Overcoming Depression - Audio Version

Feeling swallowed by the fog or worried for someone who is? We open up about depression with a clear, compassionate look at what actually helps: wise boundaries with technology, honest community, timely professional care, and spiritual practices that steady the heart. Valerie Peterson, a licensed therapist and John Martin walk through real stories and practical tools, we explore how isolation after COVID made moods heavier, how social media stirs comparison and anxiety, and why even one trusted friend can change the trajectory of a hard week.

You’ll hear a whole-person framework that refuses false choices. We talk about when to seek a doctor’s guidance, how medication can be a bridge “for a season, for a reason,” and why virtual counseling is a lifeline when leaving home feels impossible. We offer simple, high-impact habits: staying in today rather than spiraling into yesterday’s regret or tomorrow’s fear, keeping a daily gratitude list to retrain attention, and using thought stopping to interrupt mental loops. Along the way, we anchor to Scripture and prayer—not as shortcuts, but as steady companions—as we practice renewing the mind and choosing a hopeful next step.

We close with three pillars that help you keep going: start your day in the Bible to shape your thinking, connect with a Christ-centered church for belonging, and commit to a small group where honesty and accountability are normal. Healing is often a process, not a switch, but you don’t have to walk it alone. If this resonates, share it with a friend who needs courage today, subscribe for more conversations like this, and leave a review so others can find hope and practical help.

For more information contact us at
rtrdestiny@gmail.com

Chapters

• 0:00 Opening And Series Context
• 0:28 Framing Depression: Whole-Person View
• 2:40 Isolation And The Need For Connection
• 3:59 Social Media, Phones, And Boundaries
• 6:25 Stay In Today And Practice Gratitude
• 8:18 When To Seek Medical And Professional Help
• 10:46 Process, Hope, And Spiritual Anchors
• 12:09 Renewing The Mind And Thought Stopping
• 14:07 Prayer For Freedom From Depression
• 16:27 Pillars: Scripture, Church, Small Groups

Transcript

SPEAKER_00: 0:00

Welcome. I'm John Martin and so excited to be here today with Valerie Peterson, my co-host. We've got an exciting show today.

SPEAKER_01: 0:11

We sure do. I am thrilled about being here, and I think this topic, John, is timely and it's needed. And I love our Overcomer series. We did overcoming anxiety, and now today it's overcoming depression.

SPEAKER_00: 0:28

Yeah, overcoming depression. And that's a big thing. I really think most all people have dealt with depression. It's just part of life. I mean, I think some people have more, you know, serious cases of it. And I know you're a licensed therapist, so you I know you're dealing with it on a daily basis. And I I know God He wants us to get breakthrough and healing from this. And this is a real thing. I mean, it is serious, and people, you know, people, we want to see people healed and set free.

SPEAKER_01: 1:05

That's it. I totally agree. You know, I think John, you know, here we are Christians. I think that it's so important to look at we are emotional, physical, and spiritual beings. So we can't neglect the physical. We can't neglect the emotional. And I something that I sometimes see is that you know, people are focusing sometimes so much on one aspect of us as a being, where we got to look at all three parts. So we are spiritual beings, and thank you, Father, that you know, I think of Psalm 66 where he says, I laid burdens on your back. Depression's a burden. But I brought you through. It doesn't say he left us in it, but I brought you through fire and water, but I'm bringing you a pl to a place of rich fulfillment. I think sometimes that's the course of depression. He brings us through it. If we ask him to help us, he's not gonna leave us in it. He's gonna bring us through it. And I don't know about you, but that's where having people that will speak into our lives is critical. You know, when there's somebody that says, Hey, I see a change in you. Are y'all right? It's it is so important. You know, I feel since COVID there's been a lot more isolation. People not connected as much as they used to be. That's my theory. I may be wrong, but I really believe it's so important to get connected. One true friend, one true friend is better than a thousand acquaintances. Find someone you can trust and be honest with where you're at emotionally.

SPEAKER_00: 2:59

I think social media and the the smartphones have been a big part of that. And I've been to a few conferences lately that have been addressing that. Um there's some great books out too on it now, just talking about how the the phones and the social media has been a played a big part in depression and anxiety, even suicide. So, what can you say about that?

SPEAKER_01: 3:28

Put boundaries around it. Okay, know when to turn it off. Because I know I read some research that though once someone gets on social media, often when they get off, they don't feel as well. And a lot of it is the comparison. Well, look at that trip she's on, you know, look at where they're at, and there can be look at that perfect family. First of all, no family is perfect. No all families go through trials. So if you're gonna go on social media, just be aware there can be a comparison and try not to do that. Something that has helped me is I try to go on once a day in the evenings. I kind of try to stay away from it all day long because I think it I can get kind of addicted to it if I I just notice it helps me to go on one time a day. Have strategy around social media. Um, because like you're saying, a lot of people are talking about it is addictive or it is um I don't feel as well when I get off of it. So definitely just um it's definitely played a big impact.

SPEAKER_00: 4:43

I mean, I I know I was I was at a conference recently where the speaker said, um, you know, there was a few thousand people there, and he said, you know, turn to your neighbor, and I'd like to ask each one of you to give your neighbor your cell phone, and we're just gonna sit here in silence. And he had everybody do that, and I mean the anxiety in the room just went through the roof because everybody had given their cell phone to a stranger, and and even I was like the weirdest feeling. So I do feel like that's that's playing a role and putting boundaries around it is important.

SPEAKER_01: 5:19

You know, if you're gonna be going to a small group or out for dinner with somebody, can you leave your cell phone in your car or in your purse? I know some of you that are moms, like, no, no, no, I can't, you know, but just um once again, putting up boundaries with your phone and with social media is gonna help emotionally, definitely. You know, I want to encourage our listeners to stay in this day. It says don't look at tomorrow, but stay in this day. I think I wish churches talked more about that because of what is going on in our world today. I think there's a lot of people depressed about what's gonna happen next. So if you can stay in this day, even taking life short segments, that can help. Not focusing too much on the past, because really that leads to regret and guilt and not focusing too much on the future, what's gonna happen, because that leads to oh man, can depressive symptoms, man, this doesn't look good. You know, does that make sense? So um try to stay in the day is so important. If I could say anything else, have a gratitude list. You do you notice how we focus on things that are not going well in our lives? They tend to be the highlight. You know, this distraction, this situational stressor here and there. What is it like to sit and identify the things that are good?

unknown: 7:00

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01: 7:00

That's often an assignment I give because it can help. I know it helps me. I keep one in my journal. Just gratitude. Yeah, a gratitude list of the things that are good. Everyone has situational stressors going on. It's just part of life. Um I don't know about you, John, but I really do want to hit home on don't do this journey of life alone. And if you are really struggling with depression, it can be a medical issue. It can be a hormonal imbalance, it can be even a chemical imbalance in the brain that a person has no control over. As we've talked before, sometimes medicine is needed for a season, for a reason. And I just I encourage our listeners, talk with your doctor. First thing, if you are really struggling with severe depression, talk with your doctor. What do you say on that? Yeah.

SPEAKER_00: 8:01

No, I think so. I mean, that's what I was when I was praying about this show. First thing came to mind was talk to someone, you know, and and a good place is to hear your therapist or your your doctor to get to a professional to talk to someone. Because you got to get it out. You got to release it. You can't keep it in. And then, like you said, you know, that that the medications can be helpful. Um you know, and another thing I think too, like you talked about the isolation, but just even um getting back to our you know, pillars of road to redemption, but you know, going to church and getting into a small group of like-minded, you know, men or women that you can open up to and talk and make yourself vulnerable, you know, that can help. But uh Definitely. I know some people though that are going through this, they're like, look, I don't want to go to a small group. I'm so yeah, so that's why it's important to talk to you know, someone a professional. And there are, we're so blessed, there's so many people now that do what you do, Val.

SPEAKER_01: 9:06

I mean and wonderful counselors along this pay and handle of Florida.

SPEAKER_00: 9:11

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01: 9:12

You know, also you can always do virtual online. You know, a lot of therapists really have specialized in that area. If you don't want to get out, you know, sometimes there's there's just someone's feelings so down they don't want to leave their home.

SPEAKER_00: 9:29

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01: 9:30

So that is an option to do virtual counseling. So keep that in mind. Once again, you know, in in James 1, it says, ask for wisdom. Ask the Lord, what do I do?

unknown: 9:44

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01: 9:45

I'm really down, I'm not sleeping, I I'm eating too much or eating too little, I'm just depressed. Just ask him, what's my first step? Where can I go from here? Is what I would recommend.

unknown: 10:00

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01: 10:01

Because he says he wants to communicate with us.

unknown: 10:05

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00: 10:05

Amen. Well, and I know we have testimonies also of people that have been severely depressed that have come out of that. And, you know, they're doing better and they're living in joy and freedom. And they may have gone through the medication or therapy or small groups, but I I've seen it, you know, in our church and friend groups that there is there is healing from this, but it is a it can be a process, and it doesn't happen overnight typically.

SPEAKER_01: 10:36

Exactly. Exactly. It is typically a process, and I love that you brought that up. Is and that's where having strategies in the process to keep moving forward. Um right now you may feel like you're stuck. And you know, I look at in Psalm 40 where it, you know, it says I was in a pit of mud and mire. But he grabbed my hand, pulled me up and out, and he put my foot on a rock and a new song in my mouth. You know, sometimes the pulling up and out of a pit in a dark place can be a little bit of a process. Don't give up hope. You know, it says in Hebrews 11, hope is an anchor. It keeps us what? Firm and secure. We need that hope.

SPEAKER_00: 11:26

Hope. Because our Lord wants us alive and he wants us to be free.

unknown: 11:33

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00: 11:34

He does. And I and I know a lot of the people in this, they they don't want to be alive. They feel like, you know, I'd be better off not being here. Right. That's a real thing.

unknown: 11:43

Yes.

SPEAKER_00: 11:44

And we know that that that's not what our Lord wants for you. He wants you to receive joy, he wants you to feel better. And we're just partnering with you today to pray and believe that you're gonna receive that. And we're gonna pray for you in just a minute. Um, is there anything else, Val? I know you you have a wealth of knowledge in this area. Any other key points or anything you want to share?

SPEAKER_01: 12:09

Yes, you know, the book by Joyce Meyer, Battlefiddle of the Mind. It's an old book, but she talks about this and how important it is to Romans 12 to be transformed by the renewing of our mind. I was just teaching a group of women yesterday, and we were just talking about where the mind leads, the rest of us follows. So we've got to be thinking, as Joyce Meyer says, we've got to be thinking about what we think about. So if you can be aware of what you're saying to yourself about the given situation you're in right now, stop that thought in the mental health field. We call it thought stopping. Stop it and replace it. And scripture verse is so powerful to replace it with. You know, even the verse Jeremiah 29, 11, I know, he knows the plans he has for you, says the Lord. Plans to prosper you, not to harm you, plans to give you a hope in a future. That verse alone. If we said it underneath our breath, when we're at work, our thoughts affect the way we feel, the way we feel affects the way we see ourselves in the world around us. It all starts up here, John.

SPEAKER_00: 13:19

Yeah. Yeah, I think reciting scripture um verses will will definitely help. And there's quite a few verses that, you know, in this subject, when I was reading last night. Yes.

SPEAKER_01: 13:33

A lot of verses that can be an encouragement.

SPEAKER_00: 13:37

We can share some of those. And and that book, The Battlefield of the Mind, it maybe say, I want to reread that because that really is one of the best books. And gosh, I it helped me a lot. I I'm just remembering when I read that, and I need to read it again because I'm dealing daily with things that are in my mind. Yeah. So we all need this. We all need it. We really do. We all need it. Everybody is is fighting, you know, and depression, anxiety, fear, you know, it's real, but yeah, our Lord does not, he wants us to be set free.

unknown: 14:16

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01: 14:16

He does. He does. And um, you know, to remind ourselves that he is right with us, you know. Isaiah 41, 10, behold, I am the Lord your God who takes you by the hand. If you can visualize wherever you go, as in Joshua 1, he will never leave us or forsake us. You're not alone today. He's right with you wherever you're at.

unknown: 14:38

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00: 14:39

Well, I I think it would be best for us to pray. Really, I think that's of all the things that I could think of, how we could help people with this, it really was to pray. Um, because we know God, He knows what you're going through. And we want to lift you up in prayer right now. So we'll we'll pray for you now. Uh Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus, we just um lift up uh all the folks that are listening or may listen later to this program on depression. Lord, we we just we know that you want us to be set free of depression. And we lift up everyone that's struggling with this, Father God, and we just ask, Lord, you come and meet them where they are right now and you start giving them just release right now as they as they are listening, and and and you just start bringing healing and breakthrough and and and just help them get through this and recover and and and give them a future of hope, Father God, that they will be set free and they will feel much better. Yes. And and and we just say by your authority, Jesus, that all depression must go from our listeners. That it must go and leave and never return again, and they are being healed. And we thank you for it. Wow, we just we believe many people you're gonna be set free of depression. And I know I am, I'm feeling better already. I mean, we're all dealing with these things, they're real, and we're excited to hear some reports of of you that have been set free in this area. So this has been a good show.

SPEAKER_01: 16:37

It's been a good show.

SPEAKER_00: 16:39

Yeah. Well, before we go, we always want to just uh share our key pillars of road to redemption. Uh first, we just always want you to get in the word of God. Read the Bible. This will help big time with depression, anxiety. Is to open up, just open your Bible every morning. Give yourself, set aside some time, and read the word of God every morning. And don't have the Bible, the Bible app. It's on every phone. And just start getting into the Word of God. We we promise He'll start speaking to your heart. And then next, to get into a Christ-centered church and just go. You'll never find the perfect church. Just go and and you will be blessed. And then uh last is just to get into a small group in your church, a group that you can do life with, make yourself vulnerable, be accountable to. And this group will help you a lot too with with all these things like dealing with depression, anxiety. Definitely. The group will be a therapeutical way for you to receive healing.

unknown: 17:45

Amen.

SPEAKER_01: 17:45

Amen.

SPEAKER_00: 17:46

So it's been a great show.

SPEAKER_01: 17:47

It's been a good show. And we are praying for you. We hope you know that. That we're gonna continue to pray for our listeners.

SPEAKER_00: 17:55

Amen.