Bible Reading: Psalm 43, Revelation: 3: 1-11
“Why art thou cast down, O my soul?” – Psalm 43:5(KJV)
The Psalmist was a victim of a state of being cast down, which is the spirit of depression. Depression means a feeling of utter hopelessness, a state of despondency and self-disgust. It results in Loss of perspective which can lead to idealization of self- inflicted injury or suicide. The author and designer of depression is Satan. Depression chokes the brain! It robs the mind (Luke 8:14). It blinds the mind! (2 Corinthians 4:4). It is a very destructive weapon of the enemy. It is a destroyer that makes victim of men. It must be fought! Depression enters the mind to block it from the light of the glorious gospel. It chokes the Word and makes the mind unproductive. When you are depressed, your access to God’s presence is blocked as the only way to enter God’s presence is through thanksgiving and praise (Psalm 100.1-5). These are absent in a depressed mind. Depression disconnects you from God and by so doing destroy your harvest. If the devil can plant depression in you then he has spoilt your day and has set in motion the derailing of your destiny.
Depression is the worst enemy of your destiny. Depression brings a man under a curse by eroding his joy and at the same time frustrating his thanksgiving to God (Deut. 28:47-48). Depression cuts your joy and retards your flight to your high places. Satan brings cares, worries and anxieties to cause you to be depressed and thereby making the word of God to be meaningless and unimportant to you. Depression can be contagious; so avoid a depressed person. Depression can destroy your health (Proverbs 17:22). This is Satan’s heart desire towards you.The moment you subscribe to depression, things that should be working begins to fail. Depression can rupture your destiny and terminate your life prematurely. So beware!
Joy is the secret of our superiority over Satan. Depression makes victims of men, but joy makes champions of men. Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say rejoice” – Philippians 4:4(KJV). The more of joy you have, the more victories you enjoy over Satan. Joy is the only medicine for depression. Joy is the only way to ventilate your spirit. James 5:13 says: if you’re merry, sing. “Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation” – Isaiah 12:3(KJV) It is joy that gives you access to revelation. Revelation produces faith, and faith guarantees your victory (1 John 5:4). Joy is the antidote for depression and it is the instrument with which you can tap into your redemptive rights.
Joy ventilates your soul and opens you up to divine presence. It is a pacesetter in our Christian race. Joy makes your day. Joy produces positive and progressive ideas. When you serve the Lord with joyfulness and gladness of heart, you will block Satan’s access to your mind. Satan is out to move you against God. Keep him off with joy – singing and making melody in your heart unto the Lord (Ephesians 5:19). Explore all avenues to be joyful and happy. Live in constant gratitude and thankfulness to God. Keep your heart in a ceaseless flow of thanksgiving and appreciation unto God. The level of joy you operate determines the level of exploits you enjoy. Joy makes you and God a formidable, invincible team, and establishes your triumph and dominion over Satan in the conflicts of life. Engaging in a ceaseless flow of joy will cause your spiritual life to blossom. Serving God is unprofitable when it is not done joyfully and gladly. A joyful track in your walk with God is the anointing for great exploits. It takes joy to operate in the excellent spirit that makes for distinction. It takes joy to create a future.
Dear reader, it pays to live a joyful life. You belong to the order of joy by creation (Galatians 5:22). See what the Psalmist says: Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of your countenance. – Psalm 89:15.
Prayer: May joy never depart from your home. May the act of gratitude and thanksgiving to God become your lifestyle?
Bro. Joel Ezeugo.