Depression and the Way UP!

Introduction

Hot topics are really just difficult topics. Mature believers do not run from difficulty but rather they embrace God’s goodness in the midst of that difficulty and allow the Gospel to speak to that issue or difficulty. There is nothing in my life or yours that cannot be overcome with the truth that Jesus Christ died on a cross for the sin of the world.

On difficult issues we need a theology on that issue. A What does God say statement for this issue. God has lots to say, now let’s hear Him on this.

“Never has so much been crammed into one word. Depression feels terrifying—your world is dark, heavy, painful. Some days you think that physical pain might be easier to endure; at least the pain would be localized. Instead, depression goes to your very soul, corrupting everything in its path. Dead but walking is one way to describe it. You feel numb, but you still remember when you actually felt something. Somehow that makes it harder to bear.”

Welch, Edward T.. Hope for the Depressed: Beyond a "Cheer-Up" Theology . New Growth Press. Kindle Edition.

You aren’t alone, of course. Depression affects as much as 25% of the population. But statistics offer little comfort. In fact, a depressive spin on them can make you feel worse: You wonder why so many people are depressed, and you’re afraid that means there is no solution to the problem. Yet there is another perspective. God tells us that he cares about one wandering sheep in a hundred () and counts the hairs on individual heads. If he has this much compassion for a solitary, lost individual, he certainly cares for you and such a large group of suffering people. You may not understand how he cares for you, but you can be certain that he does.

Welch, Edward T.. Hope for the Depressed: Beyond a "Cheer-Up" Theology . New Growth Press. Kindle Edition.

Hebrews 13:5 AV 1873

5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

When you are numb

Suffering Makes us Aware of God.

When suffering comes we either embrace God’s presence and rest in it or we shake our fist at God in anger. Have you ever done both?

“The journey in the wilderness is intended, in part, to reveal what is in our hearts, and to teach us to trust God in both good times and hard times.”

Welch, Edward T.. Hope for the Depressed: Beyond a "Cheer-Up" Theology . New Growth Press. Kindle Edition.

“In your depression, let God reveal your heart. You might find Spiritual issues that contribute to or even cause your depression.”

Welch, Edward T.. Hope for the Depressed: Beyond a "Cheer-Up" Theology . New Growth Press. Kindle Edition.

What path will you choose in your suffering?

Isolated Independence or faith???

“On the road of Faith you are seeking and following God. You are calling out to Him. You don’t understand what is happening, but you have not lost sight of how the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ assure you that he is good. You feel like you are walking in the dark, but in your best moments you are putting one foot in front of the other as an expression of your trust in God. . .On this path, although you are suffering, you are still able to notice and marvel that God’s Spirit is empowering you to trust him through darkness and pain.”

Isolated independence is a path that yo may not even know that you are on. You may not feel like you are intentionally avoiding God, but you just try to survive. Here are some signs that you are pushing God away:

You have no hope, not even in God’s Word. .

Life is meaningless, even though you are a servant of the King. .

Do you think God doesn’t care? .

In many areas of your life, you simply do not believe God.

What are your emotions saying?

This is the way it is with all emotions: fear, anger, anticipation, dread, and so on. They are usually provoked by some circumstance in your life, but they are your responses to those circumstances and your interpretations of them. In other words, they reveal you. For example, to get an unexpected bill can provoke financial concerns in almost anyone. But if you obsess and are chronically fearful about your financial future, that level of fear reveals where you have put your trust: in yourself rather than God. Your emotions reveal you.

Welch, Edward T. . Depression: The Way Up When You’re Feeling Down (p. 11). New Growth Press. Kindle Edition.

Deuteronomy 8:2 AV 1873

2 And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.

Moses declared this to the Israelites while wondering lost in the desert without purpose.

Fear:

To be exposed, to lose a loved one, to be abandoned, to loses control, to die, to have a disabling disease, to see God, of everything.

I am guilty/ashamed:

My own sin, not measuring up to God’s standards, Not being approved by man, not being able to do enough for God, a conscience that is making judgements on incomplete data (e.g. I am taking responsibility for other people’s sins).

I lost something:

Job, healthy, money. . . At the end of the line what you will find you lost the most of was God. Most likely, the thing lost was like god to you; it was where you placed your hope and trust.

I need something:

Can you tell what happens when your desires become the most important thing? Your desires transform into needs. You feel like you must have them in order to live. This is lust, and lust always wants more. It is never satisfied. It is always empty.

James 4:1–3 AV 1873

1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? 2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. 3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

James 4:

I am angry:

You have probably heard that depression can be a way of saying, “I am angry.” Usually, the anger comes because we didn’t get what we wanted from someone else or God himself. This doesn’t mean that you think murderous thoughts about others and shake your fist at God (although some do). Look for quieter expressions of anger, such as complaining, grumbling, lack of forgiveness, or self-pity. If you don’t see them, look again. Almost always, they are a part of things.

Welch, Edward T. . Depression: The Way Up When You’re Feeling Down (p. 14). New Growth Press. Kindle Edition.

Ephesians 4:26 AV 1873

26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

James 3:

James

James 1:19 AV 1873

19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

I Must avoid something, Woe is me, I have no hope:

Romans 5:2–5 AV 1873

2 by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 and patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Romans 2:

“I know my redeemer is with me and I will humbly wait for his deliverance.”

Psalm 27:13–14 AV 1873

13 I had fainted, unless I had believed To see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. 14 Wait on the Lord: Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: Wait, I say, on the Lord.

Help for Depression is in Small, Faithful Obedient Steps.

Depression lies to you. It says things will never be different, and you can’t continue to live in such condition. It says that God does not care and that no one loves you.—Depression lies!

Our emotions are loud, but they do not tell the whole story.

“Will I live for God or will I live for myself and the things I worship?”

As yourself Why like a 3 year old child:

Welch, Edward T. . Depression: The Way Up When You’re Feeling Down (p. 17). New Growth Press. Kindle Edition.

I can’t go on, Why?

I can’t take the pain anymore, Why?

I feel like I am alone, Why?

I don’t believe God is with me, Why?

“Because . . . I don’t trust him, I trust in my interpretation of life that comes from my feelings.”

Why questions lead you to God and your sinfulness before him.

Turn to God and Listen

Confess:

Confessing should be a part of a normal daily routine:

Matthew 6:9–13 AV 1873

9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Confessing sin does not jeopordize a relationship with God, it enhances it.

Romans 7:25 AV 1873

25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

Turn to God and instead of listening to your emotions and therefore to depression, listen to what He says—The center of his message to you is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:28–29 AV 1873

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. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn amongst many brethren.

Practical steps for Help:

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