Cast your burdens unto Jesus

O you who are burdened take heed,
Come to Jesus with your need.
Why be down with worry forever?
Why not petition God in your endeavor?

Cast your burdens unto Jesus entirely,
And cast them all unto him regularly.
For he cares for you,
Let this be your sign and clue.

Cast unto Jesus your fear and vanity,
And ask him for peace and sanity.
Reject the bad and accept the truth,
And by trust in God renew your youth.

Always be thankful and celebrate all that God has done for you

Always be thankful and celebrate all that God has done for you. Don’t ever forget the good that God has worked in you life, lest you get carried away by the cares and worries of this life and be unfruitful.

Jesus himself spoke about this in the Parable of the Sower as in Mark 4: 18-10 saying “And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.”

 

As an act of continual gratitude speak to others what the Lord God has done in your life.

Jesus himself told the man from whom he expelled the demons to tell other what the Lord had done for him and this man gladly this. And the people marveled at the goodness of the Lord!

And they came to Jesus, and saw the demoniac sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, the man who had had the legion; and they were afraid. ¹⁶ And those who had seen it told what had happened to the demoniac and to the swine. ¹⁷ And they began to beg Jesus to depart from their neighborhood. ¹⁸ And as he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed with demons begged him that he might be with him. ¹⁹ But he refused, and said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” ²⁰ And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decap′olis how much Jesus had done for him; and all men marveled. (Mark 5:15-20)

Bible verses for reflection:

• With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the Lord: “He is good; his love toward Israel endures forever.” And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. (Ezra 3:11)
• I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High. (Psalm 7:17)
• I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. (Psalm 9:1)
• Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. (Psalm 100:4-5)
• Sing to the Lord with grateful praise; make music to our God on the harp. (Psalm 147:7)
• I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king. (Daniel 2:23)
• Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 5:18-20)
• Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)
• Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. ( 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
• Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:28-29)

Bible Verses for Anxiety

Whenever faced with anxiety remember you have the Lord God who can help you cope up and overcome anxiety. What you need to do is simply read the Bible verses for anxiety and cast your worries unto Jesus because he cares for you. Please do read it with your heart and not just your mind. You can read it aloud either in your mind or vocally but make sure that you believe each verse about dealing with anxiety.

 

 

Anxiety – image from pexels.com

I do hope you read the below verses for anxiety and overcome it all by the word of your testimony in Jesus. And may the Holy Spirit be with you in this great step you take towards no longer being down with anxiety. Here are the verses:

1. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. (1 John 4:18)
2. But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” (1 Peter 3:14)
3. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid but gives us power, love, and self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7)
4. Say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.” (Isaiah 35:4)
5. But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:31)
6. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)
7.  “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.” (John 14:1)
8. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)
9. Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. (Luke 12:22 )
10. I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. (Psalm 34:4)
11. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. (Psalm 94:19)
12. The LORD will vindicate me; your love, LORD, endures forever— do not abandon the works of your hands. (Psalm 138:8)
13. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)
14. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
15.  “But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:7-8)
16. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

Getting out of depression and the trap of suicidal thoughts

Time and again, through the news media online and in print, I have come to know about the death of a famous actor or actress due to suicide. Let me tell you that nothing is good about it. It’s a bad thing for a person who commits suicide. Because they go to hell and are damned for all eternity. As they have committed murder (against themselves) but didn’t repent of it, so it’s not possible for them to repent once dead. This why anyone who wants to go to heaven must totally avoid suicide. Suicide is of the devil and the Bible doesn’t condone it.

Suicide has at times let it mark on the grieving relatives of the person who took his life. They have lots of anxiety and plus have a tough time finding answers. It affects friends too. About a few years ago a non-Christian friend of mine too killed himself due to depression. I felt bad that all he had to do was tell me and I would have stopped him from taking such a drastic step by counseling him well. However he didn’t. So, I had to spend time in prayer too, so that I could come to terms with his death.

People with depression often try to show a ‘happy’ face to others. This doesn’t actually help them. A person who has suicidal tendencies must speak up to who can help out. Staying silent won’t make things better. Getting more things in life doesn’t cut off depression every time.

A bitter truth is that even abundance of luxuries and fame is not a safeguard against suicide. Lot’s of rock musicians committed suicide even before their reached their forties. Judas got money by betraying Jesus but what did he do after that? He committed suicide instead of going in for genuine repentance. Hitler too was not willing to face the consequences of his crimes and so it’s said that he killed himself. He had lots of riches and technology at his disposal but that didn’t help him. The worst people who use suicide are suicide bomber terrorists. Obviously they won’t go to heaven either because they have killed innocents.

This vile and detestable crime of suicide must never be committed by any person and more so by him who believes in Christ as his true hope. If you go through the Bible, there is no person, prophet nor saint who committed suicide and then went to heaven. None, absolutely.

Rarely does anyone commit suicide on the spur of the moment. This happens due to the person getting befuddled by suicidal thoughts. For about 2 years I used to interact with people who were kept on a suicide watch and I noticed that these people get depressed easily. A suicidal gentleman told me to be careful of how I speak to him as he was under suicide watch. I was amused at his request but decided to speak only wisely and kindly to him as a matter of courtesy.

Such people are not be laughed at nor thought of as lesser beings. There may be genuine reasons as to why they get depressed. Maybe they lost a loved one or were cheated in a cruel way. Some may have gone through a vicious divorce or some may have had drugs. I’ve heard that chemical imbalances too are responsible. In certain cases we just don’t know why. So we must not provoke such people any more to depression but rather be kind to them. If you can’t be kind then avoid speaking to them at least. Abatement to suicide is treated as a crime in most countries and is taken very seriously by the police.

There is no need to mock people who commit suicide. You won’t get them back from the grave. No need to insult their families for the same. If you suspect foul play then report it to the police with due evidence but don’t spread rumors.

Now if you are facing depression then don’t ignore it. Don’t feed it with wrong thoughts, wrong persons and wrong situations. Take down the roots of it not just the outward expressions of it. Take courage and consolation in the Lord. Surrender your thoughts to God. Resist all the thoughts of depression, anxiety and suicide. Do it in the name of Jesus. Remember that the Lord God loves. Christ cares for you at all times. So pour out your heart to God.

You can also speak to a professional as per your situation. A good preacher of the word will show you how to overcome bad thoughts spiritually. I don’t rule out medical help either. Even competent mental health-care professionals can help in such cases.

Sometimes others need help from us. If others are showing depressive behaviors which point toward the suicidal, then help them out. If you can’t help then lead them to others who actually can. A warning; if you yourself are facing thoughts of death to yourself then avoid counseling another suicidal person. It could be tough on both of you. So avoid it by all means and but inform someone who can actually help. You are still being a responsible person though you can’t directly help. Be happy with that.

Here’s a few Scripture verses are of good help in tackling depression and deadly thoughts:

• Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. (Proverbs 12:25)
• So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)
• The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary. Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught. (Isaiah 50:4)
• But you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head. (Psalm 3:3)
• If the LORD delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand. (Psalm 37:23-24)
• I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD. (Psalm 40:1-3)
• Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. (Psalm 42:11)
• Answer me quickly, O LORD, my spirit fails; Do not hide Your face from me, Or I will become like those who go down to the pit. Let me hear Your loving kindness in the morning; For I trust in You; Teach me the way in which I should walk; For to You I lift up my soul. Deliver me, O LORD, from my enemies; I take refuge in You (Psalm 143:7-9)
• “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2)
• Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 5:6-11)
• Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
• Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. (Philippians 4:8)

Related articles

• The Depressed Christian
• What the bible says about depression, let nobody else die needlesly because of false assumptions.
• When A Friend Commits Suicide
• 23 Questions from the 23rd Psalm
• Robin Williams, Suicide, and Hope

The need to get out of anxiety and depression

Depression and anxiety tend to have a negative impact on body and soul. People get depressed due to different reasons such as death of a loved one, financial loss, wars, lack of respect and appreciation etc. These may be valid reasons to be depressed. There are also unnecessary worries that cause depression.

Too much sorrow and anxiety puts strain on the nervous system. It causes insomnia, irritability, hopelessness etc. Even your spirit feels down and sometimes broken. You need to start realizing that you need to escape this soon. Maybe you feel at home with depression due long times of suffering but the Bible reminds us of the true nature of sorrow. You’ve got to be genuinely cheerful again.

Psalms 127:2 – [It is] vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: [for] so he giveth his beloved sleep.

Proverbs 12:25 An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.

Proverbs 15:13-14 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

2 Corinthians 7:10 For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation; but the sorrow of the world produces death.

No matter what your reason to be anxious and sorrowful, you need to make a choice to get out of depression and anxiety. Being depressed or anxious won’t solve anything let alone fix the cause of your worrying.

Anxiety won’t help you pay the bills. It won’t get you more beauty. Depression won’t make you more wise. It won’t strengthen you.

Jesus knows all hearts perfectly because he has made them all. No wonder he spoke about the reality of cares and worries. Here’s what Jesus the creator of all hearts had said about worrying:

Matthew 6:27-29 “Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow.

John 14:1 “Let not your heart be troubled:ye believe in God, believe also in me.

Matthew 11:28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.

Come to Jesus and give him your anxiety and worries. He will not cast out those who approach him in faith. Doesn’t matter if you caused the mess. Just approach Christ and take it all to him in prayer.

Worldly wisdom is partially right in letting go of your worries and sorrows by speaking it out to someone. But not everyone will hear out your problems. Not everyone cares about troubles you face. They will say please don’t discuss this with me for I don’t have time for this or some other excuse. Some only want to hear of your worries to see how they can take advantage of your situation. I say that such people will get their due judgement for this.

Some people can hear you out but can’t really help you due to their lack of knowledge or human limits. They will not be able to comprehend how badly hurt you are. Some may even find certain worries of yourself amusing though you may not like such people’s response. Only few people can actually listen and help you overcome your griefs.

This doesn’t mean you don’t speak about your sorrows to others. There are genuine Christian counselors who can hear and guide you. I used to hear out different counselors on what they would do to help someone get out of depression. I realized that the most effective one is when makes a free choice to cast his/her sorrows into the hands of Jesus and truly lets go. So I decided to then directly surrender my thoughts to Jesus when I’m faced with negative thoughts. Nobody can help more better that Jesus with the Holy Spirit for the glory of God.