How to overcome depression?

Being on the Mount of Olives, where he was to be betrayed by Judas and put to death, Jesus warned His 11 disciples that on that very night they would stumble because of Him. But even though Peter and the other disciples assured the Lord Jesus that they were ready to die with Him, sorrow gripped their souls and depression crept into them.

That is why, when they arrived in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus counseled the disciples to watch and pray so that they would not fall into temptation. The temptation was imminent – to stumble. However, they did not heed his counsel and let their grief overtake them.

“When He rose from prayer, He came to the disciples and found them sleeping from sorrow.” (Luke 22:45 NASB)

When it comes to sadness or depression, you feel like dropping your hands. You hate everything. You don’t want anything else. Either because of chronic fatigue, or because of health, or because of failures. Therefore, in order to prevent such moments of crisis in our lives, Jesus teaches us to pray and watch. Here is what He says:

“Keep watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Mark 14:38 NASB).

Don’t let flesh and emotions dictate your behavior and determine the direction of your life. If the Lord Jesus is your Master, listen to His counsel and pray to God to get out of this state as soon as possible. Make use of prayer. Jesus, like His disciples, was grieved by death, but He watched and prayed earnestly until He received power in prayer:

“Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him.” (Luke 22:43 NASB)

May the Lord help us!

Translated by Olya Trikolich