21 Days to Beat Depression - Day 14

21 Days to Beat Depression
Written By Carol McLeod
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21 Days To Beat Depression - Day 14

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” - Romans 15:13

After years and years suffering from debilitating depression, I have asked God to make me an expert on joy!  I already knew more than one woman should ever be allowed to know about depression so I was determined to turn it all around ... and focus on joy!

This is what I know:

Depression weakens you and joy strengthens you! Depression is black and joy is filled with hope and promise!Depression is cruel and joy is kind. Depression cuts off the source of life and joy fertilizes abundant life! The language of depression is blame and bitterness while the language of joy is blessing and benefit! We were not made for depression ... we were made for joy!

The questions remains, however, “How do we get from depression to joy?”

The answer is not always an easy one but is always a hopeful one.

We turn away from depression one minute at a time.  We set one emotional foot in front of the other and determine to walk away from depression and toward the Kingdom of joy.

We choose to read the Bible. Every day. We choose to smile sweetly at a stranger. We choose to worship enthusiastically when we would rather mope. We deny our feelings and offer up a desperate prayer instead. We give generously to people who don’t deserve it. We are selective in what we read, what we watch on TV and what we listen to on the radio. We only fill our souls with items that will encourage our ravenous emotional appetites. We forgive completely and refuse bitterness. We walk away from depression and toward joy one step at a time... one choice at a time... one minute at a time. The choice is yours. Which way are you walking today?

  • MAKING IT PRACTICAL -

  1. Determine today that not one negative word will come out of your mouth. Don’t gossip, criticize or complain. Allow every word that travels across your pearly whites to only be words of blessing, praise and thanksgiving!

  2. Be those most thankful version of yourself possible! Get out that “Thanksgiving Every Day of the Year” journal and be lavish with your list of gratitude. How about listing 4 things today for which you are grateful? #21daystobeatdepression!

  • DECLARATION -

I declare that from this day forward I will only walk toward joy and never away from it.  I declare that the words of my mouth will change and that I will use my tongue as an instrument of blessing and not blame.

  • PRAYER FOR TODAY -

“Lord Jesus, I love You so much and I ask You to sit on the throne of my emotions.  I ask that all of my emotions will bow to Your loving and eternal Lordship.  I need You, Lord.  I need Your presence and Your strength as I travel away from depression and toward joy.  Thank You for Your help.  In Jesus’ Name I pray.  Amen.”

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Carol McLeod
Carol says, “I am just a girl who is head over heels in love with Jesus ... passionately addicted to His Word ... and find all of the joy that I need in time spent in His presence." Carol is a Christmas-aholic, loves ACC basketball and the beach! Like all menopausal women, she is overly fond of chocolate and enjoys a good read. She doesn't like cleaning her house and is an expert in carry-out dinners. She hates to shop … loves to jog … and somehow finds time in her busy life to hang out with small children. She is the kind of woman that you could laugh with over lunch, cry with over disappointment and shout with over a victory! But … if you need her official bio … read on! Carol is an author and popular speaker at women's conferences and retreats, where she teaches the Word of God with great joy and enthusiasm. She also hosts highly successful Just Joy! outreaches. Carol encourages and empowers women with passionate and practical biblical messages mixed with her own special brand of hope and humor. Carol has written three books, "Holy Estrogen!", "The Rooms of a Woman's Heart" and "Defiant Joy!" which was released by a subsidiary of Thomas Nelson. Her teaching DVD, "The Rooms of a Woman's Heart", won the Telly Award, a prestigious industry award, for excellence in religious programming. Carol has also been featured on YouVersion (the smart phone Bible app) with several devotionals, including: "For the Journey Set Before Him", "Jolt of Joy", and "Joy to YOUR world", " Carol has a daily radio program, "Defiant Joy! Radio" which is available in several national markets including Youngsville PA, Warren PA, Buffalo NY, Roanoke VA, Norfolk VA, and Nashville TN.  A 1977 graduate of Oral Roberts University with a degree in Music and English, Carol has the distinction of being both the first Women's Chaplain and the first woman to speak at the university's Vespers.  Carol currently serves on the ORU Alumni Board as chaplain.  She is married to her college sweetheart and love of her life, Craig, who serves as senior pastor of Life Church, a church near Buffalo, NY.  Craig and Carol have been happily married for nearly 37 years and are the parents of five children and three delightful daughters-in-law. Craig and Carol are thrilled with the joy of being grandparents to five precious grandchildren! Carol has written three books, "Holy Estrogen!", "The Rooms of a Woman's Heart" and "Defiant Joy!" which was released by a subsidiary of Thomas Nelson. Her teaching DVD, "The Rooms of a Woman's Heart", won the Telly Award, a prestigious industry award, for excellence in religious programming. Carol has also been featured on YouVersion (the smart phone Bible app) with several devotionals, including: "For the Journey Set Before Him", "Jolt of Joy", and "Joy to YOUR world", " Carol has a daily radio program, "Defiant Joy! Radio" which is available in several national markets including Youngsville PA, Warren PA, Buffalo NY, Roanoke VA, Norfolk VA, and Nashville TN.  A 1977 graduate of Oral Roberts University with a degree in Music and English, Carol has the distinction of being both the first Women's Chaplain and the first woman to speak at the university's Vespers.  Carol currently serves on the ORU Alumni Board as chaplain.  She is married to her college sweetheart and love of her life, Craig, who serves as senior pastor of Life Church, a church near Buffalo, NY.  Craig and Carol have been happily married for nearly 37 years and are the parents of five children and three delightful daughters-in-law. Craig and Carol are thrilled with the joy of being grandparents to five precious grandchildren!
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21 Days to Beat Depression - Day 15
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21 Days to Beat Depression - Day 13