Victory Church

Hebrews 12:1 - Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,

Depression
A mood disorder characterized by anhedonia, extreme sadness, poor concentration, sleep problems, loss of appetite, and feelings of guilt, helplessness, and hopelessness.”

“We were never designed for the sedentary, indoor, socially isolated, fast-food laden, sleep deprived, frenzied pace of modern life.” Stephen ILardi, “The Depression Cure”

Cell phone and social media use.

Lack of identity.

Inability to process pain.

Peer to peer mentoring.

Narcissistic culture.

Suicide is a permanent, irreversible attempt
to solve a temporary problem.

You don’t have to die to end your pain.

1-800-273 – TALK (8255)
National Suicide Hotline

Lamentations 3:17-20 – “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.”

1 Kings 19:1-3a – “Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword.

So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, "May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them."

Elijah was afraid and ran for his life.

1 Kings 19:3b-5a – “When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day's journey into the desert.

He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. "I have had enough, Lord," he said. "Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors."

Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep…”

4 Depression Traps
1) Wear Yourself Out.

2) Shut People Out.

3) Focus on The Negative.

4) Forget God.

God’s Prescription for Our Depression

1) God Says to Eat and Rest.

1 Kings 19:5b-6 – “All at once an angel touched him and said, "Get up and eat." 6 He looked around, and there by his head

was a cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.”

1 Kings 19:7-8 – “The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, "Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you." 8 So he got up and ate and drank.

Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.”

God’s Prescription for Our Depression
1) God Says to Eat and Rest.

2) God Replaces Our Lies with His Truth.

1 Kings 19:9-10 – “There he went into a cave and spent the night. And the word of the Lord came to him: "What are you doing here, Elijah?"

He replied, "I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too."

2 Corinthians 10:5 – “Take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

God’s Prescription for Our Depression
1) God Says to Eat and Rest.
2) God Replaces Our Lies with His Truth.
3) God Speaks In A Still, Small Voice.

1 Kings 19:11-12 – “The Lord said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by."

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind.

After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire.

And after the fire came a gentle whisper.”

Sometimes when we’re lowest,
God seems to speak the softest.

Psalm 46:10 – “Be still, and know that I am God.”

God’s Prescription for Our Depression
1) God Says to Eat and Rest.
2) God Replaces Our Lies with His Truth.
3) God Speaks In A Still, Small Voice.
4) God gives us something to do!

1 Kings 19:15-16 – “The Lord said to him, "Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. Also,

anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet.”

2 Kings 2:11-12 – “As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.

Elisha saw this and cried out, "My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!" And Elisha saw him no more.