1 Lesson: Dealing With Depression; DON’T GET DEPRESSED GET DETERMINED! Clinical Depression: A mental health disorder characterized by persistently depressed mood or loss of interest in activities, causing significant impairment in daily life. Possible causes include a combination of biological, psychological, and social sources of distress. Increasingly, research suggests these factors may cause changes in brain function, including altered activity of certain neural circuits in the brain. The persistent feeling of sadness or loss of interest that characterizes major depression can lead to a range of behavioral and physical symptoms. These may include changes in sleep, appetite, energy level, concentration, daily behavior, or self-esteem. Depression can also be associated with thoughts of suicide. The mainstay of treatment is usually medication, talk therapy, or a combination of the two. Increasingly, research suggests these treatments may normalize brain changes associated with depression. (The Bible shows that humanity has suffered from discouragement and depression since the beginning. Depression can affect all people, small and great. Many Bible heroes, such as David, Moses, Job and Elijah, dealt with it. What can we learn from their examples and biblical principles?) Consider the Old Testament prophet Elijah. Elijah had a close relationship with God and was used mightily by Him. Many people acknowledged the greatness of God through the prophet. Elijah encouraged many people. He helped a widow and her son who were down- and-out and had only enough food for one more meal. Elijah told the widow that God would provide, and He did. Later, when her son died, Elijah asked God to bring him back to life, and God did. This widow's hope was restored through Elijah. Elijah did many other amazing works by the power of God, but the Bible shows that even great men of God can get tripped up by the trials and challenges of living God's way in a world under the sway of Satan. The story of Elijah's descent into depression is a classic. Not only was Elijah hated and threatened with death by the evil Queen Jezebel, he also felt his work had been in vain and that no one else was supporting God. “Then 1 2 Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him. But if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people did not answer a word. 22Then Elijah said to the people, “I am the only remaining prophet of the LORD, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets”( I KINGS 18: 21). Elijah felt totally alone, vulnerable and hopeless. Being human like you and me, the pressure started to weigh on him. Elijah became overwhelmed and wanted to quit. No one knew Elijah’s condition of depression, but God. God knew it and approached him and Elijah told God that he had been doing his best, but it was all for nothing. Elijah told God he was tired and just wanted to quit and die! THIS IS THE CLASSIC DEFINITION OF DEPRESSION! Then God did something surprising. First He put on a display of His power to remind him of Who God is. He sent a hurricane and then an earthquake. But God was not in either. Second immediately afterward, he comforted Elijah by talking with him in a gentle whisper. God also quietly told Elijah that He had more work for him to do and let him know he wasn't alone. God showed Elijah He was more than just a mighty God of power. He was also a compassionate God that cared. Elijah's hope was restored (1 Kings 19:1-18). Share MY Story What Does the Bible Say About Depression? Perhaps you are tired too. Does it seem like you're doing your best, only to have one crisis after another come upon you? Do you feel like the world is crashing down on you, and there's nothing you can do about it? Do you want to just give up? God's Word has plenty to say about discouragement and depression and how to deal with both. We should also recognize that more severe forms of depression can lead to or be caused by certain physical and psychological disorders. We would encourage anyone suffering from severe depression to seek the guidance of a trained counselor or mental health professional. In addition to applying the biblical tools discussed in this study. Let's look at some relevant Biblical scriptures, in order to learn what God says to do to help overcome depression and its negative effects. 2 3 Notice what God says the root cause of depression? 1. Loss of hope. Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life. Proverbs 18:14 (New Living Translation) The human spirit can endure a sick body, but who can bear it if the spirit is crushed? Job 7:6, 11 "My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent without hope... "Therefore I will not restrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul." We become depressed when we lose hope. When we see no end in sight to our problems, thoughts of just giving up will surface. 2. Beware : the devil will take advantage of these moments of weakness? Ephesians 6:11-12 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 2 Corinthians 2:7, 11 So that, on the contrary, you ought rather to forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow. Lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices. Satan and his demons want you and me to fail. They want us to give up. So when we are discouraged, Satan will make sure he broadcasts his evil thoughts and ways toward us. We must guard our thoughts, or our minds will pick up on his wavelength, and we will become even more discouraged (1 Peter 5:6-9, says, “6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.). The first place you should go when you’re depressed? Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." 3 4 Psalm 61:1-4 Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For You have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. Philippians 4:6-7 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. Both the devil and our human nature doesn't want us to acknowledge we need help. But God tells us to go to Him when we are discouraged. Although Satan tries to broadcast his evil thoughts to us, God protects us and gives us amazing and powerful peace of mind. As God strengthened Elijah's hope, He can strengthen ours as well (Psalm 31:24, Says, “4 Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.” Look at: Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12, “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” Proverbs 27:10 (New Living Translation) Never abandon a friend—either yours or your father's. Then in your time of need, you won't have to ask your relatives for assistance. It is better to go to a neighbor than to a relative who lives far away. Turning inward is not the way to deal with depression. We need to be with our friends so they can encourage and help us. As we read earlier, Satan is compared to a roaring lion. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” 9 A lion attacks one that is weak and separated from the herd.