A Moment with Joni

Depression and Prayer By Joni Eareckson Tada Never stop praying. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 During an interview, I was asked, “When you were at your lowest, what got you out of depression?” I didn’t have to think. “Without a doubt,” I said, “it was the prayers of godly friends.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says plainly, “Never stop praying.” There’s a good reason why. Prayer changes everything. It is the conduit through which God heals, convicts, restores, affirms, and gives hope. Prayer also lifts depression. How so? Depression is a spiritual battle. Yes, physical and chemical factors are at play, but dealing with seriously dark moods is mainly a spiritual battle. So, be sure to use spiritual weapons. And there is no more forceful weapon than prayer. I should know as I smile from my wheelchair. Have a friend who is struggling with depression? Let us pray for him. You can submit a prayer request on our website.  Listen to Joni  Stay Engaged… Subscribe Shop Stories Joni’s 2021 Planner This 12-month agenda Planner will allow you to stay organized with monthly and weekly spreads that include Bible verses, inspirational quotes and new devotionals by Joni.  Order Today

Have you ever heard the saying, “knowledge is power?” What about the lack of knowledge? What if you just don’t know what you don’t know?

That’s how I would describe my experience with depression. I just didn’t understand until I went through it myself.

For years in my neuropsychology practice, I treated patients who suffered with depression. Once I experienced depression myself, I understood the pain, the despair, and the agony firsthand. My compassion for my patients increased exponentially.

In the course of my own treatment, I tried everything I had suggested for my patients over the years. They weren’t enough to make a dent in the heartache of my soul.

What was missing?

In my darkest days of depression, I found out I didn’t have all the answers. I felt shame because I was the doctor who was supposed to have all the answers. I even treated patients for depression and discovered I didn’t have all the answers. When I tried the treatments, I discovered they helped, but they were not enough for me to overcome.

When I walked through the dark valley of depression, I despaired. I didn’t want to get out of the bed. I wouldn’t wish those deep, dark days on anybody.

In those days of despair, God met me and spoke into my heart.

He gave me the truths I could use to fight depression by combatting the lies the enemy had been whispering into my heart. Believing those lies had put me into the valley of despair to begin with.

These same truths helped me overcome depression. Now, I stand on those truths from God’s word to keep me from going back into that pit.

In my award-winning book, “Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey through Depression” and my “Hope Prevails Bible Study,” I help readers understand what depression is, show how it affects them spiritually, and what, by God’s grace, it cannot do. I offer the hope that is available for living the abundant life. The result is a treatment plan that addresses the whole person—not just chemical imbalances in the brain.

For those who struggle with depression and those that want to help them, “Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey through Depression” offers real hope for the future.

I’m celebrating because this week marks the one-year anniversary of the release of the ““Hope Prevails Bible Study.”

Because of Him, #HopePrevails!

Dr. Michelle Bengtson

Additional Depression Resources:

For a Free eBook on How to Help a Depressed Loved One, click here: How to Help a Depressed Loved One eBook.

For more helpful information about what you need to know when you have a depressed loved one, read here: https://drmichellebengtson.com/10-things-to-know-if-you-have-a-depressed-loved-one/

For more about what not to say to a depressed loved one, read here: https://drmichellebengtson.com/what-not-to-say-when-a-loved-one-is-depressed/ while here are suggestions about supportive things you can say to a depressed loved one: https://drmichellebengtson.com/what-to-say-when-a-loved-one-is-depressed/

To learn more about “Hope Prevails: Insights From a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression,” Dr. Bengtson’s book, see: https://drmichellebengtson.com/hope-prevails-book.

And, for the Bible Study, see: https://drmichellebengtson.com/hope-prevails-bible-study/.