Depression is not a sin, neither is it suicide. God doesn't punish people with depression, it is associated with mental health disorder which should be given to the appropriate treatment.

I stand on the account of a story teller and one empowered by the Holy Spirit to talk on this topic. This podcast is to everyone grieving or who have lost a loved one that your lost hasn't changed the character and nature of God (Love). Psalm 68:5, God's dwelling place is justice and a Father to the fatherless. No matter, how you feel, God feels as much hurt as you do and is ever present to comfort you.

God is interested in how teenagers feel. He cares so much for us that He asks us through Apostle Peter to cast all our cares and burdens on Him. In this series, we'll look intensely and extensively on the emotional aspect of teenagers.

There's no greater changer and influencer of transformation like Jesus! God is still in the business of making men better and delivered. You too can experience a deliverance from what has held you back from stepping into God's plan and purpose for your life.

When emotions start to delve into your communion with God, the ability to surrender to His will for you gets very difficult. You instead, become so vulnerable to the deception and gimmicks of Satan. And any image you've developed and adopted to for yourself is a lie and falsehood when it doesn't align with the likeness of God. Situations or circumstances may have changed the way you view yourself, especially in God's lens. But, that doesn't change how God sees you and neither the image He crafted you in.

Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.

Teens and young people need to understand why they have to submit to God's thoughts for them.

They may by different from what we want. Isaiah 55:8. But, remember no thought of God is evil, it is entirely to give you a future and hope.

Jeremiah 29:11, James 1:17!

Do a check within your mind, is it having good plans or selfish plans.

It all points to purpose, no man's mind is perfect neither is it totally submerged in the authority of God. But, we must yield!

Christ demonstrated to us that when the flesh is more powerful than the spirit, we discern by our own strength and power which He termed as being foolishness. His mind was;

= Submissive.

= One that loved.

= One that did all in the will and counsel of the Lord.

= One that didn't live in fear.

= One that didn't discern by the flesh.

*"yet not my will, but yours be done.”*

Luke 22:42b

*the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.*

Matthew 26:41b

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a self control... 2 Tim 1:7. Fear is a spirit and force that binds first the mind of man, keeps him in ignorance of the availability of God's provisions over anxiety, worries and despair. To defeat fear is to invite and possess the spirit of God that gives you power and His fruits. It is having the spirit of God that sustains Faith over fear and doubts.

Fear starts from the mind before it conquers a person completely. Being unease, worrisome and anxious about one's future, plans or possibilities usually finds root in how much the mind has invested in fear of failure. In the case of Joshua, God had to remind him of His command to not be afraid (not to fear), thereby establishing a new mindset of victory for him and the Israelites. Intimidations, abuse, threat and pain can be the cause of fear most teenagers experience. But, it is possible to overcome your fears!

A mentor is one more experienced who guides, advices and trains people usually younger or inexperienced. Mentorship is a system of guiding people while acting as a model for them towards growth. I personally didn't respond to mentorship at an early time. I had an ideology that what people tell me were mere say and opinions that I could respond to or accept. Fast forward to 2021, when I deliberately became active and responsive to mentorship. I saw my progress was more than the progress I ever made on my own. I discovered that mentors will always expose themselves to growth, so their mentees can grow to. They should always Available, Analytical and Active listeners. I would advise every teenager and young person out there, who are eager to be better than they are to open themselves to mentorship. Being accountable to an authentic mentor will help become progressive!