Depression

      When I was about 14 or 15 years old, my ambitions were to become a professional bike rider and a professional musician.  One day I realized that those ambitions would not bring real happiness or satisfaction in life.  I went into a deep depression.  I felt like my life was about as valuable as a pile of beans.  It was actually a spirit of depression that was oppressing me.  It seemed hopeless.  When I was home alone, I got down on my knees and asked God to help me.  Suddenly I realized that God wanted me to put Him first.  To follow God completely, he had to be the most important part of my life - not music, not bike riding, not fame, not success but God.  Even though I had gone to church I had not realized this.  I thought to myself, "why didn't people tell me".  Maybe they did and I didn't listen.  I told God I would give Him the number one place in my life if He would help me.  Then the depression went away and I felt God's peace!  It was incredible!
      This was not the end of the problem, however.  When I was 11th grade, I had another time of heavy depression.  I know I prayed for a number of hours.  I remember I was sitting in a crowded Spanish class at my high school, when the answer came to me.  It was the same spirit of depression  It had returned to oppress me again.  As I prayed specifically about it, God took it away from me.  During high school, I put God first in my life.  It was the most spiritual time of my life.  I felt very close to God.  
      The Bible tells us that we can be spiritually attacked.  I Peter 5:6-8 says, "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:"  Ephesians 6:10-17 says, "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;  And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."