I'm a Christian - Why am I Depressed?

Crying without being able to stop. Feeling Paralyzed most mornings not wanting to get out of bed, Fear of not living up to the self made expectations that were far too high for anyone to reach. Thoughts of self harm, thoughts of death.

What made it harder

Friends didn’t know what to do

Caitlyn didn’t know what to do

Other people who didn’t know what to say would say the wrong things - parents, friends.

People treating you differently.

Statements about You need more faith, you need to pray more, you need to Confess you sin, etc.

From Christianity Today - Faith Magazine

Persistent sad or anxious mood

Anger, restlessness, irritability

Sleeplessness, or not enough sleep

Reduced appetite and weight loss, or increased appetite and weight gain

Loss of pleasure and interest in things once enjoyed

Persistent physical symptoms that don't respond to treatment (such as chronic pain or digestive disorders)

Difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions

Fatigue or loss of energy

Feeling guilty, hopeless or worthless

Thoughts of suicide or death

Sermon Notes -

Psalm 42 NLT

For the choir director: A psalm of the descendants of Korah. As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him? Day and night I have only tears for food, while my enemies continually taunt me, saying, “Where is this God of yours?” My heart is breaking as I remember how it used to be: I walked among the crowds of worshipers, leading a great procession to the house of God, singing for joy and giving thanks amid the sound of a great celebration! Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and my God! Now I am deeply discouraged, but I will remember you— even from distant Mount Hermon, the source of the Jordan, from the land of Mount Mizar. I hear the tumult of the raging seas as your waves and surging tides sweep over me. But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life. “O God my rock,” I cry, “Why have you forgotten me? Why must I wander around in grief, oppressed by my enemies?” Their taunts break my bones. They scoff, “Where is this God of yours?” Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and my God!

Sermon Notes on

Psalm 43 NLT

Declare me innocent, O God! Defend me against these ungodly people. Rescue me from these unjust liars. For you are God, my only safe haven. Why have you tossed me aside? Why must I wander around in grief, oppressed by my enemies? Send out your light and your truth; let them guide me. Let them lead me to your holy mountain, to the place where you live. There I will go to the altar of God, to God—the source of all my joy. I will praise you with my harp, O God, my God! Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and my God!

psalm 43

Biblical Figures who struggled with depression

Job, David, Jesus?

Job - had everything, and all that he had was taken away from him - he wanted to die, and cursed the day he was born

David - how many of the psalms were laments? How many times did he Ask God about his presence being taken from him, how many times did david ask “How Long, O Lord?”, David was acutely aware of his need for God, but was also honest about the mental and emotional state he was in.

Jesus - Garden of Gathsemane, this was not a prolonged period of depression, but it was absolutely Jesus’ greatest moment of lonliness, despair, fear, anxiety, even depression.

RESPONSES to the Depressed Person

God understands, and grieves with you as you grieve. He is close to the downcast, he is near to the depressed, he is fully aware of the pain you are in, and is in pain over the reality of your depression

Jesus lived your depression - he understands what you’ve gone through because he went through it the same, and even more intensely. The Literal Weight of the Worlds Sin was on him, and he was for the first time in Eternity Separated from the perfect communion with His Father that he had always enjoyed - Jesus knows the feeling of lonliness, despair and want.

What we have to be willing to do

You’ve got to be honest with SAFE, and close confidants. It is essential for those who struggle with Depression to find safe family/friends/co-workers/counselors etc, to be able to share their struggles with, their honest feelings with, their true self.

You have got to be Honest with God -

DAVID - Use Psalms as the Example - , , , ,

you have to Lean into what you KNOW to be true, and not what you feel

We All MUST preach the Gospel, and Grace to yourself everyday.

YOU MUST preach the Gospel, and Grace to yourself everyday.

Questions for Cait and Cory

Cait, how did you feel when I would breakdown and cry without any reason?

Cait, What was a moment when you were scared for me?

Cait, Did you ever get frustrated at my inability to tell you what was happening?

Cory, When I told you about this issue, and that I wanted you to be honest with me and ask me how I was doing, what sorts of things went through you head?

Cory, In your experience with Mental Health Issues, not just with me, but also in your own family - What have you found to be really difficult? + Helpful?

Cory, do you feel like you had to act differently around me?

Cory, was it difficult for you to be around me when I was really down or anxious?

Both, What changes did you see in me that were hard to deal with?

Individual , , , , , , , , , , , *, 28, 31, 36*, 39, 40:12-17, 41, 42-43, 52*, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 59, 61, 64, 70, 71, 77, 86, 89*, 120, 139, 141, 142

Community , , , , , , , , , *, 90, 94, 123, 126, 129

Penitential , *, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143

Imprecatory , , , , , ,

68 Psalms - more than a 3rd of all the psalms are downcast, are lamenting, are depressive in nature, are about sorrow, despair, difficulty