Depression
is not a malfunction of the mind, but a signal. Our illness is not
our identity. God never intends for us to stay in depression.
2
Corinthians 1:8
Easy-to-Read
Version
Brothers
and sisters, we want you to know about the trouble we suffered in Asia. We had
great burdens there, which were greater than our own strength....
Galatians
5:1
Contemporary
English Version
Christ
has set us free! This means we are really free. Now hold on to your freedom...
Problems are against us, but God is for us.
Elijah had just defeated 450 prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel in 1 Kings 18 when Elijah had called upon God for fire to consume his offering.
In addition, his
prayers had just ended a three year drought, but he fell into depression when
Jezebel threatened him in 1 Kings 19.
Here
are some ways that we fall into depression, too.
1.
Life imbalances such as being tired or over confident.
Ecclesiastes
4:6
English
Standard Version
Better is a handful of quietness than two
hands full of toil and a striving after wind.
2.
Comparing ourselves to others.
Comparison
to others is a thief of joy. "Theodore Roosevelt"
Galatians
6:4-5
English
Standard Version
But
let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in
himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will
have to bear his own load.
We
must decide what we have to know, and what we can live happily not knowing.
3.
Ruminating self talk.
95%
of our emotions are determined by self talk. "Brian Tracey"
Philippians
4:8-9
English
Standard Version
Finally,
brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever
is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any
excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these
things. What you have learned and received
and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace
will be with you.
4.
Inability to process our pain in a healthy way.
We
must find God's purpose to process our pain.
2
Corinthians 1:4-6
English
Standard Version
who "God" comforts us in all our affliction, so that
we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort
with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we
share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share
abundantly in comfort too.] If we are afflicted, it is for
your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort,
which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we
suffer.
Romans
8:28
English
Standard Version
28 And we know that for those who love God all
things work together for good, for those who are called
according to his purpose.
5.
Isolations and loneliness.
Don't
do what's best for you. Do what's best for we.
The
first problem in the Bible was not sin, but loneliness in Genesis
2:18.
Genesis
2:18
English
Standard Version
Then
the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone...
Romans
12:5
English
Standard Version
so
we, though many, are one body in Christ, and
individually members one of another.
6.
Spiritual warfare.
We
are not human beings who will have a spiritual experience. We are
spiritual beings who are currently having an earthly experience.
1 Peter
5:8-9
English
Standard Version
Be sober-minded; be watchful.
Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion,
seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your
faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by
your brotherhood throughout the world.
Ephesians
6:11
English
Standard Version
Put on the whole armor of God, that you
may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
We
have spiritual armor from God, but we must put it on. God has given us
spiritual authority over Satanic attacks, but we must use it.
God doesn't want us in the cave of depression. He wants us free. That's next weeks message.
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