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    100 Days to Freedom from Depression: Daily Devotional
    100 Days to Freedom from Depression: Daily Devotional
    100 Days to Freedom from Depression: Daily Devotional
    Ebook265 pages2 hours

    100 Days to Freedom from Depression: Daily Devotional

    By Stephen Arterburn

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    About this ebook

    Enjoy having practical advice and hope for those struggling with depression in this beautiful daily devotion.
    Depression can feel like a wet blanket that weighs us down or a dark fog that keeps us from seeing clearly. It can lead us to feel helpless and alone, to the point where we hide our true feelings for fear of being shamed or misunderstood. When we face those inevitable dark days of life, we must choose how we will respond. Will we allow ourselves to sink even more deeply into our own sadness, or will we do the necessary work of seeking help to light the way out?

    Support your own or a loved one’s treatment with this devotional that’s designed to help do the hard work when it comes to healing. This book is packed with:
    • Daily devotions on 100 depression recovery topics
    • Thought-provoking personal questions and practical applications
    • Powerful prayers inspired by Scripture
    • 5-minute devotions with further study options
    Choose to spend the next 100 days finding freedom from the depression that weighs you down and keeps you from experiencing the joy of the Lord. 100 Days to Freedom from Depression is the latest in the New Life Devotions series by best-selling author Stephen Arterburn. The scriptures you will read—the devotionals, quotes, and prayers—will begin to change the way you think and feel.

    Key Features of the 100 Days to Freedom from Depression Daily Devotional
    • Full color
    • Makes an attractive gift for someone you love
    • Simple daily format, covering 100 days
    • 100 need-to-know depression recovery topics
    • Key verses, quotes, and refreshing devotions
    • 100 prayers for everyday use
    • Makes for an excellent repeatable study
    • Flexisoft imitation leather binding
    In situations when the negative emotions take the lead, it is important to refocus because the God of light has not left us in the dark. When we turn to God, to trusted family members, friends, and medical professionals, freedom is possible—the clouds will eventually part, and the sun will shine once more upon our souls.

    Why Care is Crucial & Statistics About Depression
    • Globally, an estimated 264 million people are affected by depression. Depression is the most common mental disorder and one of the main causes of disability worldwide. (World Health Org)
    • In the U.S. depression is the leading cause of disability for ages 15 to 44. It affects more than 16 million people.
    • As of 2020, youth mental health has worsened. 9.7% of youth in the U.S. have severe major depression. 60% do not receive any mental health treatment.
    • The number of people screening with moderate to severe symptoms of depression and anxiety has continued to increase throughout 2020 and remains higher than rates prior to COVID-19.
    In the 100 Days of Freedom from Depression devotional, readers will be renewed with a deeper sense of confidence as they are led to experience the powerful, transforming effect God’s love has on their health.

    Perfect for:
    • Individual study
    • Prayer groups
    • Discipleship
    • Small groups
    • Support and recovery groups
    • Church library
    • Chaplaincy or prison ministry
    About the Author:
    Stephen Arterburn is the best-selling author of Every Man’s Battle (over one million copies sold) and the founder and chairman of New Life Ministries. Arterburn is also host of the #1 nationally syndicated Christian counseling talk show New Life Live, heard and watched by over two million people each week on nearly 200 radio stations nationwide.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherTyndale House Publishers
    Release dateOct 5, 2021
    ISBN9781496465566
    100 Days to Freedom from Depression: Daily Devotional
    Author

    Stephen Arterburn

    Stephen Arterburn is a New York Times bestselling author with more than eight million books in print. He most recently toured with Women of Faith, which he founded in 1995. Arterburn founded New Life Treatment Centers as a company providing Christian counseling and treatment in secular psychiatric hospitals. He also began “New Life Ministries”, producing the number-one Christian counseling radio talk show, New Life Live, with an audience of more than three million. He and his wife Misty live near Indianapolis.  

    Read more from Stephen Arterburn

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      100 Days to Freedom from Depression - Stephen Arterburn

      Introduction

      The National Institute of Mental Health defines depression as a common but serious mood disorder that causes severe symptoms that affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working. ¹

      Just like the flu, depression is not one size fits all. The sadness that one person feels is not the same darkness that another person feels. The pit of despair experienced by one is not the same well that another lives in. Consider:

      Depression is isolating. Depression is also a fake smile at a birthday party.

      Depression is exhaustion. Depression is also bursts of energy.

      Depression is crying. Depression is also laughing in an effort to fit in.

      Depression is agony. Depression is also leading what appears to be a normal functioning life.

      Depression is an internal battle. Depression is also the mask we wear.

      Depression is temporary. Depression seems like forever.

      How do we deal with such a chameleon? How do we start to change how we think? The Bible is a great place to start. God’s Word is more than a few feel-good sentences. It is living and breathing and has the power to change the heart and mind.

      If you or someone you know is experiencing an emptiness that cannot be explained, diagnosed or undiagnosed, reach out for help. Make sure it is centered on the truths of God’s Word.

      Day 1

      God Beckons

      Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

      Matthew 11:28 nkjv

      When you read the above invitation, do any of these responses sound familiar:

      I got it; I can manage.

      If I ask for or receive help, I will be seen as weak.

      That person has it worse than I do.

      In a world where we’re applauded for our independence, God’s words can sound foreign. Furthermore, our experiences might have taught us to rely only on ourselves to make the best decisions we can, to trust our instincts as we try to survive all that life sends our way.

      Depression or despondency can feel like a heavy blanket that weighs us down or a fog that prevents us from thinking clearly. We can feel helpless and alone to the point of hiding our true feelings for fear of being shamed or misunderstood. We try to figure it out. We reach for temporary fixes. We resort to anything that makes us feel better. But without appropriate care, we can spiral into hopelessness.

      Jesus communicated the heaviness he felt in the garden of Gethsemane. In Matthew 26:37–38, he tells his friends how he feels and asks them to be with him. Then in Matthew 26:39, he reaches out to God—and God stood ready to give an answer. The rest of the story reveals that the God of heaven did not remove the events that caused Jesus’ sorrow but instead was with Jesus every step. And he promises to be there to help us, too.

      Those who are heavy-laden with despair should come unto the Lord.

      Ezra Taft Benson

      Draw aside, into the secret place no one but you and God can explore. This is a place from which all questions can be revered. Doubts and struggles are safe to open up and wrestle with, in this place. Tears are welcome.

      Jenneth Graser

      Any concern too small to be a prayer is too small to be a burden.

      Corrie ten Boom

      For Further Reflection

      Psalm 34:17; Psalm 55:22; Isaiah 41:13

      Day 2

      Have You Asked?

      Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.

      Galatians 6:2 nlt

      So many of us live a life that is overflowing with things to do. It is not that those items are good or bad but rather just part of life. For example, we may be the head of a large project at work that requires lots of overtime; we may have children who are involved in sports and their final games are the same week; we might be dealing with a child who was sent home sick by the school nurse; and the car needs maintenance; and if we stop long enough, we may recognize we do not feel so good either. Just listing everything that can be on our plates is overwhelming!

      But why do we try to manage everything by ourselves? Is it the belief that to be a good Christian we must do it all? Is it pride? Somewhere in our minds, we came to believe that sharing our needs with others is a sign that we are irresponsible, unorganized, unspiritual, not a good mother, father, sister, brother, aunt, uncle, etc. In this line of thinking, our accomplishment scale runs our lives.

      Why are we like this? Maybe we don’t want to be a burden or risk being rejected. Or we’re skeptical about receiving help with no strings attached. Whatever the reason, doing life on our own and in our own strength is contrary to Scripture. In fact, God commands us to walk alongside each other (Galatians 6:2).

      Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. It shows humility rather than pride. Our help can come in two ways:

      From God himself, who is eager to respond to us (Isaiah 65:24) and is known in the Bible as our provider (Jehovah-Jireh).

      From other believers, who can help us experience the blessing of being in the family of God and looking out for each other (Philippians 2:4).

      You are never strong enough that you don’t need help.

      César Chávez

      If you are at a hard place in life, hesitant to ask for help, God invites you to ask him so he can meet your need.

      David Jeremiah

      For Further Reflection

      Psalm 20:1; Psalm 91:15

      Day 3

      The Whole Temple

      Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.

      1 Corinthians 6:19–20

      Our bodies are amazing organisms—and God created them that way. The various parts and systems all connect and affect the others.

      The Bible shows the value God puts on our bodies. The Holy Spirit lives in every believer. However, all too often we do not treat our bodies in a way that honors God. Our lifestyle and the choices we make can negatively affect our physical, spiritual, and emotional well-being.

      Let’s begin to value our bodies in a way that pleases God.

      Let’s become aware of what we put into our bodies, making healthy dietary and exercise choices.

      Let’s start to pay attention to what we watch and listen to, focusing on things that are uplifting and beneficial.

      Let’s recognize our emotions and feelings and engage in healthy relationships.

      Let’s start having or renewing a regular time with God and fellow believers.

      Taking these steps will lead to a more balanced life.

      What is always speaking silently is the body.

      Norman Brown

      Bottom line, your body is a temple, and you have to treat it that way. That’s how God designed it.

      Ray Lewis

      For Further Reflection

      1 Corinthians 10:31; Philippians 4:8; Hebrews 10:25

      Day 4

      Don’t Give Up!

      Not only so, but we also glory in our suffering, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

      Romans 5:3–4

      Illness of any kind is difficult, and long-term illness can threaten to overwhelm. The toll it takes on us, our family, and friends can be exhausting. We might do everything we can and still be left with no answer, no change, and no hope. Sometimes we question the providence of God. We ask, If he is so good, how can this be happening? We question whether he really does hear or answer prayer. With no answers, we may feel ignored or give up on God.

      In the book of John, Jesus gives a farewell to the disciples the night before his crucifixion. He speaks about the work of the Holy Spirit, the trouble they will face, and the hope that is to come. In John 16:33, Jesus says, I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

      In this scripture, Jesus acknowledges the hardships of life, but he wants his disciples to remember his words when they came against difficulties, opposition, and failures. He called them—as he calls us—to persevere, remembering that through him, there is victory. And through perseverance, we will develop character and hope.

      You may be dealing with a recent diagnosis or a lifelong illness. You may be ready to stop trusting and waiting on God to bring the healing. The challenge is to accept the situation with the assurance that God already has the victory over it.

      Long-lasting victory can never be separated from a long-lasting stand on the foundation of the cross.

      Watchman Nee

      It always seems impossible until it’s done.

      Nelson Mandela

      Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.

      Dale Carnegie

      For Further Reflection

      Romans 12:12; Philippians 1:2–6; 2 Thessalonians 3:13

      Day 5

      God in the Valley

      Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.

      Genesis 28:15 esv

      Nothing compares to being on a mountaintop. In the literal sense, everywhere we look, we see the skies above and vivid colors of the earth below. The sunrise and sunset can be breathtaking, and all feels right with the world. We might feel spiritually in tune, with God at the forefront of our minds. We praise and thank him for blessing us. We trust him and feel secure.

      At other times, life throws us circumstances that can surprise and shake us. Negative thoughts and feelings invade. Fear. Sadness. Irritability. Anxiety. When negative emotions take the lead, we have to refocus, remembering that the God of the good times has not left us in the turbulent ones.

      God is never off duty, never misses an event, and is never surprised (Psalm 121:4). So why is it that when we’re on a mountaintop, we can praise God, but when we’re in the valley, we wonder where he went? Maybe because:

      We lose our focus, we can become so overwhelmed and distracted by our challenges that we stop talking to God.

      We are disappointed with God, we mistakenly assume that bad things don’t happen to Christians.

      We forget our blessings, we don’t call to mind the things God has already done for us and in us.

      Throughout the Bible we read of God’s people being joyful and praising him when circumstances were going well, then struggling and doubting God when they weren’t. Victory in the valley happened for those who remembered that God was still with them, and who sought his face even when things looked their worst.

      God, who is everywhere, never leaves us. Yet he seems sometimes to be present, sometimes to be absent. If we do not know him well, we do not realize that he may be more present to us when he is absent than when he is present.

      Thomas Merton

      The hilltop hour would not be half so wonderful if there were no dark valleys to traverse.

      Helen Keller

      Mountains, hills and valleys confirm the beauty of your holiness.

      Euginia Herlihy

      For Further Reflection

      Psalm 121:1–2; Jonah 2:6; Isaiah 41:10

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