Depression

Some causes of depression

External circumstances

2 Corinthians 1:8 NKJV

For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so 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 NKJV

Then as he lay and slept under a broom tree, suddenly an angel touched him, and said to him, “Arise and eat.” Then he looked, and there by his head was a cake baked on coals, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank, and lay down again. And the angel of the Lord came back the second time, and touched him, and said, “Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you.” So he arose, and ate and drank; and he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights as far as Horeb, the mountain 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 NKJV

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

Fear of failure

1 Kings 19:4 NKJV

But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!”

See also Ex 4:1; Nu 11:11–15

Serious sin

Matthew 27:3–4 NKJV

Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” And they said, “What is that to us? You see to it!”

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 NKJV

Therefore I hated life because the work that was done under the sun was distressing to me, for all is vanity and grasping for the wind. Then I hated all my labor in which I had toiled under the sun, because I must leave it to the man who will come after me. And who knows whether he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will rule over all my labor in which I toiled and in which I have shown myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity. Therefore I turned my heart and despaired of all the labor in which I had toiled under the sun.

Loss of sense of God’s presence

Psalm 22:1–2 NKJV

My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me, And from the words of My groaning? O My God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not hear; 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 NKJV

If You treat me like this, please kill me here and now—if I have found favor in Your sight—and do not let me 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 NKJV

Then she went and sat down across from him at a distance of about a bowshot; for she said to herself, “Let me not see the death of the boy.” So she sat opposite him, and lifted 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 NKJV

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

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

Perplexity

Psalm 42:5 NKJV

Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope 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 NKJV

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

See also Ps 88:3–9; 2 Co 1:8–9

Escapism

Psalm 55:6–8 NKJV

So I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. Indeed, I would 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 NKJV

My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me, And from the words of My groaning?

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 NKJV

Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.

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

Praise

Psalm 30:1 NKJV

I will extol You, O Lord, for You have lifted me up, And have not let my foes 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 NKJV

I will remember the works of the Lord; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old. I will also meditate on all Your work, And talk of Your deeds.

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

Prayer

Philippians 4:6–7 NKJV

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 understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

See also Ps 139:23