Depression as a tool of Satan's?

dj63 · Post by **dj63** » Thu May 08, 2008 6:59 am

I agree with Freebird...

The enemy does not have this kind of power...Yes demons exist but they only hang around you when you initiate those kind of thoughts...

You have the power, you are the key -- this is what is taught in this program...when you meditate upon the goodness of the Lord, blocking out all negativity from whatever source -- whether it be your soul, a person or, even, the devil---only the Presence of God is there to meet you... think about it...

This is why we feel so good after prayer or service because we have been in His presence thinking godly and good thoughts... Paul admonishes us to "think upon whatsoever is lovely, of good report, praise worthly, virtuous, etc. etc." (Phil. 4:8)

Once this dawns upon you, this understanding will unlock the door...

Paul speaks of "casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God and bringing every thought into the captivity of Christ Jesus." IICor 10:4-5

The responsibility is upon each of us as individuals to caste down - pause, stop, block or replace- negative thoughts with thoughts that are positive, lovely, of good report, full of compassion, forgiveness, peaceful... This is what this program teaches us to do from lesson 1-15...

When I started the program... things were so bad that I just made a concrete decision to do what ever they teach in the program along with what the Holy Spirit would lead me to do -- everything based upon the Word (holy scriptures)... After hearing a part of lesson 3, that is given for free when speaks about stopping your own negativity, I was delivered and have been delivered ...

...fighting the air and just being angry at a being that I have no control over is pointless... I am not the devil's victim... he is mine!

Ladies and Gentlemen, I would encourage you not to concede your power to the devil... he is nothing and a nobody -- a defeated foe.... don't make him bigger than he is.... Please study who God is and who you are in Christ Jesus... this will be of great benefit to help you get a good picture of who you are dealing with...

Confession: "I own my mind.... I am an adult... I am fully responsible for the thoughts that I think... no outside entity has this power... "

For God has not given me a spirit of fear but of Love, of Power and of a Sound Mind -- II Tim 1:7

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu May 08, 2008 7:48 am

Enlightened, you are right that we have the key- the only power he has is the power we give him to rule our thoughts and lives.
Monica, a lot of people don't understand depression and anxiety- heck even doctors don't know everything about it. You know what your religion teaches about salvation and going to heaven. Nobody here on earth can pass judgement as to who goes and who doesn't. That's between that person and God.
And yes I do believe you can utter the words "satan get behind me" and it will happen, but for me, he always comes back in a weak moment.
Shell, when I got saved a lot of people told me that the devil would come after me to try to make me doubt what happened and to break me down.
SCDon, I am like you, simply admitting that I do cause a lot of my own anxiety and to some extent the depression.
Can anybody tell I've been walking on eggshells here trying not to be offensive? I don't believe that it's my way or the highway. This is only my personal view and I'm realy glad someone posted about it. It was something I could relate to and an issue that I've been dealing with myself. So please know I'm not trying to argue, just state a view on a topic that is controversial.
Stephen, I think I know what you are saying. Like if I don't forgive and forget and simply hold on to past hurt, then I tend to have the wrong mindset which is not of God and it complicates my depression and anxiety? Something like that maybe?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu May 08, 2008 7:57 am

Very beautifully put Enlightened.......

Now if many including myself stay focused on prayer and meditation of the good word.....We win the battle!! Now as long as were breathing on this earth trials will come against all...Christian or not......but as believers through God we are guaranteed victory!!!

But know there are steps to follow...and believe.

Blessings

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu May 08, 2008 8:50 am

Shellfrmmo

You believe this is Satan working, yet when you went to the doctors and got medication for the panic it got better? Guess so long as we have xanax or an anti anxiety med, we have found the weapon to ward off Satan? LOL Like garlic to the vampires? People's bodies are in a fight or flight mode due to our scary what if thinking. NOTHING more. Satan is just another place to place the blame. WE ourselves are responsible for this. The beauty in that, is WE ourselves can cure it too.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu May 08, 2008 9:06 am

what a wonderful post! and even more wonderful answers!

Bakedpears · Post by **Bakedpears** » Fri May 09, 2008 12:40 am

I agree with Freebird.
I don't think that this has anything to do with Satan or God. This has to do with ourselves.
It is 100% in our mind because we are allowing it to be in our mind.
Only we have the power to give in to it or get rid of it.

On a lighter note....chuckle, chuckle...this post reminds me of an old saying from a movie where after doing something bad the main character says "The Devil made me do it !!!!"

In my opinion the devil, satan...the bogeyman or whatever you want to call it....can't make you do anything. You alone have the power to say, think and/or do what you want, when you want, where you want, how you want.

My advice....put this whole Satan thing right out of your mind and just think positive.

zarina · Post by **zarina** » Fri May 09, 2008 3:59 am

Wow! I couldn't have said it better myself Mainstaymama...

You made my day. Have a nice weekend!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri May 09, 2008 4:05 am

Originally posted by Free~bird:
Shellfrmmo

You believe this is Satan working, yet when you went to the doctors and got medication for the panic it got better? Guess so long as we have xanax or an anti anxiety med, we have found the weapon to ward off Satan? LOL Like garlic to the vampires? People's bodies are in a fight or flight mode due to our scary what if thinking. NOTHING more. Satan is just another place to place the blame. WE ourselves are responsible for this. The beauty in that, is WE ourselves can cure it too.

I agree with you. We are the ones who cause our own anxieties. We think the way we do, we act the way we do because of OURSELVES. No higher force is controlling us like puppets on a string. Once we realize WE have the control over OURSELVES will we be able to help ourselves. Finding other people or things to blame for our problems is never going to solve them. Alcoholics do the same thing - blaming their family or kids for why they need to have a few drinks. It's just another way of not taking responsibility for your own problems.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri May 09, 2008 6:16 am

Wow Mainstaymamma - could you have said it any more aggressive? And also to a newbie first time poster? I wonder what type of example that set for someone just starting out looking for answers?

What do you get out of being so upset of what another person may feel about why they are depressed or not? Is it not a part of recovery to question and search and find solutions?

And if you are dealing with anxiety and depression so well, why don't you shed some light instead of being so insensitive?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri May 09, 2008 6:25 am

This is a crosspost from the Suggest a Website forum on this site and we posted Carolyn's message to all on it earlier today.
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Peanuts and all,

Carolyn Dickman, who has worked with StressCenter for Combatting Stress and Depression Program for over 22 years read your post this morning then PM'd a letter to me that she sent to another member last week. Because of time contraints on her today she asked me to post that letter/email here. This is about the identical subject you are referring to.

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“You asked about the website and all the religious/spiritual posts and wondered if you purchased a program based on that...No.

My advice: get off the computer and do the program. The website is open as a free extra to those that wish to use it.

You purchased a structured, self-directed course that teaches life management skills. Do the first 4 lesson, one week at a time. See the page headed, 'As you being.' in the first guidebook for the weekly structure. After doing those lessons you will clearly see what we are all about.

People on the website can be overly zealous at times. We don't have control over what others believe...we do know after 22 years...that the program (the program) works as you work it.

I wish you well and hope you will let me know how you are doing. Thanks for your candor, Carolyn”
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