Depression, the common cold of the Human Heart

Depression is a mood disorder. It doesn't allow you to feel joy anymore.  

One out of seven people are on medication today for depression.  

One out of five people have been on medication in the past for depression.  

Depression is the common cold of emotional illness.  

There is a stigma on depression and mental illness.  

With colds, it's not that way.  

It's not a sin to be sick. Your illness is not your identity.  

It's okay not to be okay. 

God's strategy to cure all of our physical and emotional ills is to be connected with Him and other people. 

The social media removes us from society.  

It is a lie of the devil.  

It actually isn't social.  Depression is a disease of the lifestyle. 

It causes a...

1. Lack of identity.

2. Inability to process emotional pain.

3. Peer to peer mentoring. 

4. Produces a narcissistic culture. 

Suicide is a permanent irreversible

attempt to end the pain of a temporary problem.  

The only sin that's unforgivable is rejecting the forgiveness of God through Jesus Christ. 

Feelings and emotions come like waves.  

In chaotic moments, we must not listen to our emotions. 
  

Here is the National Suicide Prevention Life Line for the U.S.A. 1-800-273-8255.

In the Bible there is a book named Lamentations, which means depression. 

Here is something that the Prophet Jeremiah wrote in that book.  

Lamentations 3:17-20 (NIRV)

17 I have lost all hope of ever having any peace.

    I’ve forgotten what good times are like.

18 So I say, “My glory has faded away.
    My hope in the Lord is gone.”

19 I remember how I suffered and wandered.

    I remember how bitter my life was.

20 I remember it very well.

    My spirit is very sad deep down inside me. 

Depression is thinking too much about our problems.  

When you're depressed, you are the worse one to listen too. 

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul fought with depression...  

2 Corinthians 1:8 (NIRV)

8 Brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the hard times we had in Asia Minor. 

We were having a lot of trouble. 

It was far more than we could stand. We even thought we were going to die.  

In the Old Testament, the Prophet Elijah fought off bouts of depression.  

Depression sometimes comes after great feats of victory.  

In I Kings 18, God through Elijah had defeated 450 prophets of Baal in a contest. 

Afterwards, Elijah had a suicidal bout with depression when Queen Jezebel threatened his life. 

1 Kings 19:1-4 (NIRV)

19 Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done. 

He told her how Elijah had killed all the prophets of Baal with his sword. 

2 So Jezebel sent a message to Elijah. 

She said, “You can be sure that I will kill you, just as I killed the other prophets. 

I’ll do it by this time tomorrow. 

If I don’t, may the gods punish me greatly.”

3 Elijah was afraid. 

So he ran for his life. 

He came to Beersheba in Judah. 

He left his servant there (Elijah left his support group behind). 

4 Then he traveled for one day into the desert. 

He came to a small bush. He sat down under it. 

He prayed that he would die. “Lord, I’ve had enough,” he said. “Take my life. 

I’m no better than my people of long ago.”  

Depression comes from...

1. Faulty thinking.  

Elijah outlived Jezebel. 

Don't mediate on a lie.  

We need a dose of worship to wash out our negative self talk.  

This is what Paul taught us to overcome bouts of depression. 

Philippians 4:8 (NIRV)

8 ...think about what is true. 

Think about what is noble, right and pure. 

Think about what is lovely and worthy of respect. 

If anything is excellent or worthy of praise (worship), think about those kinds of things. 

2. Isolation. 

  

That's why we focus on small groups.  

Small groups are not a luxury but a necessity.  

The real goal is for you to have someone in your life that knows your thoughts. 

Solomon put it this way...  

Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NIRV)

12 One person could be overpowered.

    But two people can stand up for themselves.

    And a rope made out of three cords isn’t easily broken.  

You must not be alone in your thoughts.  

This life isn't getting easier but harder.  

3. Lead by feelings.

Elijah's emotional feelings got him in trouble.  

Feelings hide the facts. Jesus said...

John 8:32 (NIRV)

32 Then you will know the truth. And the truth will set you free.”

4. Comparison.

Social media contributes to this.  

The Apostle Paul fought against comparrison, too. 

Galatians 1:10  (NIRV)

10 Am I now trying to get people to think well of me? 

Or do I want God to think well of me? 

Am I trying to please people? 

If I were, I would not be serving Christ.

You only have to please one person and that is God.  

Read I Kings 19_5-19.

A. God gave Elijah food and water. 

Get healthy physically by eating right, getting enough sleep, and removing none critical things in your schedule.  

B. God expanded his community by reminding him that there were 7,000 more faithful men. 

C.  God restored his purpose by giving him an assignment to help him overcome his depression.

D. God manifested His power in the wind, earthquake, and fire.

E. God revealed His presence by His still small whisper. 

Pour out your heart to God, and give your burdens to God. 

Matthew 11:28-29(NIRV)

28 (Jesus speaking) “Come to me, all you who are tired and are carrying heavy loads. 

I will give you rest. 

29 Become my servants and learn from me. 

I am gentle and free of pride. 

You will find rest for your souls. 

Turn down the world's volume to hear God's still small whisper. 

Psalm 46:10A  (NIRV)

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God.

Let God give to you a new purpose and

direction for your life.  

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIRV)

16 We don’t give up. 

Our bodies are becoming weaker and weaker. 

But our spirits are being renewed day by day. 

17 Our troubles are small. 

They last only for a short time. 

But they are earning for us a glory that will last forever. 

It is greater than all our troubles. 

18 So we don’t spend all our time looking at what we can see. 

Instead, we look at what we can’t see. 

That’s because what can be seen lasts only a short time. 

But what can’t be seen will last forever.

Tell Him.  

"Jesus, I come to you, and give to you my life".  

You can go to heaven if you want too.     

Notes from Chris Hodges, Church of the Highlands.  Scripture in blue.    

https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/media/message/depression1

When You have to Pay for Other People's Mistakes

What to do when your set back isn't your fault. 

It's easiest to deal with a set back which is your mistake. 

You who have been hurt by other people know exactly what I'm talking about.  

In Acts 27, here is an example of this. 

Paul is in a ship in a storm whose trip he tried to prevent.  

He was going to Rome for a crime that he didn't commit.  

God told Paul to warn the ship's captain, but the captain wouldn't listen.

I. What causes people to make decisions which create havoc in the lives of other people?

A. They listen to ungodly advice. Acts 27:9-11

1. They use experts to validate their biases.

When God tells you not to do something, ignore all the experts who tell you to do it. 

B. They copy the crowd. Acts 27:12

C. They rely on  circumstances.  Acts 27:13

1. Have you ever gotten exactly what you wanted only to find out you're headed into a storm?

2. Is it possible what you are wanting in life is just setting you up for a ship wreck?

Why should you never trust your circumstances?  

It's because they change constantly.  Acts 27:14

II. What do you need to know about the storms and set backs which are not your fault? 

A. Storms can cause you to drift from your goal. Acts 27:15

1. You lose control of your plan. 

2. You quit trying because you are tired. 

3. You give up. 

4. Your pressure driven and not purpose driven. 

5. You drift in every direction. 

B. Storms can cause you to discard what you used to value. Acts 27:18-19

Never make a major decision when your depressed.  You'll almost always make a wrong decision.  

C. Storms can cause you to despair. Acts 27:20.

1. Hold on to the presence of God. 

2. Hold on to the purposes of God. 

3. Hold on to the promises of God. 

III. What do you need to remember when you are in a storm that's wrecking your ship and you feel hopeless?

A. Remember that God is with you.  Although you can't see Him, He is standing with you.  God is everywhere. Acts 27:21-23

B.Remember that God's purpose is greater than this set back or storm. 

Storms and set backs cannot change God's purpose. Acts 27:24

C. Remember that God's promises can be trusted. 

God has not promised to save your ship, but he has promised to save you!  Acts 27:25-26

What have you been holding onto for your security? 

The safest place is in the center of God's will. 

Don't put your security into something that can be taken from you.  

For Jesus to save you, you've got to let go of everything but Him. Acts 27:27-28

Practice gratitude in your despair. Acts 27:34-36

Everyone was saved because of Paul.  You are God's strategy to save others in life's storms.  Acts 27:45-46

Rick Warren, Saddleback Church