GOD’S GUARANTEE
Acts 16:19-33
Satan is going to attack Christians in their minds with such intensity that they will become victims of depression and experience one defeat after another unless they recognize depression for what it is and take aggressive action against it.
Satan wants you to accept depression as if there is nothing you can do about it. He wants you to be depressed and stay depressed, so that you will be unable to fulfill God’s purpose and plan for your life.
To overcome depression and walk in victory over it, you must learn to recognize it the moment a spirit of depression attacks your mind. You must recognize that the thoughts which you allow to remain in your heart and mind — not the circumstances — are causing your depression. None of the circumstances you face or will ever face in your lifetime can cause you to be depressed or defeated. You do not have to ever be depressed again! God has promised you:
No temptation (trial) has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted (tried) beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted (tried), he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. (1 Corinthians 10:13, NIV)
This is God’s guarantee to you against depression. God will not allow any circumstances, trial, temptation, or attack of the enemy to come into your life that you are unable to bear and, during every circumstance you face, He will make you victorious!
The Apostle Paul had every possible reason to be discouraged and defeated. Think about the circumstances he faced. He was beaten many times, stoned, shipwrecked, and imprisoned. Yet, he was not depressed. He said:
“We are troubled on every side — yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed…” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9)
In the prison cell where he and Silas had been thrown for preaching the Gospel, Paul had every reason to be depressed (Acts 16). His back was bruised and bleeding. He was in chains. He was, no doubt, hungry and physically exhausted. He had been unjustly thrown in jail. But, he was not depressed. He was not fearful, worried, angry, or filled with self-pity concerning his circumstances. Instead of griping, complaining, and feeling sorry for themselves, Paul and Silas sang praises to God and won the victory over depression. As they praised and worshiped God, He supernaturally intervened in their circumstances.
Make this declaration:
There is no temptation I am experiencing but what is common to man. God is faithful. He will not let me be tempted beyond what I can bear. He will provide a way of escape.
