Overcoming Depression

Depression is not something that simply happens to you; it is something you do.

While no one know for certain the “cause” of depression, when depression begins there are choices and decisions you make that either let depression run its course unchecked,
or begin the process which brings depression to an end.

You make the choice between calling out to God or not.
You make the choice between believing the Word of God or not.
You make the choice between isolating yourself or not.
You make the choice of serving others or not.
You make the choice of praising God, in spite of how you feel, or not. You make the choice of focusing on yourself

or focusing on God and others.
You make the choice of filling you mind with negative and pessimistic thoughts with the Word of God, or not.

You make the choice as to whether you will do the hard work of being depressed or the hard work of getting better.

Read Psalm 42

1) We must “take our soul to task” We must take action.

We must begin to speak to our depression instead of just letting it speak to us.

For example:
Our depression may tell us that we have been abandoned by God. God might feel far away, but our feelings mislead us on this. Scripture is filled with promises of God’s presence with us.

Psalm 13:1

How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?

Psalm 69:2-3

2 I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold.
I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me. 3 I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God.

Hebrews 13:5

For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

2) We must seek to determine “why our soul is disquieted in us.” A) Cultural Influences

The incidence rate of depression for those born after 1950 is as much as twenty times higher than the incidence rate for those born before 1910. The rates of depression steadily increase
with each new decade.

1) The Culture of the Individual

Societies or groups with very strong group ties and identities have very low incidence

of depression and suicide. (Amish)
2) The Culture of Self-Indulgence (self-esteem)

What happens when people are raised on a steady diet of “You are great, you can do anything, you deserve it,

you are the best,
you can get what you want”?

Sooner or later you find that its not true.

3) A Culture where Happiness is the greatest Good. 4) A Culture of Entertainment and Boredom
5) A Culture of Confused Gender Roles

B) The Inclinations of the Heart

This process must involve an examination of our heart.
It is important to understand that sin may not be the “cause” of your depression but anytime a person goes through a form of suffering, the heart is more clearly revealed.
As sin is revealed and dealt with,
the closer we get to God and the depression begins to diminish.

Proverbs 4:23

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

Luke 6:45

The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart,
and the evil man brings evil things
out of the evil stored up in his heart.

For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.

One of the problems with the heart is that it is hard to know it.
We can quickly list the circumstances of life that shape who we are, such as family, friends, and teachers,
but the heart tends to hide,
both from ourselves and others.

Jeremiah 17:9

The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked;
Who can know it?

Here are a series of questions we can ask to discover what is in our heart.

What do you love?
What do you hate?
What do you want, crave, hope for? What is your goal?
What do you fear?

What do you worry about?
What do you feel like you need?
Where do you find refuge, comfort, pleasure, or security? Who are your heroes and role models?
What defines success or failure for you?

When do you say, “If only .....”? example:

If only my husband would ..... If only I had ......

Who do you feel you need to please or make proud?
What do you see as your rights?
What do you talk the most about when you can direct the flow of conversation?
What are your dreams or fantasies?
When do you get angry?
What is your biggest regret?
When do you tend to doubt scripture?
Where in your life have you struggled with bitterness?
What or whom do you avoid?
Do you feel guilty at times?

Two important questions must be answered. 1) If your depression had a voice, what would it say?

Examples: “I am so lonely.” “I am so scared.” “I am so sad.” “I am so confused.”

2) Do you really want to change?

As bizarre as it might seem, depression can come to feel like a friend.

You wouldn’t choose this friend if you had a choice,
but now that you have him, he is comfortable and predictable.

You can even derive personal identity from him,
which is especially tempting
when you feel like you have no identity without him.

The Natural Inclination of the Heart

1. A)  We are Proud

2. B)  We want Control

3. C)  We want to indulge our Desires

4. D)  We want and we want More

There are times when we put our trust in a person or thing and what we can get from them/it,
rather than putting our trust in Christ and loving others.

The feeling of emptiness is usually a sign that
we have put our trust in something that can’t sustain us.

We were created to enjoy the many things God gives without making them the center of our lives.

Life is ultimately about God himself.