Message: Depression

Message: Depression.

Psalm 43:5  என் ஆத்துமாவே, நீ ஏன் கலங்குகிறாய்? ஏன் எனக்குள் தியங்குகிறாய்? தேவனை நோக்கிக் காத்திரு; என் முகத்திற்கு இரட்சிப்பும் என் தேவனுமாயிருக்கிறவரை நான் இன்னும் துதிப்பேன்;

43:5  Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

Dear Friend,

Depression is one of the most common and debilitating problems we face. Depression is more than feeling down or having a sad day. It involves a persistent sadness that affects most aspects of our lives. Symptoms last for more than two weeks and can include: a sad or down mood, loss of interest in normal activities, weight loss or gain, sleep problems, agitation, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness, inappropriate guilt, difficulty concentrating, hopelessness, and thoughts of suicide.

Some forms of depression are caused by genetic/biological factors, such as a lack of sleep, lack of exercise, PMS, delivery of a baby, menopause, side effects of drugs, poor diet, or disease. Other depressions are rooted in psychological, cognitive, and spiritual causes like troubled family experiences, stress over the multiple roles women face each day, social inequities like poverty and abuse, loss, negative thinking, sin, unresolved hurt and anger, and poor coping responses.

The voice of depression is hopeless, anxious, and negative—all counter to the Word of God. When you listen to the voice of depression, you give the enemy a stronghold, an area of your life in which to defeat you. You must fight negative thoughts, behave positively, and renew your mind through the promises of God. How do we do this?

Acknowledge the depression (see Prov. 12:25). Trust in God to help you (see Ps. 46:1). Praise Him despite the circumstances (see Ps. 34:1). Speak hope into the situation (see Ps. 39:7). Renew your negative thoughts through the positive Word of God (see Phil. 4:8). Take steps to correct your behavior. Take care of your body and get active. Make yourself do it. Don’t want to feel it. Address the causes of the depression. For example, deal with anger, settle family conflicts, resolve inappropriate guilt, and forgive those who hurt you. 

Nothing is hopeless or impossible with God. Be encouraged. God’s Word gives us several examples of people struggling in the depths of despair—Moses, Job, Peter, the Israelites, Naomi, Jeremiah, David, and even Elijah.

The most powerful example God gave was Jesus. The night He grieved in the garden over His impending death, “He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed” (Matt. 26:37). Jesus, confronted with despair and all alone, responded by praying even more earnestly. He submitted to the will of the Father. As He was nailed to the cross, He thought of others. Facing death, He was concerned that we be forgiven, that His mother be cared for, that the thief next to Him enter glory. What a model for us: Confront our darkest time, submit to the will of the Father, turn our attention to the needs of others, and praise God for the victory of the Cross.

Linda Mintle