Generations Church
Today’s world is filled with all kinds of issues that can cause emotional distress. Unfortunately, these issues are more common than we would like to think. In the midst of so many people in our world, many feel like they are alone in dealing and coping with problems. This series will provide understanding, help, and hope for those dealing with fear, stress, anxiety, loneliness, depression, and suicide. 1 Peter 5:10 reminds us of God’s promise to “restore, confirm, strengthen and establish” those who are walking through these difficult seasons of life.
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If You Only Knew: Depression Psalm 13:1-5
"And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you." 1 Peter 5:10
God’s promise to us:
• Restore
• Confirm
• Strengthen
• Establish
1. Depression:
• An estimated 16.2 million adults in the United States had at least one major depressive episode in the last several months.
• The prevalence of major depressive episode was higher among adult females.
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/major-depression.shtml
• Late-life depression affects about 6 million Americans ages 65 and older.
https://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/depression-elderly#1
Things to know:
• Depression is no respecter of persons.
• Depression makes things seem worse than they really are!
• Depression makes things seem more permanent than they really are.
How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? Look on me and answer, Lord my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death, and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,” and my foes will rejoice when I fall. Psalm 13:1-5
Depression-Life Circumstances:
• Long term stress
• Great loss
• Unresolved problems
• Substance abuse
• Medical diagnoses
• Huge mistakes
• Negative perspective of life
Depression-Medical Reasons:
• 12.7% of the U.S. population over age 12 who took antidepressant medication in the past month.
http://www.apa.org/monitor/2017/11/numbers.aspx
2. Suicide:
At least 90% of all people who died by suicide were suffering from a mental illness at the time, most often depression.
3. How can I help if someone I know is struggling in these areas?
"The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free and that the time of the LORD’s favor has come ‘The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!" Luke 4:18-19
• Become the stubborn faithful friend.
• Be the prayer partner that never gives up.
4. Restoring Hope
But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me. Psalm 13:5-6
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 42:5
Restoring Hope:
• God loves you.
• God can turn things around.
• God can be a source of peace.
• I do not understand this situation but will trust in you.
For additional reading about stress and anxiety check out the YouVersion devotional below.
