Five Steps in Overcoming Depression:

1. Realize depression is an enemy, or at least a tool of the enemy of our souls (Satan). Therefore, this is a spiritual battle and must be fought clothed with spiritual armor (See Eph.6:10-19: Jesus Christ is the Truth, he is our Righteousness, he is our Peace, he is the one who protects us like a shield when we have Faith in him. He is our Salvation, and he is the Word of God by which we fight.) The Holy Spirit of Jesus is our breath. Just as we need to breathe constantly, we need to pray in the Spirit at all times, (i.e. keep the channel of communication with God open).
2. Know that God is greater than this enemy of our souls. God the Father proved that he loves us by sending Jesus Christ to rescue us from Satan’s realm. Jesus is God in the flesh. When Christ won the victory by dying as a sinless man on the cross and then rose from the dead three days later, he defeated Satan. Satan no longer has a hold on us unless we allow it. If we turn to Jesus and ask him to take over our lives, then he can give us victory.
3. Ask God’s Holy Spirit (i.e. the Counselor, see John.14:16-17, 15:26) to guide you what to do. Some may simply need more sleep and less stress. Depression may stem from a physical problem like a deficiency or toxicity or chemical imbalance, so the Holy Spirit may counsel one to go to a medical doctor. He may prompt another to seek counseling from a Pastor or a professional counselor or therapist since it may be caused by unforgiveness or bitterness or damaged emotions. A counselor can help in getting past that and other problems. The depression may be spiritual warfare, with or without other problems. Satan tries to defeat Christians and make them ineffective in God’s kingdom.
4. Recognise that depression might stem from loneliness. Jesus said he would be with believers always, and knowing that he is with us is tremendously helpful. But we also need people we can see and touch who care about us. One Pastor said everyone needs at least four hugs a day, and maybe twelve for therapy. Perhaps it would help to join a small group at church or other organizations where people become friends over common interests. Volunteering is also often beneficial.
5. Memorize scripture and Christian songs which resist the lies of the enemy. Use these like swords whenever the temptation to be depressed comes to mind. Remember Jesus fought temptations with scripture (Mt. 4:4, 7, 10.) For instance, if one is depressed over sins which have already been confessed, one can quote “If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness,” (IJohn 1:9). Another is “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,” (Romans 8:1,RSV).

If you’d like to read more by me about depression, see the archives (Sept 2015, Patches of Fog.)  If you would like suggestions of other specific Bible Verses which can be used as swords against the enemy, send a request via the contact page with your email address.