The Lord showed me this morning that, for many of you, things feel dark and hopeless. You have been going through a hard time, and you feel like you have had to claw your way through every day.
The thing is, this is not normal for you. It's very unlike you, and you recognize it and don't like it. But, things have been so difficult that it seems like even basic things–things like showering, eating, and getting out of bed–are a real accomplishment when they happen …
… and sometimes they don't happen at all.
If this describes you, then this is the word the Lord gave me for you today:
“You have been going through the hardest time of your life–at least, the hardest time you can remember. The enemy has been telling you that you are depressed, and you've been severely tempted to believe it.
The thing is, you are not depressed–and you recognize that too. You are only stressed, but you've been confused because the enemy has been telling you that you are hopeless and depressed.
Here's the key to getting out of it:
You have a sound mind.
Both this truth AND this confession are the key to overcoming what the enemy is trying to do to you in this hour.
Here's what's going on:
You have been working on realigning some things because you are currently in one of the most difficult times you've ever known. Circumstances look bleak, but YOU KNOW on the inside that this is only a passing season and that you're surviving okay.
Sure, you would like for things to get better. But, if you look at things objectively, the reality is that you have been doing much better than many people ever could.
You're making it. One breath at a time, one day at a time, you're making it.
The stress on you is intense.
Because of this stress, the enemy has been telling you that you're depressed. He's been telling you that you're discouraged. In fact, just yesterday, some of you finally spoke out of your mouth for the first time that you're discouraged and/or depressed.
But the whole time, you knew it wasn't true.
Yes, things are hard. But your feelings don't actually match depression. What you actually feel is simply stalwart. You don't even feel like you want to be stalwart. You would rather curl up in your bed to cry. However, it's like your body won't let you. It's like your body is on autopilot, and you're getting through each day more or less successfully, even though you don't feel like it–or feel like you want to.
To you, I say this:
There is a little bubble of light around you. You sense the darkness of stress and the enemy's attack pressing you down, but there is the teensiest bubble of light around you and above your head between you and the darkness.
That bubble is My protection.
It's only small because you haven't been aware of it. It will get bigger as your awareness grows. However, even in its small size, it is more powerful than anything the enemy could EVER launch at you.
I am with you always. That includes right now. I am protecting you, and you are winning this thing, even though it doesn't feel like it.
Here is your key to victory:
You DO have a sound mind, whether you believe it or not. Notice as you remember the last few months, how you DID stop being depressed. There was a moment in which you even got your joy back. You may have forgotten that you had your joy back, but I gifted you with that joy and I did not take it back. You still have it. You never gave it up. The enemy has simply been trying to trick you into thinking you don't have it anymore.
All this time, you have felt the pressure to be depressed, and to succumb to depression. However, you've also noticed THIS ENTIRE TIME that you don't have the symptoms of depression. What you have is stress, and you've been in the realignment process to make changes that will get rid of most of your stress.
The enemy has been trying to cripple you.
You are about to enter the most fruitful season of life that you've ever seen. The changes you are making will set you up for everything I am going to do for you in the future. Literally, everything.
But the enemy does not want you to know this, and the enemy wants you to give in to his wicked devices. But you know what? You can overcome him by confessing:
“The Lord has not given me a spirit of fear, but of POWER, LOVE, and a SOUND MIND.”
This is the truth (2 Timothy 1:7), and you know it is. And even though the enemy has been telling you that you're depressed, you have actually had a sound mind for months. You kicked depression out months ago, and you've been walking in the sound mind I gave you.
So confess it. “God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.” Confessing and believing this truth will put the enemy on the run.
You DO have a sound mind.
Don't give in to the enemy's lies that you are depressed. You know you're not. You've been surviving, and the stress you've been under has been unreal.
But you still have a sound mind, because I gave it to you. And as you confess this truth about your sound mind, you will see that little bubble of light around you get brighter and brighter. The darkness that has been pushing down on you above your head will be pushed away, and you will see the yellow light bubble of My protection grow bigger and bigger as your awareness increases.
Walk in the sound mind that I have given you.
Things ARE hard right now, but you have overcome much greater. You overcame then by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of your testimony, and you will do so again. This attack is meant to confuse you and cripple you, but it WILL NOT WORK if you will use this tool I have given you.”
Wow! Thank you, Lord! I receive that.
What about you, dear reader? Is this word for you as well? If it is, please leave a comment below! I'd love to hear how the Lord ministered to your heart through this word!
Kim says
This message is right on time in my life right now, thank you for the encouraging word.
Mohua Sengupta says
The Lord has shown me that all is not lost. I will stand up again and I will not give up. This darkness of my life will soon be flooded with light. Amen
Rachael says
Wow!! Perfect timing for encouragmemt dealing with the storm raging out of control in our life right now and we see no end in sight. Thank you Jamie for sharing what God gives you!! Many people tell me they don’t see how I get through my days– my answer is always one word- “God”.
God Bless You Jamie?❤️?❤️?❤️
Karen says
Thank you God for giving Jamie this word for me. I almost bypassed it because I wasn’t really geeling dak and hopeless.
But as you have done so manu times in thes past 12 months (as of tomorrow) you spoke directly into my situation. The devil is a lie and I am encouraged. My husband IS going to make it through rehab. That person and everything associated with her IS going to disappear like a vapor. Our marriage IS going to be restored and thrive and God will get the glory from our testimony and ministry. HALLELUJAH!!! AMEN!!
Mary Preece says
Jamie:
Perhaps you could explain the difference between depression and stress and what are the true distinct indications of each…thank you.
Jamie Rohrbaugh says
Hi Mary,
I am not a doctor, but I know that there are specific medical criteria for the diagnosis of depression. After I had my baby, every time I went to the doctor–or took the baby to the doctor–I was asked to fill out a screening form for depression. They do this for all new moms, in case someone is suffering from postpartum depression and doesn’t know it. The questions on the form involved things like “Have you been unable to find things as funny as you used to?” and “Do you find yourself crying for no good reason?” and things like that. (You could probably google up the symptoms of depression for more screening questions like that, based on medical criteria.)
When I filled out the screening forms at the doctor’s office, I never had those symptoms, even though I was under a tremendous amount of stress. So I felt like I wanted to run away–but I wasn’t depressed! Just under more stress than human beings were designed to handle!
I think King David of the Bible must have felt the same way. He wrote in Psalm 55:6-8:
“So I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove!
I would fly away and be at rest.
Indeed, I would wander far off,
And remain in the wilderness. Selah
I would hasten my escape
From the windy storm and tempest.”
“Oh that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and rest.”
I feel like that often; don’t you? I think anyone who is under a lot of stress feels like that! But, we still have power, love, and a sound mind. Actually, even if people ARE depressed, the truth is that God has also given THEM that same power, love, and sound mind. We may not be walking in it yet; but we have it as a gift from the Lord through Jesus Christ. All we have to do is appropriate it for ourselves.
I hope this helps. Thanks for reading!
Sarah says
God bless you Jamie for your faithful work and this word today!!!!
Carolyn says
I needed this so much! Please pray that God will protect my husband and I from accusations and attack and that He will bring us victoriously through the season of darkness we are going through. Pray for His intercession into our battle and to take complete control. Thank you and blessings.
Ajung Jamir says
Thank you so much Jamie for your kind and encouraging words.Right now I am in a lot of stress and dnt know what to do so,please pray for me.
Claudia says
Thank you for sharing this message, you are right I assumed it was depression because it was so heavy but it didn’t completely fit depression, yes symptoms aligned but not mentally. There always was this thought pattern I know depression and this is not exactly it, so why the heaviness? The crying? The immense pressures? Why can’t I shake it?
In was feeling numb in my heart, worship right now is joyless. Many Christians left me because of the hardship I have been going through for the last several years. The sickness too many to list several are dire, the job loss, the husband leaving after 20 some years and too many battles to list, the poverty spirit taking residence ( i hate this evil of evil, he is more depressing than sickness), the struggle for hope had to be the greatest of all.
I want a closer intimacy with God but struggle between working/striving versus rest, such a different concept.
I do however want the parts of my heart healed that are dead. I want the weeping for joy while worshipping back that i had when I first got saved.
Thank you Jamie and God shower his blessings on you.
Donella says
Jamie please pray for me. Sometimes the darkness is overwhelming. I feel like I’m in a constant battle for joy and happiness to come back in my life. Satan has stolen everything that mattered. I love the Lord and I know He can’t take that from me too. Please pray that God will restore my life to be filled with His presence once again.
Priya says
Thank u jamie it has been such a diffucult week, too overwhelming , it was even hard to breath . This word and all the ones u sent recently has really strengthens me the lord bless u to continue the good work u r doing.
Joanie says
I receive it!! Amen Amen and Amen thank you Jesus!!!
Masenuku says
Thank you. This is what I have been waiting for. A word from the Lord.
Penelope ware says
Hope for my sister Sally…longtime depression, now clinically depressed and so angry, blames, unreasonable, rejects, twists things around, fault finding….so sad…we have always been our safe place for one another since little girls.
God will make a way for her to realize how loved she is by Him and her family…He has given her a sound mind full of His Power and Love which casts out fear, in Jesus’ Holy name, amen?
Thank you Jamie?
Jaime Munyon says
Thank you so much Lord! I always knew You was Lord. I love you. Thank you Jamie.God is good
Rodney Cicilia says
This words bless me, God bless you.
Sheree says
This word is for me! I have a sound mind. I receive it. Praise God!
Thelma Austin says
Hello Jamie I thank God for you I really needed this pls keep me in prayer I really need God to save my husband from his lustrous sin in the flesh and get him back on track and save this marriage in Jesus Name I praying for a New home in 2018 I trust God will provide I’m tired of rent I just want my owns and a Closer Walk with God order my steps in your word save my home for all the bad spirit happening in here I want the peace and favor of God to rule in our home and heart in Jesus Name Amen ?❤️?? I love ? you Jesus
Jaroslav says
This message was a description of my day today. Coming home I started to tell to my wife that/this, but I knew it was just an emotional “wind”. After few minutes I concluded that I am simply tired and stressed and these confusing thoughts are unreal. And yes, the best is already to come. HaleluYah, Yeshua reigns ! 🙂 Thanks, Jaime, for you faithfullness and example.
Jaroslav, Slovakia
Divera says
WOW! Thank you Lord for giving us Jaime. I needed this encouragement. I felt relief after reading this passage. To God be the glory. Now I believe I can move the Mountain.
Thank you Jaime.
Charlotte says
Yes this is for me… i have been depressed and confused and feelings of unworthiness but i must admit i have overcame this and the enemy was deceiving me… thank You JESUS for tnis timely word… i really needed it…. You are so awesome Jesus….
Rebecca Jones says
I really thought I had lost my joy, but I agree it’s another lie. Grief also mimics depression so that is another thing to watch out for. It does not have to be over death.
Sherri says
Thanks for this on time message. It’s been hard but I have to hang in there.
Beauty says
Praise be to God Almighty since yesterday i’ve been feeling that way i even confessded that im iscouraged even though i trust in God and loving Him , im glad for this Word its speaking to me and i receive it inJesus name. God bless you Jamie a real prophet of God
Emmanuel Mudoni says
Thank you. I receive the machine gun against the enemy in His POWER, LOVE, and SOUND MIND. I claim this blessing of POWER to denounce the enemy. I claim God’s blessing of LOVE to acknowledge His eternal presence in every situation of my life. I have the SOUND MIND to thank Him for everything and confess the worries of my life to Him. From today on, the enemy has been rendered powerless in my life. I feel abundantly blessed and spiritually rejuvenated. Thank you for the wonderful reading.
Shaunte Proctor says
Thank you for this word.. I needed this..
angelin says
amen. right word at right time for me. Thanks. God bless u.
Judie says
“The Lord has not given me a spirit of fear, but of POWER, LOVE, and a SOUND MIND.”
I will rejoice knowing that he is in control. This is for me.may God continue to use you in a mighty way.you are blessed.
Janie says
Praise, God. Thank you,Jesus. Holy Spirit, led my to this ministry.
Angela says
This is right on time. Thanks for sharing. God truly is a God who knows what we need in our situation.
JBF says
Jamie, this was a RIGHT NOW word for my daughter. It described her life exactly how it’s been for her these last several months. I’ve forwarded this to her believing that God is going to use it pull her up out of the pit. Thank you!
Margie Crable says
These words have never been truer than right now!!
The season has been long and hard, not only for me but my children as well.
I know that God will never leave us or for sake us… But this word was extremely encouraging and uplifting!!
Thank you so very much for all you do! Blessings, Margie
Carmen says
I decided to pass this word onto my son. The last 2 years have been extremely difficult. He was on anti depressants for the first year, but now the stress is causing heart palpitations. I’m concerned but praying and am believing God will use this for good because God is so incredibly good and I do believe there is a huge plan for his life based on a Word when he was 17 (13 yrs ago) that has so far been true. Also when he was dedicated as a baby, the Lord had a Word. Isn’t God amazing and so good?!!! Thank you for being faithful to deliver this word!
FTW says
Wow I actually did say for the first time on Sunday that I was depressed! I actually have a genetic condition that causes low serotonin levels so it happens sometimes and I know how to treat it. But I went to church and had prayer twice and all that happened was that they pointed out what was going on – no solution. Everything felt so spiritually dark. A friend had me over to pray and we figured some stuff out after major contending. I didn’t have answers but I immediately shifted. Resolve came to my situation the very next day and I find it almost hilarious that I feel totally fine and happy now after how much darkness I was in. Yes, I’m stressed (moving across states in a time crunch!) but so excited. I feel like myself after not recognizing myself or God for months. I had even been feeling unprotected – this word is crazy spot on for me. The devil is a liar!!! You’re not depressed, you’re just stressed! So good.
Comfort Sajowa says
Thank you sis for this message. God Almighty continue to bless you and your family.
Sakina says
I thank God for he has answered me through Jamie.. On the 27th lost a friend suffering from cancer.. Was really feeling confused and discouraged.. Kind of feeling low.. Then since two days feeling when will I be completely healed and made whole.. Was just feeling the joy levels down.. Thank you God has answered me Jamie.. I am going to rest in God as he fights my battle ?