God resides in the realm of praise, and wherever He dwells, victory and many other wonderful things follow! One of your primary responsibilities as a living soul is to thank the Lord even in depression. There is no magic to being delivered from depression and anxiety. We have to choose the presence of God over anything else.
The power of praise is seen all over Scripture. But we see a fascinating example in the Bible when three kingdoms waged war against King Jehoshaphat.2Chronicles 20:21 (KJV) says, “And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endurethforever. And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.”
The King of Judah and his subjects overcame the enemy not because they had a mighty army. But because they praised God. God has ordained praise as the instrument through which He manifests His incredible presence.
Another example in the bible where praise produced victory and deliverance is seen in the New Testament. Act 16:25-26 (KJV) says,“And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.”
This was a situation of captivity, where God’s servants and other prisoners were in chains, hands and feet. However, there is a mighty deliverance. When Paul and Silas praise God. Praise releases power that despair and depression cannot stand.
In her book, “HEALING YOUR DEPRESSION,” Apostle L’Tanya C. Perry, MDiv. said, “One of my favorite Bible passages is Isaiah 61:3. This passage addresses one of the challenges we encounter every day of our lives. It gives a consistent escape route out of depression; it reminds us of a truth that transcends time. Isaiah 61:3 (NIV) says, ‘to grant to those who mourn in Zion—to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.’
Sometimes, the results of our struggles are from having a lack of knowledge about our resources. Not knowing what you have is the same as not having it in the actual world. You can’t utilize it if you don’t recognize that you have it. If God promises to give us a thing, He wants it to be in our care and at our disposal. We have a valuable asset, and it is the Spirit of praise.”
Do you want to learn more about how to overcome depression and live a life full of laughter and fulfillment? Then get this life-transforming book, HEALING YOUR DEPRESSION by Apostle L’Tanya C. Perry, MDiv.