How to Defend Yourself FROM Depression as a Christian Woman

The Joy of the Lord is the Answer

Hi Daughter,

I remember being in college, weighed down by emotional heaviness I couldn’t explain. I was saved. I loved Jesus. But I was not okay. I hid it well — I smiled, served, worshiped… but inside, I was drowning. However, a close friend noticed a change, and she called it out. That broke me and brought tears to my eyes. How dare she call me out? And most of all, how dare she recognize that feeling I’ve been trying to hide.

One day, I joined a prayer line hosted by my friend’s sister, and in that moment, a simple yet sincere prayer marked the beginning of my freedom. I’ll never forget it. It happened instantly. It felt like a miracle. At that moment, I remembered a song I learned in Sunday school that said:

“I have joy in my heart, deep, deep down in my

heart. Jesus gave to me, and no one can destroy it.”

That was the first time I truly understood those lyrics. I realized something powerful that day: depression, as much as it affects you physically and emotionally, is often a spiritual battle. The most incredible truth I learned was that joy comes from the Lord.

“Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

– Nehemiah 8:10

You see, Daughter, depression can stem from many sources: loss, trauma, illness, rejection. Scientists describe it as resulting from chemical imbalances in the brain. But sometimes, like it happened to me, it can appear out of nowhere. Whether it's triggered or not, it’s real—and it deserves attention, not shame.

If joy truly comes from the Lord, then depression can be addressed spiritually. And as wise Christian women, we must also defend ourselves physically and practically. That’s what this message is about.

The Christian Perception of Depression

Many Christian women quietly struggle with depression, believing that admitting it means they’ve let the enemy win—or that they lack faith. However, here’s the truth: faith doesn’t ignore pain—it faces it with God’s strength. As the saying goes, admitting you have a problem is the first step toward recovery.

Don’t let the enemy deceive you into thinking that acknowledging depression is a sign of weakness. True strength is found in honesty. Once you shine a light on the lies depression tells, those lies start to lose their power.

Sometimes we dismiss our feelings by saying we’re “just tired” or “just worn out.” But there are clear signs of depression. If you are experiencing or have experienced these symptoms, you're not alone. The signs include:

• Hopelessness

• Guilt or worthlessness

• Emotional numbness

• Fatigue

• Changes in appetite and sleep

• Isolation

• Restlessness or heaviness

• A lack of desire to pray, read the Word, or get out of bed

 

People in the Bible Who Struggled with Depression

Many renowned people in the Bible faced deep emotional anguish:

• Elijah (1 Kings 19): After Jezebel threatened him, this powerful prophet ran away, isolated himself, left his servant behind, became exhausted, refused to eat, and asked God to take his life. These are classic signs of depression—yet God didn’t condemn him. He cared for him.

• Hannah (1 Samuel 1): She was heartbroken because she couldn’t conceive. She wept bitterly, refused to eat, and poured out her anguish before the Lord. Her prayers eventually opened the door to a breakthrough.

• Naomi (Ruth 1): After the loss of her husband and two sons, she felt hopeless and bitter. She said, “Call me Mara (bitter), for the Almighty has made my life very bitter.”

• David: Read through the Psalms, and you’ll see a man who knew sorrow, anguish, and soul-crushing pain well. David once prayed, “My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, ‘Where is your God? (Psalms 42:3)” This is one of the saddest lines I’ve ever read in the Bible.

How to Defend Yourself From Depression

Depression is a complex issue—it impacts your spirit, soul, and body. To effectively combat it, we need to address all three. Here’s how:

Step 1: Recognize the Battle

Depression isn't a sign of weakness—it’s a battle. Ignoring it won’t make it go away. As believers, we need to face pain without shame. The Shunammite woman told Gehazi, “It is well,” but when she saw Elisha, she admitted there was a problem with her son (2 Kings 4:26-28).

Declaring positivity is important, but it’s not a replacement for honest confession. Faith doesn’t ignore reality — it invites God into it. You can be full of faith and still admit you’re struggling.

Step 2: Call It Out in Prayer

God already knows how you’re feeling, but there’s power in expressing it. Depression thrives in darkness, but prayer brings it into the light. Cry out. Be honest. Lament like David. Pray like Hannah, who went to the temple despite her grief (1 Samuel 1:9-10). If the woman with blood hadn’t stepped out of her comfort zone and reached out to the hem of Jesus’s garment, she would never have been healed (Luke 8:43-44). During depression, praying is the last thing on your mind. However, remember that God’s hand is always out to help us in times of need, so never hesitate to ask Him for help. 

“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”

– 1 Peter 5:7

Step 3: Armor Up with God’s Word

Depression whispers lies such as: You’re alone. You’ll never be free. God doesn’t care. These are not just passing thoughts—they are attacks. Combat them with Scripture. The Word is your sword (Ephesians 6:17). Use it daily and declare it over your life. Below are some of my favorite verses:

• “Do not fear, for I am with you...” – Isaiah 41:10

• “Nothing can separate us from God’s love...” – Romans 8:38–39

• “Take every thought captive...” – 2 Corinthians 10:5

• “If God is for us, who can be against us?...” – Romans 8:31

Step 4: Engage in Worship & Praise

Worship isn’t just a response—it’s a defensive tool. Depression can suffocate, but praise gives life. When you worship, you move your focus from your struggles to God’s strength. Marvin Sapp once sang:

“I’ve had my share of ups and downs, times when there was no one around.

But God came and spoke these words to me: ‘Praise will confuse the enemy.”

These lyrics reveal an important truth: when you praise, you confuse the enemy. Sometimes, the enemy is your own mind. Let your praise conform your mind to the mind of Christ. The Bible reminds is to put on…

“...a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.”

– Isaiah 61:3

Step 5: Care for Your Physical Body

Depression often manifests physically. You might oversleep or barely get any sleep at all. You may overeat or lose your appetite. That’s why taking care of your body is an important part of healing.

In 1 Kings 19, when Elijah was at his lowest point, God didn’t scold him. Instead, He sent an angel with food and told Elijah to rest. So, eat nourishing food, drink water, and take walks. Rest, but don’t stay in bed all day. God created your body—it’s worth honoring and caring for.

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own.”

 – 1 Corinthians 6:19

Step 6: Refuse Isolation and Seek Godly Community

One of the first things Elijah did when fleeing from Jezebel was to leave his servant behind (1 Kings 19:3). Isolation is where depression takes root, but healing is nurtured within community. Notice how the enemy sought to isolate Job by taking away all his children (Job 1:18-19)? Even when his wife urged him to curse God and die, and his friends blamed him, the real tactic wasn’t removing them—it was ensuring Job felt alone.

The enemy uses isolation to deepen your struggles, allowing lies to thrive in your mind. Don’t let him make you suffer in silence. Healing happens when you reach out. Find a trusted friend, pastor, or Christian counselor who can walk with you in your journey. Don’t face it alone.

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: ¹⁰ If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.”

– Ecclesiastes 4:9–10

Step 7: Fight Daily with Faith & Patience

If your depression came on suddenly and unexpectedly, there’s a greater chance of instant healing. But if it's rooted in a difficult situation, God can still give you joy—even if the situation doesn’t change immediately. Keep your focus on Jesus, trusting that He will come through for you at the right time. Sometimes, healing is a daily decision—choosing to trust, to keep moving forward, and to find peace in Him, even when the storm hasn’t yet passed. Don’t give up; your harvest is on its way.

“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

– Galatians 6:9

Conclusion

Thank you for stopping by today to read this blog post, Daughter. If you're feeling any form of depression, I pray that the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, fills your mind and heart. May the joy of the Lord be your portion. May the good Lord give you grace to defend yourself from depression and may you walk in strong defense against any mental battle that comes your way. In Jesus' name, Amen.

You are strong, Daughter. Hold on. Keep showing up. Keep praising. You will see God's goodness in the land of the living. Remember, I am always here to listen to any worries or concerns you may have. I am also here if you need prayer. Please reach out to me at joy@daughtersofdefense.com or just submit a Contact Form.

If you’re new here, welcome to Daughters Of Defense (DOD), where we empower Christian women to learn self-defense—physically, mentally, and spiritually. If you're interested in learning more and joining a community of women who are strengthening themselves in every way, please Join The DOD Community.

Remember this: Women were called to be Helpers, but never to be helpless. STRENGTH.

Disclaimer

This content is for educational purposes only and does not replace legal advice. While self-defense is legal in many areas, it may still result in legal consequences depending on how and when it’s used. Always follow your local laws, use self-defense tools responsibly, and consider self-defense insurance programs for protection.

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