.....

I Should Have, Would Have Could Have Done so and so... 

If only I Had this to do over again...

Opportunities Missed and Lost.

Yesterdays...... 
far too many of them to count, 
each one with a very sad story to tell.

Shattered Dreams, I never got to...

Loss of hope, what's the use... .

A victim of another person's cruelty...

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE DEPRESSED
THERE IS HELP AND RELEASE...FROM JESUS CHRIST
JESUS ASKS YOU, "DO YOU WANT TO BE MADE WHOLE??"
(JOHN 6:6)
 

YOU CAN'T CHANGE YESTERDAY,
but

JESUS HAS THE POWER TO CHANGE TODAY AND TOMORROW
You can be happy, joyous, fulfilled, encouraged, 
and encouraging to others.

Jesus says to you...
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, 
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; 
for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
(Mat 11:28-30)
 

AM I SORRY FOR MISTAKES I'VE MADE IN THE PAST?
YES!
Even though there may be no physical way to undo them,
 you can be forgiven for them,
 and release your guilt and shame to Jesus.

If we say that we have no sin,
 we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins, 
he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,
 and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
(1 John 1:8-9) 
 

AM I ANGRY ABOUT ABUSE I HAVE SUFFERED AT THE HANDS OF ANOTHER?
DEFINITELY
but Jesus says:
DO NOT LET THE SUN GO DOWN UPON YOUR OUTRAGE
"If you are angry, don't sin by nursing your grudge.
 Don't let the sun go down with you still angry--get over it quickly;
for when you are angry, you give a mighty foothold to the devil."
(Eph 4:26-27 )

GIVE ALL YOUR ANGER TO JESUS
RECEIVE HIS PEACE IN RETURN
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, 
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; 
for I am meek and lowly in heart: 
and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
(Mat 11:28-29)

WILL I BE HEALED INSTANTLY?
MAYBE, MAYBE NOT.
you may have a lifetime of hurt to deal with
IT MAY TAKE TIME, PATIENCE, PRAYER AND PERSEVERENCE 
TO TURN OVER ALL YOUR HURTS TO JESUS
let your prayer attitude be...
have mercy on me O God,
take my anger and my pain, O Lord, 
I give it all to you...
I WILL NOT LET YOU GO, LORD, UNTIL YOU HAVE BLESSED ME
(Genesis 32: 26b)

STARTING OVER
ONCE YOU HAVE MADE A START TO LEAVE DEPRESSION
KEEP GOING, DONT LOOK BACK
CONSCIOUSLY REFUSE TO DELVE INTO THE BAD MEMORIES
WHENEVER A PAST MEMORY COMES BACK , GIVE IT AGAIN TO JESUS
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God,
 that he may exalt you in due time:
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.368)
(1 Pet 5:6-7)

DONT GIVE UP- BE PERSISTENT
KEEP PRAYING FOR VICTORY UNTIL YOU GET IT
And so it is with prayer--
keep on asking and you will keep on getting;
 keep on looking and you will keep on finding;
 knock and the door will be opened.
(Luke 11:9 (TLB) 

EXPERIENCE THE PRINCIPLE OF REPLACEMENT
FILL YOUR MIND WITH JOYFUL THOUGHTS
REPLACE DEPRESSING THOUGHTS WITH UPLIFTING THOUGHTS
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, 
singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father
 in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
(Eph 5:18-20) 
 

Phil 4:6-9 (TLB) 
{6} Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; 
tell God your needs, and don't forget to thank him for his answers. 

{7} If you do this, you will experience God's peace, 
which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. 
His peace will keep your thoughts 
and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus. 

{8} And now, brothers, as I close this letter, let me say this one more thing: 
Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right.
 Think about things that are pure and lovely,
 and dwell on the fine, good things in others. 
Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about.

{9} Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and saw me doing, 
and the God of peace will be with you.

FORGIVE YOURSELF, AND YOUR TORMENTORS
Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, 
how often shall my brother sin against me, 
and I forgive him? till seven times?
Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: 
but, Until seventy times seven.
(Mat 18:21-22) 

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, 
your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
But if ye forgive not men their trespasses,
 neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
(Mat 6:14-15) 
 

TURN YOUR PAST SUFFERING INTO USEFUL WISDOM
VOLUNTEER TO HELP OTHERS
What a wonderful God we have--
He is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the source of every mercy,
and the one who so wonderfully comforts and strengthens us
 in our hardships and trials. 
And why does he do this? 
So that when others are troubled,
 needing our sympathy and encouragement,
 we can pass on to them this same help and comfort God has given us.
You can be sure that the more we undergo sufferings for Christ, 
the more he will shower us with his comfort and encouragement.
(2 Cor 1:3-5)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

IXTHEUS CHRISTIAN DEVOTIONALS
ALWAYS FREE OF CHARGE
(but not necessarily  free of COST)
feel free to redistribute these materials to whomever you want...
be careful to observe copyright information where appropriate...
for questions, comments, help or suggestions, or subscriptions, contact us at
 ixtheus@execpc.com

God Bless You.....brother bob.......<><

If you have comments or questions, email me at ixtheus@execpc.com