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Question: How can the Bible's teaching help me overcome my depressive thoughts and other destructive emotions? Answer: Developing a daily routine of following biblical guidelines improves our sense of self-worth and generally lifts our mental and spiritual health. Most often, those who have emotional problems will struggle spiritually. Trying to become more like Christ includes recognizing emotional conflicts as signals from God that we need to take notice of our behavior. For example, anger warns us to slow down, examine what made us mad, and begin to relieve our hostilities. Holding in anger and bitterness solves nothing. While that bitterness is churning away, it disrupts all our emotions and often does physical damage. Prolonged bitterness leads to chronic, clinical depression. On the other hand, if the bitter person had adhered to Ephesians 4:26-32, the anger would have been put away before it became bitterness. Frequently the key to overcoming depression is forgiveness. Scripture reminds us that this life is only the beginning and not the end. Meditating on verses of encouragement can make us take a positive look at our problems and find solutions. If our lives on earth were all we had to look forward to, might not all of us be more anxious and depressed? The staff at the Rice - Lewis Clinic is willing to help you overcome depressive thoughts and emotions. Answered by: Robert Rice, M.D. |