Victory over Depression
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Handout
Victory series
Victory series
Everyone loves a good victory story. Especially of the underdog, right. What happens if we are the underdog and we need victory even as a Christian?
Previously we have looked at
Victory in overcoming sin
Oftentimes the consequences of sin or sinful thinking
Remember our series text (1Jn5:4-5)
4 because every child of God is able to defeat the world. And we win the victory over the world by means of our faith. 5 Who can defeat the world? Only the person who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
We have looked at victory over Anxiety by faith in Jesus
We have looked at victory over boredom by faith in Jesus
Today we are looking at victory over depression (look to the pages)
American Heritage Dictionary: A psychotic or neurotic condition characterized by an inability to concentrate, insomnia, and feelings of extreme sadness, dejection and hopelessness.
Depression
Looking at the screen what are some of the things that characterize depression?
___________, _________, _______, ________
Types, most serious ones
Major depression
Bipolar disorder
Symptoms
Symptoms of Depression: see the screen
Symptoms of Mania high mood, irritability, insomnia, grandiose notions, excessive talking, racing thoughts, easily distracted, higher sexual drive, poor judgment and inappropriate social behavior
Causes of Depression - see the screen
Treatment for depression: Medication, Psychotherapy (talking with professional); Cognitive therapy (Helps to recognize and change negative thinking and patterns that contribute; Interpersonal (focus on helping for improved relationships with others) Biological treatments: electroconvulsive thereapy
Even Timothy was given a medical way to deal with medical issues
23 No longer drink water exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.
There can be great help medically. But what if faith (strong conviction) in Jesus Christ can greatly improve any other effort and truly help you walk in victory over depression?
Overcoming depression
Overcoming depression
Jesus in His ministry addressed and provides ways, means to overcome depression.
Jesus addresses many issues that can depress people
Sin
Current walk with Christ or lack of
Regret of past, fear of future
Hope through Christ
Regarding sin; His death on cross handled it
Teaching to pray; improves walk with God
Hope and promise helps with regret and fear, how? through the resurrection and promise of return.
Jesus and cognitive therapy
Defined again as helping on to recognize and change negative thinking patterns that contribute to depression.
Through God’s providential care (Mt6:25-32; NLT)
25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?
26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?
27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? 28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing,
29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? 31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’
32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.
Through His teaching about priorities (Mt6:33; NLT)
33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
Through reminding us we have limitations (MT6:34; NLT)
34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
Teaching us God is longsuffering, forgiving an exampling through parables (Mt6:5-6-NLT; ref Lk15:11-32)
5 “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get.
6 But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
Summarize the prodigal Son parable
Jesus and interpersonal therapy
Again this focuses on one’s disturbed interpersonal relationships that cause and exacerbate depression
Via Paul about relationship with God (2Cor5:18-21)
18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Through interpersonal relationships (Mt6:23-24; 18:21-22)
23 “But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! 24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.
21 Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
Through His death we find solutions
A way of reconciliation with God (Eph2:14-17)
14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, 15 by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace,
16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near;
Teaching about loving one another (Jn13:34-35; consider 1Jn5:2-3)
34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Through church family (Gal6:1-2; 1The5:14)
Restore the sinful, fallen brother with gentleness and respect
Conclusion
If you suffer from it, don’t be ashamed even Christians do. Don’t let it debilitate you, it will not go away by willpower.
Christ provides a way out, a way of victory for those who have faith (strong conviction) and are willing to join Him, accept Him and follow Him.
Christs promises true peace (Jn15:11, 16:33)
11 “These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.
And
33 “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
God is the God of all comfort (2Cor1:3-4)
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
May we be a people who seek help when needed and be there to help others too! For when we do then faith is a victory!
Victory in Jesus (lead to invitation / Encouragement)
Prayer