Overcoming Depression
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Greetings…
According to the World Health Organization, roughly 265 million people “worldwide” suffer from some sort of depression with about 800,000 committing suicide each year. 1
Here in America a little over 17 million suffer with what is called “major depressive disorder which equates to about 7 out of every 100 adults. 2
Of those 17 million that are said to have had major depressive episodes 63.8% of adults and 70.77% of adolescents have had “severe impairment.” 3
According to the CDC women are nearly twice as likely as men to have depression. 4
Now, medically speaking, you won’t find much if any information, from secular materials, concerning the difference between spiritual depression and medical depression.
Spiritual Depression:
This could be anything from being a non child of God or wayward child of God to one that feels extremely discouraged or distressed due to circumstances one is going through.
Medical Depression:
This could be anything that causes one to be discouraged or distressed because of a chemical or neurological imbalance.
Discouragement vs Depression.
Discouragement:
Discouragement is a temporary feeling of disappointment or a disheartening that comes about due to an unfortunate turn of events. The key word here is temporary.
Depression:
Depression is discouragement that isn’t dealt with, which in turn cuts short or even destroys one’s ability to function as a mentally healthy and happy person.
Today we are going to focus on spiritual depression, however, I will discuss medical depression where it fits with the spiritual depression.
With that in mind let’s examine the lesson for today.
Not A Modern Issue
Not A Modern Issue
Illustrations Of Discouragement.
Illustrations Of Discouragement.
Jesus dealt with discouragement.
Isaiah prophesied concerning the coming Messiah in Isaiah 49:4.
4 But I said, “I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely my right is with the Lord, and my recompense with my God.”
The Psalmist depicts the thoughts of Jesus on the cross in Psalm 22.
1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? 2 O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest.
The apostle Paul dealt with this on some what of a constant level.
After discussing the battle between what he ends up doing (sinning) verse what he wants to do (live perfectly) Paul cries out in Romans 7:24.
24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?
Illustrations Of Depression.
Illustrations Of Depression.
King Saul dealt with depression.
The first king of Israel dealt with depression after God took away Saul’s kingdom due to his sin.
14 But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and a distressing spirit from the Lord troubled him.
This simply means God allowed Saul to reap the mental consequences of his rebellious actions.
Saul had what we earlier described as “major depression episodes” many times.
8 Then Saul was very angry, and the saying displeased him; and he said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed only thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?” 9 So Saul eyed David from that day forward. 10 And it happened on the next day that the distressing spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied inside the house. So David played music with his hand, as at other times; but there was a spear in Saul’s hand.
Judas Iscariot dealt with depression.
Judas’ depression was so swift and powerful it led to suicide.
3 Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, 4 saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” 5 And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself.
Job is another one that dealt with deep depression after suffering such great loss.
Job lost his family, wealth, health, and friends which led him to wish he hadn’t even been born.
16 Or why was I not as a hidden stillborn child, as infants who never see the light?
Elijah dealt with depression.
Elijah thought there would be a great spiritual awakening when God demonstrating he is the only true God against the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18:20-40.
However, that isn’t what happened Jezebel, instead of repenting, sought to kill Elijah instead.
Elijah fled into the wilderness where he was so depressed, because he felt so alone, that he asked God if he could die.
4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.”
9 There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10 He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.”
Summary
Summary
Discouragement and depression are things we go through that can make us feel all alone and unique in our situation.
In fact most people that suffer from depression in general “feel like” they are the “only ones” going through it, even if they intellectually understand that isn’t the case.
I wanted to to let everyone here know that not only has everyone here gone through times of discouragement but most likely everyone here has gone through a bout or more of depression.
What you have gone through in the past or are going through now isn’t isolated to you, you are not alone.
So how do we…
Prevail Over
Prevail Over
Bouts Of Discouragement.
Bouts Of Discouragement.
Several things in this life can lead one to suffer discouragement and must be dealt with as quick as possible.
Physical injury or illness: Illustration: Car accident, cancer, etc…
One must come face to face with the fact that things are now different and cannot change, therefore self-pity is not the answer.
This one must remember they are still highly blessed by God and those that love them.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Financial disaster: Illustration: Great depression when people killed themselves when the stock market crashed in 1929.
One must learn that material things are just that material and not spiritual.
7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.
21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Being forsaken by a close friend: Illustration: When someone whom is greatly trusted stabs them in the back.
How does a married person deal with their spouses adultery or the Christian that is forsaken by their mentor in the spirit?
8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.
16 At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! 17 But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth.
Death of a loved one: Illustration: Husband, wife, child, parent…
This discouragement can be the hardest to overcome, but it isn’t impossible especially for those we know that were faithful unto death.
13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.
Even if the one we loved wasn’t faithful we must come to grips with that reality and remember they would not want us joining them in the afterlife.
27 And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house— 28 for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’
Sin and guilt from past sins: Illustration: Having a hard time feeling forgiven..
Much of the Christians discouragement comes from “godly grief or sorrow” that stems from the sins we commit even though we know better. Thankfully that godly sorrow is what motivates us to repent and confess which leads to our forgiveness (1 John 1:8). We over come by understanding our God, the judge of us, will remember those things against no more.
12 For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.”
What happens when we find ourselves past bouts of discouragement and rather dealing with…
Bouts Of Depression.
Bouts Of Depression.
When we find ourselves beyond discouragement and fighting against depression how can we “overcome it or prevail against it?”
Elijah is a great case to study because God recognizes Elijah’s depression is systematically gives him what is needed to overcome.
Let’s examine God’s response to Elijah’s depression.
Let’s read 1 Kings 19:5-21.
5 And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, “Arise and eat.” 6 And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again. 7 And the angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.”
8 And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God. 9 There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10 He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.”
11 And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. 13 And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
14 He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” 15 And the Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. 16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place.
17 And the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha put to death. 18 Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.” 19 So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen in front of him, and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and cast his cloak upon him.
20 And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, “Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?” 21 And he returned from following him and took the yoke of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh with the yokes of the oxen and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and went after Elijah and assisted him.
There are five distinct things that happen for Elijah by God.
First God provides physical nourishment (5-7).
Hot bread to eat and water to drink.
Second, rest. (6)
Rest is vital to thinking clearly and having what it physically takes to mentally overcome.
Third, quietness. (8)
Elijah was sent to the “mount of God” to reflect.
Fourth, work. (15-16)
God sent Elijah back to work for him.
Fifth, fellowship. (19-21)
God sent Elijah, Elisha to help.
Summary
Summary
With physical nourishment, proper rest, adequate reflection, good works, and great fellowship anyone can overcome spiritual depression.
Conclusion
Conclusion
How can you know if you are dealing with spiritual depression or mental depression?
If you strive your absolute best, spiritually, and yet still cannot find yourself getting over the hump know there is nothing wrong with asking for medial help.
There is no shame in knowing you have done all you can do and you need help from a professional doctor.
Remember no matter what God knows your struggle.
8 You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?
Invitation
1 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; 2 but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.
6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,
32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.
8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,
3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
Endnotes
Endnotes
World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression
National Institute of Mental Health: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/major-depression.shtml
Ibid
Center For Disease Control: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db303.htm