Sunday Sermons
Depression
The following personality traits are often seen in individuals who are in the midst of depression: Worry, pessimism, low level of energy, sense of futility, feelings of uselessness, hopelessness, or helplessness, thinking permeated by guilt, the conviction that all endeavors are meaningless and without value, inability to concentrate, anger, paralysis of the will, apathy, living in the past, a dim view of the future, and the belief that life is not worth living. For a full and detailed list see Happiness is a Choice, by Minirth and Meier, pp. 124-128. One could certainly find a verse that would counter each of the above negative feelings, and the gospel message answers every mental aspect of depression. Yet depression is America’s number one health problem. Psychiatrists see more people suffering from depression than from all other emotional problems put together. Before we move on, the reader should be aware that depression can be rooted in a physical problem and may need medical treatment. Yet in this lesson we want to talk about what we can do mentally, emotionally, and spiritually in this common battle against depression. Let us not underestimate the affect of depression upon us, for it affects the total being, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Happiness is a Choice
Many years ago Abraham Lincoln noted, “Most people are about as happy as they choose to be”. The Bible agrees with this statement, noting that the right perspective, the removal of bad attitudes and the practice of good attitudes is a choice that we have the ability to make (Ephesians 4:31-32; Colossians 3:5-13; Galatians 5:22-23; 2 Peter 1:5ff). The good news is that all human beings are capable of being happy and content, only if they will choose it and follow the right path to obtain it. The only place that one can find such blessings is in a relationship with God (John 16:33 “So that in Me you may have peace”). The reality that true happiness is only found in Christ should not surprise anyone, for happiness, peace, contentment and the like are blessings, and God is the giver of all such blessings (James 1:17). Yes, many unbelievers claim that they are choosing happiness; the problem is that they are seeking peace and joy in all the wrong places. “They seek for happiness in materialism and do not find it. They seek for joy in sexual prowess but end up with fleeting pleasures and bitter long-term disappointments. I have had a millionaire businessmen come to my office and tell me they have big houses, yachts, condominiums in Colorado, nice children, a beautiful mistress, an unsuspecting wife, secure corporate positions—and suicidal tendencies” (p. 13). This should not shock anyone who has read the Bible (Ecclesiastes 2:1-11).
Battling Genetics?
One might be tempted to think that a life with depression is their destiny, especially if depression has been a family or generational trait. “Our genetic makeup does have an enormous effect on our intellectual and emotional potentials, but our degree of wisdom and happiness as adults is not predetermined genetically” (p. 43). The Bible gives us a tremendous amount of hope in this area. The Christian cannot only make a complete break with the past, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away, behold, new things have come” (2 Corinthians 5:17). He or she can also be freed from cultural, environmental, and generational evil influences, “Knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers” (1 Peter 1:18). The word futile means “idle, empty, fruitless, useless, powerless, lacking truth” (Arndt p. 495). The whole thought process behind depression, is a false perspective on the purpose of this life and the value of man. Carefully note that what is inherited is not a sinful predisposition, but rather we often inherit a sinful environment, bad examples, and a faulty view of the world. From this verse parents should take stock of their example in parenting, and do what they can to make sure that they are not sowing the seeds of depression in their children. “Depression can become a learned pattern. In many families the parents are depressed; the children learn to identify with the parents and also develop a depressive type of life-style. Depression is learned as a way of life. It is learned as a way to handle stress. Children do identify with parents and do become like them in their personalities and in the way they handle stressful situations” (p. 108).
Be the boss “of Your Own Head”
· Painful Thinking:
“The depressed individual is very introspective in a self-derogatory way. He ruminates a great deal over past mistakes. He often feels guilty, even when innocent. He may feel responsible when he is not. He worries excessively over all kinds of wrongs in the past, both real and imagined. He has an exaggerated view of his problems. He is unhappy and pessimistic. He is preoccupied with himself. He is absorbed with a few topics of melancholic nature. He anticipates nonacceptance from others and feels rejected and unloved” (pp. 24-25). Without God, all humans have blind spots; we are often the source of our own unhappiness. The truth of the matter is, if we do not allow God to control and determine our thoughts and perspective, then we will be dominated by our own selfish drives, conflicts, and motivations (Galatians 5:16-17). “Wisdom calls out to all naïve humans to listen and learn the path to happiness by replacing their ignorant human way of thinking with God’s wise principles. Wisdom concludes Proverbs chapter 8 by saying, “For he who finds me finds life, and obtains favor from the Lord. But he who sins against me injures himself; all those who hate me love death” (8:35-36)” (pp. 98-99). Paul noted that God is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33). God is not the author of confusion in the assembly, or when it comes to doctrine, God is equally not the author of confusion when it comes to our thoughts. God is not the author of anxiety; rather He provides the cure (1 Peter 5:7). God is not the author of hopelessness, rather He offers hope (Titus 1:2). So if we are feeling worthless, hopeless, and useless, then guess who we have allowed into our head (Ephesians 6:12)? The devil can use depression in us as a tool for evil. Depression can become a way in which we deal with other people, that is, it can be a very powerful means of manipulating others and getting one’s way. As noted in the beginning of the lesson, the devil can use our own depression against us, as a means of paralyzing the will, keeping us in a state of apathy and inaction, and keeping us preoccupied with worries and distracting cares to where we cease to be fruitful for God’s kingdom (Mark 4:19).
· Keeping your mind safe:
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).
It does become very tiring to have a mind that runs wild and jumps from one anxious thought to another. One of the most refreshing verses in the Bible is the above verse that promises to the Christian an emotional and mental life that is now guarded and protected. “God's peace is able to produce exceedingly better results than human planning ...it is far superior to any person's schemes for security ...it is more effective for removing anxiety than any intellectual effort or power of reasoning”(Hawthorne p. 184). Notice the word “will guard”. This will work, while all human remedies will fail. This chapter mentions a way for overcoming such things as anxiety.
· Rejoice in your present salvation (4:4)
· Determine to obey the Lord (4:5)
· God is near (4:5)
· Pray for everything, intercede for others, and be thankful (4:6)
· Meditate on positive and true thoughts (4:8)
· Focus on godly behavior, be good (4:9)
· Divert attention from self to others (4:10)
· Work on being content (4:11)
· You can do all things with Christ (4:13)
Philippians 4:13
“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me”
“I can do”: “He has the power to cope with or is competent and able to handle” (Hawthorne p. 201). “All things”: The type of things mentioned in the context. Obviously, Paul is not claiming that he can fly, or convert every person he talks to. “I have the power to face all conditions of life. I can endure all these things. I have the resources to master them” (p. 201). “Through Him”: Through Christ (3:9). Outside of Christ, Paul realizes that he is incompetent and unprepared to face the harsh realities of life. Jesus also taught this while upon the earth (John 15:4-5 “apart from Me you can do nothing”). “Who strengthens me”:Christ is my strengthener, my spiritual trainer, my constant help, support, motivator, encourager, and provider of inward resources. The phrase through Him should remind us that one would surely fail to properly handle all the changes of life, without Jesus Christ. Some have resisted the call to become a Christian because they are afraid that they will fail. Such people need to realize that they will surely fail, if they do not obey Christ.
What will last
“A healthy perspective is to realize that only two tangible things will last forever—the Word of God and people (Matthew 24:35; 2 Peter 3:10). A healthy perspective is to invest our lives in the only two things that have eternal significance. An unhealthy perspective is to let Satan trick us into investing our lives in things that are obtained through sinful means and that will not last, but give only temporary relief of emotional pain” (Happiness is a Choice p. 104). Compare with Hebrews 11:24-26. When we follow Satan and engage in sin we are only furthering the problem, we are only adding more anxiety, more worry, more feelings of failure, more self-loathing, and more guilt on top of an already overburdened life. In contrast, Jesus wants to free us from al such things (John 8:32; Matthew 11:28-30).
“I Can’t”
In contrast to Paul’s triumphant “I can do”, many people will argue, “I can’t”. Yet, “I can’t” and “I tried” are poor excuses. When it comes to changing our lives, if we are going to be honest, then we need to replace our “I can’t” with a more accurate “I won’t”. Jesus died so we could be freed from sin, worry, apathy, and so on. It is an insult to His suffering on the cross for our salvation to say, “I can’t” change.
Intimacy
One of the greatest resources that God has given us against depression, besides the forgiveness of our sins, is the opportunity to have close friends with others, and an intimate relationship with Him. No Christian should ever feel lonely. When one is baptized, God is giving that person an open door to wonderful and close friendships with other Christians, and with God Himself(Mark 12:29-31).
