Depression (Feelings of dejection, sadness, apathy, inertia, difficulty in gaining energy or excitement, fatigue, pessimism, hopelessness, fear, attitudes of worthlessness, hopelessness, loss of interest, inability to experience pleasure, a loss of self-esteem or potential) is experienced by everyone. N. Kline wrote in the Journal of the American Medical Association (190:732-40), "More suffering has resulted from depression than from any other single disease affecting mankind."
Think that depression is exclusive only to us living in the modern world? Think again! Even people in the Bible were no strangers to depression. Here are some examples of well-known figures who wrestled with depression: David wrote in Psalm 43 feelings of depression and discouragement, "Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him, The help of my countenance, and my God."
When Elijah fled to the wilderness to escape Jezebel he plunged into despondency. He wanted to die, and very well could have except for the treatment sent to him from God. Elijah complained to God, I have been zealous for Lord God Almighty, yet the Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too."
Even Jesus experienced discouragement in the garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:37-42), where He said to His disciples, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me. Going a little farther he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."
Job experienced such awful troubles that he nearly despaired of life. His wife said, "Curse God and die" (Implying that then his human sufferings would end, as well as her own). Jeremiah was known as the weeping prophet who constantly struggled with depression, discouragement and feelings of hopelessness. He was a man given to lots of introspective self-analysis and negative questioning about the reasons for all the suffering he saw.
He never married, nor had children when most people around him did; and who thought he was strange. Jeremiah's primary ministry was to speak as a prophet to people who were rebellious, indifferent, and disobedient to God. Being a timid man he experienced numerous bouts with rejection, depression, and ridicule. All of this added to the fact that he lived at a time when their enemies continually oppressed the Israelites.
Paul, the apostle often struggled with discouragement. He said, "Through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors, known yet regarded as unknown; dying and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything." (2 Corinthians 6:8-10).
I suppose that I could go on, and on with various examples. But, I think you get the picture. Everyone goes through depression at one time, or another. So, how did these folks deal with it? What did they do to help ease the feelings that accompany being depressed? Well, David knew that by taking his focus away from his own troubles, and shifting them to the purposes of God, He would soon praise God for His overcoming deliverance.
In Elijah's case, let's remember that God personally speaks to us quietly through our times of prayer and Bible study; through His Spirit encouraging, directing, enabling, empowering, inspiring, instructing, chastening, maturing, and blessing us (1 Kings 19). Jesus knew that trials, troubles, and temptations would come to test His faith, yet He never wavered with unbelief. He was fully persuaded that God's will would allow Him to triumph over any problem, person, or power!
Job refused to give into the mis-belief that bad things can't happen to good people. He finally realized that his self-righteous attitudes were wrong. The Lord helped him grow in faith, love, maturity, wisdom, and influence through his trials. Jeremiah saw God as the all-powerful one for whom nothing is too difficult. (Jeremiah 32:17-25) We can't measure our success in human terms, but love the Lord with all our heart, and leave the results to God!
And, Paul's hardships showed how God's strength was made perfect in Paul's weakness. Paul learned to see the good in every hardship because He knew that the Lord was using each circumstance to transform him into the image of Jesus Christ.
Okay. So we know that many are suffering from emotional stress that often times leads to depression. How can we deal with it? Allow me to offer some spiritual guidelines that may be helpful for overcoming and dealing with depression: It is good to know that the Holy Spirit amplifies His nearness and comforting powers to us, when we are feeling depressed. Ask the Lord to help you feel His uplifting power as He rescues you from all kinds of depressed feelings, discouragement or burdens (Psalm 34:18).
The Holy Spirit shields us from taking set backs too personally. Ask the Lord to help you look to Him when you are tempted to take insults, opposition or criticisms personally. The Holy Spirit gives us relief from our feelings of distress. Ask the Lord to alleviate and deliver you from all kinds of emotional, mental and physical pain (Psalm 4:1). The Holy Spirit gives us an increased sense of hope when we are feeling sad. Ask the Lord to help you pray and speak in a positive way that affirms your faith and hope in His deliverance.
The Holy Spirit helps us shift our focus away from our troubles and on to God’s power, promises and purposes. Ask the Lord to help you become so involved with ministering in Jesus name that you are not tempted to focus on your troubles (John 15:26,27). The Holy Spirit knows how to help every person adapt and experience victory in their circumstances. Ask the Lord to help you adapt and overcome any sadness, hardship or opposition with a willingness to do all of God’s will.
The Holy Spirit reminds us of the way He delivered Jeremiah, the weeping prophet, from depression. Ask the Lord to help you follow the example of Jeremiah when he listened to God say to Him, "I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me? The Holy Spirit helps us imitate Godly people who triumphed over their times of despair. Ask the Lord to help you look at life’s difficulties more from the eyes of former Godly heroes of the faith.
The Holy Spirit uses discouraging situations to produce in us greater Godliness that is profitable for all things. Ask the Lord to give you more of a teachable heart allowing God to create greater Godly maturity in all areas of your relationships, your personal lifestyle and your ministries (1 Peter 5:10).
And finally, The Holy Spirit energizes us when we are feeling down, dispirited or disillusioned. Ask the Lord to give you greater energy, motivation and certainty; that He will supply whatever you need to accomplish all of His will through your life and ministry (Philippians 2:12-14).
In life, pain is inevitable, but misery is optional. We cannot avoid pain, but we can avoid joy. Remember, the Holy Spirit amplifies His nearness and comforting powers to us, when we are feeling depressed. And that, my dear friends, is definitely something to feel happy about. Amen!
Scripture: Psalm 34:17-18; Isaiah 41:10; Proverbs 3:5-6; 2 Timothy 1:7; Proverbs 12:25; Romans 15:13
Now, let's pray...
O Father, give us the humility which realizes its ignorance, admits its mistakes, recognizes its need, welcomes advice, accepts rebuke. Help us always to praise rather than to criticize, to sympathize rather than to discourage, to build rather than to destroy, and to think of people at their best rather than at their worst. This we ask for in thy name's sake. Amen
O Father, give us the humility which realizes its ignorance, admits its mistakes, recognizes its need, welcomes advice, accepts rebuke. Help us always to praise rather than to criticize, to sympathize rather than to discourage, to build rather than to destroy, and to think of people at their best rather than at their worst. This we ask for in thy name's sake. Amen
Have a blessed week!
Bibi
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