Depression. Just saying the word can be depressing. We don’t like to talk about it – until we get depressed – and then there seems nothing else that we can talk about. Most people who are depressed either deny it or don’t even realize it. Yet researchers tell us that 12% of us regularly suffer from it.
In most cultures, depression is viewed as a character flaw because depressed people are not much fun to be around. Most Christians view it as sin; something we merely need to repent of in order to make it go away. But it’s rarely that easy.
What these folks overlook is that some of the Bible’s greatest heroes battled depression. Moses wanted to resign because of it. Elijah ran away and hid in a cave. Job wanted to die. David almost gave up. Even Paul was so overwhelmed by problems that he “despaired even of life.” (2 Corinthians 1:8). Those are all code words for depression!
The New Oxford American Dictionary defines depression as, “severe despondency and dejection, typically felt over a period of time and accompanied by feelings of hopelessness and inadequacy.” Who hasn’t felt like that? Depression comes into every life because sooner or later something happens that makes a person feel hopeless and inadequate.
Depression has a chemical side to it as well. Low levels of serotonin can contribute to sadness and other emotional disorders. But for most of us depression comes from a more common cause. Solomon called it heart sickness due to disappointment (Proverbs 13:12). When we have a hope, a dream, an ambition, or an expectation that unexpectedly falls apart, we “lose heart.” The loss of a relationship, a job, wealth or health, can lead to a feeling of irretrievable loss; the belief that something essential to our happiness has been taken and will never be restored.
It’s at this point that we can fall into danger. Satan loves to take advantage of such moments. He seeks to gain a “foothold” in our thought-life, (Ephesians 4:27); that in turn he can make a “stronghold,” (2 Corinthians 10:4–5). Once entrenched he easily exploits our emotions, negatively manipulating our behavior. We either drop out in despair or strike out in anger.
Surprisingly, anger is one of his surest evidences that someone is depressed. It’s the minds way of attempting to lift us out of despondency and provoking us to action. But anger unresolved soon turns into resentment that simmers and seethes until it explodes. The result is a life marked by bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice (Ephesians 4:31). Once depressive anger gets up a head of steam, it is pretty hard to stop.
But it can be by doing four simple things:
1) Admit to yourself and God that you are depressed, resentful and angry.
2) Ask Him to forgive and free you from those hurts and emotions.
3) Forgive those you are angry with.
4) Pray/Read Ephesians 4:30–32 until you know it by heart.
Pastor Ken Ortize
October 29, 2014