Depression – we've all heard the commercials announcing one Rx pill after another geared to combat such negative emotions labeled as "chemical imbalances". For some these imbalances run-amuck are so extreme as to interfere with daily activities, crippling the will (mind) and causing "mental illness". Thoughts become distorted. Confusion sets in deep followed by depression, helplessness, even suicide. While Rx drugs offer some assistance by numbing that part of the brain responsible for emotion and thereby giving some relief to the stings of depression, they are by no means a cure and should, if at all, be used in the most extreme cases and then only for a brief period of time.

Physicians say there is no known cause for depression and no cure. How sad that in all their vast knowledge and experience, they prove to know very little at all. Proverbs 12:25 point blank states that anxiety in the heart of man causes depression. How simple is that? And what is anxiety? "Seeds" of doubt, worry, anger, fear, etc., left unattended in the battlefield of your mind. Webster's and other dictionaries define anxiety as a state of uneasiness, apprehension, worry. There you go. Are we saying that worry is behind chemical imbalances and mental illness? No, we're not saying it. God is. Go ahead, argue with Him. We dare you.

Did you know that our spirits (our beings) were NOT created or designed with the ability to handle anxieties of any kind? When God created Adam and gave him dominion over the earth, there was no such thing as anxiety. What could Adam possibly have to be anxious or worrisome about? He controlled everything and had God as his backup. Only that didn't last long. As soon as Adam bowed, dominion was laid at Lucifer's feet. From that moment on Lucifer has laid cares and concerns on us that never should have been. Doubt, worry, fear, you name it, became a way of life for us. And once these seeds are planted within us, they began to grow, eventually producing evidence of their being. We become agitated, frustrated, stressed, confused. Sometimes we can't even name exactly what's bothering us, we just know something's wrong, something nagging at the back of our minds. We begin to feel ‘bad' all the time so that even the things we once enjoyed no longer give us fulfillment. And soon our peace begins to fade away completely. We view almost everything in a negative fashion because of all those negative seeds now blooming left and right. This says nothing of what's beginning to happen to our physical bodies as well by this point.

From the weight of all the anxieties we carry, we stay tired all the time so that getting out of bed in the morning becomes the hardest event of the day. Now here's something you should have guessed already. Our lifestyles play a major role in how we function today. Below are some examples that offer a look into this:

For the most part, while everyone has a fair share of trouble, we have discovered that people who are brought up in large, close-knit families are less likely to develop imbalances or illness, especially if their lifestyle is of a more quieter means. This is most likely because security and comfort run strong here, and there is always a feeling of being safe and having ‘backup'. Feelings of love and acceptance bring about a great rest. However, where there is no large, close-knit family and individuals grow up ‘own their own', comfort and security are almost nonexistent. Here, the battle to simply survive is what runs strong. There's no one looking out for you, and no one to lean on when you're weary and tired. Loneliness can be overwhelming and the stress and worries of constantly trying to keep your head above water are multiplied by the hundreds. That's a lot of little anxiety seeds being planted year by year and the chances of battling chemical imbalance or mental illness rise greatly. And any individual who is a performer/artist or other public figure, or has dreams or plans of becoming such, whether they come from a secure background or not, raises the stress and worry factors in their lives by the thousands. Therefore, it is no surprise that many public figures battle long-term imbalances and illness.

Well, we've named the cause for depression but can we also name the cure? Yes, we can. Since anxieties stem from different worries and concerns, the sensible thing to do is – DON'T WORRY! What? Are we kidding? Actually, we're quite serious. In Deuteronomy 31:6 we are commanded not to fear, but rather to be strong and of a good courage. Why? Because of Matthew 6:25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 and 34!!!!!!!! Check them out. As a matter of fact, not only are we not to worry but we're not even to be dismayed or ‘disappointed'. Again why not? The bottom line: God is in control and that's the key you've missed out on all your life. Why do you struggle so to gain the things that were created for you in the first place? And why do you say in your heart that if you don't do everything in your power to bring something to pass then it will never be? Proverbs 3:5,6,7 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Simply acknowledge Him in all your ways, and He will direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes, but fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh and strength to your bones!!!!

Do you not yet realize that the dreams and desires in your heart were put there by God in the first place? And do you also not realize that what He starts, He finishes? The only time God can't bring something to pass for us is when we intentionally keep stepping in His way. We don't have the first clue how to bring about all those desires in our hearts but we'll be dog if we're going to step back and give God a shot. What can He do that we can't, right? Many of us really need to take a good evaluation of our lives. There are some truths we need to face and the sooner the better. Hebrews 4:11 - labor to enter the rest of God. Which means the only ‘effort' we should be exerting should be that of entering into the peace of God. It's not easy, that's why we're told to ‘work' or labor at it.

Being creatures of sight, it is difficult for us at times to trust in things we can't see, but Matthew 11:28, 29, 30 advises why it is mandatory to do so if we are to experience freedom from worry and stress and the illnesses they cause. Entering that rest simply means that we are going to do only what we can and give the rest to God. And when the enemy comes against us with thoughts of worry or distress like, "you're going to fail, it'll never happen, there's no hope for you, it's over", then it's at these times that we need to remain steadfast in that rest. How do we do that? By refusing to worry. Take what God says instead of what the enemy says and stand on it. You're always going to have seeds being planted in your mind. It's up to you to decide which ones will win out, the negatives or the positives. Be determined. This is a battle for your mind, so stay focused. Every time you hear a negative thought encroaching, slap it down with a positive one.

Greater is He that's within me than he that's within the world.
I am more than a conqueror through Christ who loves me.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
If God is for me, than who can stand against me?

Get a study Bible to help you find power scriptures like these and mediate on them daily – like a medicine. You cannot survive untouched in the world today without feeding on the positive amongst all the negative. You only have the strength of God to handle today. Tomorrow will require a strength of its own. It also helps to know that God will not allow you to miss anything and if by some chance you do by your own fault, He'll just bring it around again when you're ready. Trust Him because He said in Joshua that what He did for Moses he would surely do for you. And God adored Moses. And for those of you who think you've gone too far for God to help you or doubt that He'd even want to, there's something you need to know. Proverbs 24:16 - A righteous man may fall seven times, yet he will rise again. In other words, even though you crawl into one puddle after another, God still sees you as a righteous man. He absolutely, completely adores you. So, take a deep breath, introduce yourself, and begin the most valued conversation of your life.

Tips in keeping our spirits settled and undisturbed. 1. Never look too far ahead down the road. You can become easily overwhelmed. The strength God's gives you is only day by day. So focus only on today and let God handle the rest. 2. During the most hectic times of the day, light up a candle or spray a fragrance into the air that is either calming or exhilarating to your senses, whichever you prefer. These can trigger impulses in the brain and release the ‘feel good' chemicals that often elude us in times of need. 3. Read your power scriptures!!!!!