Understanding Depression

Introduction

➟ ➟ ➟ June 18, 1815 - Battle of Waterloo between the French army and British forces and their allies. ensued along the ridge of Mont-St.Jean, just a few miles from Brussels.

The French gathered 72K men with 246 massive guns pointed 1400 yards to the south of the British. The British countered the French with 67K men with 156 guns.

In reflecting on the ferocity of the war, John Kincaid, a British war solider, said he thought this might be the first battle in which everybody was killed.

In reflecting on the ferocity of the war, John Kincaid, a British war solider, said he thought this might be the first battle in which everybody was killed.

By the end of the day, over the space of 6 square miles, 52K men lie dead and wounded.

Looters, soldiers, and plenty of locals, descended on the fields in search of plunder from the dead bodies.

The teeth from 10’s of thousands were collected and made into dentures … becoming known as “Waterloo Teeth.”

➟ ➟ ➟ Those laying dying were stripped of their valuables and then killed.

The shock of the British regarding these actions was palatable … even in moral and desperate combat, civilized enemies don’t engage in this type of behavior.

It’s uncivilized to kill enemy wounded, but it’s unthinkable to kill one’s own wounded … yet many times in the Lord’s army, this is exactly what happens.

Those among us who are emotionally wounded are mistaken for turncoat rebels … and through harsh and uncaring treatment they are shot and left for dead.

This happens more than we may care to admit.

And it comes as more and more Americans are dealing with emotional problems.

It’s almost paradoxical.

We live in a time when technological advances are making life easier.

We live in a time of great prosperity … like at no time before in human history.

It would see that with all the things around us — designed to make life better — we would all be happier.

And yet we’re not.

➟ ➟ ➟ Millions of Americans battle some type of depression.

1 in 5 (20%) Americans can expect to get some form of depression in their lifetime.

2 out 3 (66%) of all cases of depression are not treated.

8 out of 10 (80%) of everyone who experiences depression can get better with proper treatment.

Depression can affect anyone regardless of background, although major depression strikes women twice as often as men.

So, we need to be aware of the problem and seek the proper help.

Preliminary Matters

➟ ➟ ➟ - we are fourfold beings:

Mind - intellect.

Strength - physical.

Soul - spiritual.

➟ ➟ ➟ Heart - emotional.

These four areas are distinct, but interrelated.

When we speak of emotional problems - we are not speaking about spiritual problems. They may lead to spiritual problems … just like they may lead to physical problems.

Our emotional makeup is a component of our own personality — and it can be wounded — just as in our physical body and spiritual person.

One of the most common types of emotional wounds is depression.

Scripture makes a clear distinction between how we deal with the emotionally wounded and the spiritually rebellious.

➟ ➟ ➟

idle (undisciplined) - they are to be admonished or warned with the intent of their being turned from sin.

➟ ➟ ➟ Fainthearted - those discouraged spiritually.

They are to be built up, consoled, or comforted.

➟ ➟ ➟ Weak - referring to those who are powerless. They need help. Compassion. Care exhibited. These are the emotionally wounded.

We must not ignore this distinction.

➟ ➟ ➟ Another important thing to consider...

Sometimes we hear someone say, everyone gets depressed. Reflects an underlying attitude: I’ve been depressed and I snapped out of it without any trouble … and if I did, you can too.

This is a myth. The vast majority of individuals never experience true depression. Only 20-25% of us will experience what we might refer to as clinical depression.

To believe everyone gets depressed and can just “snap out of it,” is to assume everyone has the same emotional strength.

This is not true. We understand everyone has different amounts of physical strength, intellectual capacity, or spiritual ability.

We’re also different emotionally. (You may cry at the drop of a hat. Someone else may not.)

What is Depression?

Art Adams, in his writing for Leaving the Pit Behind, says: Sadness is a normal reaction to the struggles, setbacks, and disappointments of life.

Depression is different from normal sadness by:

➟ ➟ ➟ Engulfing your day-to-day life.

Interfering with your ability to work, study, eat, sleep, and have fun.

There are overwhelming feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and worthlessness. These feelings can be intense and unrelenting … without relief.

Clinical depression is demonstrated in the following signs and symptoms:

➟ ➟ ➟ feelings of helplessness & hopelessness.

Loss of interest in daily activities.

Appetite or weight changes.

Sleep changes.

Anger or irritability.

Loss of energy.

Self-loathing. (Anger turned inward). (Anger turned outward is rage.)

Reckless behavior.

Concentration problems.

Unexplained aches and pains.

It leads to the following changes in behavior and thinking:

➟ ➟ ➟ A general slowing down.

Neglect of responsibilities and appearance.

Poor memory.

Inability to think clearly or concentrate.

Suicidal thoughts, feelings, or behaviors.

Difficulty making decisions.

Negative attitude and outlook.

Like no time in our history, we’re seeing more and more of our young people battle depression. Adams identifies what it looks like:

➟ ➟ ➟ poor performance in school.

Withdrawal from friends or activities.

Anger/rage.

Overreaction to criticism

Suicidal thoughts.

Poor self-esteem or guilt.

Substance abuse or acting out to avoid feelings.

The Bible and Depression

Scripture actually has a lot to say about this. Let me show you how many characters we observe going through real depression:

➟ ➟ ➟ - Cain - his depression was the result of sin.

He globalized the problem saying that wherever he went his life would be in danger.

When you read his words here … there is a lot of emotional pain here … being driven by guilt.

God did something about it. He helped Cain .. gave him a mark .. that said hands off.

➟ ➟ ➟ - Moses - his depression is the result of job issues .. overworked. Filled with dread.

Again, God goes to work and helps him diversify.

He provides help for Moses’ burden to be lightened.

➟ ➟ ➟ - Jonah - political depression - Assyria was Israel’s mortal enemy.

His response to Assyrian repentance is seen in this chapter. He’s actually fighting against God. Not willing to accept God’s plan.

4.6-7 - God intervenes...

➟ ➟ ➟ - David - his depression was a result of his guilt, sin, and family issues.

David was king … used to taking whatever he wanted.

His depression was set up through his poor choices … and it set up the next generation or two.

What I want I take … those actions as a father came back to haunt.

Amnon took Tamar

Absalom took David’s wives and tried to take the kingdom.

David will always teach us the important lesson that “what you do today, matters.”

➟ ➟ ➟ - Job ...

- before his tragedy - Job sat in the gate of the city and had a seat in the square. He was one of the leading city officials … and when the events of hit - he loses his status.

also details his losing his financial status.

He loses his family.

I want to you note how many servants of Job were killed during these calamities (1.15-16) … and who is left to bury his 10 dead children?

There’s a messenger in 1.14, 16, 17, 18. Each one of these servants say, I alone have escaped to tell you.

Can you imagine burying 10 of your dead children?

- he loses his health.

Every indication we have is that while all this is going on, Job is not told why all this is happening. He’s going through it all in real time.

He never charged God or sinned during this event.

Others who battled depression:

➟ ➟ ➟ King Saul (). His depression was caused by his pride. He found himself under the curse of God because of his actions.

➟ ➟ ➟ Ahab (). Vexed. Laid on his bed. Turned his face to the wall. Would not eat. Spirit was sullen. Arrogance led to his depression.

➟ ➟ ➟ Judas (-5). It appears Judas never imagined those he bargained with would actually go through with executing Jesus.

➟ ➟ ➟ When he figured it out, he hanged himself.

➟ ➟ ➟ Jesus (; ; ; ).

He experienced grief over the rejection of God’s grace.

Consider his emotional state in the garden of Gethsemane.

His scourging and crucifixion.

➟ ➟ ➟ - Jesus learned obedience by the things he suffered.

Peter (). Depression caused by the realization he wasn’t who he thought he was. Hard time forgiving himself. Jesus intervenes … helps him … and Peter’s forever message will be that no matter how hard we fall we can always bounce back.

Paul ().

➟ ➟ ➟ Pressure of all the churches. This is a warning to those in church leadership.

Need to be intentional regarding balance, rest, prayer, and downtime.

Need to be intentional regarding balance, rest, prayer, and downtime.

Closeup on Elijah

- Elijah decisively defeats the prophets of Baal. 450 prophets killed.

➟ ➟ ➟ - Jezebel responds.

Over the next few verses, some believe the way Elijah responds are classic symptoms of major depression:

➟ ➟ ➟ 19.3-4a - withdraws from others.

➟ ➟ ➟ 19.4b - wants to die.

➟ ➟ ➟ 19.4c - feels worthless.

➟ ➟ ➟ 19.14 - deals with loneliness.

There are many factors here affecting his emotional health...

His temperament … many of the prophets were deeply emotional because of the magnitude of their message.

➟ ➟ ➟ 19.5-7 - his physical condition - fatigue, poor nutrition - dark moods come at night.

19.2 - life’s experiences - just received a death threat. Some things are just emotionally devastating.

God’s Answer for Elijah

What God did not do:

➟ ➟ ➟ condemn Elijah for a lack of faith.

➟ ➟ ➟ order Elijah to “snap out of it,” and “deal with it.”

➟ ➟ ➟ 19.8 - the exchange between God and Elijah went on for 40 days.

If they could, depressed people would “snap out of it.”

➟ ➟ ➟ minimize Elijah’s pain.

➟ ➟ ➟ threaten to leave.

➟ ➟ ➟ What did God do?

➟ ➟ ➟ 19.5-8 - provides for Elijah’s physical well being. God gave him some much needed rest.

➟ ➟ ➟ 19.9-10 - he listened to Elijah … we need to listen .. not always advise.

➟ ➟ ➟ 19.10 - replaced his thought distortions with truth.

➟ ➟ ➟ 19.18 - a rational response. 7000 in Israel …have not bowed to Baal.

➟ ➟ ➟ 19.15-16a - God gave him work to do.

➟ ➟ ➟ anoint Jehu and Elisha.

Got him busy.

Low standards in the beginning … and then up from there. Anointing someone not nearly as heavy as taking on priests of Baal.

➟ ➟ ➟ 19.11-12 - God comforted Elijah by His presence. Depression often requires special attention and careful treatment.

Conclusion

➟ ➟ ➟ If you’re battling depression … please know you are not a faithless rebel or emotional outcast.

You possess a nature just like Elijah’s.

God will help.

We move forward in faith.

We move forward in faith.

Faith does not see going forward. Faith sees by looking backward… seeing God’s deliverance every single time.

How did David succeed in when facing Goliath?

He looked back and saw God’s deliverance when he fought the lion and the bears.

Those victories propelled him forward … he moves forward with the tremendous victory over Goliath.

If your depression is the Goliath in your life right now.... there is hope. You’re not alone.

➟ ➟ ➟ - God heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

➟ ➟ ➟ Serenity Prayer (Long Version)

God, give us grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed, Courage to change the things which should be changed, and the Wisdom to distinguish the one from the other.

Living one day at a time, Enjoying one moment at a time, Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace, Taking, as Jesus did, This sinful world as it is, Not as I would have it, Trusting that You will make all things right, If I surrender to Your will, So that I may be reasonably happy in this life, And supremely happy with You forever in the next.

Living one day at a time, Enjoying one moment at a time, Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace, Taking, as Jesus did, This sinful world as it is, Not as I would have it, Trusting that You will make all things right, If I surrender to Your will, So that I may be reasonably happy in this life, And supremely happy with You forever in the next.