Depression

Some causes of depression

External circumstances

2 Corinthians 1:8 NASB95

For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life;

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Physical illness or exhaustion

1 Kings 19:5–8 NASB95

He lay down and slept under a juniper tree; and behold, there was an angel touching him, and he said to him, “Arise, eat.” Then he looked and behold, there was at his head a bread cake baked on hot stones, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank and lay down again. The angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise, eat, because the journey is too great for you.” So he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mountain of God.

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Fear of others

1 Kings 19:1–3 NASB95

Now Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So may the gods do to me and even more, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.” And he was afraid and arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.

Fear of failure

1 Kings 19:4 NASB95

But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree; and he requested for himself that he might die, and said, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take my life, for I am not better than my fathers.”

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Serious sin

Matthew 27:3–4 NASB95

Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He had been condemned, he felt remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? See to that yourself!”

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A sense of the futility of life

Ecclesiastes 2:17–20 NASB95

So I hated life, for the work which had been done under the sun was grievous to me; because everything is futility and striving after wind. Thus I hated all the fruit of my labor for which I had labored under the sun, for I must leave it to the man who will come after me. And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have control over all the fruit of my labor for which I have labored by acting wisely under the sun. This too is vanity. Therefore I completely despaired of all the fruit of my labor for which I had labored under the sun.

Loss of sense of God’s presence

Psalm 22:1–2 NASB95

My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Far from my deliverance are the words of my groaning. O my God, I cry by day, but You do not answer; And by night, but I have no rest.

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Symptoms of depression

A loathing of life and a desire to end it

Numbers 11:15 NASB95

“So if You are going to deal thus with me, please kill me at once, if I have found favor in Your sight, and do not let me see my wretchedness.”

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Deep sorrow

Genesis 21:16 NASB95

Then she went and sat down opposite him, about a bowshot away, for she said, “Do not let me see the boy die.” And she sat opposite him, and lifted up her voice and wept.

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Loneliness

1 Kings 19:10 NASB95

He said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the sons of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars and killed Your prophets with the sword. And I alone am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.”

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Perplexity

Psalm 42:5 NASB95

Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him For the help of His presence.

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Despair

Job 17:1 NASB95

“My spirit is broken, my days are extinguished, The grave is ready for me.

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Escapism

Psalm 55:6–8 NASB95

I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. “Behold, I would wander far away, I would lodge in the wilderness. Selah. “I would hasten to my place of refuge From the stormy wind and tempest.”

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Feeling forsaken by God

Psalm 22:1 NASB95

My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Far from my deliverance are the words of my groaning.

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Examples of spiritual depression

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Remedies for depression

Renewed vision of God and being centred upon him

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Hope and trust in God

Psalm 42:11 NASB95

Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.

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Praise

Psalm 30:1 NASB95

I will extol You, O Lord, for You have lifted me up, And have not let my enemies rejoice over me.

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Reviewing what God has done

Psalm 77:11–12 NASB95

I shall remember the deeds of the Lord; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old. I will meditate on all Your work And muse on Your deeds.

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Prayer

Philippians 4:6–7 NASB95

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

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