Here’s what you can do.
In my journey with this mental illness, I’ve picked up a few skills that have been integral to helping me get through every episode. I’d love to share them with you, so that you won’t go through those episodes alone.
- Keep a journal
It’s likely that you have a few empty notebooks lying around. Why not put them to use now? If not, you can do to your local department store, and buy a notebook. They’re very affordable. But why keep a journal?
Because I believe it’s important that you track your journey with God. Write down every prayer you give to God, and when they get answered, note it down on the journal. Our Lord is very concerned about our increase, so I believe your experience is like mine. Almost every day, there is something new that He is teaching us. He teaches us through our daily circumstances, the people we interact with, mundane conversations, and so on. Write down the lessons God is teaching you each day in the notebook. Then when you’re inspired to, read the past pages you’ve written, and be reminded of how good God has been to you.
The reason for keeping a journal is so that you can see for yourself that God has delivered you, and He will continue to deliver you.
- Learn how to give thanks in every situation
Have you ever tried to board a bus, and someone cut in the queue ahead of you? If you’re anything like me, a few nasty thoughts ran through your mind about that person in that moment. I am ashamed to admit it. But whenever something I hate happens, I try to find something in the situation to be thankful for. Instead of ruminating on those nasty thoughts, I can thank God for giving me a chance to praise Him.
So while I want to think this thought:
This is so annoying!
I choose to ruminate on this thought instead:
Thank you, Lord, for teaching me patience.
Learning to thank God in every situation will help you reframe your negative thoughts, and change them into positive ones. When you choose to see the good in the bad things of life, your mind will be changed, and you will start see His hand in all your situations. So remember to do this!
- Surround yourself with friends who are willing to dig a hole in the roof for you
Luke 5:19 (New Living Translation): But they couldn’t reach him because of the crowd. So they went up to the roof and took off some tiles. Then they lowered the sick man on his mat down into the crowd, right in front of Jesus.
Have you heard of the story of the people who loved their friend so much, that they decided to dig a hole in the roof to lower their friend to the ground before Jesus? The Lord praised them for their faith, and it healed their friend!
Having a good support system is very important. If possible, find it within your family. But not everyone is that lucky, and if you don’t have a supportive family, try to find it in your circle of friends. If you do not have that either, try making friends online through various interest groups on Facebook, Discord or Meetup. Meet them in a public place filled with people, and get to know them better online before you trust them with a meeting. If you can, find people who share your faith, and as you build on these relationships, give them the help you wish to receive from them.
When you are in a storm, they will be God’s instruments to help you through.
- Pray
When you are feeling anxious, remember that God is just a thought away. He promised to be with you wherever you go, and you have the Holy Spirit in your heart. If you’re feeling the burden of your mental illness right now, find a quiet place, and pray to God. And He will hear you.
We all have a God we can get away to.
- Seek help from His Word
God did not leave us in this world without help. He gave us the Holy Spirit to live in our hearts, and He also gave us the bible. When you are in trouble, and need some help from God, open your bible and learn from it.
Here is my prescribed method for bible reading, which I learnt John MacArthur. Take the New Testament, and with the smaller books, read through the entirety of it for every day of a month. With bigger books like the gospels, read through about five chapters every day of a month. Meditate on what you read, and let God change your mind through His word. But what if you still don’t understand what you’re reading?
The good thing is, God also equipped countless ministers to help you understand the bible. There are many bible commentaries available out there to help you understand what you are reading. Bible Hub is a good place that gives you parallel commentaries on each verse of the bible, and my personal favourite is the Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible. It’s very insightful, and if you can, I recommend reading it alongside your bible study.
- Seek Him with all your heart
It’s by His design that He only answers you when all other hope is exhausted, so that His power is made perfect in your weakness. Because when you are at your weakest, that’s when His power shines the best in comparison. Why?
Because the wine ran out first before Jesus turned water into wine.
And Lazarus died first before Jesus raised him from the dead.
Peter sank into the waves first before Jesus pulled him out of it.
2 Corinthians 12:9 (New International Version): But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
So, be prepared that He doesn’t answer you at first. Keep knocking, and the answer will come.
Now, let’s pray together:
Matthew 11:28-30 (New International Version): “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Put your faith in Him now, and believe that He can deliver you from this suffering. Know that even if you do not have faith, His blood has already purchased for you a full life, and you will never perish.
Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version): For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Believe His Word that you will be set free from your suffering. God has delivered you, and He will continue to deliver you. Let us have a prayer together, because we know of this verse:
Matthew 18:19 (New International Version): “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.
“Lord, this child of God who is reading this book now is going through a difficult storm. Please take care of this child, and deliver this child from suffering according to Your will. We trust that You are both willing and able to heal us, and it is by Your stripes that we are healed. We knock on Your door today, and ask for healing. Thank you for every answer You give us, and may Your name be praised in our pain. All glory to You!”
Thank you for praying this with me. I will continue to keep you in my prayers, and I know in my heart that God will bless you. Please continue fighting this battle, and we will meet one day in Heaven and spend our time praising God for delivering the both of us! Praise the Lord.
Amen.
Map to the series:
Part 1: https://godandneighbour.blog/2026/02/19/1-9-hope-for-the-depressed-christian/
Part 2: https://godandneighbour.blog/2026/02/19/2-9-hope-for-the-depressed-christian/
Part 3: https://godandneighbour.blog/2026/02/19/3-9-hope-for-the-depressed-christian/
Part 4: https://godandneighbour.blog/2026/02/19/4-9-hope-for-the-depressed-christian/
Part 5: https://godandneighbour.blog/2026/02/19/5-9-hope-for-the-depressed-christian/
Part 6: https://godandneighbour.blog/2026/02/19/6-9-hope-for-the-depressed-christian/
Part 7: https://godandneighbour.blog/2026/02/19/7-9-hope-for-the-depressed-christian/
Part 8: https://godandneighbour.blog/2026/02/19/8-9-hope-for-the-depressed-christian/
(FINAL) Part 9: https://godandneighbour.blog/2026/02/19/9-9-hope-for-the-depressed-christian/
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