Healing the Broken - Part 6 - Depression

For being the most WONDERFUL time of the year, Christmas can also be a season of DEPRESSION for many people. The stress of parties, gift buying, financial strain, confronting people who have caused pain in social situations, and unmet expectations all add to the “moodiness” that so many experience this time of year.

You may be here this morning with a smile on your face, but pain in your heart, loneliness, sadness, and just wanting to run and hide in a corner.

Depression is very real!

Everyone experiences some form of depression throughout our lives

It has various roots and causes from personality, physical issues, and emotional wounds that have been untended to

It can be destabilizing

Psalm 42:1–7 NLT

1 As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. 2 I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him? 3 Day and night I have only tears for food, while my enemies continually taunt me, saying, “Where is this God of yours?” 4 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! 5 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 6 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. 7 I hear the tumult of the raging seas as your waves and surging tides sweep over me.

Here is David calling upon God as he feels discouragement and depression.

The Bible depicts many characters and incidents dealing with depression.

In fact every realm of depression is dealt with over 48 Psalms found in Scripture.

The following are main characters of the Bible who dealt with deep depression -

Elijah - we find him deeply depressed by the brook after major spiritual battles

Job was depressed after his great loss of all things

David as we see above and on other occasions as life circumstances became overwhelming

Jonah was deeply depressed to the point of asking to die after saving the city of Ninevah

Jesus even demonstrated depression under the weight of facing death while He was in the garden

1. Recognize and Accept Depression

Unfortunately, Christians have this idea that we are NEVER to be depressed. That if we are depressed or struggling with depression than something must be wrong in our lives.

This perspective causes us to actually go deeper into depression.

We should never PUNISH ourselves for our feelings. FEELINGS ARE FEELINGS - EMOTIONS ARE A PART OF BEING HUMAN, GOD CREATED THEM to give us indicators of things needing to be adjusted, corrected or dealt with!

To think being a Christian would exempt us from experiencing depression is to lack understanding of God’s Word and the many characters ( some mentioned) who experienced it - including Christ would be an error.

You are no less spiritual or Christ like because you have experienced depression.

DEPRESSION CAN BE SOURCED FROM MULTIPLE SOURCES

SIN

Now realize that not all depression comes from sin! However, there is a source that does come from feeling the guilt of our wrong choices. Often when we are experiencing the consequences of those choices and are unable to escape them.

If you can trace a guilt feeling to a particular act or attitude it is real guilt!

Guilt from transgressing God or another person - and the more we fight the validity of the guilt - the deeper the depression can grow.

When we choose to MOURN our sinful choice or action, repent - than our mourning can turn back to JOY through the powerful forgiveness of God and man. Grace restores the joy!

Psalm 30:11 NLT

11 You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy,

2. Pseudo Guilt

Pseudo Guilt is not sin, but living under guilt and accusation and condemnation without a link to a particular behavior.

Pseudo - meaning FALSE - spurious, a sham

Perhaps you were always made to feel guilty about something you didn’t need to feel guilty for!

A parent or spouse spent much time guilting your choices or behavior that were not acts of sin, so you find yourself in the wallows of unworthiness always living under condemnation.

Look back at the things that force behavior reflective of low self esteem, perfectionsim, condemnation

pseudo guilt has need of healing in our hearts and minds against the strongholds of human reasoning that condemns

2 Corinthians 10:4–5 NLT

4 We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.

Often we are experiencing depression from made up guilt - maybe we need to just forgive ourselves and move on!

Stop beating ourselves up!

3. Depression from Physical Causes

- Depression is also a sign of physical things being wrong with us. A depressed immune system can result in a depressed mood.

- Hormone fluctuation can lead to depression in both men and women.

- Some illnesses can depress the mood

- Chemical breaks in the brain (a physical component that creates depression)

You cannot condemn oneself for what your body is doing, but have to recognize there may be a need for physical illness to be treated - the self condemnation only intensifies the depression.

4. Depression from Personality

God has allowed each of us to have varying personalities with strengths and weaknesses. Some personality types are more prone to depression.

Salvation deals with sin and changes us, but us does not negate our personality types. However, every personality has strengths and weaknesses and areas they must learn to overcome and surrender to Christ.

That is why Paul said in my weakness He becomes strong!

2 Corinthians 12:9–10 NLT

9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

It allows us to learn to rely on Christ for our victory rather than in our strength and control.

In this sense it is good to recognize our personality and how it relates to others and ourselves so we can surrender it to Jesus for His help and strength.

5. Depression from Outside Sources

The enemy will endeavor to use circumstances and spiritual warfare against the people of God in bringing depression or uncontrollable, unfixable things into our lives to discourage us.

This is the time in our lives that we have to find our hope in Christ! That place of ultimate abandon to the Lord. When we seek the things of this world for comfort or strength, we often substitute them for truly trusting God. We say we trust God, but that which is tangible is so much easier.

Psalm 42:11 NLT

11 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!

Regardless of what is going on around us, it is this place of solely hoping in the Lord. That is more than words, but surrendering the heart to trust God in every circumstance.

If others are bringing pain into our lives, this becomes a challenge until we apply those principles of forgiveness we have been speaking of, and releasing the cares to Jesus.

1 Peter 5:7 NLT

7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

-----------------------------------

It is not a matter of if you have depression, but when you will experience it!

Everybody does, some more than others.

The sources being many and for different cause each needing to be addressed differently.

Needless to say, when it occurs it can have an effect spiritually upon us, as discouragement can easily side swipe our faith. That is why remaining in the Word of God, being in fellowship with the body of Christ, having a place of prayer and praise are all so important in the believer’s life.

2. SIGNS of Depression

A little different than the sources, roots of depression help us look at practical occurences in order to deal with depression directly.

FATIGUE

When we live beyond our limitations we create a fatigue that wears us down physically and mentally and can cause depression. We are human!!!

Someone once told me - when you are feeling anxious, depressed, upset ask yourself”

Do I need to sleep?

Do I need a bath?

Do I need to eat or drink water?

These are some basic human conditions that if we ignore can wear us down.

We could add a few more things to this list -

Am I carrying around too much pressure?

Am I spending monies beyond my limits to pay (building debt)?

2 cor 4.7-

2 Corinthians 4:7–9 NLT

7 We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. 8 We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. 9 We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.

2 Corinthians 4:16 NLT

16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.

We don’t give up, but sometimes we need to recognize when we are on overload - and remove some expectation and tend to our physical need. God expects us to take care of ourselves.

2. Reactions to Circumstances

a. Indecision

Indecision is a coping mechanism for many people, but it is one that leaves us frozen and often depressed.

The inability to commit to something for fear of the consequence actually creates consequence.

We may think we are avoiding having to face consequences of our choices, but by not choosing or making decisions we are making a choice that leaves us still feeling powerless and trapped.

It is better to use our energy to carry out a choice than to use it postponing one.

Often indecision is fear of saying No because we dont want to offend or hurt someone, or even ourself.

There are some circumstances in life that someone will always be hurt. Avoiding the circumstance does nothingto improve it.

Fear of saying yes comes from not wanting to take responsibility and risk.

So many struggle with both of these things because of guilt, consequences, rejection, etc experienced at previous choices and decisions made in life. So, rather than deal with that pain, they avoid decision making - which leaves them in depression!

James 1:8 NKJV

8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

James 1:5–8 NLT

5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. 6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 7 Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.

b. Anger

We mentioned last week how depression comes from frozen anger. When conflict has occured and is unresolved - thus the need to deal with conflict swiftly...

Anger itself is not a sin - unless we handle it wrong or ignore it… the longer it sets, the more dangerous it becomes

Ephesians 4:26 NLT

26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry,

c. Injustice

Feeling helpless when treated unfairly

whether by a friend, family member, society, business, employer, school, etc.

It can be just as bad when a stranger commits an injustice as a known and trusted person...

(Can I add something - if you are feeling injustice, you need to watch what you feed my your spirit - even the nicest of TV shows or news reporting can make you feel that pain more deeply.)

I remember one year being treated very unfairly by a Church Board who was out of order - I found myself getting mad watching a Christmas Movie - It’s A Wonderful Life --

When we are in the midst of injustice, we have to guard our hearts and minds while we surrender our emotions to Christ and allow them to heal.

Philippians 4:7 NLT

7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6–8 NLT

6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. 8 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.

Nothing can bring peace like focusing on Christ through prayer. As hard as it seems to get to prayer, the enemy will distract you and tell you that you need something else, but when you surrender to Christ in that place, His peace is powerful.

We have to press through until we have reached the throne of mercy.

V.8 tells us to fix our thoughts on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable

Why? anything else can feed the injustice!

Sometimes that takes isolation in a quiet place with God and His Word and surrendering our spirit to His to hear His voice and experience His peace

3. Tools to Overcome Depression

First, is taking the time to RECOGNIZE AND RESOLVE THOSE SOURCES AND SIGNS OF DEPRESSION!

You may be feeling the depression and negative emotion, but stop to understand why?

Is there a source of physical ailment or sense of guilt - real or false? An exterior circumstance??

Are you showing signs of fatigue, indecision, anger or injustice?

Is there someone or thing you are holding OUGHT against, a debt against for harming you, and you feel that frozen anger due to unforgiveness???

All counseling pretty much deals with letting go of anger and pain, forgiving or at least letting people free of what we feel they owe us! IT is discovering the roots and recognizing the signs so we can apply these principles.

Here is we return to our 6 steps in Healing for Damaged Emotions:

Face the pain

Accept our responsibility (whether part of problem or reaction, etc)

Choose to OVERCOME

Forgive others

Forgive ourselves

Ask the Spirit’s help to bring us through to the other side

b. Another tool is to AVOID BEING ALONE

Don’t isolate yourself. Except for getting alone with God, do not build walls between you and others!

Your isolation will become alienation - sometimes we have to force ourselves to be with people.

Hebrews 10:25 NLT

25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

Coming together as the body of Christ is INTENTIONAL connection with others for the purpose of encouragement. The enemy wants to isolate you to keep you bound in your depression.

If there are not friends and family, there is always Jesus!

Hebrews 13:5 NLT

5 Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”

Hebrews 13:5 NLT

5 Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”

There is also strength that comes from others..

Proverbs 11:14 NKJV

14 Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

The voices of other Godly Christians can help us get our perspective back because depression warps our perspective.

c. MAKE MUSIC and PRAISE UNTO THE LORD

1 Samuel 16:23 NLT

23 And whenever the tormenting spirit from God troubled Saul, David would play the harp. Then Saul would feel better, and the tormenting spirit would go away.

There is power in praise and worship music!

Isaiah 61:3 NKJV

3 To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”

Isaiah 61:3 NLT

3 To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory.

God can turn mourning into dancing - sorrow into joy! Beauty to blessing!

When we put on praise and the enemy flees - we focus on all the power and blessing of God and take our eyes off of what is dragging us down. When we see His power, and yield to it in praise, we make a way for hope to enter our hearts.

That is why Paul writes to us to give thanks in all things.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT

18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Thankfulness alters our perspective from complaining to realizing the blessings we have.

d. Lean Heavily on God’s Word

Hebrews 4:12 NLT

12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

The Word of God brings us to to the depth of our being and helps expose our heart.

It is also our sword against the spiritual attacks of the enemy. When depression is spiritual, when it connects to the weapons of the enemy against the Christian, - the WORD IS THE OFFENSIVE WEAPON

Ephesians 6:17 NLT

17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Read that WORD - ALOUD IF NEEDED

There are 48 Psalms that deal with depression.

Allow the WORD to encourage and uplift your heart.

e. Rest in God’s Presence

John 16:20 NLT

20 I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy.

Jesus wants to turn our sorrow into joy if we will let Him. Take time to rest in His presence - prayer, communion with God, praise, the Word, all means of connecting with Christ.

you may not feel His presence at first, but if you settled your spirit and give Him time, He will come!!!

Kimberly’s grandfather once prayed and started by saying - “Lord, I don’t feel the Spirit, but I know He will come.”

There is powerful truth if we will tarry and wait upon the Lord, that He will come.

Isaiah 40:31 NKJV

31 But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

----------------------

CONCLUSION

We will all get depressed!

What is the source and signs of our depression --- is it something we need to tend to, or do we need to come through the principles of forgiveness, prayer, praise and presence?

If sin is involved - ask forgiveness and forgive yourself

If you struggle with a melancholy personality - Turn to praise, prayer and Scripture

If there is a physical reason - address it - take care of yourself - we are stewards of this body God has entrusted to us

If you have received injustice or are angry - forgive others

Remember, you are not alone in a season of depression - God is always with you, many characters of the Bible have been there as well - FIX YOUR EYES ON CHRIST and He will bring you through.