The New Bible Cure for Depression & Anxiety by Md Don Colbert Page B

I know has written these scriptures on three-by-five cards and put them in his pocket. Each day he pulls out his scripture cards and reads each scripture aloud to fill his mind with hope and joy.
    When Spiritual Warfare Is Needed
    As I mentioned at the beginning of this book, certain symptoms of mental illness require treatment from a health care professional and simply cannot be addressed in a book like this. Likewise, when it comes to spiritual issues, there are certain spiritual conditions that can cause a person to become depressed or anxious, and they are much too serious for me to address in pages of this book.
    The Bible speaks of a spirit of fear and other types of spirit beings that we must defeat through the authority of Christ. Some people can become victim to demonic oppression or possession, and situations like this fall beyond the scope of this book. If you think you may need to deal with this type of situation, I recommend that you seek the help of a qualified pastor or Christian counselor. I also recommend reading Bondage Breaker by Neil Anderson and Dressed for Battle by Rick Renner. I have also referred many patients over the years to Pastor Philip Fortenberry of Reconciliation Encounters, located at Cornerstone Church in San Antonio. (Please see Appendix B for more information.)
    Speak Uplifting and Encouraging Words
    You may not want to admit it, but you probably talk to yourself from time to time. Don’t worry; it is very normal. In fact, the most important conversations that we have are those we have with ourselves! Unfortunately, people who are depressed tend to have mostly negative conversations with themselves. This makes things even worse because it means their minds are constantly barraged by nagging negative thoughts that beat them down a little lower each day.
    I have seen fathers at Little League baseball games constantly criticizing their children, calling them stupid, dumb, pitiful—saying that they can’t do anything right. I have seen the poor children standing in the outfield or slumped over sitting on the bench with dejected, depressed looks on their little faces. Unfortunately, some of these children who have been told that they are losers, that they are dumb, stupid, and can never do anything right, grow up to believe those words. They become depressed, unmotivated, and unsuccessful people.
    If a person feeds on negative thoughts throughout the day, every task or every trial that comes his way will be approached from a defeated attitude before he even undertakes it. However, we have the ability, through the Word of God, to speak God’s Word throughout the day and rewire these negative thoughts into positive thoughts, which will then bring healing and health to the body and the mind.
    The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me, for the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the LORD’s favor has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies. To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory.
    —Isaiah 61:1–3
    Think Joyful Thoughts
    As I mentioned in chapter 3 , if you intend to overcome depression and anxiety, it is important for you to train your mind to think positive thoughts rather than dwelling on the negative. When a negative thought pops into your mind, it is important to cast down that thought and to speak out the solution, which is the Word of God. That is why memorizing and quoting scriptures is so important. Biblical, positive thoughts lead to winning attitudes.
    An attitude is a choice. You can choose to have a negative attitude, or you can choose to have a positive attitude.