The Secret in Fighting Depression

Jul 26th, 2007 by Bro. Eli

Good day Bro. Eli.

I have a problem stopping my habit of smoking. For the past three years I already stop my habit
o f smoking, due to listening to your doctrines, somehow I managed to stop the habit. But few
months ago I was diagnosed by my psychiatrist that I have Schizophrenic problem related to
depression. I have so many problems back then with my wife and taking care my child and family
because I was jobless. I was so frustrated Bro. Eli and very depress, so I was back to smoking
again. I just want to ask, is it sinful to God that I have vices such as smoking. What kind of sin
that I committed? Is it a deadly sin? I know deep in my heart that I am committing sin.

Please help me Bro. Eli. Thanks and God bless.

Duke

Dear Duke,

The life, principles, and outlook in life of somebody who is learned of God’s word are very much
different from those who are deprived of it.

Life is meant by the Giver for us to use in worthy and profitable good.

(Ephesians 2:10) “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works,
which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

Even the qualities of our person were given to be beneficial to others, not only for our own
interests.

(1 Corinthians 4:7) “For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that
thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not
received it?”

(1 Peter 4:10) “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another,
as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”

Even the fruits of our toils must benefit others.

(Ephesians 4:28) “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his
hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.”

Our bodies and faculties must be used by us as instruments of God’s righteousness.

(Romans 6:13) “Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin:
but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as
instruments of righteousness unto God.”

There are those who destroy their bodies instead. A Christian is willed by God to be in health so
that he can willfully and courageously utilize his body in his service to others.

(3 John 1:2) “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even
as thy soul prospereth.”

Smoking is detrimental, not only to the body,

but, also to the mind. It will not relieve
depression in the long run, but aggravate it. A
recent study states that:

“Long-term tobacco use associated with

dulled thinking and lower IQ, study finds
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Smokers often say that
smoking a cigarette helps them concentrate
and feel more alert. But years of tobacco use
may have the opposite effect, dimming the
speed and accuracy of a person’s thinking
ability and bringing down their IQ, according to a new study led by University of Michigan
researchers.”

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-10/uomh-dsc101005.php

A healthy mind needs a healthy body — and vice versa. Depression weakens the immune
system; which will make you prone to a number of debilitating diseases. You must discover,
within yourself, the cure for your depression. Financial difficulties and other family problems are
not enough reasons to be depressed. As I have said earlier, a Christian’s outlook in life is very
much different from those who are not knowledgeable of God’s word. The secret in fighting
depression is to be content in whatever situation we are into.

(Philippians 4:11-13) “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever
state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound:
every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound
and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

The secret is, if we are content because of our trust in what God can do for us in hard situations
in life, we will merit His mercy and His loving-kindness.

I can understand your situation because I was also once a chain-smoker; but having understood
in an instance that I am destroying my body which I need to serve my God and my people, I,
without hesitation and reservation, threw the last pack of cigarette and my ‘Zippo’ lighter at the
Pasig River as I pass by Quezon bridge in Quiapo, Manila; and promised my Creator that I will
never again smoke. That was twenty long years ago.

(Galatians 1:16) “To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen;
immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood…”

God is always watching and waiting patiently for us to realize our mistakes and misdeeds and H
e is always ready with open arms to receive us and put us under His loving care and guidance.

(Malachi 3:7) “Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances,
and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of
hosts…”

Renewal can not be achieved without God’s intervention.

(Jeremiah 10:23) “O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that
walketh to direct his steps.”

God is greater than all your problems and miseries. I ask you to trust Him and try His ways, and
you will never regret considering all the words of God you have read in this article.

(1 John 4:4) “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he
that is in you, than he that is in the world.”

May God bless you.