Joel M Bradshaw

9God appeared to Jacob again, when he came from Paddan-aram, and blessed him. 10And God said to him, “Your name is Jacob; no longer shall your name be called Jacob, but Israel shall be your name.” So he called his name Israel…. 16Then they journeyed from Bethel. When they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel went into labor, and she had hard labor. 17And when her labor was at its hardest, the midwife said to her, “Do not fear, for you have another son.” 18And as her soul was departing (for she was dying), she called his name Ben-oni; but his father called him Benjamin.–Genesis 35

God first gave Jacob a new name and a new story. The deceiver was now the one who wrestled with God. His story was renamed from selfishness to interacting with God in faith. Benjamin’s story was renamed from ‘I killed my mother just by existing’. He was now linked to his father’s strength rather than his mother’s pain.

In depression we carry stories with us. I was approached by a friend at church yesterday who wanted to know how I dealt with depression. I gave her two steps.

1. Analyze the stories you are telling yourself. If you are like most Christians, those stories are centered around yourself, others, and God. Since nobody has more access to you than you, what stories are you telling yourself or maintaining most?
2. Use the truths from the Bible to change that story. Telling yourself that you are worthless can be changed to you are wonderfully made by God for a purpose centered in him (Psalm 139).

Rename your story, but do so with the faithfulness of God in mind and with a future centered on him. If you are depressed and see a therapist or counselor, ask them for help in changing your self-talk. Dump out the harmful arrows in your quiver and instead fire at your thoughts some helpful arrows based upon God’s Word.–JMB