21 Days to Beat Depression - Day 2

21 Days to Beat Depression
Written By Carol McLeod
21 Days.png

21 Days To Beat Depression - Day 2

 

"These things I have spoken to you that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be made full.” - John 15:11

I am not a doctor, but I have a prescription for you!

If you are battling depression or sadness, every day turn on praise and worship music.  You might want to lift your hands in worship or just quietly sit and bask in the peace that flows from His presence.  For the very brave of heart, let me encourage you to join with David and even dance before the Lord!  Simply take about 5-10 minutes every day and spend it listening to and participating in the hymns and songs of men and women of faith.

Some sicknesses of the soul, require more than one healing medication, and so in addition to spending time daily in worship, try this:  open your Bible and read a passage of Scripture.  If you are in the throes of sadness, just start at the beginning of the Book of Psalms and read 3-5 verses in a sitting.  Let the Words of the Psalmist roll over your soul and demonstrate their healing power in your life.

Let me talk to you about the Bible for a minute and help you to understand the power that the Word of God has in helping you deal with your emotional pain.

Did you realize that making a simple decision to read the Bible every day is one of the most strategic choices toward joy that you will ever make?  The Bible is infinitely more powerful than any other human answer for emotional ailments.

The Bible is not a flat book but it is a dynamic source of heaven’s power.  So many people tell me that they don’t understand the Bible... and I tell them that’s o.k.!  Just keep reading it!  We don’t always read the Word of God for information but we always read it for transformation!  I guarantee that what your mind is not able to understand, your spirit will absorb!

Because you really do have an enemy... and he really does understand the power that a Christian extracts from reading the Bible... the devil will do anything and everything that he is capable of doing to convince you not to read the Word of God!

Discipline is never easy but always requires great focus and intent.  Don’t make excuses of why you couldn’t read the Bible yesterday or are not able to read the Bible today... just do it!

My prayer for you today is that you will declare with the prophet, Jeremiah, “Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart!”

The third healing balm for a depressed soul is to spend a few minutes in prayer, praying for someone else.  Keep a prayer journal and write down other people’s needs and requests.  When you give to someone else by praying for them, the blessings and the strength will come rebounding back upon your life.

  • MAKING IT PRACTICAL -

Guess what?!  You get to do it again!  List three more things for which you are grateful!  Don’t forget to share them through Twitter or on Facebook followed by the words, “#21daystobeatdepression!”

  • DECLARATION -

I declare today that when I read the Bible that it heals all of the broken places in me.  I declare that as I read the powerful Word of God that depression will flee in Jesus’ Name and that joy will come into my life!

  • PRAYER FOR TODAY -

"Lord Jesus, I love You so much.  I thank You, today, for the Bible.  Thank You that the Bible does a miracle in me each time I read it.  Thank You for the abundant life that is strategically laid out for me in the Bible.  Thank You that Your Words always bring joy to my life.  In Jesus’ Name I pray.  Amen.”

Subscribe to Carol's Blog by Email

Carol McLeod
Carol says, “I am just a girl who is head over heels in love with Jesus ... passionately addicted to His Word ... and find all of the joy that I need in time spent in His presence." Carol is a Christmas-aholic, loves ACC basketball and the beach! Like all menopausal women, she is overly fond of chocolate and enjoys a good read. She doesn't like cleaning her house and is an expert in carry-out dinners. She hates to shop … loves to jog … and somehow finds time in her busy life to hang out with small children. She is the kind of woman that you could laugh with over lunch, cry with over disappointment and shout with over a victory! But … if you need her official bio … read on! Carol is an author and popular speaker at women's conferences and retreats, where she teaches the Word of God with great joy and enthusiasm. She also hosts highly successful Just Joy! outreaches. Carol encourages and empowers women with passionate and practical biblical messages mixed with her own special brand of hope and humor. Carol has written three books, "Holy Estrogen!", "The Rooms of a Woman's Heart" and "Defiant Joy!" which was released by a subsidiary of Thomas Nelson. Her teaching DVD, "The Rooms of a Woman's Heart", won the Telly Award, a prestigious industry award, for excellence in religious programming. Carol has also been featured on YouVersion (the smart phone Bible app) with several devotionals, including: "For the Journey Set Before Him", "Jolt of Joy", and "Joy to YOUR world", " Carol has a daily radio program, "Defiant Joy! Radio" which is available in several national markets including Youngsville PA, Warren PA, Buffalo NY, Roanoke VA, Norfolk VA, and Nashville TN.  A 1977 graduate of Oral Roberts University with a degree in Music and English, Carol has the distinction of being both the first Women's Chaplain and the first woman to speak at the university's Vespers.  Carol currently serves on the ORU Alumni Board as chaplain.  She is married to her college sweetheart and love of her life, Craig, who serves as senior pastor of Life Church, a church near Buffalo, NY.  Craig and Carol have been happily married for nearly 37 years and are the parents of five children and three delightful daughters-in-law. Craig and Carol are thrilled with the joy of being grandparents to five precious grandchildren! Carol has written three books, "Holy Estrogen!", "The Rooms of a Woman's Heart" and "Defiant Joy!" which was released by a subsidiary of Thomas Nelson. Her teaching DVD, "The Rooms of a Woman's Heart", won the Telly Award, a prestigious industry award, for excellence in religious programming. Carol has also been featured on YouVersion (the smart phone Bible app) with several devotionals, including: "For the Journey Set Before Him", "Jolt of Joy", and "Joy to YOUR world", " Carol has a daily radio program, "Defiant Joy! Radio" which is available in several national markets including Youngsville PA, Warren PA, Buffalo NY, Roanoke VA, Norfolk VA, and Nashville TN.  A 1977 graduate of Oral Roberts University with a degree in Music and English, Carol has the distinction of being both the first Women's Chaplain and the first woman to speak at the university's Vespers.  Carol currently serves on the ORU Alumni Board as chaplain.  She is married to her college sweetheart and love of her life, Craig, who serves as senior pastor of Life Church, a church near Buffalo, NY.  Craig and Carol have been happily married for nearly 37 years and are the parents of five children and three delightful daughters-in-law. Craig and Carol are thrilled with the joy of being grandparents to five precious grandchildren!
Previous

21 Days to Beat Depression - Day 3
Next

21 Days to Beat Depression - Day 1