What is Depression?

1
What is Depression?

• A psychotic or neurotic condition characterized
  by an inability to concentrate, insomnia, and
  feelings of extreme sadness, dejection, and
  hopelessness.

2
What is Depression?

• A psychotic or neurotic condition characterized
  by an inability to concentrate, insomnia, and
  feelings of extreme sadness, dejection, and
  hopelessness.
• From a Bible standpoint there are several words
  which would either describe or involve
  depression Anxiety, despair, worry, an
  overwhelmed spirit, etc.

3
The Christian Life is Joyful!

• (John 1010 NKJV) The thief does not come
  except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I
  have come that they may have life, and that they
  may have it more abundantly.

4
The Christian Life is Joyful!

• (Philippians 44 NKJV) Rejoice in the Lord
  always. Again I will say, rejoice!

5
The Christian Life is Joyful!

• God has not promised to take away the sources of
  our despair, but has given us the way to
  endure with joy. (1 Cor 1013 Phil 130)

6
The Christian Life is Joyful!

• (1 Corinthians 1013 NKJV) No temptation has
  overtaken you except such as is common to man
  but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be
  tempted beyond what you are able, but with the
  temptation will also make the way of escape, that
  you may be able to bear it.

7
The Christian Life is Joyful!

• (Philippians 127-30 NKJV) Only let your conduct
  be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that
  whether I come and see you or am absent, I may
  hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one
  spirit, with one mind striving together for the
  faith of the gospel,

8
The Christian Life is Joyful!

• 28 and not in any way terrified by your
  adversaries, which is to them a proof of
  perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from
  God. 29 For to you it has been granted on
  behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but
  also to suffer for His sake, 30 having the same
  conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in
  me.

9
The Christian Life is Joyful!

• The most powerful example of our faith is how we
  respond in suffering. (2 Cor 1210)

10
The Christian Life is Joyful!

• (2 Corinthians 1210 NKJV) Therefore I take
  pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs,
  in persecutions, in distresses, for Christs
  sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

11
Characteristics of Depression

• Depression alone is not a sin!

12
Characteristics of Depression

• Depression alone is not a sin!
• There are different levels of depression - Short
  term, Periodic and Chronic.

13
Characteristics of Depression

• Depression alone is not a sin!
• There are different levels of depression - Short
  term, Periodic and Chronic.
• All God given emotions are to be experienced

14
Characteristics of Depression

• (Ecclesiastes 32-4 NKJV) A time to be born, And
  a time to die A time to plant, And a time to
  pluck what is planted 3 A time to kill, And a
  time to heal A time to break down, And a time to
  build up 4 A time to weep, And a time to
  laugh A time to mourn, And a time to dance

15
Characteristics of Chronic Depression

• An unreal view of the world and people. They
  often have their own reality.

16
Characteristics of Chronic Depression

• An unreal view of the world and people. They
  often have their own reality.
• They become ego centered. All things are viewed
  by how it relates to them.

17
Characteristics of Chronic Depression

• An unreal view of the world and people. They
  often have their own reality.
• They become ego centered. All things are viewed
  by how it relates to them.
• There is a strong desire to withdraw.

18
Characteristics of Chronic Depression

• There is a strong desire for escape. (Eating,
  shopping, drugs, alcohol, binges, immorality,
  spending all spare time on recreation)

19
Characteristics of Chronic Depression

• There is a strong desire for escape. (Eating,
  shopping, drugs, alcohol, binges, immorality,
  spending all spare time on recreation)
• There are physical changes.

20
Characteristics of Chronic Depression

• There is a strong desire for escape. (Eating,
  shopping, drugs, alcohol, binges, immorality,
  spending all spare time on recreation)
• There are physical changes.
• Thoughts of suicide.

21
Characteristics of Chronic Depression

• Warning signs of suicide
• Changes in eating and sleeping habits.
• Withdrawal from friends, family,
  activities.
• Violent or rebellious behavior, running
  away.

22
Characteristics of Chronic Depression

• Warning signs of suicide
• Drug, alcohol abuse.
• Changes in hygiene.
• Persistent boredom, difficulty
  concentrating, decline in schoolwork.
• Frequent stomachaches, headaches, fatigue.

23
Characteristics of Chronic Depression

• Warning signs of suicide.
• Loss of interest in pleasurable activities.
• Inability to accept praise.
• Feeling "rotten inside."
• Giving away favorite possessions.
• Verbal hints, such as "I won't see you
  again."

24
Men who Overcame Depression

• Elijah (1 Kings 192-10, 18)

25
Men who Overcame Depression

• (1 Kings 192-8 NKJV) Then Jezebel sent a
  messenger to Elijah, saying, So let the gods do
  to me, and more also, if I do not make your life
  as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this
  time. 3 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.

26
Men who Overcame Depression

• 4 But he himself went a days 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! 5 Then as he lay
  and slept under a broom tree, suddenly an angel
  touched him, and said to him, Arise and eat.
  6 Then he looked, and there by his head was a
  cake baked on coals, and a jar of water. So he
  ate and drank, and lay down again.

27
Men who Overcame Depression

• 7 And the angel of the LORD came back the
  second time, and touched him, and said, Arise
  and eat, because the journey is too great for
  you. 8 So he arose, and ate and drank and he
  went in the strength of that food forty days and
  forty nights as far as Horeb, the mountain of God.

28
Men who Overcame Depression

• (1 Kings 1918 NKJV) Yet I have reserved seven
  thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not
  bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not
  kissed him.

29
Men who Overcame Depression

• Elijah (1 Kings 192-10,18)
• David (Psa 1421-4)

30
Men who Overcame Depression

• (Psalms 1421-4 NKJV) I cry out to the LORD with
  my voice With my voice to the LORD I make my
  supplication. 2 I pour out my complaint before
  Him I declare before Him my trouble. 3 When my
  spirit was overwhelmed within me, Then You knew
  my path. In the way in which I walk They have
  secretly set a snare for me. 4 Look on my right
  hand and see, For there is no one who
  acknowledges me Refuge has failed me No one
  cares for my soul.

31
Men who Overcame Depression

• Elijah (1 Kings 192-10,18)
• David (Psa 1421-4)
• Both these men were able by faith to overcome.

32
Sources of Depression

• Buried anger. A passive escape!
  (Eph 426-27 1 John 315)

33
Sources of Depression

• (Ephesians 426-27 NKJV) Be angry, and do not
  sin do not let the sun go down on your wrath,
  27 nor give place to the devil.

34
Sources of Depression

• (1 John 315 NKJV) Whoever hates his brother is
  a murderer, and you know that no murderer has
  eternal life abiding in him.

35
Sources of Depression

• Often the most angry people I know are the most
  passive ones.

36
Sources of Depression

• Often the most angry people I know are the most
  passive ones.
• By burying and dwelling on hurts we only make
  them bigger. We may make them permanent.

37
Sources of Depression

• It is never better to run from problems. God has
  commanded what we should do. (Matt 523-24
  1815-17)

38
Sources of Depression

• Living in the past. (Phil 312-14)

39
Sources of Depression

• (Philippians 312-14 NKJV) Not that I have
  already attained, or am already perfected but I
  press on, that I may lay hold of that for which
  Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13
  Brethren, I do not count myself to have
  apprehended but one thing I do, forgetting those
  things which are behind and reaching forward to
  those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward
  the goal for the prize of the upward call of God
  in Christ Jesus.

40
Sources of Depression

• Buried anger. A passive escape!
  (Eph 426-27 1 John 315)
• Living in the past. (Phil 312-14)
• Selfishness. (Phil 23-4)

41
Sources of Depression

• (Philippians 23-4 NKJV) Let nothing be done
  through selfish ambition or conceit, but in
  lowliness of mind let each esteem others better
  than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not
  only for his own interests, but also for the
  interests of others.

42
Sources of Depression

• Buried anger. A passive escape!
  (Eph 426-27 1 John 315)
• Living in the past. (Phil 312-14)
• Selfishness. (Phil 23-4)
• An overemphasis on the here and now. (1
  Tim 66-10 17-18)

43
Sources of Depression

• (1 Timothy 66-10 NKJV) Now godliness with
  contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought
  nothing into this world, and it is certain we can
  carry nothing out. 8 And having food and
  clothing, with these we shall be content. 9 But
  those who desire to be rich fall into temptation
  and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful
  lusts which drown men in destruction and
  perdition.

44
Sources of Depression

• 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds
  of evil, for which some have strayed from the
  faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves
  through with many sorrows.

45
Sources of Depression

• (1 Timothy 617-18 NKJV) Command those who are
  rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor
  to trust in uncertain riches but in the living
  God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.
  18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good
  works, ready to give, willing to share,

46
Sources of Depression

• Buried anger. A passive escape!
  (Eph 426-27 1 John 315)
• Living in the past. (Phil 312-14)
• Selfishness. (Phil 23-4)
• An overemphasis on the here and now. (1
  Tim 66-10 17-18)
• A poor family upbringing. (Eph 64)

47
Sources of Depression

• (Ephesians 64 NKJV) And you, fathers, do not
  provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up
  in the training and admonition of the Lord.

48
Sources of Depression

• It is not uncommon for depression to go through
  generations.

49
Sources of Depression

• It is not uncommon for depression to go through
  generations.
• Some are raised in an anger filled home where
  resentment is taught.

50
Sources of Depression

• It is not uncommon for depression to go through
  generations.
• Some are raised in an anger filled home where
  resentment is taught.
• Others are taught to run from problems rather
  than solve them.

51
The Christians Response to Depression

• To the one dealing with depression.

52
The Christians Response to Depression

• To the one dealing with depression.
• Build your faith in God. (Phil 411-13)

53
The Christians Response to Depression

• (Philippians 411-13 NKJV) Not that I speak in
  regard to need, for I have learned in whatever
  state I am, to be content 12 I know how to be
  abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and
  in all things I have learned both to be full and
  to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
  13 I can do all things through Christ who
  strengthens me.

54
The Christians Response to Depression

• A daily transformed mind. (Rom 121-2)

55
The Christians Response to Depression

• (Romans 121-2 NKJV) I beseech you therefore,
  brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present
  your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable
  to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And
  do not be conformed to this world, but be
  transformed by the renewing of your mind, that
  you may prove what is that good and acceptable
  and perfect will of God.

56
The Christians Response to Depression

• A God centered mind. (Phil 45-7)

57
The Christians Response to Depression

• (Philippians 45-7 NKJV) Let your gentleness be
  known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be
  anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer
  and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your
  requests be made known to God 7 and the peace
  of God, which surpasses all understanding, will
  guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

58
The Christians Response to Depression

• A life of meaning and fulfillment. (Matt 2028)

59
The Christians Response to Depression

• (Matthew 2028 NKJV) just as the Son of Man did
  not come to be served, but to serve, and to give
  His life a ransom for many.

60
The Christians Response to Depression

• Worship to the ever present God. (Psa 7316-17)

61
The Christians Response to Depression

• (Psalms 7316-17 NKJV) When I thought how to
  understand this, It was too painful for me 17
  Until I went into the sanctuary of God Then I
  understood their end.

62
The Christians Response to Depression

• Confidence in the hope of heaven. (Rom 824-25
  1212)

63
The Christians Response to Depression

• (Romans 825 NKJV) But if we hope for what we do
  not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

64
The Christians Response to Depression

• (Romans 1212 NKJV) rejoicing in hope, patient
  in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer

65
The Christians Response to Depression

• Surround yourself with faithful people. (1
  Cor 1533)

66
The Christians Response to Depression

• (1 Corinthians 1533 NKJV) Do not be deceived
  Evil company corrupts good habits.

67
The Christians Response to Depression

• Some seek to associate with others who are
  depressed because they will understand. This
  could lead to compounding your problem.

68
The Christians Response to Depression

• During your times of weakness you will need
  others who will strongly encourage you to
  faithfulness. (Gal 61-2)

69
The Christians Response to Depression

• (Galatians 61-2 NKJV) Brethren, if a man is
  overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual
  restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness,
  considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
  2 Bear one anothers burdens, and so fulfill
  the law of Christ.

70
The Christians Response to Depression

• Do not flee from problems!

71
The Family of the Depressed

• There are two common, but wrong approaches to the
  depressed.

72
The Family of the Depressed

• There are two common, but wrong approaches to the
  depressed.
• Some treat the member with silence and by
  ignoring them. Others may even ridicule or bury
  anger against the depressed.

73
The Family of the Depressed

• There are two common, but wrong approaches to the
  depressed.
• Some treat the member with silence and by
  ignoring them. Others may even ridicule or bury
  anger against the depressed.
• Some may allow the depressed to rule. In this
  situation they must submit to the depressed
  person or be punished. Here the depressed one can
  be very manipulative.

74
The Family of the Depressed

• Have the courage to give the person what they
  need, not everything they ask. (Mk 1021)

75
The Family of the Depressed

• (Mark 1021 NKJV) Then Jesus, looking at him,
  loved him, and said to him, One thing you lack
  Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to
  the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven
  and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.

76
The Family of the Depressed

• This may lead to short term anger, but long term
  solutions.

77
The Family of the Depressed

• This may lead to short term anger, but long term
  solutions.
• I have seen cowardly men and women allow these
  problems to make shipwreck of their entire family.

78
The Family of the Depressed

• This may lead to short term anger, but long term
  solutions.
• I have seen cowardly men and women allow these
  problems to make shipwreck of their entire
  family.
• There may be a need for professional help.

79
The Family of the Depressed

• Understand your own limitations.

80
The Family of the Depressed

• Understand your own limitations.
• You cannot change another person against their
  will.

81
The Family of the Depressed

• Understand your own limitations.
• You cannot change another person against their
  will.
• Always keep your own faithfulness in mind. (Gal
  61)

82
The Family of the Depressed

• Understand your own limitations.
• You cannot change another person against their
  will.
• Always keep your own faithfulness in mind. (Gal
  61)
• Have realistic expectations.

83
The Churchs Response

• Give understanding, love and support to the
  brother. (1 Cor 1222-24)

84
The Churchs Response

• (1 Corinthians 1222-24 NKJV) No, much rather,
  those members of the body which seem to be weaker
  are necessary. 23 And those members of the body
  which we think to be less honorable, on these we
  bestow greater honor and our unpresentable parts
  have greater modesty, 24 but our presentable
  parts have no need. But God composed the body,
  having given greater honor to that part which
  lacks it,

85
The Churchs Response

• Stop the depressed from spreading their fear and
  in some cases gossip.

86
The Churchs Response

• Stop the depressed from spreading their fear and
  in some cases gossip.
• The depressed fight contending for the faith.
  They want no more conflict. Do not let this
  attitude spread (Jude 3)

87
The Churchs Response

• (Jude 13 NKJV) Beloved, while I was very
  diligent to write to you concerning our common
  salvation, I found it necessary to write to you
  exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith
  which was once for all delivered to the saints.

88
Remember Gods Way!

• (Philippians 48-9 NKJV) Finally, brethren,
  whatever things are true, whatever things are
  noble, whatever things are just, whatever things
  are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever
  things are of good report, if there is any virtue
  and if there is anything praiseworthy meditate
  on these things.

89
Remember Gods Way!

• 9 The things which you learned and received and
  heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of
  peace will be with you.