How to Battle Depression
April 21, 2024

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Proverbs 12:25 - Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad. NKJV

Four Root Causes of Depression:

• Biological

• Relational

• Circumstantial

• Spiritual

Lamentations 3:1-2, 5-8, 17-20 - I am the man who has seen
afflictions by the rod of the LORD’s wrath. ² He has driven me away and made me walk in darkness rather than light …⁵ He has besieged me and surrounded me with bitterness and hardship. ⁶ He has made me dwell in darkness like those long dead. ⁷ He has walled me in so I cannot escape; he has weighed me down with chains. ⁸ Even when I call out or cry for help, he shuts out my prayer. … ¹⁷ I have been deprived of peace; I have forgotten what prosperity is. ¹⁸ So I say, “My splendor is gone and all that I had hoped from the LORD.” ¹⁹ I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. ²⁰ I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me.

Key truths to remember when you’re battling depression:

1. Your emotions are reasonable. But they’re NOT permanent.

2. Your situation might feel hopeless, but with God, there’s always HOPE

3. IDENTIFYING your emotions opens your mind to changing your emotions.

4. You are not going to make permanent DECISIONS based on temporary emotions.

John 10:10 - The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Lamentations 3:20-23 - I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. ²¹ Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: ²² Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. ²³ They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

“The Lord’s great love”

Definitions:

Permanent DEVOTION to God’s promises and character.
Masculine noun indicating kindness, lovingkindness, mercy, goodness, faithfulness, love, acts of kindness. This aspect of God is one of several important features of His character: truth; faithfulness; mercy; steadfastness; justice; righteousness; goodness.

Psalms 136:1-3 - Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. ² Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever. ³ Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever.

“His compassions”

* Means a mother’s WOMB
This root refers to deep love (usually of a “superior” for an “inferior”) rooted in some “natural” bond.

What do you do when the whole world feels dark?

1. Call it what it is and NAME your emotions.

Lamentations 3:21-23 - Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: ²² Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. ²³ They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

2. TURN your mind to God and His promises.

Lamentations 3:24-26 - I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” ²⁵ The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; ²⁶ it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.

3. Start TALKING to yourself about God’s promises.