Psalms 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.
Before we delve into the study, we must remember that there is a battle for the mind being waged each and every day, and living victoriously will depend to a large extent on how we fight our battles. The mind is where decisions and choices are made and thus, it behooves us to keep it in the best possible shape.
Many people focus on physical health without their attention being placed on the mind where decisions and choices are made which then affect every other part of the body. Very many of the struggles persons face in life can be traced right back to the mind, and how it is managed, because there is a valid reason why God placed it on top of the body.
Thus, the enemy of souls goes to work to destroy, to weaken, and to interfere with the mind, so that the processes of decision can be thrown off kilter, for he knows that whenever this becomes the case, it will just be a matter of time before things will trend to the darker side.
In one way or the next, whether it be via harmful drugs, by watching too much bad news, with lying politicians, or by listening to wrong types of music which suggest bad actions through lyrics, or by diets and foods, there is only one target on the enemy’s radar, the human mind, the seat of intelligence.
Depression is first, and foremost a condition of the mind, which is usually marked by severe feelings of despondency and dejection. It can occur only once in your lifetime, it can happen on multiple occasions or it could last for very long and extended periods of time to the point where it could become chronic.
Symptoms of depression are often manifested by a feeling of sadness and hopelessness. It can also be demonstrated via irritability, frustration over minor matters, angry outbursts, sleep disturbances, and a lack of enthusiasm, or interest in normal activities. Depression, if left unchecked can affect one’s sleep, and can cause a person to feel tired, with a lack of energy, or motivation to do any and everything.
It is also known to affect a person’s ability to think rationally and could reduce, or increase a person’s appetite for food. The tendency to binge-eat can be a symptom of a deeper problem of depression. When there are unexplained physical problems such as pain, headaches, or sudden onset of disease, and sickness, a person can become depressed. Again, in very many instances, carrying a heavy load of debt can trigger bouts of depression.
This one is huge, because it affects very many who have become overwhelmed with student loans, and since debt has become endemic, both at the federal level, and in most families, it is estimated that most American households cannot handle an unexpected bill of $1,000.00 or more.
In other instances, some individuals, for one reason or another, have become entangled in one of satan’s favorite snares, by cultivating that habit of living off of credit, not because they were originally forced to do so, but because of choice or impulse.
All of the foregoing situations ultimately will affect the mind in one way or the next, and if the problem is not dealt with prudently, persons could fall into a state of depression which can then affect the ability to relate to others at home, at church, and in other social settings.
Again, there may be other triggering mechanisms in the lead up to depression, such as a persistently low self-esteem, cultivating an attitude of pessimism, or the death of a loved one. Physical, and sexual abuse can also lead to depression, also a family history of bipolar disorder or mental illness.
Another cause of severe depression is the political landscape, which has become fraught with anxiety, violence, perpetual lies, and a feeling of uncertainty which has caused many people to go into full blown panic mode.
Citizens, in high and low places are looking forward with great consternation as to what may eventuate come November. Just thinking about the prospect of who may win is enough to give some individuals the creeps, and many more are losing sleep at night just worrying about whether democracy will be a thing of the past.
One, or all of these factors can increase the risk of developing or triggering depression. It is worthy of note that most people will experience depression at some point in their lives, some more, some less, for it has been documented to be a part of the human experience.
And since it is steadily on the increase, the time has come for us to address it from a Biblical perspective, since the Scriptures contain countless instances of persons who became depressed, for various reasons and who, by the grace of God were able to shake off the blues.
The Christian who believes in Jesus is not immune from depression, for, as was stated before, it’s a part of the human experience, whether one believes, or not. In fact, Brother Jesus also had His own bout of depression for a while, but He refused to dwell too long in that state.
This is of critical importance as we move forward in the study of this issue, because the faster one could recover from depression, is the less damage would accrue. Remember, the battle is for our minds, and if for some reason, we are prone to linger in a state of depression, the more effort will be required so as to escape from its clutches.
There are certain facts of life, and certain inevitable truths that we would have to be reconciled to as we study the issue of depression, and how to deal with it from the Scriptural perspective. There are certain things in life, that are just plain unavoidable.
For starters, the Bible does not teach us that we will not have any problems. You will have some sort of a problem, whether you are rich, poor, or in between. Once you are living on planet earth, you are bound to encounter some type of problem, thus, it’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when.
Let’s repeat again, so that you will hear correctly, if you are a Christian, you will have problems, and if a person does not believe in Jesus, they will also have problems for no one is immune. Jesus Himself had a whole lot of problems, and, believe it or not, satan has his own share of problems, just read Revelation 20.
Some people erroneously believe that satan only causes problems. Now, while this is true, he also is plagued with a host of problems, with very serious, and grave problems heading his way in the not-too-distant future. Let’s read:
Revelation 20:1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
[Early Writings pp 152] I was shown Satan as he once was, a happy, exalted angel. Then I was shown him as he now is. He still bears a kingly form. His features are still noble, for he is an angel fallen. But the expression of his countenance is full of anxiety, care, unhappiness, malice, hate, mischief, deceit, and every evil.
Let none be deceived concerning this sacred truth: Living without Jesus will bring you more problems than if you are a Christian. The unbeliever may seem for the time being, to be riding high, but sooner, or later there will be major problems coming down the road, just ask Diddy Combs. Let’s read:
Psalms 73:1 Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.
2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well-nigh slipped.
3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
5 They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.
13 Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.
14 For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.
16 When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;
17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I understood their end.
19 How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.
Thus, the Scriptures do not propose to insulate any person from any problems or depression. Instead, it teaches us how to deal with problems prudently, so as to minimize the risks, and losses which could pile up really quickly. Let’s read:
John 16: 33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Job suffered some of the more serious triggering mechanisms for the onset of major depression. Job, who was an upright man, was going his merry way, when out of the blue, without any prior warning, his world started to unravel really quickly.
In just a few days Job lost most of his workers, and most of his livestock which represented much of the wealth he’s documented to have been blessed with. Then, without warning, a tornado comes in from the desert and obliterates the house where his children were gathered.
Again, as if that were not enough, Job comes down with a dreadful disease, with boils, and sores that smelled offensive, so that his friends were loathed to come near.
To make matters worse, his frenemies kept blaming him for doing wrong things, which they attributed as the cause of all of his troubles, which only served to exacerbate the problem. Thus, with this very toxic combination roiling Job’s mind night and day, it may seem to the casual observer, that there was no way out.
Some folks wonder why God has allowed situations such as these to be recorded in the Scriptures. One of the reasons why God caused them to be written is so that folks who come after, might gain courage from those who have gone before, as we observe how they navigated deep depression, and yet came out victorious.
As we dig a bit deeper into Job’s harrowing bout of depression, we observe that he encountered some of the same triggering factors which adversely affect much of the human family today. Those factors are listed below so that we will see that there is nothing new under the sun.
[1] The sudden loss of a person’s family members through tragic circumstances.
[2] The loss of one’s home to a devastating, natural disaster.
[3] The tragic loss of your business, and employees.
[4] The loss of your health through some loathsome unexplainable disease, for which there is no known cure.
[5] The loss of finances, where in a very short period of time, Job went from hero to near Zero financially.
With all of these triggering factors for depression in his face, very many people in our day, might choose to call it quits, since everything on earth that seems worthwhile living for has now evaporated into thin air, and Job is left, apparently all alone, with the rug pulled out from beneath his feet.
There must be something else worth living for. Think about it carefully; after all the things that give folks happiness and fulfillment in life are gone there must be something more to life that would keep Job, and his wife pressing on.
It is called the blessed hope. The gospel of salvation produces a culture of life, by which life is still worth the living, even in the face of unexplainable, tragic losses, on multiple fronts. And because of this fact, the Christian who looks beyond that which is seen, to that which is eternal, will always have something better to live for even if at times problems and difficulties may overwhelm.
Even though we are advised to be faithful stewards, the Christian should understand that the temporal things of life are to be held in a subordinate role to the higher, eternal interests. And therefore, if the great recession, and the great depression were to rear their heads again, and if we experience world war 3 in our personal lives, either literally or figuratively, we must understand that we are headed for a better world.
So how does Job deal with depression in the Biblical way? His mind and thoughts rise above the ashes to behold by faith the final redemption of man and our planet, and this sacred truth is what buoys up Job’s hope in the midst of darkness and despair. Several passages in the Scripture point unmistakably to a day when the here and now will give way to the great hereafter and this blessed hope in Christ is the key that keeps Job chugging along. Let’s read:
Job 19: 25 For I know that my redeemer lives, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth.
26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.
27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.
1st Corinthians 15:19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
Hebrews 11: 8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise.
10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
The Christian in our day who may be going through a rough patch, who is facing mounting difficulties, or dealing with illness, debt, loss of family members, or depression in one form or another must seek for the Biblical solutions first and foremost, so that results would be in harmony with the blessed hope.
Much help is available, but the help that is sought must always to include the God factor. The tendency to resort to drugs and human counselling alone will in most cases leave out God, since science generally does not recognize, or acknowledge God.
There are cases written in the Scriptures where folks were able to pull out of depression with God alone, persons such as Jesus, Job, Moses, Joseph and the prophet Elijah, all of whom had their bouts of deep depression.
This is not to say that folks should dispense entirely with human agencies, for many professionals have been gifted by God with talents, and knowledge to help a great deal with this issue. All we are saying is that the God factor must be included, so as to help in avoiding unfortunate outcomes.
Through the grace and power of God the Christian is enabled to take a licking and keep on ticking just like the bunny rabbit in the Energizer commercial. Let all who are downtrodden and weary, let persons who are currently consumed in dark thoughts and moods pray to God for help in time of need and He will help in ways that we know nothing of.
When David was greatly distressed, and problems of life seemed about to swallow him up, His mind then turned to The One who is always ready to hear, and answer, and thus, in the midst of the storm, David found courage and strength to carry on. Let’s read:
1st Samuel 30:6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.
Persons, including Christians must be very careful of the influences in our world which often attempt to belittle the God factor. The tendency to leave Jesus out of the picture has the effect of causing problems and real difficulties to loom larger than life.
Let none be deceived by the wisdom of this world, for there is a God in the heavens who sits high and looks low, whose ear is always open to the cry of the faint and weary, and who delights in mercy. In times of distress and danger, when there seems as if there is no way out, there is always a way out in Christ.
God not only helps the Christian, His ears are also open to persons in distress, for there is something in the human soul that tends to turn to God when the going gets rough. And the Scriptures do confirm in clear lines that the work of Christ is to lift up and heal. Let’s read:
Luke 4: 17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,
18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
There are many times when individuals who were in deep depression, or in serious distress, have turned to The God of heaven for help, and He responded in the affirmative, even though they might not have been Christians. God’s grace and His mercy is not for Christians only, it’s ministered to all who ask in faith.
So let the word of God speak for itself, because it seems as if many persons may have misunderstood the goodness of God to the human family. Let’s read:
Psalms 107:1 O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endures forever.
2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;
8 Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
9 For he satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness.
10 Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron;
13 Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses.
14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and broke their bands in sunder.
23 They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;
24 These see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep.
25 For He commands, and raises the stormy wind, which lifts up the waves thereof.
26 They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.
27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wit's end.
28 Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.
29 He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.
30 Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.
31 Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
Therefore, be encouraged, no matter what you may be going through. Do not be afraid to ask God for a helping hand, and do not be hesitant to pray, for He will help all those who seek Him in sincerity. Many of those whom Christ healed in His day were just ordinary people, many of whom did not have a deep relationship with God.
Therefore, help is readily available, and if you are trying to deal with depression, remember there is a Biblical way. Let God lead, include the God-factor in all that you do, and you will soon discover, like Job, and many others did, that help is often just a prayer away. In harmony with this truth, we will end our study on a high note, for God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble. Let’s read:
Psalms 121:1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
2 My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.
3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keeps thee will not slumber.
5 The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.
7 The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
8 The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.
God Bless!