Victory Over Fear, Sickness, and Defeat: Confessing God’s Promises in Every Situation

By Marcy Di Michele

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue…” ~Proverbs 18:21 KJV

The Bible makes bold claims regarding health, healing, finances, and prosperity. Yet, many people struggle to see these claims become a reality in their lives and often fall into discouragement.

Our faith comes from hearing God's Word and becomes active when we take it seriously and learn to speak what God says over our lives. Faith does not merely hope something will happen; faith calls it done.

Through the study of the Word and sharing her personal struggles with anxiety and depression, Pastor and Teacher, Marcy Di Michele leads readers on a journey of healing and restoration. You can win over fear, sickness, and defeat by correctly understanding the power of God’s Word and using your words correctly. Genuine freedom and the blessing of God are yours for the taking.

About the Author:
Marcy Di Michele is a Bible College Teacher and ordained Pastor, been working in the ministry since 2006.
Marcy was a professional Journalist for several years and now uses her writing for the work of the Lord.
Through her testimony of freedom from depression, Marcy is committed to helping others find healing and restoration through the power of the Holy Spirit and the promises of God’s Word.
Marcy has a podcast and live broadcast dedicated to encouraging people and building faith through teaching the Word.
Marcy believes the church of Jesus Christ must take ground for the Kingdom of God and claim authority over all the power of the enemy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rise UP Publications
• Release date: Nov 29, 2022
• ISBN: 9781644575819

Marcy Di Michele

Marcy Di Michele is a Bible College Teacher and ordained Pastor, been working in the ministry since 2006. Marcy was a professional Journalist for several years and now uses her writing for the work of the Lord. Through her testimony of freedom from depression, Marcy is committed to helping others find healing and restoration through the power of the Holy Spirit and the promises of God’s Word. Marcy has a podcast and live broadcast dedicated to encouraging people and building faith through teaching the Word. Marcy believes the church of Jesus Christ must take ground for the Kingdom of God and claim authority over all the power of the enemy.

Book preview

Chapter One

There is Freedom

Following my resignation from the job I had worked for several years, I was floundering and questioning what I should do with my life. My plans and goals were suddenly derailed; I didn't know where to turn; I didn't know how to deal with the trauma I had experienced. Despite my strong faith, my first course of action was not running to God. I felt He was far away, having betrayed me along with the people around me.

For over ten years, I battled depression, fear, and anxiety. I had frequent panic attacks and suicidal thoughts. My state of mind led me to do things I never thought capable of; my rock bottom was the day I sat in my kitchen for three hours with a bottle of painkillers in my hand. I didn’t think, or know, freedom was available.

I grew up in church, but I rarely heard mention of depression or mental illness, apart from the need for a demon to be cast out of the sufferer. Because God and I were not on speaking terms, prayer wasn’t a solution.

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

2 Corinthians 3:17

When I finally got the courage to speak to someone, the response was better than expected. They shared their own experience with mental illness and told me I should seek help from a therapist, so I did. I felt better after pouring my heart out to someone, but I quickly realized a listening ear was all they had to offer, and the recommendation of anti-depressants. I was encouraged to start taking medication and assured that, even though I was a Christian, there was nothing wrong with going that route. It wasn't an indication that I lacked faith.

Ultimately, I decided against taking those pills. I didn't feel peace in my spirit, but I certainly felt comfort in knowing I wasn't alone, and other Christians suffered from this issue. Nevertheless, I knew that comforting words could only go so far. I had to get better and talking about it wasn't working.

I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid.

John 14:27 (NLT)

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Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

1 Peter 5:7

Mental illness is a common problem, and we should be encouraged to speak about it without fear of judgment. In recent years, the church at large has better addressed this vital subject. There's more acknowledgment that mental illness is real. But encouragement and awareness are not cures in themselves. I needed to solve the root of the problem. What the world offers are merely Band-Aid solutions and coping mechanisms.

The way Christians speak about illness tells you what they believe about the healing power of God and the freedom that comes through the Spirit. I'm not saying this comes from a lack of faith. I believe it's from a lack of understanding. I'm not saying it's your fault if you never receive healing; I'm saying God's will is to heal, and we need to receive that truth in our spirits.

The Bible teaches that we each have a measure of faith; not everyone is at the same level.

For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

Romans 12:3 (NKJV)

The disciples asked Jesus to increase their faith (Luke 17:5), and the Bible teaches that faith is available to all of us. Someone once questioned an old healing preacher saying, Not everyone has your faith. The preacher responded, No, but everyone has [access to] my Bible, and that's where I got the faith!

Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.

Psalm 55:22

I didn't know God could heal me of depression; I didn't think it was possible. The most I'd ever heard was that God could heal, but we shouldn't expect it; we should learn to cope the best way possible and know that someday when we get to Heaven, all will be well. I lived with the belief that depression was my cross to bear; that life was full of mountains and valleys.

I didn't want to cope with depression for the rest of my life; I didn't want to endure it or manage it. Although I didn't properly understand sound doctrine, I knew it wasn't normal to live in misery. I knew there had to be an answer.

Depression is not from God; it's not a test, a life lesson, or a form of discipline; depression is straight from the Devil; it's a spirit that belongs back in the pit of Hell where it came from. It doesn't belong to us! Therefore, we should never say my depression, my anxiety, or my mental illness; it is not ours.

You will never overcome something you don't hate. You have to despise every form of illness, whether mental or physical. You can't embrace it, own it, or tolerate it. This is a truth I did not know about for a long time.

I specifically remember the day it all ended. My best friend had finally had enough of my bellyaching; she wanted to help and be there for me, but she didn't know what to do anymore. She told me I needed to stop speaking words of death because it wasn't helping; it just made me feel worse.

The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.

Proverbs 18:21 (NLT)

I wasn't looking for help; I just wanted to be a victim and make her feel sorry for me. The realization that my closest friend couldn’t stand me anymore was the wake-up call I needed!

That night, I closed myself off in my bedroom, knelt at the side of my bed, and cried out to God in a way I hadn't done in years! I told Him I didn't want this anymore; I didn't want to use it as a crutch or an excuse to get sympathy from people; I didn't want to hold on to something I shouldn't have. I was tired of suffering and allowing past trauma to dictate my life. I told the Lord that I believed He could heal me; just as He had set me free from the sin that had bound me a few years earlier, He could also free me of this.

I spoke aloud: the devil that has plagued my mind for too long has to go, in the name of Jesus. I kid you not; everything was different the following morning. I didn't wake up feeling like I had no reason to live; my mind had cleared. My mind was renewed and washed clean. My life has gone upward since that point because I am full of the joy of the Lord.

But you have filled my heart with more joy than when their wheat and wine are everywhere! I will lie down and fall asleep in peace because you alone, LORD, let me live in safety.

Psalm 4:7-8 (CEB)

I had to change some habits in my life: I stopped listening to depressing music and started listening to uplifting scriptural praise and worship; I stopped watching certain TV shows and movies and started watching faith-filled preaching; I began to study the Bible; I prayed with fervor; I fasted.

A few weeks later, the Lord spoke to me through His servant, clear as day, to remind me who I was, and what my purpose is. I found my place in the Kingdom of God. Get your hand to the plough. There’s no time for depression when you’re active. As soon as you start thinking there’s no way forward is when depression sets in. God wants to use you, and there is plenty to do for the Lord!

I’m a different person. I decided to hold God to His Word and stand on His promises. I needed to clear out the junk religion I’d been taught and hold fast to what was mine in Christ.

[…] Don't be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!

Nehemiah 8:10 (NLT)

As the church, we should never minimize mental health nor ignore it. People are suffering; they need help, but the ultimate answer is not through therapy, medication, or comforting words. Those can only go so far. The power of the Devil must be broken. A spiritual problem requires a spiritual solution, and mental illness is a spiritual problem. It doesn't mean a person is demon-possessed. It is the case for some. But many people are oppressed and bound by a scheme of the enemy intended to destroy them.

In my case, there was oppression over my life. Demonic strongholds and oppressions exist, and we must destroy them with the power of the name of Jesus.

Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?

Luke 13:16

At times, I've questioned whether some ministers fully believe in the Bible they preach. I've seen them primarily turn to any and every man-made solution rather than going directly to our true source. I'm not saying there is nothing in the world's science or technology that can benefit us. Many inventions have aided in advancing the gospel. However, the answers we need are found within Scripture. It must be our first resort. I didn’t have a plan B. Either the Word is completely true, or none of it is. If God said it,