Spiritual Depression

Here's an article that I found on "Overcoming Spiritual Depression".. Without a doubt, alot of us are both emotionally and spiritually depressed at times or all the time.

Introduction: “Are You Depressed?” – Knowing the Signs

More than having “the blues” or temporary sadness, depression is ongoing and
interfering with daily living. Feelings of sadness and emptiness prevail leading one to become tearful, irritable, sometimes even hostile toward others for no apparent reason. There is a tendency to dwell on memories of personal loss or failure or focus on the negative or unpleasant aspects of life to the exclusion of all else.

Depression erodes self-esteem, resulting in feelings of worthlessness and the belief
that he/ she is a huge burden to others. Depression can diminish one’s energy and enthusiasm in life in which daily decision making becomes exceedingly difficult and every challenge is intimidating. Long-lasting depression can lead to wishing that one had never been born, the desire to die, to thoughts of killing oneself.

Depression is not a concept that originated with psychology, but a real problem that is described and addressed in the Word of God.

I. Christians Are Not Immune to Depression.
It is a misconception that once a person becomes a Christian that depression is thereafter an impossibility.
Christians are to “rejoice always” (Phil. 4:4), thus depression is denied.
Many are tempted to “keep up appearances” rather than confide in brethren.

The truth is, men and women of God can get depressed.
Examples: Elijah (1 Kings 19:4), Job (Job 3:1), Jeremiah (Jer. 20:14), David (Ps. 142:1-4).

Be aware that Christians today can get depressed just like in biblical times.

II. Causes of Depression
The causes of depression are thought, by the field of psychology, to be from biological, genetic, and environmental / emotional factors.
1. Biological causes (e.g., hormone levels, chemistry of the brain).
2. Genetic causes (inherited or transmitted).
3. Environmental causes (stressful emotional situations, neglect by parents, death
of a parent, lack of sleep and/ or nutrition, substance abuse, etc.).

The cause of spiritual depression for the Christian is due to the influence of Satan
and our choice to sin or follow his ways (1 Pet 5:8; cf. Heb 3:12-13).
1. Satan would like nothing more than to see our joy in the Lord disappear!
2. The devil tries to get us to be faithless, hopeless, and pessimistic in life.
3. Spiritual depression and sin will cause us to fall way from God (Heb. 3:12-13).

III. The Remedy for Spiritual Depression.

Examine yourself (2 Cor. 13:5).
Just as there are “depression screening tests” that help to assess depression, the
Christian must take a hard look at his spiritual life. Take heed to the warnings of your brethren for spiritual depression (1 Thes. 5:14).
1. Sometimes brethren can see us better than we see ourselves!
2. Brethren admonish, encourage, and help you when you are on the wrong path.

Cast your fears, doubts, and worries “into the sea” and renew your faith in God that can “move mountains” (Mat. 17:19-21; 21:21-22).
1. Any “mountain” (trials, persecutions, temptations, disappointments, betrayal,
financial hardship, etc.) can be overcome by putting faith in God! (1 Pet. 5:7).
2. A life that is stable, well-grounded, and secure is a life that is built upon “the
Rock” (Mat. 7:24-27) (e.g., obedience, prayer, faith in the Lord).

Hopelessness must be replaced with hope in God and His promises (Psalm 43:5).
1. A person who has no hope in life is a person who suffers from depression.
a. There are no hopeless situations, only people who think hopelessly.
2. When our soul is disturbed, we must again hope in God who does not
disappoint us (Rom. 5:3-5; cf. 8:28; 1 Pet. 1:3-5).

Hand over all feelings of revenge or ill-will to the Lord (Mat. 5:38-39; Rom. 12:19)
and practice mercy and forgiveness (Luke 6:35-36; Eph. 4:31-32).
1. A major cause of spiritual depression in brethren is allowing the hurts of
betrayal, disappointments, and the sins of others to stir them up to wrath.
2. Handing over such vengeful feelings to the Lord is essential (Rom. 12:19).
3. A vengeful heart must be replaced with a merciful heart (Luke 6:35-36).
4. Forgiving others when duty demands it, is also vital to preventing depression
(Eph. 4:31-32; cf. Luke 17:3).

Meditate on what is good and spiritual (Phil. 4:8), not bad or worldly (Rom. 12:2).
1. When we conform our thinking to the way of the world, we are likely to fill our
hearts with a lot of negative, wicked, awful thoughts.
2. Christians are commanded to think upon that which is good and spiritual.

Derive confidence, self-esteem and worth from God and your relationship with Him.
1. Feelings of worthlessness that accompany depression often stem our focusing
too much on ourselves and not enough on God and what we have in Him.
2. True confidence in this life comes only from God Himself and His words of
encouragement from the Scriptures (Prov. 3:26; 14:26; 2 Tim. 3:16-17).
3. Children of God are of immense value and worth to God! (1 John 3:1a).

Base your joy not on your circumstances, but on the Lord (Phil. 4:4, 10-13).
1. Poor circumstances often makes us feel as if God is far away from us, but
nothing could be further from the truth!
2. Our circumstances are not to dictate our happiness, but our relationship to God!

Seek out spiritual brethren who will cheer you, comfort and encourage you in the faith.
1. Don’t go to just anyone for encouragement! (Prov. 25:19).
2. God comforts the depressed by using His people to lift them out of depression
to renew their strength in the Lord (2 Cor. 7:5-7). Don’t isolate yourself!

Though God’s People May at Times Get Depressed, Depression Can Be Overcome with the Help of the Lord.