I’m Not Mad, I’m Sad (Getting Even 3)

1 Sam 22:1-2, 5

David therefore departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. So when his brothers and all his father's house heard it, they went down there to him. 2 And everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him. So he became captain over them. And there were about four hundred men with him.

5 Now the prophet Gad said to David, "Do not stay in the stronghold; depart, and go to the land of Judah." So David departed and went into the forest of Hereth.

Depression is normal

            We saw that Elijah was depressed in our first sermon

                        As a mighty man of God, he was not exempt

                                    Depressed… didn’t have anything to live for

1 Kings 19:4.  He prayed that he might die, and said, "It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!"

 Depression often leads to thoughts of suicide

Nobody would care if I were gone; everybody would be better off without me; nothing I do means anything; life is too hard

Job was depressed because of constant tragedy (why didn’t I die at birth)

Moses was depressed because people were talking about him and his best efforts

Jonah was depressed because of disappointment (better to die than to live)

Widow of Prophet depressed because of her economy and severe loss

Jeremiah was constantly depressed because he took everything so personal

Cain was depressed because of his (stupid) choices

Hannah was depressed (bitterness of soul) because of physical issues

King David wrote a lot about his depression (cast down)

Apostle Paul talks openly about his depression: 

2 Cor 1:8.  For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened and pressed beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life.

Me:  Dec 1, 2012 I wrote:  “Like Paul slips into despair, I slip into depression; not over any one thing, but the weight of the whole.”

Even Jesus got depressed:

Mark 14:32-34

Then they came to a place which was named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, "Sit here while I pray."  33 And He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be deeply troubled and distressed (heavy). 34 Then He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, to the point death. Stay here and watch."

Isa 53:3.  He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.

            Things affected Him – how people responded & how they treated Him

                        He carried other people’s problems – Isa 53:12 

Remove the guilt from being depressed

It’s not that we get depressed – it’s that depression seizes us and we can’t move on

Depression drains your energy and drive, and robs you of your joy

     Ps 119:28.  My soul melts from heaviness.

Depression drives you into a cave – 1 Sam 22:1

Lose interest in doing thing

Withdraw from people; become irritable  

Depressed people don’t know how to ‘feel’ better or snap out of it

Being depressed is depressing

For the believer, it can become complex because of the seemed absence of God

• Ps. 42:3  My tears have been my food day and night, While they continually say to me, "Where is your God?"
• Ps 42:9.  I will say to God my Rock, "Why have You Forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?"

Depression takes our hope and consumes you with negative thinking

•         Overgeneralize:  draw conclusion based on a few negative facts – no exception
•         Label:  “I’m a failure, I’m stupid, I’m a loser”

Hope is what makes you lean into tomorrow, expecting a better day

Depression makes it difficult believe, let alone to move on

I’m not preaching “Don’t get depressed”

                        I am preaching “Don’t get stuck there. There comes a time to move on.”

Jesus dealt with His depression by submitting to the will of God

            That’s difficult to do when depression has clouded things – “what’s His will?”

You may not know the will of God, but know this: 

Every journey to the mountain leads through the valley

            Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David, Jesus

Deut 8:15.  Who led you through that great and terrible wilderness, in which were fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty land where there was no water

This life is a journey; we must keep moving; we can’t stop in the valley

How do I move when depressed makes me want to pull the covers over my head…?

1. Recover your Hope in God

Ps 42:11.  Why are you cast down, O my soul?  And why are you disturbed within me?

Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God.

Hope helps you believe in a day that’s better than today and won’t let you quit

2. Fight negative thinking with the Word

Ps 119:28.  My soul melts from heaviness; strengthen me according to Your word.

Phil 4:8.  Whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — let your thoughts dwell on these things.

•         Make a list of things to be grateful for

3. The Word changes your perspective on life – see things the way God sees them

Ps 119:30.  I have chosen the way of truth; Your judgments I have laid before me.

4. Come out of the cave

End the isolation – support system

2 Cor 7:6-7.  Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7 and not only by his coming, but also by the consolation with which he was comforted in you.

5. Take care of yourself

            Sleep, but get up – sleep for rest, don’t stay in the bed because of depression

            Eat right – healthy mood boosting foods

            Go outside – go for a walk; get some sunshine

            Try to keep busy – accomplishing things can make you feel better about yourself

6. Get Help! If necessary

Church counselor, Christian psychologist or psychiatrist, social worker, school counselor

            If your depression lasts more than 4 weeks, you may be clinically depressed

7. Go to Judah!

Prov 15:15.  All the days of the afflicted are evil,

But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.

Prov 15:13.  A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance,

But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

Prov 17:22.  A merry heart does good, like medicine,

But a broken spirit dries the bones.

•        Watch a funny movie; go to a comedy club; turn on upbeat music; get out and enjoy God’s creation

This is the whole of what I wrote on Dec 1, 2012:  Like Paul slips into despair, I slip into depression. not over any one thing, but the weight of the whole. I don't quit. I create. I innovate. I recreate.