Brave Part 4 – Dealing with Depression

WARM-UP

Depression usually starts with physical “Ds” – Disaster, Divorce, and Death. Then, these physical “Ds” lead to emotional “Ds” – Disappointments, Discouragement, Despair, Distress, and Discontent. These emotional “Ds” rob us of our joy, our future, and our hope. And it is these things that bring upon us the biggest emotional disaster of them all, and that is, depression.

ONE BIG IDEA

Depression is a disease of the soul that blackens and blots out God’s love from a person’s heart.

STUDY (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.”

LEARN

WHAT IS DEPRESSION?

Depression is sometimes referred to as the COMMON COLD of EMOTIONS. However, depression is more of an emotional CANCER than a COLD. Depression is one of the most prevalent disorders there is, and research suggests it’s caused by a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, psychological, and spiritual factors.. Depression is also a disease of the soul and often flows from a LACK OF FAITH in God. It gets us to the point where we feel like life itself has no meaning or purpose.

Depression causes symptoms that affect how we feel, think, and handle daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working. Signs and symptoms of depression include persistent sadness and anxiety. One of the biggest misnomers and one of the most damaging is the belief that once someone becomes a Christian they should never be depressed.

But believers can be just as depressed if not more so than the general population because we’ve got an enemy, Satan, whose really good at putting circumstances in our path to discourage and depress. We see many stories within the Bible of some of the strongest men of faith going through bouts of depression: Job (Job 1:1, Job 6:8-9), Elijah (1 Kings 19:4), and King David (Psalm 42:3, Psalm 6:6-7).

REASONS FOR DEPRESSION:

FATIGUE – It’s when we’re tired and worn out, when we’re under a lot of stress, it’s then that everything looks and feels impossible. When we are physically and emotionally exhausted that we become the most vulnerable and susceptible. After David and his men returned to their homes in the city of Ziklag they found their city burned and their families taken captive. (1 Samuel 30:4 NKJV)

FRUSTRATIONS – Frustrations come from the daily interruptions and inconveniences that happen in life. When rebuilding the wall surrounding Jerusalem, the people became discouraged and depressed because in their eyes the pile of rubble they were pulling stones from didn’t seem to be getting any  smaller. (Nehemiah 4:10 NKJV)

FAILURE – We all fail at one time or another. The Psalmist said in Psalm 73:26, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever (NKJV).” Failing at something doesn’t make a person a failure.

FEAR – Fear overwhelms, especially the “what ifs.” What if this or that happens, what if the doctors say this or diagnosis that? Fear also paralyzes and sabotages any chance we have of getting ourselves out of the dumps. It strangles the life right out of us and drains all of our desires. This is why Paul said in (Romans 8:15 NKJV).

HOW TO HANDLE DEPRESSION:

Reinforce Weaknesses

To combat depression, we need to be strategic, because we are up against an enemy who already has his battle plans set out. Paul tells us to get ourselves armed so that we can combat Satan’s strategies. (Ephesians 6:10-11 NLT). Peter tells us that Satan is literally out for blood (1 Peter 5:8 NKJV). We need to know where we’re the most vulnerable and susceptible to attacks. This may be the reason why the writer of Hebrews tells us to remain in fellowship; to remain committed to church because it’s there that we will be encouraged and be used to encourage others.. (Hebrews 10:25 NKJV).

Rely Upon God

This is exactly what David did that turned the tide and prevented depression from settling. (1 Samuel 30:6 NKJV). To rely upon God is to remember that it’s the Lord who helps us, and there isn’t anything that God doesn’t see or can’t do. Jesus is the only one we can depend upon. Jesus is our rock, our refuge, and our strong tower of defense.

Refuse To Quit

Paul was someone who could have easily been depressed. He was whipped, beaten, stoned, and left for dead. He was imprisoned, and shipwrecked, and constantly in peril from both the Jews and Gentiles (2 Corinthians 11:23-27). He could have easily fallen into despair, but He knew God’s plan and purpose and it kept him from becoming depressed.

We need to know God’s plan and purpose and refuse to give in to the enemy’s strategy to get us depressed and unable to fulfill God’s calling upon our lives. (Galatians 6:9 NKJV).

Rebuke the Devil

James 4:7 “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you (NKJV).” We need to realize that while these are physical symptoms to emotional problems, there is in reality a spiritual battle going on. What we do, however, is that we take medicine to deal with the physical problems not realizing we’re facing and battling spiritual forces. (Ephesians 6:12  NKJV). In other words, Satan has his demons arranged against us in and through disappointments, discouragement, despair, distress, and discontent. We therefore need to know this reality and fight the good fight of faith so that we can be overcomers of depression.

We need to be careful not to lose heart when things go wrong or bad. Instead we need to encourage ourselves in the Lord like David. We should remember the following promises of God: The Lord is our refuge and strength, our help in time of trouble (Psalm 46:1).  When we’re tired and worn out we can come to Jesus who will gives strength to the weary and empowers those who are weak (Matthew 11:28; Isaiah 40:29).

GROW:

Application Questions:

1. Have you experienced deep sadness before that turned into depression? What were/are the signs that you were/are going through depression? How did/do you deal with this emotional roller coaster of depression?
2. How do you respond when feelings of sadness and depression set in your life? Do you seek help from other people? (Psychiatrist, Pastor, Christian friend, family member, God)
3. Which part of the sermon impacted you the most? How do you resolve now to overcome depression?