Depression

Some causes of depression

External circumstances

2 Corinthians 1:8 KJV 1900

For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:

See also 1 Ki 19:3–4; Job 9:23; Ps 42:1–11; Ps 88:1–18; Joe 1:11

Physical illness or exhaustion

1 Kings 19:5–8 KJV 1900

And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat. And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again. And the angel of the Lord came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee. And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.

See also Ge 21:15–16; Ps 6:1–7; Ps 22:14–17; Ps 31:9–12; Is 38:1–2; Jon 1:5

Fear of others

1 Kings 19:1–3 KJV 1900

And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time. And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beer-sheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there.

Fear of failure

1 Kings 19:4 KJV 1900

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 away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.

See also Ex 4:1; Nu 11:11–15

Serious sin

Matthew 27:3–4 KJV 1900

Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.

See also Ps 25:16–18; Je 14:2–3; Je 14:7; Je 16:9–10; Eze 4:16–17; Eze 7:26–27; Eze 12:19; Re 16:10–11

A sense of the futility of life

Ecclesiastes 2:17–20 KJV 1900

Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit. Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me. And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured, and wherein I have shewed myself wise under the sun. This is also vanity. Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour which I took under the sun.

Loss of sense of God’s presence

Psalm 22:1–2 KJV 1900

My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; And in the night season, and am not silent.

See also Mt 27:46; Mk 15:34

Symptoms of depression

A loathing of life and a desire to end it

Numbers 11:15 KJV 1900

And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness.

See also 1 Ki 19:4; Job 10:1; Ec 2:17; Je 20:15–18; Jon 4:8

Deep sorrow

Genesis 21:16 KJV 1900

And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bowshot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept.

See also Jdg 21:2; 1 Sa 1:10; 1 Sa 1:16; Ps 42:3; Ne 1:4; Ne 2:2; Es 4:1–3; Job 16:16; La 2:11

Loneliness

1 Kings 19:10 KJV 1900

And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

See also Nu 11:14; 1 Ki 19:14

Perplexity

Psalm 42:5 KJV 1900

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him For the help of his countenance.

See also Hab 1:2; Lk 24:17; Jn 16:6

Despair

Job 17:1 KJV 1900

My breath is corrupt, My days are extinct, The graves are ready for me.

See also Ps 88:3–9; 2 Co 1:8–9

Escapism

Psalm 55:6–8 KJV 1900

And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! For then would I fly away, and be at rest. Lo, then would I wander far off, And remain in the wilderness. Selah. I would hasten my escape From the windy storm and tempest.

See also 1 Ki 19:1–3; Je 8:22

Feeling forsaken by God

Psalm 22:1 KJV 1900

My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?

See also Ps 27:9; Ps 38:21; Is 49:14; Je 15:18; La 3:1–20

Examples of spiritual depression

Jdg 6:13; 1 Ki 19:9–18; Ps 22:1–2; Ps 22:6–8; Ps 42:1–7; Ps 42:9–11; Ps 43:1–5

Remedies for depression

Renewed vision of God and being centred upon him

1 Ki 19:11; Is 26:3

See also Je 17:7–8; Ro 8:6

Hope and trust in God

Psalm 42:11 KJV 1900

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, Who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

See also Ps 22:9–11; Ps 22:22–31; Hab 3:16–18

Praise

Psalm 30:1 KJV 1900

I will extol thee, O Lord; for thou hast lifted me up, And hast not made my foes to rejoice over me.

See also Ps 42:5; Ps 107:1–43; Is 61:1–3; 2 Co 4:8–12

Reviewing what God has done

Psalm 77:11–12 KJV 1900

I will remember the works of the Lord: Surely I will remember thy wonders of old. I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.

See also Ps 42:6; Ps 143:5; La 3:19–26; 2 Co 7:6

Prayer

Philippians 4:6–7 KJV 1900

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

See also Ps 139:23