Dealing with Depression and Allowing the Holy Spirit to Fill Your Soul

Dealing with Depression and Allowing the Holy Spirit to Fill Your Soul

By Shawnna Jocelyn

Depression is something many of us face, whether silently or openly. I know what it feels like to be trapped in a cycle of sadness, exhaustion, and hopelessness, wondering if things will ever get better. But one thing I have learned through my journey is that I don’t have to fight this battle alone. When I stopped relying solely on my own strength and invited the Holy Spirit into my struggles, everything began to shift.

If you’re struggling with depression, I want to remind you that God sees you, loves you, and wants to fill you with His peace. Here are some steps that helped me lean on the Holy Spirit and find healing from within.

1. Acknowledge Your Feelings and Bring Them to God

For a long time, I thought that being a strong believer meant I shouldn’t feel depressed. But the truth is, even some of the strongest people in the Bible—David, Elijah, and even Job—went through seasons of deep sorrow. God doesn’t expect us to suppress our emotions; He wants us to bring them to Him. I learned to stop pretending I was okay and started praying with raw honesty.

“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” – 1 Peter 5:7

2. Make Room for the Holy Spirit Through Worship and Prayer

There were days when I didn’t feel like praying, and reading scripture felt overwhelming. But I found that simply turning on worship music, sitting in God’s presence, and whispering a simple prayer—“Holy Spirit, fill me”—began to lift the weight off my soul. Worship has the power to shift the atmosphere of our hearts and invite God’s peace into our lives.

3. Renew Your Mind with God’s Word

Depression often brings a flood of negative thoughts—“I’m not enough,” “I’ll never feel better,” or “I’m alone.” But I realized that these were lies from the enemy, trying to keep me in darkness. God’s Word became my anchor, reminding me of the truth. Instead of dwelling on hopeless thoughts, I started replacing them with scripture:

• “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” – Psalm 34:18
• “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” – Isaiah 26:3
• “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13

4. Surround Yourself with Faith-Filled Community

Depression makes you want to isolate yourself, but that’s when you need support the most. I had to make a conscious effort to stay connected with people who would pray for me, encourage me, and speak life over me. Whether it was through church, a small group, or trusted friends, having a community reminded me that I wasn’t alone.

5. Take Care of Your Physical and Emotional Health

God created our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit, and taking care of ourselves physically is just as important as taking care of our spiritual health. I started prioritizing rest, eating nourishing foods, moving my body, and seeking help when needed. Therapy and counseling, along with my faith, became tools that God used to guide me toward healing.

Final Thoughts

If you’re battling depression, please know this—you are not broken, you are not alone, and this season will not last forever. God’s love for you is constant, and His Holy Spirit is always ready to bring you comfort and renewal. Invite Him in, lean on His promises, and take small steps toward healing every day. He is with you, even in the darkest moments, and He will see you through to the other side.

**“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom