Depression is a widespread condition, affecting

Million adults, both Christians and non-Christians alike Annually in the U.S. and

Reveal Answer

million around the world.

According to the CDC – Mental disorders including depression increased by __54.7%

in an online survey conducted in June of 2020.

Psalm 139:14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.

It stands to reason that our

interacts with our

Reveal Answer

and vice-versa.

Genesis 3:14-19 So the LORD God said to the serpent: “Because you have done this, You are cursed more than all cattle, And more than every beast of the field; On your belly you shall go, And you shall eat dust All the days of your life. And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.” To the woman He said: “I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; In pain you shall bring forth children; Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.” Then to Adam He said, “Because you have heeded the voice of your wife and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You .shall not eat of it’: “Cursed is the ground for your sake; In toil you shall eat of it All the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, and you shall eat the herb of the field. In the sweat of your face, you shall eat bread till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; For dust you are, and to dust you shall return.”

Romans 8:20-22 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope, because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.

John 11:35 Jesus wept.

Biblical Examples

Psalm 56:8 You number my wanderings; Put my tears into Your bottle; Are they not in Your book?

Who said it?

Numbers 11:15 If You treat me like this, please kill me here and now–if I have found favor in Your sight–and do not let me see my wretchedness!”

Who said it?

1 Kings 19:3-5 And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, LORD, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!” Then as he lay and slept under a broom tree, suddenly an angel touched him, and said to him, “Arise and eat.”

Who said it?

Now here is the catch – None of these guys were

by God for his feelings; rather, they were met with God’s love and provision.

JESUS SAID “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But

Reveal Answer

! I have overcome the world.” _{John 16:33}

Taking heart does not mean

on a smile or

Reveal Answer

the feeling of emptiness that depression brings.

It does not mean

to treat depression through counseling or medication.

It does not mean

the relational hurts or the misperceptions that have led to depression

It does not mean

the fact that depression could be a lifelong struggle.

What taking heart does mean is

all our pain to God.

It does mean

to trust in Him.

It does mean

that what He says about Himself and about us is true, even when we don’t feel like it is.

It does mean

the help we need, battling depression rather than giving in to it.

How are we to respond to depression?

Individually

1. It is

   Reveal Answer
   to be depressed. But it is wrong to
   Reveal Answer
   on God when we are depressed.

   Psalm 43:5 Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.

2. The Bible tells us to be

   Reveal Answer
   with joy and praise.

   Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

   Romans 15:11 And again: “Praise the LORD, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples!”

3. Clinical depression is a condition that sometimes needs to be

   Reveal Answer
   and
   Reveal Answer
   by a physician with medication and or counseling.

Congregationally

People who live with any kind of a mental or emotional disorder

your pity / arrogance/ or Pharisaical attitude.

They need to be

as much as any of us, maybe even a little more.

They

encouragement/ fellowship/ invitation/ engagement/ prayer/ understanding and compassion.

They need to know that

as a fellow brother or sister in Christ are here to help no matter the hour of the day.

Romans 12:5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.

**Romans 12:9-16*Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.*