Im a christian - why am I depressed - FINAL
Hurting Hearts - Gods grace and mental illness • Sermon • Submitted
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· 31 views4 Positive and 2 negative Responses to Christians and Depression
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Introduction -
Introduction -
How can People of Faith, Joy, Hope and Love ever feel down? How can that possibly be the way that we operate. Why is it that so many people are struggling with Mental Health Issues more and more over the last number of years, and even people of faith
Well - I’d like to suggest that these things aren’t really all that new - Especially to people of faith.
In Scripture we get RAW, unhindered emotions from people, there is a book in Scripture all about being depressed, desparing or hopeless, called Lamentations.
But what is Depression
But what is Depression
From Matthew Stanford
A Major Depressive episode is characterized by either a persistent depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities over at least a two week period.
Four or more of the following symptoms also most be present:
Significant weight change
Change in appetite
Sleeping too much, or too little
Not being able to sleep
Psychomotor agitation - Not being able to physically function normally
fatigue or loss of energy
Feeling of worthlessness or excessive guilt
inability to concentrate
indecisiveness
constant thoughts of death
recurent suicidal thoughts
and in the Book of Psalms the Prayer book of the Bible we see this
Individuals Laments , , , , , , , , , , , , 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 laments , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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
55 Psalms are Specific Laments - either communal or individual
KING DAVID
KING DAVID
The Writer of Many of these Psalms is King David and he was far from perfect
David’s Failures -
David’s Failures -
Polygamy, Murder, his children were Mega Messes, one son raped his half sister, another son tried to kill David to take the throne, David on multiple occasions disobeyed God’s command, one son was murdered by Solomon. King David knew great personal sorrow which is clear from his own writings in the Psalms. Matthew Stanford, pg 107.
Sermon Notes -
Sermon Notes -
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!
NLTFor 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 /43
Sermon Notes on /43
Writer - I believe is David, but we are not expressly Told that this is a Psalm written by David. If this is or is not a psalm of David is irrelevant to what I’m going to be focussing on today, and it may even help us to know that we are not bound to compare our own experience to the King of Israel.
Possible Understandings/Applications of Context here.
1 - Davidic and he is running away from his Son Absalom, in exile
2 - Voice of the Messiah during the time of his rejection from the Father on the cross, or in Gethsemane.
3 - Jewish Remnant during an exile or prolonged difficulty.
4 - A Believer having fallen away from their first love of God, and desiring that psalm closeness and intimacy of when they first came to faith.
Regardless - it is not necessary (as one commentator writes) to isolate one view, as the applications of this psalm with all these possibilities allow for us to apply it to our own experiences.
Structure of as a whole, to 43.
The structure of this Psalm works in Tandem with the one that follows it, 42 and 43 could be seen as 1 psalm for a few reasons, most notable is that there is not a title statement for and of course the close knit connection of the Lament in the Psalms themselves, and in their sharing a common response or refrain in the poetic structure
A, B structure
A - Lament
B - Hope
42:1-4, 6-7, 9-10, 43:1-4 lament
42:5, 8, 11, 43:5 Hope
Verses 1-4 Lament
Verses 1-4 Lament
CS Lewis describes the Deer Panting after God being compared to what David is feeling - an appetite for God (Reflections on the Psalms p.51)
David describes his desire to know Gods presence with increasing intimate intensity -
1st as God vs1, then as the living God v1, and then in vs2 as David longs for the face of God.
and this idea of water is profound also as the statement of Living God found in vs1 could be reference to the Jewish understanding of God being the fountain of life, or the living water as God presents himself in and 17
NLT“For my people have done two evil things: They have abandoned me— the fountain of living water. And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all!
NLTO Lord, the hope of Israel, all who turn away from you will be disgraced. They will be buried in the dust of the earth, for they have abandoned the Lord, the fountain of living water.
Connection between streams of water and tears for food vs1 and vs3.
Living with Depression is the same in many respects to this idea of wanting to be satisfied with water, longing after God, being desperate for some relief from the difficulties of life and the lack of control over emotions
I’ve found that to be true. There were many days of not knowing what was happening, whether or not God would show up, whether or not I would ever feel normal again, and there still are those days. In the deepest moments of my depression I was haunted with the idea that I was always going to feel this way, feel down, feel anxious, feel broken, feel like giving up and that I already had given up.
I’ve found that to be true. There were many days of not knowing what was happening, whether or not God would show up, whether or not I would ever feel normal again, and there still are those days. In the deepest moments of my depression I was haunted with the idea that I was always going to feel this way, feel down, feel anxious, feel broken, feel like giving up and that I already had given up.
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
HOPE
HOPE
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
When we are asking ourselves these questions, its wonderful to know that others struggled this same way, and that their hope was in the Lord. Not is changing circumstances, not in assuming everything would turn out but even in their depression they would choose to put their Hope in God.
The Grace of Choice - for the Christian who struggles with depression as opposed to those who are not christians who struggle similarly - we have the advantage. Some may call it a crutch, but we have a God who sympathizes with us. and we have the CHOICE to put our hope in God, we can choose to believe God - or even to choose to pray often like I do. Lord I believe, help my unbelief.
Lament
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.
What a depressed State - as the Psalmist remembers feeling better, feeling joyful, but also the despair of this present situation, the depth of this depression, longing so desperately to be in the place of favour with the Lord again.
HOPE
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.
A response of God’s grace over the writer - Each Day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me - what a statement of faith. we don’t have to feel like its true, we don’t even have to have the ability to believe that its true, but just to be assured that God is true to his word.
Lament
“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?”
Look at the statements of fear in the writers trust. - “God my Rock” foundation, support, castle, etc. Why have you forgotten me, God has not forgotten, but that feeling of deep depression, that feeling of being stuck, trapped, like there is now way out - like there is no possible escape - of course the feeling of abandonment would flow from here.
We SHOULD ask these questions of God when we are in these places of depression. For the Depressed Christian - why hide any raw emotion from the Lord? He knows already - but our acknowledging of our situation will lead us back to the truth of who God is.
HOPE
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!
This same refrain from vs 5 - we are allowed to feel the ways we do - regardless of whether we have a depressive disorder or not.
Application for Positive Responses to Depression
Application for Positive Responses to Depression
1. Drink Deeply from the Well of Living Water. Find your Hope in the Truth of Jesus Christ
1. Drink Deeply from the Well of Living Water. Find your Hope in the Truth of Jesus Christ
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.
1 - This is where a Biblical Response is Found to our Depression - Be with Jesus
2 - Believe the Promises of Christ
3 - Trust his work on the Cross and through his Resurrection to bring you life
4 - Be like David - Run to the Fountain of Life. Put your Trust in God Alone - Drink deeply from his Abundant love and faithfulness
5 - Write out what you struggle with
2. Base your life on what is TRUE, not on what you Feel
2. Base your life on what is TRUE, not on what you Feel
Write Truth Out. Seriously Write it out.
in /43, David is suggesting that he is apart from God due to the nature of him being physically separated. But for those with Depression as Christians, we can also feel far from God, both Mentally, and emotionally and even spiritually. We need to be focussed on the Faithfulness of God - not the desperate nature of our situation
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
/43, David is suggesting that he is apart from God due to the nature of him being physically separated. But for those with Depression as Christians, we can also feel far from God, both Mentally, and emotionally and even spiritually. We need to be focussed on the Faithfulness of God - not the desperate nature of our situation
Preach the Gospel to yourself everyday - Not just that Jesus Died for your Sin, but that he did it to Redeem you, to make you whole, to make you as you were originally designed to be.
For those who struggle with Depression:
1 - You are NOT your depression.
2 - Your Spirit has been made alive in Christ - but your physical self is still permanently affected by the sinful state we are all in - you are not less of a christian because of a physical/chemical difficulty.
3 - Feelings are real, feelings are part of life, how we feel is what generally drives our actions, behaviours, beliefs, I’m calling us to understand that how we Feel does not Change God’s Truth - so be saturated in His Love for you, his Care for you, and his Grieving over your situation with you.
3. Be Honest with yourself, with others, and especially with God
3. Be Honest with yourself, with others, and especially with God
Too many people think of Pastors as the Spiritual Elite or even us regular christians, that we could never face things like this, or even have any joyless days? After all, we’re saved, we’re doing the Lord’s work.
David was INSANELY intimate and open with God about his struggles. These 1/2 Psalms we have been in today show a SMALL portion of what David was dealing with through his life, and he is in many respects the example of human experience and honesty with God.
Being honest with Other People will allow for them to know who you are, what you’re facing, and will allow them the opportunity to walk along with you in your struggle - but it is ESSENTIAL, that these people are SAFE, and will be both loving, kind, and firm when needed.
4. In Christ, Victory over Mental Illness is Ultimately Won
4. In Christ, Victory over Mental Illness is Ultimately Won
Hope in 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
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.
Psalm
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!
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!
How our Communities of Faith and Support Should NOT respond
How our Communities of Faith and Support Should NOT respond
1. You need to Pray more or Confess more and God will fix it.
1. You need to Pray more or Confess more and God will fix it.
Like telling a dancer with a broken leg to get up and dance. There is something in us as people that wants to help those we care about - its a GREAT thing, its actually a reflection of Jesus to others, but regardless of your intentions, far too often the experience of those in the church that deal with these things (mental Illness, or mental health disorders), end up being the opposite - well meaning spiritual advice or counsel can often lead to further feelings of failure, depression and in extreme cases thoughts of suicide for the struggling individual.
Quotes from Grace for the Afflicted
pg 38. The simple fact is that Christians develop mental illness at the same rates seen in the general population, and admonitions such as “you need to pray more” or “This is just the result of lack of faith” are ineffective in dealing with this problem”
2. Don’t tell people you will pray for them and walk away.
2. Don’t tell people you will pray for them and walk away.
unless you are willing to pray for them RIGHT THEN, and RIGHT THERE, even if you mean well.Walking with someone with Mental Health Illnesses, Depression in particular is Hard. Its painful, it sometimes feels like one step forward and one step back.What is required is a lasting relationship. one of trust, one of honesty, one of genuine care. And NOT everyone can do that… It is emotionally draining to walk with me, I know it is, but having SAFE committed friends/family/staff - allows for the real healing to be able to happen because there is a support network greater than just a spiritual platitude.
Encouragement to the Depressed Christian
Encouragement to the Depressed Christian
RESPONSES to the Depressed Christian
RESPONSES to the Depressed Christian
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 depression, and deep hurt.
What we have to be willing to do
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 -, , , , , and so on with many more.
you have to Lean into what you KNOW to be true, and not what you feelWe All MUST preach the Gospel, and Grace to yourself everyday. We must preach that God is loving, He sympathizes with us in Christ who struggled in every way that we do. He knows, He cares, He cries, He grieves with you.
My Story
My Story
Struggled with Seasonal Affective Disorder about when I started College
Major Depression Hit, and was clinically diagnosed with a Depressive/Anxiety Disorder in Christmas of 2015.
Things that led to this Depression - TriggersMatt B’s Death, Sister getting pregnant before married, coming Baby, Fear of change, Fear of Inadequacy, Fear of Death, Stress of Ministry, etc.
What I remember - which isn’t a lot. 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 harderFriends 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 me differently.
Statements about You need more faith, you need to pray more, you need to Confess your sin, etc.
Physical Issues in Our World - Chemical Issues/DepressionFallen World - Fallen Body, Broken Mind, Broken Psyche.
We live in a world marred by Sin. Sin is not a sickness, its not a bad choice here or there, and it isn’t something to be taken lightly.
Sin is the Condition that plagues the world, and every christian. It is the fallen condition we all find ourselves in. Why Power Positive Thinking Ultimately Doesn’t Work.
We Cannot HEAL our sinfulness.
Questions for Cait and Cory
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?
Conclusion
Conclusion
In a time before psychological and psychiatric treatments existed, David found relief from his suffering in God’s unchanging character, infinite faithfulness, and unconditional love. David took his sorrow and pain to God, and there he found a foundation of hope from which he could rebuild. Hope that transcends our circumstances, even depression, is only available in the loving God who created us, sustains us, and made a way for us to be in an eternal relationship with him. David knew this truth well, and he tightly held to it throughout his life. Our first response in times of mental distress should be to seek God. Finding our hope in him is the first step on the journey to recovery. Matthew Stanford, pg 110,111.