Breaking Chains

"He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death and broke their bands apart."

Psalm 107:14

Depression and anxiety may feel like being chained to those experiences. The chains of depression and anxiety can hold tight to the life you are living and keep you from living the life you want to live. The chains may be the fear of the unknown, isolation, lack of interest, lack of purpose, no desire to get out of bed, and so much more. Research supports that the chemical imbalance in the brain, levels of serotonin and dopamine are low, may lead to depression. Anxiety is represented by low dopamine. There is also the spiritual war that is played out that makes managing depression and anxiety that much more challenging. These spiritual wars are the chains of life that keep you from being able to experience everything that God wants you to experience. And He wants you to experience life. The Bible does not say that God wants you to live lonely, boring, and anxious lives. In fact, there are countless examples of the complete opposite. He wants you to live a life of great rewards.

Depression chains keep you from being close to God at times because of the way that depression can be so dark. And if God is light, living in darkness seems to keep you from being close to Him. It brings to mind that in Genesis, God first created light. There is a lot of hope for those experiencing depression, if God can take the earth's darkness and create light. He can create light in your life as well. These chains also can hold you back from being with others, where isolation becomes the normal. Chaining you to things that keep you from being with others, or being part of activities that you used to enjoy.

Anxiety chains keep you from being close to God at times because there is fear, worry, and lack of trust. Whether or not the lack of trust is in God or in others, the lack of trust makes it challenging to be open to a loving God. The focus during times of anxiety tends to be on the anxiety itself, the trigger, the stressor, or the symptoms. The anxiety is the perception of the outcome that has yet to take form. Jesus, however, is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Knowing that He is the same, always, may be the break from the chains that your soul needs in that moment. Notice that it is in that moment; because those experiences come and go, it is part of the recovery process.

Managing depression and anxiety require focus and attention. Check out this other post on ways to manage depression (these steps also help with anxiety): Managing Depression.

But let's be clear. Depression is real. Anxiety is real.

And... so is He.

Scripture:

Genesis 1: 1-4

In the beginning God creed the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light." God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.

Hebrews 13:8

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Psalm 107:14

He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death and broke their bands apart.

Reflection:

What are the chains that are currently holding you back?

How do these chains keep you from experiencing the life God has planned for you?

What can you do today to unlock those chains?

Prayer:

Lord, I find myself at times chained to my pains, my loneliness, my worries. Lord I know that through You I can be released from these chains that hold me to a life that keeps me from You. And I pray that as I come closer to You, these chains will be removed and I can be present with You, without the pain, without the loneliness, and without the worries. Lord I ask that today, You give me the strength to be free from the chains. I ask this in Your son's name. Amen.