Overcoming Darkness

by Victoria Gaines
Published September 5, 2007

“Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and broke their chains in pieces.” ~ Psalm 107: 13-14

This week I struggled with darkness.

An ugly cloud parked over my computer and refused to leave. It followed me around the house. The thickness-without-a-name pushed me back into the corner of self-pity and blame. No matter what I did, or where I turned, feelings of dejection choked my heart. Not again, I thought.

You’ve probably known the heaviness that tries to bury us beneath the crud of life. And yet Someone more powerful stands ready to pull us through, fight for us, and light our way. Please hear my story.

My prayers were weak, but He is strong.

I tried to renounce the lethargy, confess any sin, and replace each negative thought with the truth. I knew my efforts couldn’t dispel the darkness; Jesus would have to step in. The depression wasn't necessarily situational. But it was vile and oppressive, and I wanted to sleep.

Something within urged me to fight for my joy.

When emotions engulf us, we needn’t remain passive. "Take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ Jesus," I recalled. A fearful thought may come to visit, but it’s another thing to let it roost. I tried not to dwell on my feelings.

Next day, the gloom zoomed in again. Help! I began to wonder if this darkness was linked to an underlying biological component. I started having nightmares, then insomnia.

The nurse in me needed to ferret things out. I visited a doctor who specialized in the treatment of brain illness. He said nothing was wrong with me other than my inclination to fret and worry. “There’s a pill for that,” he said, smiling. But I was paralyzed by the sadness of an unknown origin, not worry. What I needed can't be found in a bottle. Not this time. Something else was happening here.

Friends, there's a battle going on for my mind, and for your mind. The enemy will sometimes cloak our very thoughts with lies and despair. If we understand the reality of the spiritual realm, let’s not assume too quickly that every dark cloud is a clinical condition. It’s possible, but what if it’s not? What’s if it’s both something spiritual AND medical? Sometimes only the Lord can sort it out. Most doctors don’t factor in the spiritual. Psychology and psychiatry are good at recognizing and grouping symptoms, but their final solutions and conclusions are incomplete. Without Christ, we’re all incomplete.

Yet I have Christ. Had the doctor diagnosed me with a brain illness that day, though, I surely felt vulnerable enough to believe him. Mind you, I’m not against medication. I’ve taken my share. But the enemy, this time, had smothered my mind in an effort to incapacitate me. No anti-psychotic will lift that kind of darkness.

This week I recruited some praying friends who love me enough to pray and listen. Darkness has come against them, too, at various times, so we understand. The one thing needed is to belong to Him. As we believe Jesus and surrender ourselves to His guidance and care, we’re filled with peace as we place our trust in Him. He’s already done everything to set our minds free. If you’re struggling with oppression, I urge you to break through the darkness by reclaiming your hope and security in Christ Jesus.

Meanwhile, how do we keep depression from snowballing? Here’s my checklist:

1. Is anything physical contributing to my gloominess? For example: menopause, a sleep disorder, chronic illness, pain or disease, exhaustion, burn-out, certain medications, hormonal changes, allergies, poor nutrition, PMS, alcohol intake?

2. Are there real circumstances contributing to depression? If so, am I carrying burdens that God wants to carry instead? Have I asked Him to show the areas of my life where change might relieve some of my stress?

3. Am I harboring sin? Sometimes depression builds from wrong thinking or inappropriate responses to life and people over time. Have I confessed bad attitudes? Unforgiveness, particularly, is a trap. I’ll suffer bouts of depression if I don’t choose to forgive.

4. Have I remembered to pray about this struggle? The enemy’s modus operandi is to convince us that we have no hope.

5. What lies have I believed - about myself, others, life, or God Himself? My feelings aren’t necessarily lined up with reality or truth. Am I willing to dispel these lies by embracing God’s Word, and let His Spirit renew me day by day?

6. Have I looked to Him for a good word in my situation? I can write out special verses and tape them to a mirror, my computer, or over the kitchen sink – anything to remind me of His inexhaustible grace, resources, love, and protection.

7. Have I taken that first step to turn from my inwardness and give Him thanks? Even in our deepest despair, we can learn to offer up a sacrifice of praise. His grace enables us to do this, and God inhabits the praise of His people.

Some may believe we should never get depressed. But the Apostle Paul, Elijah, and David the Psalmist all went through dark and troubled times. Besides living in a fallen world where heartache is common to all, we have unseen spiritual forces awaiting every opportunity to plant despair. It’s a battle for our minds, not a power struggle. Satan is already a defeated foe. The only way he can pull us down is get us to believe his sick lies. Believing the truth will really set us free.

What will you and I believe when the next funk rolls in?….when the enemy tries to punch us down? Will we just give up? Resign ourselves to doctors who over-prescribe?

He didn’t leave us helpless. While I don’t know the source of your depression, I know Jesus. He has drawn me out of many deep waters. Look for His guidance and wisdom first. If you still need a doctor, go. Still need a pill? Take it. But pray, believing with all your heart, that the only way you’re going to rise up again will be by the very hand of God. Then wait on Him. He’ll provide every resource you need. He’s the One who enables us to slip on that garment of praise as He stands to disband the darkness that eventually passes our way.

He did that for me this week. He will do it for you.

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” ~ Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)

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