Depressionhasbeencalledthecommoncoldofmentaldisorders,andonesourceestimates thatitdisruptsthelivesof30to40millionAmericans.[4] TheBibledoesnotusetheworddepression,althoughitdescribespeoplewhomwemightcall depressed.Itcertainlydoesn'tmentionantidepressantdrugs.However,thereareafewgeneral principlesIwouldrecommendwhentryingtodealwithdepression: SYMPTOMSTop9DepressionSymptomsbyNancySchimelpfening.Ifyouhavehadatleastfiveofthe depressionsymptomslistedbelowespeciallyifyoufeeldepressedandhavelostinterestinthingsthatyou usedtoenjoyyoumaybesufferingfromdepression.

1.DepressedMood

2.DecreasedInterestorPleasure

3.WeightChanges

4.SleepDisturbances

5.PsychomotorAgitationorRetardation

6.Fatigue

7.FeelingsofWorthlessnessorGuilt

8."BrainFog"

9.ThoughtsofDeath

ILLUSTRATION:Psychiatrystudentswereintheircollegeclassonedaywhentheirprofessor beganadiscussiontoproveapoint."Whatweregoingtotalkabouttoday,"theprofessorsaid, "aretheemotionalextremesthatmanymentallydisturbedpeoplegothroughforexample Whatstheoppositeofjoy?"heaskedonestudent. "Sadness"thestudentanswered. "Theoppositeofdepression?"heaskedayounglady. "Elation,"shereplied. TurningtoayoungmanfromTexasheasked"theoppositeofwoe?"

"Well,now,"theTexanreplied"Isupposetheoppositeofwoe,wouldbegiddyup." WhatDoestheBibleSayAboutDepression?

Youwon'tfindtheterm"depression"intheBible,exceptintheNewLivingTranslation

.Instead,theBibleuseswordssuchasdowncast,sad,forlorn,discouraged,downhearted,mourning, troubled,miserable,despairing,andbrokenhearted.Youwill,however,findmanyBiblepeople showingthesymptomsofthisdisease:WhatdoestheBiblesayaboutdepression?Whattruthscanwe gleanfromGod'sWordaboutthiscondition?

NoOneisImmuneFromDepression

TheBibleshowsthatdepressioncanstrikeanyone.PoorpeoplelikeNaomi,themotherinlawofRuth, andveryrichpeople,likeKingSolomon,sufferedfromdepression.Youngpeople,likeDavid,andolder people,likeJob,werealsoafflicted.Depressionstrikesbothwomen,likeHannah,whowasbarren,and men,likeJeremiah,the"weepingprophet."Understandably,depressioncancomeafteradefeat:When DavidandhismenreachedZiklag,theyfounditdestroyedbyfireandtheirwivesandsonsanddaughters takencaptive.SoDavidandhismenweptalouduntiltheyhadnostrengthlefttoweep.(1Samuel 30:34,

GodisNotAngryAboutOurDepression

Discouragementanddepressionarenormalpartsofbeinghuman.Theycanbetriggeredbythedeathof alovedone,illness,lossofajoborstatus,divorce,leavinghome,ormanyothertraumaticevents.The BibledoesnotshowGodpunishinghispeoplefortheirsadness.Rather,heactsasalovingFather:

Davidwasgreatlydistressedbecausethemenweretalkingofstoninghimeachonewasbitterinspirit becauseofhissonsanddaughters.ButDavidfoundstrengthintheLORDhisGod.(1Samuel30:6), ElkanahmadelovetohiswifeHannah,andtheLORDrememberedher.SointhecourseoftimeHannah becamepregnantandgavebirthtoason.ShenamedhimSamuel,saying,"BecauseIaskedtheLORD forhim."(1Samuel1:1920,

ForwhenwecameintoMacedonia,wehadnorest,butwewereharassedateveryturnconflictsonthe outside,fearswithin.ButGod,whocomfortsthedowncast,comfortedusbythecomingofTitus,andnot onlybyhiscomingbutalsobythecomfortyouhadgivenhim.(2Corinthians7:57,)

Forwelivebyfaith,notbysight.(2Corinthians,5:7,)

TheBiblegivesatleast17causes(andcures!)forourdepression.

TheBibleincludes9sinfulcausesofdepression. 1.GuiltSolvedbyForgiveness ReadPsalm32. 2.MaterialismSolvedbyContentment Read1Kings21:114. 3.AngerSolvedbyConfession,EntrustingSelftoGod ReadGenesis4:116. 4.HatredSolvedbyForgiveness,Love Jonah4:23 WhywasJonahsodepressedthathepreferreddeathtolife?Hisamazingpsychologywasthathehated otherssomuchitruinedhisownlife.JonahwasthecaseofaJewwhohatedgentiles. 5.PerfectionismSolvedbyAcceptanceofHumanLimitations MosesisbestknownfortheTenCommandments.Yet,evenMoseswassodepressedbyhisperfectionist tendenciesthathewantedtodie.NomatterhowhardheworkedthechildrenofIsraelsimplywouldnot followGod.Hisperfectionisttendenciesledhimtotakeresponsibility forotherpeoplesdisobedience.Icantcarryallthesepeoplebymyself!....goaheadandkillme (Numbers11:1415). 6.WorrySolvedbyFaithinGodInstead Read1Kings19:14. Everyoneknowsthatworryanddepressiongotogether.TheBiblicalcharacterElijahillustratesthis connection.Ivehadenough,LORD.hesaid,Takemylife(1Kings19:34). GodpromisesthatifwegiveHimprayerrequestsforsuchworries,Hispeacewillguardyourheartsand minds(seePhilippians4:67). 7.JealousySolvedbyFocusingonExaltingGod Read1Samuel18:115. ThemostoutstandingBibleexampleofenvytowardsagodlypersonwouldbeSaulsjealousyofDavid. 8.LazinessSolvedbyWellBeingfromProductivity ReadEcclesiastes3:22. Everyoneisdifferent.Somepeoplecreatebycookingrecipes.Otherscreatebybuildinghighwaysor houses.Somewritemusic,poems,sermons,orbooks.Ifwefindproductiveandrighteouspursuitsthatfit ourownaptitudeandpersonaldesignbyGod,wewillhaveless depression. 9.RejectionofChristSolvedbyFaithinChristasSavior ReadMatthew27:15 JudasbetrayedJesus.Thenhewentoutandhangedhimself(Matthew27:5).TheLordJesusChrististhe foundationalsourceforjoyinlife.ItisimpossibletoleaveHimoutoflifeandendwithhappyresults. NonSinfulCausesofDepression 1.BeingaVictimofSinSolvedbyRefusaltobeaLifelongVictim ReadExodus6:69. Achildabandonedbymotherorfather,ahusbandorwifewhosespousecommitsadultery,oracrimevictim willhaveanaturaltendencytowarddepression. Whenwearewronged,holdinganotheraccountableneednotcausedepression.TheBiblepermitsusto speakupaboutaseriousevilandtoholdothersaccountable. 2.FalseGuiltSolvedbyBiblicalStandardsofRightandWrong Falseguiltoftencomesafteramistake,accident,orstressfuldecision.1John3:20isagoodBibleversefor occasionsoffalseguiltfromaccidentsorsituationsbeyondhumancontrol. Evenifwefeelguilty,Godisgreaterthanourfeelings,andheknowseverything. AsecondtypeoffalseguiltarisesfrommanmaderulesthatarenotevenintheBible.Christianscallthis legalism. AthirdtypeoffalseguiltariseswhenwecontinuetohangontoourguiltevenafterGodhasforgivenus.

3.Rejection,Betrayal,UnfairCriticismSolvedbySecurityinGodsLove Thosewhohavebeenbetrayedbyothers(suchasabandonmentbyaspouse,parent,orfriend)andthose whohaveexperiencedunfaircriticismwilllikelyfacedepression. InNumbers11,thepeoplecriticizedMosesasaleader.TheyactuallywantedtoreturntoslaveryinEgypt ratherthancontinuetofollowMoses.ThisunfaircriticismwasanotherfactorinMoses requesttoGod,justgoaheadandkillme(Numbers11:15).Wemustfocusattention,hopesand securityupontheLordJesusChrist.Othersmayfailus. TheLordJesusChristcannotrelatetosin,butHecansympathizewithrejection.Hewasdespisedand rejected(Isaiah53:3).Heunderstandsourweakness(Hebrews4:15)becauseHeknowstheheartbreakof depressionarisingfrombeingrejected.Jeremiahwasanothergodlypersonwhoexperiencedmuch rejection. Psalm109 4.BrokenDreamsSolvedbyaMotivationtoGlorifyGod,LeavingtheResultstoHim DaviddreamedaboutbuildingagreattempleinJerusalem.BecauseDavidhadkilledsomanyinpast battles,GodchoseSolomon,Davidsson,tobuildtheTemple.Davidsgreatestdreamforlifenever happened,butGodstillblessedhim.Davidsdreamfailed,butGodstillsaidyourintentionisgood(2 Chronicles6:8). 5.TryingtoPleaseEveryoneSolvedbyLivingByGodsStandardsFirst WedoneedtoconcentrateonpleasingGodbykeepingthecommandmentsthatareintheBible.Beyond this,however,wemayneedtosetlimitsuponeffortstosatisfyothers.PleasingGodshouldleadtothe approvalofmostpeople.Ifnot,weshouldrefusetoworryabout judgmentalpeopleanddecidenottoletunreasonablecriticsruinouremotions. 6.LonelinessSolvedbyFellowshipwithGodandPeople 1Kings19tellsthestoryofElijahsittingunderatreewantingtodie.Hisdepressionarosefromseveral factors.Amongthemwasloneliness.Iamtheonlyoneleft(1Kings19:10).LaterGodtellsElijahhe certainlywasnottheonlyonewhostillfollowedGod(verse18).LikeElijahwealltendtobedepressedby loneliness.Also,likeElijahnooneisreallyalone.Godistheultimate friend. Twomorecausesfordepressionarealsononsinful,buttheymaybebetterclassifiedseparately.False ideascausedepression,andmedicalproblemscausedepression. FalseIdeasSolvedbyTruth Thinkingaffectsemotions.Whatwebelieveinfluenceshowwefeel.Oftenpeopleareunawarethattheir depressionstemsfromafalseworldviewandassumptions. Thetypicalprosperitygospelcouldalsocausedepression.Godpromisestosupplyourneeds(Philippians 4:19),andGodwantsustoaskforhealthwhenwearefearful(Philippians4:6),butitgoesbeyondthe BiblesauthoritytoconcludethatGodpromisesprosperityandhealthtoall. Badtheologyproducesbadpsychologyincludingdepression. ThesolutiontofalseideasiscarefulBiblestudytodeterminetruth.Mostpeopleareunawareofthe connectionbetweenthinkingandfeeling.Goodtheologyproducesgoodpsychologyincludingpeaceofmind notdepression. MedicalDepressionSolvedbyHealthyLifestyle,Medicine Aconservativeapproachtousingmedicinefordepressioniswise.Arejectionofeventhepossibilityof medicineisnot.Somedepressionismedicalinorigin.Whenweneedmedicine,weshouldnotfeelany falseguilt.Yet,thosewhoneedmedicinestillneedGod.Medicinemighthelprestoreclearthinking,but onlytheLordJesusChristcangiveasatisfyinglife(John10:10).

I.WhatIfindinteresting,isGodgivesusacasestudyinclinicaldepressionrighthereinIKings 19 FromthistextwefindthatElijahexperiencedmanyoftheclassicsymptoms *FearElijahwasafraidandranforhislife.1Kings19:3

*Suicidaltendencies(Elijah)prayedthathemightdie.Ihavehadenough,LORD,hesaid. TakemylifeIamnobetterthanmyancestors.1Kings19:4 *ExcessivetirednessThenhelaydownunderthetreeandfellasleep1Kings19:5sleptfor acoupleofdaysmaybelonger *FeelingsofrejectionIhavebeenveryzealousfortheLORDGodAlmighty.TheIsraeliteshave rejectedyourcovenant,brokendownyouraltars,andputyourprophetstodeathwiththesword.I amtheonlyoneleft,andnowtheyaretryingtokillmetoo.1Kings19:10 *ANDheexperiencedthisdepressionforalongtimenearly2months 1stGodsenthimtochurch 2ndGodhadElijahtellHimwhattheproblemwas 3rdGoddealtwiththefalsebeliefs/falseideasthatwerefuelingElijahsdepression AndlastlyGodgaveElijahsomethingtodo

Nowletstakeeachoftheseoneatatime. 1stGodsenthimtochurchGodsenthimtoMt.Horeb,theMt.OfGod(wheretheLawgivento Moses). ChurchisoneofthebestplacestodealwithDepression.WhenChurchisdonerightitstheplace wherewelistentoeachotherandhelponeanother.Bearoneanothersburdens,andsofulfill thelawofChrist.Galatians6:2

ILLUS:Backin1999DukeUniversityconductedastudyofnearly4000olderadults.Oneoftheir conclusions:"Attendanceatahouseofworshipisrelatedtolowerratesofdepressionand anxiety."

ButchurchdoesntstopwithbeinginahouseofworshipTimealonewithGodinprayerand BibleStudyisapowerfulantidepressant.

So,first,GodsentElijahtochurch

2ndlyGodhadElijahtellHimwhattheproblemwas. GodaskedElijah:Whatareyoudoinghere,Elijah?(IKings19:13)Goddidntaskthisquestion justonce,HeaskedElijahthatsamequestiontwoseparatetimes."Whatareyoudoinghere?" DidntGodknow?OfcourseHeknew,HedsentElijahtothismountain.ButElijahneededto vocalizewhatwaswronginhislife.ElijahneededtoexplainwhatHEthottheproblemwas.And onceElijahverbalizedhisbeliefofwhatwaswrong,then

3rdGoddealtwiththefalsebeliefs,thefalseideasthatwerefuelingElijahsdepression. Jesussaid,Thetruthshallsetyoufree.Whyisthat?Becausefalseideas,falsebeliefs (especiallyfalseideasaboutGod)havepowerputusinbondage.Ourlivesarebuiltaroundwhat wethinkistrueaboutlife.Andifthefoundationsofthatreasoningarebasedonwrong informationorimpressions,theresultcanbedevastating.

ElijahsreplytoGodrevealedwhatElijahhadwrong.ELIJAHDIDNTTHINKTHATGODWAS DOINGANYTHING. In1Kings19:14ElijahrepliedtoGodandsaid,"IhavebeenveryzealousfortheLORDGod Almighty.TheIsraeliteshaverejectedyourcovenant,brokendownyouraltars,andputyour prophetstodeathwiththesword.Iamtheonlyoneleft,andnowtheyaretryingtokillmetoo."

Hiddeninthemidstofthatstatementwasthisaccusation: "IvebeenbeatingmyheadagainstthewallservingyouLord.Andeverythingseemstojustbe fallingapartaroundmeWhathaveyoubeendoingGod??? Andso,GodcorrectsElijahsthinking.Hetellshim"Elijahyourenottheonlyoneleft"

In1Kings19:18GodtellsElijah IhavereservedseventhousandinIsraelallwhosekneeshavenotboweddowntoBaalandall whosemouthshavenotkissedhim."

ILLUS:WhenouralliedtroopsweremakingtheirwayacrossEuropetocrossHitlersforces,they cameacrossabombedoutbuildingthathadthisinscriptionscrawledonabasementwall: "Ibelieveinthesunevenwhenitsnotshining. Ibelieveinloveevenwhenitisnotshown. AndIbelieveinGodevenHedoesntspeak."

Whenapersonisdepressed,theydontthinkGodisdoingmuchofanything.Theyhavenohope, noconfidence,andGodisnteasilyseenbythem.Apersonindepressionneedstorealizethat justlikeElijahGodISworkingintheirlivesevenwhentheycantseeHim.

ElijahwasnttheonlypersonintheBiblewhoexperienceddepression.ExamplesofDepression intheBible

GodsWordgivesusmanyexamplesofdepression.Theseindividualsknewtheyhaddepressionand whytheyhadit.Godevengavethemawaytodealwiththeirdepression.Noticethefollowing: 1.Cainhaddepression(fallencountenance)whichwasassociatedwithenvyandselfishness,(Gn. 4:5). 2.Moseshaddepression(awantingtodie)whichwasassociatedwiththecomplainingofGods people,(Num.11:119). 3.Saulhaddepression(adisturbingspirit)whichwasassociatedwithGodsjudgmentonhis disobedienceandthelimitedpresenceorcontroloftheHolySpiritinhislife,(1Sam.16:1423). 4.Jobhaddepression(awantingtodie)whichwasassociatedwiththeSatanicattacksoflife, includingseverehealthproblems,lossofhisfamily,abrokenrelationshipwithhiswife,andthelossof everythinghehad,(Job3:3,11,202617:1). 5.Davidhaddepression(acastdownsoul)whichwasassociatedwithpersecutionfromtheenemy, (Ps.43:25).NooneexperiencedmoredepressionthanDavid,(Ps.6,13,18,23,25,27,31,32,34,3740, 4243,46,51,55,6263,69,71,73,77,84,86,9091,9495,103104,107,110,116,118,121,123124, 130,138,139,141143,146147). 6.Jeremiahhaddepression(awantingtodieandsorrow)whichwasassociatedwiththeconstant trialsfromtheenemy,theperceivedslownessofGod'splan,andthereactiontoGodswillforhislife, (Jer.20:14,16). 7.Jonahhaddepression(awantingtodie)whichwasassociatedwithselfishnessandthe dissatisfactionwiththeplanandprogramofGod,(Jonah4:13). 8.Habakkukhaddepression(despair)whichwasassociatedwiththeunpopularmessagehewas calledtopreachandhefeltGoddidnthearhim,(Hab.1:13:19). 9.Nehemiahhaddepression(sorrowfulheart)whichwasassociatedwiththebadnewsheheard aboutJerusalemandGodspeople,(Neh.1:42:1). 10.TheapostlePaulwasdepressed.InIICorinthians12wearetoldthatPaulwasgivenathorninthe fleshtoperhapskeephimhumble.BUTPAULDIDNTLIKETHATTHORN!Noonelikesthornsstickingin theirsideorintheirspirit!PaulsaiditwasamessengerofSatan,totormenthim.

ILL.CommentatorWarrenWeirsbewrote,"WedonotknowwhatPaulsthorninthefleshwas.Theword translatedthornmeansasharpstakeusedfortorturingsomeone.Itwasaphysicalafflictionofsomekind thatbroughtpainanddistresstoPaul.SomethinkthatPaulhadaneyeafflictionaccordingtoGal.6:11,but wecannotknowforsure.

"WedoknowthatGodpermittedSatantoafflictPaul,justasHepermittedSatantoafflictJob.Satan cannotworkagainstabelieverwithoutthepermissionofGod." ISNTTHATACOMFORTINGTHOUGHT?SatanisharnessedandGodwillpullbackonthereinswhenever HeseesSatantryingtogetcarriedaway. DavidsaidinPsalm40:12"IwaitedpatientlyfortheLordheturnedtomeandheardmycry.Heliftedme outoftheslimypit,outofthemudandmire." AndGodcomfortedPaulandcaredforhimbysaying,"Mygraceissufficientforyou,formypowerismade perfectinweaknesses."IICor.12:9 ILL.WarrenWeirsbesaid,"GoddidnotgivePaulanyexplanations.Instead,Hegavehimapromise.WE DONOTLIVEONEXPLANATIONSWELIVEONPROMISES!" GodspromisetoPaulwas:MYGRACEISSUFFICIENT.Mygraceisstrengthening.Godwasgoingto blessPaulwithwhateverheneededtobothendureandlivetheChristianlife. GodspromisewasasurethingforPaulandforus,aswell.Wemustbelieve.Wemusttrust.Andwemust ask. DepressionAndJesusIsaiah53 Introduction:Atfirstthought,Jesusanddepressionsoundslikeheresy.Ifweconsiderdepression severesadnessorsorrow,pain,anguish,thenJesusexperiencedwhatsomecalldepression. I.THECONDITIONOFJESUSDEPRESSION Jesusdidnotdeservewhathereceived,yetitpleasedGod,(Isa.53:10). A.Amanofsorrow,(Heb.makob,meaninganguishorgrief)(Isa.53:3) B.Hewassorrowful,(Matt.26:37). C.Hewasexceedinglysorrowful,(Matt.26:38Mk.14:34). D.Hewasdeeplydistressed,(Matt.26:37Mk.14:33). E.Hewastroubled,(Mk.14:33). F.Hewasinagony,(Lk.22:44). G.Hesweatdropsofbloodinprayer,(Lk.22:44).

H.Hewasacquaintedwithgrief,(Isa.53:3,4,10) I.Hedidntopenhismouth,(Isa.53:7). J.Hewasoppressed,(Isa.53:7) K.Hewasafflicted,(Isa.53:7). L.HefeltforsakenbyGod,(Matt.27:46). M.Hecriedoutloud,(Matt.27:50). N.HepouredoutHissouluntodeath,(Isa.53:12). II.THECAUSEOFJESUSDEPRESSION Onethingtounderstand,isthatJesussufferedforus,(Isa.53:3,4,5,6).Hehaddonenoviolence,(Isa. 53:9)andHehadnodeceit,(Isa.53:9).WearehealedbecauseofHim,(Isa.53:5). A.Hewasdespised,(Isa.53:3). B.Hewasrejected,(Isa.53:3). C.Hetookourinfirmities(Heb.holi,meaningsicknesses,Isa,.53:3). D.Hetookoursorrows,(Isa.53:12). E.Hesuffered,(Isa.53:11). F.Hetookourgrief,(Isa.53:4). G.Hecarriedoursorrows,(Isa.53:4) H.HewasstrickenofGod,(Isa.53:4). I.Hewaswoundedforus,(Isa.53:5).

J.Hewasbruisedforus,(Isa.53:5). K.Hereceivedourchastisement,(Isa.53:5). L.Hetookallouriniquity,(Isa.53:6). M.Hewasbetrayed,(Matt.26:1416Mk.14:10Lk.22:3) N.Hewasfalselyaccused,(Matt.26:5767). O.Hewasabused,(Matt.27:2630). III.THECUREFORJESUSDEPRESSION A.JesusprayedasHeapproachedHissorrow,(Matt.26:39,42,44). B.HewassubmissivetotheLordswillwithinthesorrow,(Matt.26:39,42,44). C.HecommendedHisspirittotheFatherscarewithinthesorrow,(Lk.23:46). D.HefinishedGodsplanwithinHissorrow,(Jn.19:30). Conclusion:JesusexperienceofseveresorrowmakesthestatementaboutJesus,Forwedonothavea highpriestwhocannotsympathizewithourweaknesses,butwasinallpointstestedasweare,yet withoutsin,(Heb.4:15),worthgreatmeaning.Jesusexperiencedthesethingssowedonothaveto becomewearyanddiscouraged,(Heb.12:4).

BIBLICALTRUTHSToKeepInMindWhenDealingWithDepression: GodNeverLosesSightofYou
Deuteronomy 31:8 It is the LORD who goesbefore you. Hewillbewithyou he will notleave you orforsakeyou.Donotfearorbedismayed. Psalms 40:13 I waited patiently for the LORD he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a newsongin my mouth, asongof praise toourGod. Many will see and fear,andput theirtrustintheLORD.

YourTrustandHopeisInHimCallUponHim
Psalms3:3Butyou,OLORD,areashieldaboutme,myglory,andthelifterofmyhead. Psalms 32:10 Many are the sorrows ofthe wicked, but steadfastlovesurroundsthe one who trustsin theLORD. Psalms 37:34 Trust in the LORD, and do good dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight

yourselfintheLORD,andhewillgiveyouthedesiresofyourheart. Psalms 42:11 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in GodforIshallagainpraisehim,mysalvationandmyGod. 1 Peter 5:67 (KJV) Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt youinduetime:Castingallyourcareuponhimforhecarethforyou.

HeHasGreatPlansforYouHanginThere
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I havefor you,declaresthe LORD, plans forwelfareandnotfor evil,togiveyouafutureandahope. John 16:33 Ihave said these things toyou, that inmeyoumayhave peace.In theworldyouwillhave tribulation.ButtakeheartIhaveovercometheworld. 1 Peter 4:1213 Beloved, do not be surprised atthe fierytrial whenitcomesuponyouto test you,as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christs sufferings,thatyoumayalsorejoiceandbegladwhenhisgloryisrevealed.

Realizethatyoucan'tbaselifeonyouremotions
Christiansbaselifeontruth,notfeelings.Philippians4:1commandsustorejoice(whetherwefeel likeitornot!).AndJames1:2asksustoConsideritalljoywhenwefallintovarioustrials. NoticethatJamesdoesn'ttellustofeeljoyfulhetellsustoreckon,tochoosetothinkaboutyour situationasaspotwhereyoucanhavejoy.

Faith
Choosingtotrusttruthratherthanyourfeelingsmayrequirealotoffaith.Andifthatiswhatwe meanbyaskingiffaithcansolvedepression,thenfaithmaybeenoughinsomecases.Trusting whatGodsaysratherthanyourfeelingsiscertainlyamorerealisticapproachtolife!

HeedGod'sAdvice
However,manypeopletalkaboutfaithandonlymeanavaguehopethatGodwillsomehow pullthemthrough.That'stoonebulousaconcepttobereliable.Manyofthesamepeoplewho claimtohavefaithkeepplungingthroughlifeignoringGod'sprinciplesforhealthyliving.Ifwe spurnthegoodadvicethattheBiblecontains,wewon'tescapetheconsequencesevenifwe havefaith. ILLUS:Acoupleofyearsago,theSouthEastChristianChurchofferedatimeduringtheir WednesdayEveningService(attendanceofatleast600)forpeopletocomeforwardandhavethe Elderslayhandsonthemandprayforhealing.Thespeakerpointedoutthattherewas"alotof hurtinthisroom"sickness,brokenrelationships,grief.Hesaidthatattheinvitation,theelders wouldbeavailableforprayersofhealing. Theresponsebeganasatrickle.Soon,othersbeganmakingtheirwaydownfromthebalcony walkingalongindividuallyorinpairs,orrollingforwardinwheelchairs.Beforelong,thetrickle becameatorrent. ElderBobCarpentersaidhewasnotpreparedfortheresponsetotheinvitation."Iwastotally surprisedbythemagnitudeofit." ElderBillBeauchampdidnotexpectthevastresponseeithernordidheanticipatethetypeof prayerneedsrevealed."Atleast2outof3askedforprayerfordepression,"hesaid.

"Ithoughtitwouldbemoreforphysicalneeds.Butsomanysaid,Imdepressed.Ifeelunworthy. Iseenofuture."Iwasamazedathowmanyfeltunworthy."

WhatGodgivestohelpthedepressed

Strength.Godrefreshesandcheersyou,notbyremovingallyourproblems,butby
answeringyourprayerswhenyouprayforthestrengthtocope.(Philippians4:13)Youcan besurethathesreadytolistentoyou,fortheBiblesays:Jehovahisneartothosethat arebrokenatheartandthosewhoarecrushedinspirithesaves.(Psalm34:18)Infact, Godcanhearyourcallforhelpevenifyoucantputyourfeelingsintowords.Romans 8:26,27. Goodexamples.OneBiblewriterprayedtoGod:FromthedepthsofmydespairIcallto you.ThispsalmistdealtwithhisdepressionbyrememberingthatGoddoesntburdenus withguilt.Instead,hesaidtoGod:Ifyoukeptarecordofoursins,whocouldescape beingcondemned?Butyouforgiveus,sothatweshouldstandinaweofyou.Psalm 130:1,3,4,GoodNewsTranslation. Hope.Besidesprovidingcomfortnow,Godhaspromisedtoremovealltheproblemsthat leadtodepression.Whenhefulfillsthatpromise,theformerthings[includingdepression] willnotbecalledtomind,neitherwilltheycomeupintotheheart.Isaiah65:17.

GodisOurHopeintheMidstofDepression.OneofthegreattruthsoftheBibleisthatGodisour hopewhenweareintrouble,includingdepression.Themessageisclear.Whendepressionhits,fixyour eyesonGod,hispower,andhisloveforyou:TheLORDhimselfgoesbeforeyouandwillbewithyouhe willneverleaveyounorforsakeyou.Donotbeafraiddonotbediscouraged.(Deuteronomy31:8,)

HaveInotcommandedyou?Bestrongandcourageous.Donotbeafraiddonotbediscouraged,forthe LORDyourGodwillbewithyouwhereveryougo.(Joshua1:9,)

TheLORDisclosetothebrokenheartedandsavesthosewhoarecrushedinspirit.(Psalm34:18,)

Dodonotfear,forIamwithyoudonotbedismayed,forIamyourGod.Iwillstrengthenyouandhelp youIwillupholdyouwithmyrighteousrighthand.(Isaiah41:10,)

AndIwillpraytheFather,andheshallgiveyouanotherComforter,thathemayabidewithyouforever (John14:16,)

(Jesussaid)"AndsurelyIamwithyoualways,totheveryendoftheage."(Matthew28:20,)