07 depression

LESSON # 7

Key Text:

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit”(Psalm 34:18, NIV).

INTRODUCTION:

Depression, or extreme discouragement to the point of becoming disabled, has been experienced since the inception of sin.

A number of Bible characters displayed symptoms that probably would meet

today’s diagnostic criteria for depression.

Hopelessness is a symptom of depression, and the biblical message of hope can offer us so much in contrast to a world that offers so little. All people, at times, face moments of extreme discouragement for any variety of reasons.

No wonder, then, that the Word of God is filled with promises that can give all of us, no matter our situation, reasons to hope for a better future, if not in this world, then certainly in the next.

19.3%

28%

52.7 %

Of course, when depression is severe, it’s important to get professional help when possible. The Lord can work through these people to help those who are in need of special care. After all, regardless of your relationship with God, were you physically ill you would seek the help of a doctor or health professional.

It’s the same with those who are suffering from severe clinical depression, which often is caused by a genetic predisposition and chemical imbalance in the brain. Thus, even Christians, at times might need the help of professionals.

What does a depressed person think about...

himself?

• He/she feels useless and unworthy

this world?

• He/she sees it in a pessimistic

• way; he/she thinks that

• verthing is corrupted and

• there inothing good

the future?

• He/she has no hope and

• Thinks that nothing will

• get better

When those thoughts assail us, what should we

think about...

himself?

• We are divine creation and Christ died for us. We are immensely valuable for God and He loves us

this world?

• We understand evil exists because sin exists. Despite that, good things happen in this world

the future?

• God will create a new heaven and a new earth where we will live free from sin and death

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS

OF DEPRESSION?

Crying for no apparent cause. Lengthy silences. Thinking and making

decisions with difficulty and lack of memory.

Low working performance. Alteration in appetite and

weight loss or increase. Lack of motivation to

perform any activity. Excessive guilt. Suicidal thoughts. Unjustified tiredness and

fatigue, especially in themorning.

Great sadness. Sleep disorders.

Not everyone has the same

symptoms.

There are many characters who

suffered depression in the Bible. What

thoughts and symptoms of

depression can you find in the next

texts?

David’s words, when he was a fugitive and had to look for shelter in the rocks and caves of the desert. He was far from the house of God, where he had enjoyed taking part in the sacred services

“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” These things I remember as I pour out my soul how I used to go to the house of God under the protection of the Mighty One with shouts of joy and praise among the festive throng.” (Psalms 42:1-4)

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar.

Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me. By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me— a prayer to the God of my life.Psalms. (Psalms 42:5-8.)

My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me,sayingto me all day long, “Where is your God?” Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

Hezekiah’s words, when an illness was carrying him to death:

In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, “This is what the LORD says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover.” Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, “Remember, LORD, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion andhave done what is good in your eyes.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly. Then the word of the LORD came to Isaiah: “Go and tell Hezekiah, ‘This is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will add fifteen years to your life. Isaiah 38:1-15)

DEPRESSION OF HEZEKIAH

“I said, “In the prime of my lifemust I go through the gates of death and be robbed of the rest of my years?” I said, “I will not again see the LORD himself in the land of the living; no longer will I look on my fellow man, or be with those who now dwell in this world. Like a shepherd’s tent my house has been pulled down and taken from me. Like a weaver I have rolled up my life, and he has cut me off from the loom; day and night you made an end of me. I waited patiently till dawn, but like a lion he broke all my bones; day and night you made an end of me.” (Isaiah 38:10-13).

HEZEKIAH’S SICKNESS

“I cried like a swift or thrush, I moaned like a mourning dove. My eyes grew weak as I looked to the heavens. I am being threatened; Lord, come to my aid!” But what can I say? He has spoken to me, and he himself has done this. I will walk humbly all my years because of this anguish of my soul.

Asaph’s words, trying to express how his soul longed for understanding why God had

apparently abandoned him; he was then trying to find a way to get out of darkness:

DAVID PLAY HIS ARP WHEN SAUL DEPRESS

“I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me. When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands, and I would not be comforted. I remembered you, God, and I groaned; I meditated, and my spirit grew faint. You kept my eyes from closing; I was too troubled to speak.”(Psalm 77:1-4)

ASAPH PSALM

Elijah’s words, when he was fleeing from Jezebel to save his life.

“He himself went a day's journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. "I

have had enough, Lord," he said. "Take

my life; I am no better than my ancestors."”

1 Kings, 19: 4)

HOW SHOULD WE TREAT A DEPRESSED PERSON?

1. Don’t blame him/her for that depression; don’t think that he/she is not a true believer (or that he/she is far from God) just because he/she is depressed.

2. Let’s remember Jesus’ words: “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way as you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Matthew, 7: 1-2)

3. Listen him/her and be understanding.

4. Help him/her to not to renounce his/her faith and stick to biblical promises.

1. Praying. Don’t forget that we have the Therapist who will always listen to us, no matter when.

2. Talking. It may be to a friend, to a brother or to a therapist.

3. Mixing with others. Church is a good place to relieve our depression by fraternizing with our brothers and sisters.

4. Helping others. We keep our thought about ourselves away by helping others.

We must turn to a professional when depression has a physical cause (or example, the lack of a mineral)

We must ask and accept divine forgiveness when depression is caused by a sin.

God has the solution for you, no matter which is the cause of your depression. Just devote yourself to God and seek his mercy, grace and health.

“Keep looking unto Jesus, offering up silent prayers in faith, taking hold of His strength, whether you have any manifest feeling or not. Go right forward as if every prayer offered was lodged in the throne of God and responded to by the One whose promises never fail. Go right along, singing and making melody to God in your hearts, even when depressed by a sense of weight and sadness. I tell you as one who knows, light will come, joy will be ours, and the mists and clouds will be rolled back. And we pass from the oppressive power of the shadow and darkness into the clear sunshine of His presence”

E.G.W. (Mind, character and personality, vol. 2, cp. 58 pp. 242, 243).

ASSOCIATE truth – Why should I study this lesson?

DISCOVER truth – What does the Bible say about this truth?

APPLY truth – How can this truth affect my life today?

PLAN using the truth – How can I use this truth today?

TRANSFER truth to life – What changes do I need in my life?

ADAPT it!

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