A gloomy room has a dark, dismal feeling to it. You don’t feel joyful, and even the air feels heavy. If you struggle with depression, being in that room makes you feel worse. Maybe you’ve had some sad moments, or it could be your secret place where you go to cry alone. For many, it’s where we start our day. For me, it was my bedroom.
Unfortunately, this melancholy feeling influences our relationships, households, and work. I have struggled significantly with it over the past few years. I wasn’t physically healthy, and gloom settled into my mind and mood.
Sometimes individuals don’t have a picture to describe their depression, but what would it look like if they did? My picture wasn’t scary or intimidating. My depression was like a sad clown sitting on a chair in my bedroom. It seemed so sad and despondent.
Once, while thinking of the sad clown gloom I felt in my room, I asked God to make it leave. With my imagination, I pictured this sad clown (the depression that now has a face) turning and leaving the room. I DIDN’T FEEL ANYTHING INSTANT when I asked Jesus to have this “depressive clown” go. But the next day, there was a marked difference. I woke up joyful; I didn’t realize depression influenced me from the moment I opened my eyes in the morning.
There can be rooms in our homes that have a gloomy feel. We need to ask Jesus to take care of the depression we feel in that room.
Dear Jesus, Take care of the gloomy feeling in my room. Make it walk out that door and not come back. I don’t want gloom’s influence in my room or home. When I think of all the things I have to be thankful for, I know I am blessed. Please change me from gloom to joy, in Jesus’ name Amen.
God wants us to be free of these oppressive feelings we experience. He wants us to be full of joy. But have we asked Him to remove the outside influences that affect our mood? Read about this hope found in the Bible.
Isaiah 61
To all who mourn in Israel,
he will give a crown of beauty for ashes,
a joyous blessing instead of mourning,
festive praise instead of despair.
In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks
that the Lord has planted for his own glory.
They will rebuild the ancient ruins,
repairing cities destroyed long ago.
They will revive them,
though they have been deserted for many generations.
God calls us to rebuild the ancient ruins and repair cities. How about our homes and the rooms therein? Many remodel their homes, but still, there is a sense of gloom. There needs to be a spiritual remodeling. Ask God to repair what’s in there with you. Here are some steps I’ve done to make the atmosphere in my home better.
Pray in each room
I walk into each room and pray for the activities that happen there. If it’s the kitchen, I pray that I cook nutritious food, that God would bless my family’s health. In the bedrooms, I pray for restful sleep that leaves us refreshed. Family room, I pray for peaceful and happy family times. I pray in bathrooms, kids’ rooms, and even the garage. I want God’s blessing on each space and protection, so I pray specifically for it.
Remove from your home dark or evil items.
Dark and evil items sometimes have evil attached to it. Get rid of those items. Ask God to bring to mind any items that shouldn’t be in your home. Most homes don’t have mini statues of gods, but they have dark books, pictures, art or troubling keepsakes. Then ask God to cleanse your home once those items are removed.
So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Put away the foreign gods that are among you and purify yourselves and change your garments. Then let us arise and go up to Bethel, so that I may make there an altar to the God who answers me in the day of my distress and has been with me wherever I have gone.” Genesis 35:2-3
Dedicate your home to God.
When we choose to give God our lives, giving our homes and possessions to Him is part of that. Say it aloud, “I dedicate this home to you, God.” The people in the house and the household space can be dedicated to God.
“Choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served or the gods whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15
Another Important Step
Do you have a relationship (a connection) with Jesus? Have you asked Him to forgive the regrettable acts you’ve done? If you haven’t, praying for forgiveness is the first step. He died on the cross for your sins. Dear Jesus, forgive my sin; I need you. Remove the guilt I feel. Lift this depression that presses in on me. Amen.
II Corinthians 7:10 says, “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted, but sorrow of the world produces death.”
I encourage you to ask Jesus to take care of your gloomy room. Choose to take care of any outside forces that could make your depression worse. Depression is the number one prayer request I receive at My Heart’s Cry. If you want me to pray for you, fill out the form below, and I will email you a personalized prayer in return.
If this article was helpful, choose to share and help those who struggle with depression. I would be honored if you shared it on your social media pages.
Kim
I love the idea of spiritual remodeling and praying in every room. What a good idea! Thank you for sharing.
You would be amazed at how much praying in each room helps. God honors these prayers.
It’s a habit I’d like to adopt. Old dog, new tricks! 🙂
This is a very practical piece filled with good ideas to overcome depression. Not only, does praying for our home to be dedicated to the light of Christ is needed but also, praying to walk in his light, having his light dispel the darkness that tries to rob us of our joy. Thank you for sharing. May many be helped.