Christian Weight Loss Support Blog #3 Dealing with Depression

King David asked, “Why am I so discouraged? Why so sad?” and then wrote, “I will put my hope in God!”  (Psalmn43:5)

Like everyone else, Christians get depressed. The symptoms of depression can come from a number of sources like lack of sleep, lack of exercise, improper diet or physical illness. Whatever the cause, it is very important to uncover, understand and eventually deal with the causes of depression in your life.

Depression has two distinctive roots:

(One) from feelings of loneliness and abandonment

(Two) from feelings of failure and worthlessness

It can be extremely difficult to lose weight when you are depressed because every time you try to eat right or exercise, you’ll listen to negative thoughts in your mind that tell you that it’s not going to work no matter how hard you try. Being depressed is like having a loud speakerphone in your mind screaming rude obscenities and negative comments about how terrible your life is. The Enemy uses negative thinking to kill your spirit and keep you paralyzed in fear so you can’t do anything to help yourself.

Just so you know that you’re not alone. Allow me to show you exactly how the Devil attacks your mind. Let me know if you can relate to experiencing what I call: Satan’s three step destruction plan:

(First) you encounter a situation where you feel like you have no control. You feel like there is nothing you can do about it, and no matter how hard you try nothing and be done to relieve the pain.

(Second) you start to view yourself in a negative way. You start thinking you’re inadequate, unattractive, untalented, ungifted and a useless waste of space. You blame yourself for your “perceived” shortcomings and you begin to drown in self-pity.

(Third) you start to view the future in a negative way. All you can see in your future is continuous hardship, struggle, pain and hopelessness.

Once you get to step three… that is when the overindulgence of drugs, alcohol, sex, or food comes into play to “numb the pain” and distract you from your problems. Anytime you use a physical substance to fix a spiritual problem destruction is the result. In the case of compulsive overeating eating, binge eating and emotional eating weight gain, obesity and illness is the result.

Being overweight will put you at risk for:

Type 2 diabetes

Gallbladder disease

High cholesterol

High blood pressure

Heart disease 

Certain types of cancer

Osteoarthritis

Joint and muscle pain

Gastrointestinal problems

Sleep apnea 

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10

Jesus came so that you can have an abundant life free of sickness, disease and dissatisfaction with your body. Committing your life to God ensures there’s hope for a better future. Read Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

The first Victory Step to relieve the pain of the past and the turbulence of your current situation is to seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness.  “…seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)

How to seek God

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

Seeking God and His righteousness is easy. God loves you so much that he sacrificed his only son so that you may have eternal life. Accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior so you can be proud of who you are and the precious destiny in store for you.  Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe it in your heart and you will be saved. If you have made this confession already, there’s no harm in doing it again to recommit yourself to your true purpose in God.

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:9-10)

Now that Jesus is your Lord and Savior, you have special access to the Holy Spirit. “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? . . . Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” (1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19) When you have the Holy Spirit dwelling in you there is power in the things you pray for in the name of Jesus. Pray for freedom and deliverance from depression, ask God to open the door to joy, peace and happiness in your life.

Consistent daily prayer is the key to supernatural weight loss, healing and special breakthroughs in your life. Tell God how you feel and all of the desires of your heart, and when the time is right you will see doors of opportunity open up for you. You may get blessed with something you did not even know you wanted when you follow God’s call for your life.

5 Victory Steps for Dealing with Depression

(One) go to God in prayer and ask for deliverance daily

(Two) put yourself in a new environment of supportive, loving, caring Christians

(Three) counteract negative thoughts with comforting scriptures and positive affirmations. Stop self condemnation God has made your free

(Four) speak positively about yourself, think about all the things you can be grateful for, know that there are people who are dealing with much worst situations than you and need your prayers and support

(Five) start taking better care of your body with daily exercise, fresh healthy foods, sunshine outside and a good sleeping schedule

Weight loss is a positive side effect of loving yourself and living a healthier lifestyle. Your identity is in Christ so you are a beautiful, special person with a unique purpose for your life to be a blessing unto others. Don’t let depression and hopelessness defeat you. You are a mighty powerful warrior and God’s not done with you yet. Keep fighting for the abundant life.

But the LORD stands beside me like a great warrior. Before him my persecutors will stumble. They cannot defeat me. Jeremiah 20:11

About the Author
Bonnie Mechelle is the author of the best seller: Overcome Compulsive Overeating… Now, and the executive producer of The Healthtopia Radio Show in Atlanta, Georgia . She has lost over 120 pounds naturally on her own and now empowers women who struggle with weight gain, divorce, single motherhood, eating disorders, chronic illness and clinical depression. See her latest movie, The Inner Weigh and subscribe to her Christian Women’s e-Newsletter at www.myhealthtopia.com. If you’re ready for one-to-one faith-based weight loss coaching get started at www.victorysteps.net.