Handling Depression

Depression is no respecter of persons, it strikes young and old, male and female, rich or poor, well-known or unknown, believer or un-believer alike. Depression knows no boundaries.
"Can a faithful growing believer get depressed?" In short Yes!! We have many examples from scripture that would prove otherwise. Job,
Jonah, Elijah, Moses each experienced feelings of hopelessness and despair.

Moses had had enough negative experiences in his life that for much of his life he portrayed many
of the classic symptoms of depression:
-loss of appetite
-loss of sleep or energy
-Loss of interest in previously pleasurable activities
-Reduced ability to concentrate
-Overcome with feelings of hopelessness or uselessness.
(See Numbers 11:14-15 for an example.)

God gives us a case study in clinical depression in I Kings 19 too. From this text we find that Elijah experienced many of the classic symptoms.
* Fear - "Elijah was afraid and ran for his life...." 1 Kings 19:3
* Suicidal tendencies -- "(Elijah) 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
* Excessive tiredness -- "Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep..." 1 Kings 19:5 slept for a couple of days... maybe longer
* Feelings of rejection -- "I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too." 1 Kings 19:10

How to handle:
First, admit your feelings, no matter what they are. We tend to want to try to talk ourselves into some other feeling, some other condition. But, the road to health begins when you simply admit that you are in despair, life seems hopeless or you are depressed.

Secondly, Seek God with all your heart. Our scriptures tell us, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with ALL your heart." You
find hope and health when you find God. Seek him with all your heart.

Third, draw aside and speak with God. There is something almost magical that happens when we are in a depressive state when we draw aside and speak to God.

Fourth, in order to overcome discouragement, "Don't focus on
yourself, get involved in the lives of other people."

Other tips not mentioned in video:

Take time to rest and eat properly.
Things begin to look better when we're no longer exhausted.

Excercise. If you can't run or excercise due to health issues then walk and enjoy the outdoors.

Have a support system maybe from your church or online prayer groups etc.

Category:

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Tags:

• Depression
• hopelessness
• fear
• suicidal
• tiredness
• rejection
• Elijah
• Moses
• Bible
• Scripture

[dmbarry777]

What we eat and our level of exercise are two significant areas that affect the interaction between the body and soul and, in turn, the setup for depression. Without knowing it, we can develop eating patterns that are out of balance, or we can misuse certain food groups that can actually trigger or reinforce a state of depression. The same is true for a lack of regular exercise.

[RascalsPlace]

Owning a pet can help you defeat your depression too. Giving your dog affection has been proven to help decrease stress lowering blood pressure, and improving quality of life. Showing animals love can be very calming, relaxing, and pleasurable especially for people who are depressed.

[dmbarry777]

Amen. Taking a dog out for a walk during the day also helps ease stress. It gets a person who is dealing with depression out of the house to do something active, which will ultimately benefit their over-all mental, physical, and emotional health.

[USCOC]

"Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?..." Matthew 6:25-27

[devel155]

when your rich at least dont have to worry about eating... :(

[SistaPraiz]

Awesome!!!!! I pray the blessing of God be upon you, and that every ministry need be met so that the message of hope in Jesus can reach souls far and near.

[ayehay]

Personally,I can easily get depressed if I have had too much caffeine or if I haven't seen sunlight in a few days and of course sometimes it just happens because life at the time is miserable!(pain, illness, grief, loneliness,etc,etc)...or all of the above! Depression is not always an easy thing to explain & everyone is made up so differently.

Thanks so much for your video, you have given me a little bit of hope & every little bit helps :-)

[LivesChangedByChrist]

this is a good video...have to watch it again to take note of the scripture used...be blessed, daniel

[HaveaBlessedDay]

The experience of loss is a major factor that contributes to depression. This could involve the loss of a spouse or a child, the loss of a job or position of status. Loss and unfairness can result in the pain of despair, and depression. We need to turn our focus toward our beliefs in God and power of prayer to overcome and endure. He will shower us with his comfort and encouragement. (2 Cor 1:3-5)

[USCOC]

Amen! We can be comforted that depression hits even the spiritual giants among us. Depression is not an indication of our level of spirituality. God did not condemn Moses or Elijah for being depressed, and He will not condemn us either. He loves each one of us as a whole person, and He ministers to all of our needs.