To those suffering from a panic attack or anxiety right now, read the prayer below out-loud.
"I loose the shadow of death off my heart right now, in the name of Jesus Christ."
Truly believe and expect Jesus to free you in this moment from anxiety & depression! Stand in faith for a few moments, and watch the peace of the Lord come upon you. The bigger question is, why did that work? Keep reading to learn more!
Understanding the Shadow of Death
The shadow of death does bring depression, but there are a few other culprits that bring depression. Namely the yoke of lead, but that topic will be addressed in an up coming blog. What is it about the shadow of death that brings panic attacks and depressive thoughts? The answer is in it's name!
The shadow of death has a lot of verses that detail it's effects:
brings foul weeping
Brings terror
Kills hope and joy
Bring affliction
increased spiritual exhaustion/ tiredness
The shadow of death is exactly that, a shadow that casts death inside it's darkness. In the book of Job we read a progression of Job's depression, in chapters 3-5 Job is cursing the day he was born and reconciling with this grief. Considering all Job went through, this response is understandable, but in chapter 6 Job gives fully into depression and starts praying for God to kill him.
The reason for this is found in Job 6:11, "What is my strength, that I should hope?" It's at this moment Job gives up hope, and in Job 16:16 Job says, "My face is foul with weeping, and on my eyelids is the shadow of death" Job spoke death over himself for several chapters and Proverbs 18:21 tells us the tongue has the power of life and death, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue: And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." Be very careful how you speak about yourself & others, your own words might be inviting the shadow of death.
What else is in the shadow of death? Depression, terror, anxiety, and foul weeping. Foul weeping sums up the shadow of death clearly. Psalm 107:10-14 details even more the shadow of death brings, "10 Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron; 11 Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High: 12 Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help. 13 Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses. 14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder."
This passage of text clarifies, rebellion from God's word is what lands a person in this shadow. Verse 12 describes an increase of spiritual fatigue bringing exhaustion to the point of collapse, making it safe to say that extreme tiredness is a sign of the shadow of death upon an individual. This is a big sign someone is wrestling with depression, a lack of desire to do anything. This is because they are spiritually exhausted from doing anything! In the same way a shadow covers an object all around, spiritual exhaustion is on an individual covering everything they do, leading to the person not wanting to do anything!
What's also mentioned in Psalm 107 is falling down, this is the spiritual stumbling Jesus was referring to in Matthew 6:23. Inside the shadow of death is stumbling blocks, obstacles, and unexpected events that leave you in a state of confusion.
Lastly, I wanted to mention that witchcraft often sends spirits who attempt to cast a shadow of darkness over the children of God. In Ezekiel 13 God goes into detail on the witches in Israel and lists their wickedness, verse 22 says "Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad". Witchcraft revolves around false accusations and abusing the spiritual system of legal ties. All in an effort to send spirits to oppress through depression and panic attacks. Because demons just need witches as a demonic vessel to speak their evil, rebuking the shadow of darkness derails the train this oppression travels on.
How to never enter the shadow of death
Losing hope brings the shadow of death, but having faith removes it! Psalm 23:4 "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." David didn't allow fear to control him and made it through the shadow of death, and since this was the old testament the authority in Christ wasn't yet revealed. Regardless of our authority, our hearts have to be ready to trust in the Lord no matter how bad things look, have faith!
Don't entertain depressing thoughts, learn to identify with who God's word calls you to be! Jesus describes the person who is stumbling in darkness and says, "20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light." Keep your eyes fully on the kingdom of God and learn to abstain from carnal desires. Romans 8:6 Beautifully summarizes this, "For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace."
Last note on the shadow if death is rebellion. Psalm 107:10-14 Says the soul reason people entered into the shadow of death is rebellion against God's word. God's word isn't an opinion or recommendation on how to live your life, it's the ONLY WAY TO LIVE YOUR LIFE! Grow as the saint Jesus has called you to be and fully commit! Resisting the Holy Spirit will also bring anxiety.
Conclusion
I hope this blog post has been a blessing to you in your walk! Equip yourself with the wisdom of God and bless his mighty name! All glory goes to God as this wisdom was revealed by the Holy Spirit some time ago.
Pray this prayer the next time you feel down, pray it over someone who is struggling with depression and minister the love of the Holy Spirit!