Christian Counseling Homework 01/03/2026 -01/10/2026
Notes
Transcript
Depression
Depression
What is Depression?
Depression is considered to be the number one emotional disorder. It is a condition marked by extended periods and feelings of dejection, rejection, or unmet expectations. This results in despondency, cessation of activity, hopelessness, and apathy. Mood swings are frequent and apathy prevalent. Nobody is immune.
Symptoms of Depression
Sad Appearance
a poor “mask”
Dejected and discouraged look
Tears
Unkempt appearance
Negative thoughts
Agitation
Anger
Anxiety
Constant complaining
Helplessness
Hopelessness
Self Pity
Suicide
Worthlessness
Preoccupation with self
Physical symptoms
Body aches
Headaches
Lessened Sex Drive
Lethargy
Sleeplessness
Weight Loss
Causes of Depression
Depression is a coping method people use to deal with the pain of sin, guilt, rejection, or unfulfilled plans. It is not an illness that one is inflicted with or by.
Depression serves three psychological purposes.
Prevents violent anger
Justifies lack of performance
Manipulates or involves others
Psychological
Upsetting circumstances in life. Rejection, dejection, unmet expectations can lead to depression. However once again, the upsetting events are not really the cause of depression. The resulting depression is how one reacts to events and situations.
Spiritual
In the absence of pathology the cause of depression is an un-Biblical response to life’s trials and traumas. They include : Anger, Fear, Guilt (True or False), jealously, Pity, Pride, and Unbelief. It is a failure in self control and self discipline.
Physical Causes
Loss of limb or change in body. However, this is a catalyst as opposed to a real cause. the resulting depression is how one reacts to a physical condition.
Chemical
Diabetes, malfunctioning thyroid, chemical imbalances, reactions to drugs and alcohol
Biblical Verses Describing Depression
5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: But a broken spirit drieth the bones.
14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; But a wounded spirit who can bear?
11 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, Who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
4 For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: As an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.
28 My soul melteth for heaviness: Strengthen thou me according unto thy word.
13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Biblical Terms for Depression
Bowed Down
6 I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long.
Broken Spirit
22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: But a broken spirit drieth the bones.
Despair
11 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, Who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
Grief
28 My soul melteth for heaviness: Strengthen thou me according unto thy word.
Mourning
6 I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long.
Broken Hearted
3 He healeth the broken in heart, And bindeth up their wounds.
Burdened by Sin
4 For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: As an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.
Fallen Countenance
7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
Faint
13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
Sorrow
13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
Examples
Asaph - Unknown
To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of Asaph. 1 I cried unto God with my voice, Even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me. 2 In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: My sore ran in the night, and ceased not: My soul refused to be comforted. 3 I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah. 4 Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak. 5 I have considered the days of old, The years of ancient times. 6 I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: And my spirit made diligent search. 7 Will the Lord cast off for ever? And will he be favourable no more? 8 Is his mercy clean gone for ever? Doth his promise fail for evermore? 9 Hath God forgotten to be gracious? Hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah. 10 And I said, This is my infirmity: But I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High. 11 I will remember the works of the Lord: Surely I will remember thy wonders of old. 12 I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings. 13 Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: Who is so great a God as our God? 14 Thou art the God that doest wonders: Thou hast declared thy strength among the people. 15 Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, The sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah. 16 The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee; they were afraid: The depths also were troubled. 17 The clouds poured out water: The skies sent out a sound: Thine arrows also went abroad. 18 The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: The lightnings lightened the world: The earth trembled and shook. 19 Thy way is in the sea, And thy path in the great waters, And thy footsteps are not known. 20 Thou leddest thy people like a flock By the hand of Moses and Aaron.
Cain - Disobedience
1 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord. 2 And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. 3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. 4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: 5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. 6 And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? 7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. 8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. 9 And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper? 10 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground. 11 And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother’s blood from thy hand; 12 When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth. 13 And Cain said unto the Lord, My punishment is greater than I can bear. 14 Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me. 15 And the Lord said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the Lord set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him. 16 And Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden. 17 And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch: and he builded a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch. 18 And unto Enoch was born Irad: and Irad begat Mehujael: and Mehujael begat Methusael: and Methusael begat Lamech. 19 And Lamech took unto him two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah. 20 And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and of such as have cattle. 21 And his brother’s name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ. 22 And Zillah, she also bare Tubal-cain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah. 23 And Lamech said unto his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; Ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech: For I have slain a man to my wounding, And a young man to my hurt. 24 If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, Truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold. 25 And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew. 26 And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the Lord.
David - Sin/Guilt
A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance. 1 O Lord, rebuke me not in thy wrath: Neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure. 2 For thine arrows stick fast in me, And thy hand presseth me sore. 3 There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; Neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin. 4 For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: As an heavy burden they are too heavy for me. 5 My wounds stink and are corrupt Because of my foolishness. 6 I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long. 7 For my loins are filled with a loathsome disease: And there is no soundness in my flesh. 8 I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart. 9 Lord, all my desire is before thee; And my groaning is not hid from thee. 10 My heart panteth, my strength faileth me: As for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me. 11 My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my sore; And my kinsmen stand afar off. 12 They also that seek after my life lay snares for me: And they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, And imagine deceits all the day long. 13 But I, as a deaf man, heard not; And I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth. 14 Thus I was as a man that heareth not, And in whose mouth are no reproofs. 15 For in thee, O Lord, do I hope: Thou wilt hear, O Lord my God. 16 For I said, Hear me, lest otherwise they should rejoice over me: When my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me. 17 For I am ready to halt, And my sorrow is continually before me. 18 For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin. 19 But mine enemies are lively, and they are strong: And they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied. 20 They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; Because I follow the thing that good is. 21 Forsake me not, O Lord: O my God, be not far from me. 22 Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation.
Nehemiah - Unfulfilled Plans
1 And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that wine was before him: and I took up the wine, and gave it unto the king. Now I had not been beforetime sad in his presence. 2 Wherefore the king said unto me, Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick? this is nothing else but sorrow of heart. Then I was very sore afraid, 3 And said unto the king, Let the king live for ever: why should not my countenance be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ sepulchres, lieth waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire? 4 Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven. 5 And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers’ sepulchres, that I may build it.
Elijah - Fear/Unbelief
1 And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword. 2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time. 3 And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beer-sheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there. 4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.
Job - Pity
1 After this opened Job his mouth, and cursed his day. 2 And Job spake, and said, 3 Let the day perish wherein I was born, And the night in which it was said, There is a man child conceived. 4 Let that day be darkness; Let not God regard it from above, Neither let the light shine upon it. 5 Let darkness and the shadow of death stain it; Let a cloud dwell upon it; Let the blackness of the day terrify it. 6 As for that night, let darkness seize upon it; Let it not be joined unto the days of the year, Let it not come into the number of the months. 7 Lo, let that night be solitary, Let no joyful voice come therein. 8 Let them curse it that curse the day, Who are ready to raise up their mourning. 9 Let the stars of the twilight thereof be dark; Let it look for light, but have none; Neither let it see the dawning of the day: 10 Because it shut not up the doors of my mother’s womb, Nor hid sorrow from mine eyes. 11 Why died I not from the womb? Why did I not give up the ghost when I came out of the belly? 12 Why did the knees prevent me? Or why the breasts that I should suck? 13 For now should I have lain still and been quiet, I should have slept: then had I been at rest, 14 With kings and counsellers of the earth, Which built desolate places for themselves; 15 Or with princes that had gold, Who filled their houses with silver: 16 Or as an hidden untimely birth I had not been; As infants which never saw light. 17 There the wicked cease from troubling; And there the weary be at rest. 18 There the prisoners rest together; They hear not the voice of the oppressor. 19 The small and great are there; And the servant is free from his master. 20 Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery, And life unto the bitter in soul; 21 Which long for death, but it cometh not; And dig for it more than for hid treasures; 22 Which rejoice exceedingly, And are glad, when they can find the grave? 23 Why is light given to a man whose way is hid, And whom God hath hedged in? 24 For my sighing cometh before I eat, And my roarings are poured out like the waters. 25 For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, And that which I was afraid of is come unto me. 26 I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; Yet trouble came.
Jonah - Anger
1 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry. 2 And he prayed unto the Lord, and said, I pray thee, O Lord, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil. 3 Therefore now, O Lord, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live. 4 Then said the Lord, Doest thou well to be angry? 5 So Jonah went out of the city, and sat on the east side of the city, and there made him a booth, and sat under it in the shadow, till he might see what would become of the city. 6 And the Lord God prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow over his head, to deliver him from his grief. So Jonah was exceeding glad of the gourd. 7 But God prepared a worm when the morning rose the next day, and it smote the gourd that it withered. 8 And it came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, It is better for me to die than to live. 9 And God said to Jonah, Doest thou well to be angry for the gourd? And he said, I do well to be angry, even unto death. 10 Then said the Lord, Thou hast had pity on the gourd, for the which thou hast not laboured, neither madest it grow; which came up in a night, and perished in a night: 11 And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?
Judas - Guilt/Wrong Response
Matthew 27:3-5
3 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4 Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. 5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.
Moses - Frustration
10 Then Moses heard the people weep throughout their families, every man in the door of his tent: and the anger of the Lord was kindled greatly; Moses also was displeased. 11 And Moses said unto the Lord, Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant? and wherefore have I not found favour in thy sight, that thou layest the burden of all this people upon me? 12 Have I conceived all this people? have I begotten them, that thou shouldest say unto me, Carry them in thy bosom, as a nursing father beareth the sucking child, unto the land which thou swarest unto their fathers? 13 Whence should I have flesh to give unto all this people? for they weep unto me, saying, Give us flesh, that we may eat. 14 I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me. 15 And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness.
Peter - Pride/Conviction
69 Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. 70 But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. 71 And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. 72 And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. 73 And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. 74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. 75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.
Saul - Jealousy
7 And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands. 8 And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom? 9 And Saul eyed David from that day and forward. 10 And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul’s hand. 11 And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice. 12 And Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with him, and was departed from Saul.
Counseling
There is a normal feeling of sadness that must run its course.
Depression, rooted in pride often leads to death because the person believes there is no hope.
Depression, rooted in self-pity often conceals a resentful or unforgiving person, angry with God and others.
Depression rooted in guilt can often lead to suicide.
Depression can result for either active or passive sin.
Depression is caused from following feelings rather than obeying God and doing what is right.
Important note: Many times , because of feelings of insecurity and worthlessness, a person will focus on Bible verses that seem to judge and condemn.
What to do
Do not put removal of depression as your goal, rather make your goal the desire to please God.
Help the client realize this.
Identify the real problem and not the symptom.
Identify the real cause.
Identify when the problem started.
Identify un-Biblical thoughts, words, and actions.
Refuse to withdraw into isolation
Behave Biblically in spite of feelings
Reflect on the events and see them from God’s perspective.
Pray and praise God.
Avoid self pity and complaining.
Understand your hope and standing with Christ.
Do daily tasks with renewed concentration.
Work out a specific plan to deal with the problems.
Make Sure you do this:
Listen carefully for key words that may suggest Depression as opposed to feelings of sorrow or loss.
Do not minimize the influence and impact of depression that a person is feeling.
Avoid shallow statements such as “Things will be fine” or “Cheer up”.
Demonstrate empathy and understanding.
Help identify the problem and when the problem started.
Remember that depression affects all aspects of one’s life; work, relationships, self-image, etc.
Assure the person that there is hope and that God cares.
(Important) Apply the right verses to the right type of depression (such as Guilt, Fear, Anger, etc.)
Remember that the Bible is full of Godly men who succumbed to depression. Avoid being judgmental.
Identify the thought patterns producing the depression.
Scriptures for defeating Depression
5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. 6 And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? 7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
1 I cried unto God with my voice, Even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me. 2 In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: My sore ran in the night, and ceased not: My soul refused to be comforted. 3 I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah. 4 Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak. 5 I have considered the days of old, The years of ancient times. 6 I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: And my spirit made diligent search. 7 Will the Lord cast off for ever? And will he be favourable no more? 8 Is his mercy clean gone for ever? Doth his promise fail for evermore? 9 Hath God forgotten to be gracious? Hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah. 10 And I said, This is my infirmity: But I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High. 11 I will remember the works of the Lord: Surely I will remember thy wonders of old. 12 I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings. 13 Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: Who is so great a God as our God? 14 Thou art the God that doest wonders: Thou hast declared thy strength among the people. 15 Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, The sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah.
11 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, Who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. 15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
Depression is not a modern disease. It is as old as recorded history. In the first book of the Bible, depression is mentioned and in the first book of the Bible, the cure is given. That cure is “If thou doest well...”
The Bible is full of examples that are given to give hope, peace, and comfort to those who are in need.
Fear and rejection leading to Severe Depression
2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time. 3 And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beer-sheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there. 4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.
8 And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God. 9 And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah? 10 And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
Think about this
God answered every prayer of Elijah’s , but not this one. Why?
Elijah focused on the difficulty of the circumstance and not on God’s sovereign power and might.
He let his emotions decide the seriousness of the situation instead of letting God work His will.
His eyes and emotions gave him a false understanding of the problem.
He looked at the problem through fear and not faith.
He looked at the problem from his own perspective.
He then left the place that God had placed him.
He then left the person God placed him with.
He then sat and dwelt on negative , self-defeating thought.
It is no wonder that Elijah ended up alone, feeling unworthy, and with suicidal thoughts. Again he was not depressed and therefore acted inappropriately. Instead, he acted inappropriately and ended up feeling depressed. By focusing on the problem, on the self, and choosing to behave inappropriately, one’s perception of worth, value, and purpose are severely distorted and damaged, and people respond by walking after the flesh, instead of after the Spirit.
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. 12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
The Solution
God ministers to his physical needs
5 And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat.
Notice Elijah’s response
6 And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again.
Ministers to physical needs and gives a task
7 And the angel of the Lord came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee.
God sends him to a place where he can hear the Word
8 And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.
God confronts Elijah by questioning his motives and understanding (Notice Elijah’s attitude)
9 And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah? 10 And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
God addresses his understanding, not miracles but Himself
11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: 12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
God again confronts Elijah by questioning his motives and understanding. (Notice Elijah’s attitude still hasn’t changed)
13 And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah? 14 And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
God strengthens him by assigning a task (purpose restored)
15 And the Lord said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria: 16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.
God corrects his faulty thinking
17 And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay. 18 Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.
The Reality according to God
When we counsel, we can apply the same principles for healing and restoration with our clients that God did with Elijah.
Notice the steps
God corrected his faulty thinking : Elijah was not alone, God was with him.
He was not alone : There were many others who stood for God.
Knowing the truth is a powerful remedy for depression. God’s power was ready to enter the picture and restore Elijah by demonstrating truth.
Doing the thin gs we are supposed to do relieves depression. God’s remedy was to show truth and restore purpose. As God helped Elijah , He will help you.
My job as a counselor is to help the client identify the faulty thought, the wrong thinking process, and determine which behavior should be started to help him be restored to a right relationship and a right position with God and man.
2. Rejection based on pride leading to depression
2 And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. 3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. 4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: 5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. 6 And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? 7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
The first thing we note is that Cain was the older brother and Abel was the younger.
Next we see both Cain and Abel are workers and that both worship God.
Cain brings an offering of the ground, something he had grown, while Abel brings a live offering.
The verse says God had not respect for the offering Cain brought. Why? Because the offering Cain had brought was the product of a cursed ground.
17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;
and therefore not an offering worthy to be brought to the Lord.
Many would say that Cain’s depression was because of his being rejected by God. However, it was his disobedience that caused his rejection, which led to his depression.
First he was angry, then he was depressed, so his countenance fell. People today react the same way when they do not receive something they value, or produce, or expect. When our response is negative and self defeating, it is called depression.
However, in the same passage, the answer for depression is also given. If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? God told Cain that if he does well, or do what is required, he will be accepted.
Two interesting points to focus on
The first is that Cain did not do well because he was depressed; he was depressed because he did not do well.
The second point to note is that the remedy is to “do well” or change your behavior.
God had obviously given instruction about what kind of offering was acceptable to Him, but Cain chose to disobey and substituted his own offering according to his own set of principles and/or expectations. When this was rejected, Cain responded negatively. He responded with anger, then depression, and then finally committed murder. Since the thoughts were negative, the emotional response inappropriate, the final behavior was wrong.
Cain responded out of pride, an incorrect response. The correct response would have been to acknowledge the transgression and then correct the behaviors, do well the next time and then he will be accepted.
3. Failing to perform leading to depression
1 And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that wine was before him: and I took up the wine, and gave it unto the king. Now I had not been beforetime sad in his presence. 2 Wherefore the king said unto me, Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick? this is nothing else but sorrow of heart. Then I was very sore afraid, 3 And said unto the king, Let the king live for ever: why should not my countenance be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ sepulchres, lieth waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire? 4 Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven. 5 And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers’ sepulchres, that I may build it.
Note three significant points
The scripture says Nehemiah was not sick, it was just sorrow of heart.
This was caused by his thinking of something he wanted to do but had not done.
The King immediately knew that Nehemiah wanted something from him.
As noted before, there are actually two phases of depression.
the mental/emotional (cognitive/affective stage) is the triggering event or series of events that provokes a thought which in turn produces an emotion.
the chosen behavior one exhibits that demonstrates the emotional response.
Just because the person is depressed does not mean that person can not do something. It means that the person will not do something.
Remember, it is not the event which causes depression, it is how one responds to the event that can lead to depression.
Cycles
Depression occurring in cycles often refers to cyclical or recurrent depression. This involves periods of depressive symptoms followed by times of relief.
It is important to realize that the negative emotion attached to each event has its root a behavior that is inappropriate or incorrect that leads to a thought and then an emotion.
