Manna for Your Morning

A joyful, cheerful heart brings healing to both body and soul. But the one whose heart is crushed struggles with sickness and depression. — Proverbs 17:22 (TPT) A joyful heart is a heart that has learned to rely on and trust in the Most High God, His Word, His wisdom, and His ways. Instead of carrying around the burdens of this world, cast your cares on the LORD and experience the fullness of joy we have in His Presence. Do not be worried, for the joy of the LORD is our strength! (Nehemiah 8:10) A cheerful disposition is good for your health; gloom and doom leave you bone-tired. — Proverbs 17:22 (MSG)

Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left. — Isaiah 30:21 (NKJV) Be careful whose voice you listen to. Listening to the world, will lead you down the wrong path which leads to darkness, depression and death. However, your heavenly Father will lead along the path that leads to life, and life more abundantly. In John 10:27, Jesus said, “ My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. ” Let us turn the volume down on the world, and tune in to the voice of the Holy Spirit, who dwells within us. Then once we hear His voice, let us be sure to follow His instruction. The steps of a [good and righteous] man are directed and established by the LORD, and He delights in his way [and blesses his path]. (Psalm 37:23 AMP)

In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul. — Psalm 94:19 (NKJV) Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression (Proverbs 12:25a). So when you are experiencing a multitude of anxieties, cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7 NASB). He will comfort your soul. When you are upset and beside yourself, He will calm you down and cheer you up. (Psalm 94:19 MSG) No need to be anxious when our God is on the throne. He is bigger than any mountain you face. He is higher than any hurdle in front of you. He is more powerful than the storms that come, and He will see you through each one.

Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad. — Proverbs 12:25 (NKJV) Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down (Proverbs 12:25a AMP), and the good word that makes it glad is God’s Word. Philippians 4:6-7 (AMP) says, do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].

Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.” — John 11:43-44 (NKJV) Just as Jesus called Lazarus to come out of the grave, He is calling you to come forth! Come forth out of that dead place and be filled with everlasting life. Come out of anxiety, despair and depression. Come out of that darkness and live in the light of the Lord. Jesus released you from that spirit of heaviness and has given you a garment of praise. Come forth to the promise land and experience victorious living. Be clothed with perfect peace, unfailing love and unspeakable joy that resides deep down in your soul, in spite of external conditions. We are pressured in every way [hedged in], but not crushed; perplexed [unsure of finding a way out], but not driven to despair; hunted down and persecuted, but not deserted [...

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven  — Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NKJV) I’m sharing this for those who are not full of cheer this holiday season. If you are consumed with sadness or depression during this time, this is a reminder that this too shall pass. Times and seasons come and go, but through it all, we have our great God, who never changes. One Christmas morning, 23 years ago, I found myself lying on the living room floor, in front of our Christmas tree, with tears pouring down my face, having suicidal thoughts. I was experiencing marital difficulties and I was miserable and hopeless. I could hear the enemy telling me to go in the bathroom and hang myself. He told me my life was not going to  get any better. I almost believed the lies. Fast forward to the present, I’m loving my life, walking with the Lord, standing on His Word, happily married for 18 years. On that cold Christmas morning, I never imagined the possibility for my life to be ...

And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.” — Luke 13:11-12 (NKJV) As Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, He sees this woman in need and stops to tend to her. Know that Jesus sees you too. You are important to Him. Your well-being matters. It is His loving, compassionate nature to relieve people of their suffering. We may be physically, emotionally or spiritually bent over —beaten down by depression, shackled with shame, etc. We are unable to raise ourselves up, that’s why Jesus came to set us free. After 18 years of suffering, Jesus laid His hands on this woman, and immediately she was healed! (Luke 13:13). No matter how long you have been suffering, Jesus sees you and He is calling you to come to Him. Receive a touch from the Lord of lords and be healed today. Amen!

Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; — Psalm 139:23 (NKJV) The LORD, examines our hearts and knows everything about us. He knows when we sit down or stand up. He knows our thoughts even when we are far away (Psalm 139:1-2 NLT). Our heavenly Father knows the heavy burdens we carry. He tells us to cast all our anxiety on him because he cares for us (1 Peter 5:7 NIV). Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, (Proverbs 12:25a NKJV). Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; (Philippians 4:6 NKJV)

Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! — Psalm 42:5a (NLT) When we follow our feelings, we may drown in despair, hopelessness and depression. Our feelings are fickle; they come and go, they are up, then down. The Word of God, however, stands forever. (Psalm 119:89). Our feelings can be led astray, but God’s Word is truth. Choose the way of truth. (Psalm 119:30). Your feelings may say, you are unwanted and God doesn’t care about you. The fact is that God loves you, and chose you before the foundation of the world. (Ephesians 1:5). He never leaves your side. Feelings say that your life is pointless —do what you want. Fact is that God created you with a higher and greater purpose than what you see right now. He reveals it step-by-step. You may be feeling down and defeated. Fact is God gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57). We overcome by the blood of the Lamb. We are more than conquerors! Stand on the facts of God...

“And you, because of my blood covenant with you, I’ll release your prisoners from their hopeless cells. Come home, hope-filled prisoners! This very day I’m declaring a double bonus— everything you lost returned twice-over!” — Zechariah 9:11-13 (MSG) Anxiety, fear, or depression, no longer has dominion over you. The LORD has released us from any hopeless cells of despair the enemy had enclosed around us. No matter how hopeless your situation may appear, keep your hope in our wonder-working God alive. Come home to the Land of Hope! Be held captive by the hope you have in your heart for our living God and His mighty power to save and deliver. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us…(Romans 5:5 NLT).

Because of and through the heart of tender mercy and loving-kindness of our God, a Light from on high will dawn upon us and visit [us] To shine upon and give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to direct and guide our feet in a straight line into the way of peace. — Luke 1:78-79 (AMP) We no longer have to sit in darkness, loneliness or depression. The light of Jesus shines upon us. Let us be guided by His Light, along the path of abundant life and everlasting peace. And we shall be continually filled with the loving-kindness and tender mercies of our great God. Jesus, the giver of light, visits us every moment of every day. If you open the door of your heart, He will come right in and dine with you, and you with Him. Oh what sweet, sweet fellowship He desires to have with you!

The LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD lifts up those who are weighed down. The LORD loves the godly. — Psalm 146:8 (NLT) If you are bogged down with burdens, cast your cares on the LORD and He will lift you up. If you have fallen into a dark pit of despair, or depression, reach out your hand to God and He will bring you out. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along (Psalm 40:2 NLT). The LORD lifts up the humble (Psalm 147:6). Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor (James 4:10 NLT). Lift up the light of Your countenance upon us, O Lord (Psalm 4:6 AMP) and we shall be lifted up.

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, — Ephesians 2:13-14 (NKJV) Our saving grace, is that no matter what we face in this life, we can have peace and the presence of Almighty God. Before Christ we were far off, but by His blood we enter the very throne room of God. Christ has broken down any walls that separated us from our heavenly Father. Don’t let the enemy erect any barriers between you and God. As a follower of Christ and a child of God, you have the authority to knock down any walls that try to come between you and God. Any barriers are a lie from the devil. Break through any walls of depression, doubt, fear, shame, etc. and enjoy the nearness of our wonderful and amazing God.

“A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.” — Luke 2:32 (NKJV) Jesus is the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world (John 1:9). Light reveals things and Jesus revealed the love God has for all people, and nothing can separate us from His great love. Matthew 4:16a (AMP) says, the people who sat (dwelt enveloped) in darkness have seen a great Light. Don't sit under that dark cloud of depression, doubt or hopelessness. Come into the Light, bask in His love, and enjoy the abundant life He came to give us. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

As God has said: “I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” — 2 Corinthians 6:16b (NKJV) I am so thankful that our God dwells IN us and walks among us. When tragedy strikes, He is there. God gives us the strength and courage to open our eyes and face another day. When you receive that bad report from the doctor’s office, He is there. When your spouse walks out on you, God is in you, never to abandon you. When your loved one passes, God is in your midst. Whether you are dealing with depression, alcoholism, or drug addiction, God is there with the Power to break the chains that imprison us. He is our strength. Never underestimate the POWER of His PRESENCE. It breaks the yokes and raises the dead. In His Presence, there is power to heal and sins are forgiven. There is nothing too hard for Him (Jeremiah 32:17). Mountains melt like wax at the presence of the LORD, (Psalm 97:5). No flesh should glory in His presence (1 Corinthians 1:29)....

Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad.  — Proverbs 12:25 (NKJV) Ecclesiastes 11:10 tells us to  banish anxiety from our hearts. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God (Philippians 4:6). Meditate on the Word of God. It is good and it will make your heart glad. His Word is forever settled in heaven (Psalm 119:89). It will outlast any circumstance in your life. Those who love God's law have great peace; nothing shall offend them or make them stumble (Psalm 119:165, AMP).

“The reason I can still find hope is that I keep this one thing in mind:  the LORD’s mercy.  We were not completely wiped out. His compassion is never limited. It is new every morning. His faithfulness is great. Lamentations 3:21-23 (GW) When discouragement and depression come knocking at your door, still find HOPE. No matter how dismal circumstances may appear, hang onto hope. Remember the great mercy of the LORD, His unmerited kindness and favor. The LORD's mercies are trustworthy and true. They keep us from being completely wiped out. God is full of compassion and mercy and it never runs out. He delivers new compassions to our door step each and every morning. Great is His faithfulness!

Come quickly, Lord, and answer me, for my depression deepens. Don’t turn away from me, or I will die. Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you. Psalm 143:7-8 (NLT) May the morning bring you word of the LORD's unfailing love. When deep depression threatens to come upon you, remember the constant flow of His love that covers you. Instead of wallowing in the darkness of depression, think about the bright new compassions He showers on you each morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). Give yourself to Him and the light of His love will show you the way to days of joy and peace.

Thanksgivings will pour out of the windows; laughter will spill through the doors. Things will get better and better. Depression days are over. They'll thrive, they'll flourish. The days of contempt will be over. Jeremiah 30:18 (The Message) I pray that your thanksgivings to God be so many that they pour out of your windows, not just today, but everyday. See to it that laughter continually spill through your doors. Declare that the days of depression are over and things will get better and better for you and your household. The mirrors in your home shall reflect nothing but the joy in your heart. May you thrive and flourish in your body, soul and spirit. I love you all with the love of Christ Jesus. Have a Blessed Thanksgiving Day! Amen. Love and Peace to you, Jackie