Depression (2)

	Last time we began a discussion of depression.  We noticed that the causes of depression may include such things as low self-esteem, learned helplessness, negative thinking, stress, anger, guilt, and an unrealistic view of life.  We observed that God has the real answers to our problems.
	But what practical advice does the Bible provide to help us in dealing with depression? 
	If low self-esteem is the cause of our depression, we can start to deal with it by realizing our value to God. 
	"In this is love," we read in 1 John 4:10, "not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins."
	In Romans 8:32 Paul points out that God did not even spare His own Son when it came to paying the price of our salvation.  We may not think we are worth very much, but God feels that we are worth the life of His Son.
	If we are suffering from learned helplessness...from the feeling that all is hopeless and out of control...we need to remember that God IS in control.
	"Let your character be free from the love of money," Hebrews 13:5-8  advises, "being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, 'I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,' so that we confidently say, 'The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What shall man do to me?' 
	"Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. 
	"Jesus Christ {is} the same yesterday and today, {yes} and forever." 
	"For by Him all things were created, {both} in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-- all things have been created by Him and for Him," we are assured in Colossians 1:16-17. 
	"And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together." 
 	"Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am," Paul explains in Philippians 4:11-13. 
	"I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 
 	"I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." 
	We may not be in control, but God is.
	Perhaps our depression stems from negative thinking.
   	"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!" Paul admonishes in Philippians 4:4-9. 
     	"Let your forbearing {spirit} be known to all men. The Lord is near. 
     	"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 
    	 "And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 
    	 "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things. 
     	"The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things; and the God of peace shall be with you." 

	The Bible can also help us reduce stress and the resulting depression.  If the stress is caused by money, as it often is, the Bible can help in correcting our priorities.
    	 "No one can serve two masters," Jesus emphasizes in Matthew 6:24-34; "for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will hold to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. 
    	 "For this reason I say to you, do not be anxious for your life, {as to} what you shall eat, or what you shall drink; nor for your body, {as to} what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body than clothing? 
     	"Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, and {yet} your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? 
	"And which of you by being anxious can add a {single} cubit to his life's span? 
   	"And why are you anxious about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory did not clothe himself like one of these. 
	"But if God so arrays the grass of the field, which is {alive} today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, {will He} not much more {do so for} you, O men of little faith? 
     	"Do not be anxious then, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'With what shall we clothe ourselves?' 
     	"For all these things the Gentiles eagerly seek; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 
    	"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. 
	"Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. {Each} day has enough trouble of its own." 
  	"Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed," we are reminded by Jesus in Luke 12:15; "for not {even} when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions." 
     	Two weeks ago we discussed how the Bible can help in dealing with anger.  So we won't take time now to examine it again.  Another source of depression, guilt, will be discussed in the future, Lord willing.

	The Bible can help us to stimulate realistic thinking.  Too often our view of the world, not to mention our view of ourselves, is distorted.  This problem with thinking results in a problem with feeling.  We're depressed.  In dealing with this depression we must remember that it is easier to act ourselves into a better way of feeling than to feel ourselves into a better way of acting.  If we wait until we feel like doing something it will never happen.
	One thing which helps us not have such a negative view of life is to accept human frailty.
     	"For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the wishing is present in me, but the doing of the good {is} not," Paul recognizes in Romans 7:18-25 as he remembers his life under the Law of Moses. 
	"For the good that I wish, I do not do; but I practice the very evil that I do not wish. 
	"But if I am doing the very thing I do not wish, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. 
	"I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wishes to do good. 
	"For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind, and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. 
	"Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? 
	"Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin." 
	Paul begins the next chapter with the one fact which will help us formulate a more positive...and more realistic...view of life.
	"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus," he proclaims. 
	Whenever we are depressed it is difficult to have hope.  God can change that if we will allow Him.
	"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing," Romans 15:13 offers, "that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." 
	Scott Carmell has compiled a list of eight guidelines for resolving depression.  The first item recommends becoming involved in activities, even though this is often difficult for those who are depressed.  He suggests that doing is better than sitting.
	"Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men," Paul suggests in Colossians 3:23; "knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve." 
	1 Timothy 5:13 condemns those who learn to be idle.
	The second suggestion involves dwelling on strengths and talents. We should replace negative thoughts with positive ones.  We have already seen what the Bible has to say about this in Philippians 4:11-13.
	Item number three, which is related to the previous one, asks that a person dwell on the things he likes about himself.
	"For God so loved the world," we have all learned from John 3:16, "that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life."
	God obviously likes us, so there must be something we can like about ourselves. 
	"Do you not know that you are a temple of God, and {that} the Spirit of God dwells in you?" Paul asks fellow Christians in 1 Corinthians 3:16-17. 
	"If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are." 
	The next two items involve eating properly and exercising.  The Bible agrees that we should care for our bodies.
	"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?" we find in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. 
	"For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body." 
	"For no one ever hated his own flesh," Paul points out in Ephesians 5:29, "but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church."
	The sixth suggestion is to seek counseling.  The Bible recommends that we seek help from each other.
	"Therefore, confess your sins to one another," James 5:16 advises, "and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much." 
	"Bear one another's burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ," Galatians 6:2 urges. 

	Next it is suggested that we consult a physician if needed.  We find that the apostle Paul was sometimes accompanied by the physician Luke, and that he sometimes required assistance.
	"And he gave orders to the centurion for him to be kept in custody and {yet} have {some} freedom," we read in Acts 24:23 of Felix in regard to Paul's care, "and not to prevent any of his friends from ministering to him." 
	The final item on the list is to get close to God.
	"But He gives a greater grace," James 4:6-10 states.  "Therefore {it} says, 'God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.' 
	"Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 
	"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 
	"Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning, and your joy to gloom. 
	"Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you." 
	Sometimes it seems that those who are depressed simply cannot find peace no matter where they look.  But Jesus is ready to provide us with peace.
	"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you," the Master promises in John 14:27.  "Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." 
	This is made available, though, only to those who have done what is specified in the previous four verses.
	"If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him, and make Our abode with him," Jesus instructs in John 14:23-26. 
	"He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father's who sent Me. 
	"These things I have spoken to you, while abiding with you. 
	"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you."
	If we will only abide in the truth, Jesus will set us free. 

Unless otherwise noted, "Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE(R), (C) Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977. Used by permission."