Today we will look into the book of Job to see how Job experienced trauma, struggled through depression, & found anchors for his soul.

• Emil Brunner >> What oxygen is to the lungs, such is

to the meaning of life.
• The goal for this series is to shine the light of truth into darkness so that a ray of hope might touch your soul & that you might believe a truth about God that will carry you through the season you’re in.

Job’s Story

• In chapter 1, the story begins in the

of God. God sought to test and refine Job as a testimony that would stand through the ages that God is sufficient to carry us through the suffering that hits our lives. Satan was allowed to strip Job of everything but his life, not because of anything that he had done, but seemingly at random. It wasn’t random, it was

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, even though it was

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.
• Job’s wife told him to curse God & die. While Job didn’t go that far, I don’t think that it can be said that Job “kept the faith” except his faith in the fact that he had done nothing wrong.
• Job’s blamelessness is asserted because his friends arrive, representing the different ancient views of suffering. All of their views are insufficient & only end up heaping guilt, blame, & condemnation on Job. He must have done something wrong that brought this about.
• Job’s last friend, Elihu, shows up to defend God, or at least to accuse Job & his friends of misrepresenting God.
• After Job’s response, God shows up to

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Himself to Job. Instead of answering Job’s questions, God questions Job, revealing His sovereignty, majesty, & intentionality. Even though Job was given no explanation about his suffering, the knowledge of God’s character brought peace to his soul.

Is “depression” biblical?

• The entire premise of this series is that it is foolish to consider that depression is not addressed in Scripture since many of the stories within the Bible include intense suffering by many of its characters. Depression naturally follows

, which is where we find Job when his friends arrive.
• Job 2:12-13 | And when they saw him from a distance, they did not recognize him. And they raised their voices and wept, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads toward heaven. 13 And they sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very great.

How do you know when a grieving person is slipping into depression (Focus on the Family)

• Shows symptoms of grief for four or more months with no sign of improvement
• Prolonged or severe inability to function at home, work and/or school
• Stays in bed all day, doing nothing
• Thinks of suicide and/or has a preoccupation with death
• Speaks and moves slowly
• Hallucinates, which may or may not relate to the deceased
• Feels worthless

Truth Anchor #1: I will not know everything, but God is in

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& He is

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• Job’s life and situation utterly repudiates that oft-quoted lie that God will never give you more than you can handle.
• There are some

we cannot know. There are some problems that bring heartache that crush the spirit of even the most firm and faithful believer. Sin and sadness are part of life, even life in Christ, and will continue to be as long as we are in the world. Depression need not defeat us, though. Our suffering can be

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through Jesus Christ. As such, in our sorrow, we can acknowledge that we don’t need to know everything God is doing to trust in Him.
• 1 Peter 4:12-13, 19 | Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed…19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

Truth Anchor #2: God’s Word is a

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for hope & stability

• We may not be able to understand the “

” of our suffering, but God has revealed the “

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” that can carry us through it all. The “everything that we need for life & godliness” (2 Peter 1:3) includes suffering & depression.
• Job 42:1-2, 5 | Then Job answered the LORD and said: 2 “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted…5 I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you;
• Truth >> God is with me. What has He revealed? You are not

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. He has promised never to leave you or forsake you (Matthew 28:18). We will have more than we can handle, but God will not allow us to be overcome by our weakness. He is our strength. Either he will lighten the trial or strengthen our faith. In both cases, He is with us.
• Truth >> This too shall pass. If God is with you, He is not giving up on you, so don’t give up. He will

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you through.

Truth Anchor #3: I need godly

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in the midst of depression, even when I want to be alone

• Relationships are God’s hands and feet in depression. While friends are not always helpful (when they are operating from worldly wisdom), isolation is not God’s will for you. Truth is reinforced in

.
• God wants to use you in the midst of your friend or loved one’s depression. Be present, be active in caring for their physical needs, and be patient.
• Don’t be like Jobs friends & feel like God has appointed you to explain everything. Don’t be afraid to be

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.

Application

• Finish the following sentence: When I am depressed, I need to remember

.