Depression and the Lies It TellsSample

Healing Depression Through the Comforter

In the Bible, we meet men and women who suffered deeply. Some were emotionally wounded, others experienced physical trauma, and many were attacked in their minds by the enemy's lies. Lies about their identity, their worth, and their purpose. Scripture also shows us those who endured grief, discouragement, exhaustion, and fear.

But all of their stories share a common thread: they were not left alone. Each one encountered the Comforter, God Himself. Sometimes it came as a gentle whisper (like Elijah), or through rest beneath a tree (like Jonah), or through the loving encouragement of someone who stayed by their side (like Ruth and Naomi, or David and his friends).

They didn’t just receive advice; they were nourished. God sent angels or people to serve them with what they truly needed, including food, companionship, words of truth, and strength for the next step. Their weary souls and tired bodies were cared for and restored.

Healing came when they chose to receive help. They opened their hearts to the Holy Spirit and walked with others who reflected His love. These people were not healed in isolation, but in communion with God and with those around them.

Let’s focus today on Naomi’s story (Ruth 1–4). After losing her husband and both sons, Naomi returned to Bethlehem, grieving and bitter. She urged her daughters-in-law to stay behind, but Ruth refused to leave her. Ruth walked with her into an uncertain future and into the plans God had lovingly prepared.

Once in Bethlehem, Ruth gleaned grain in the fields of Boaz, a wealthy relative of Naomi’s late husband. Over time, Ruth and Boaz married, and Naomi became part of a new family restored, embraced, and filled with renewed purpose. From this union came Jesse, the father of David, and through David’s line, the promised Savior, Jesus Christ.

What began with unbearable loss ended in redemption. Naomi and Ruth were brought into a greater story, one they couldn’t have imagined, but one God had amazingly prepared.