Emotions Part 5

DEFEATING (the Three “D’s”:)

DISCOURAGEMENT, DEPRESSION, and DESPAIR
BEFORE CHRIST (we are naturally more given to depression and despair. Why?)
...remember that at that time you were separate from Christ...without hope and without God in
the world. (Eph. 2:12)

AFTER CHRIST
In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus
Christ from the dead... (1 Pet. 1:3)

He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock,
and established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth – Praise to our God... (Ps. 40:2-3
NKJV)

Thank God, Jesus lifts us up out of the miry pit and puts a new song in our mouth!

But, as a Christian, have you ever had times of depression?

Depression is common to the human experience – just about all of us feel low, dejected, “blue,”
or disheartened at one time or another. There can be many causes: physical disorders, job stress,
relational conflicts, setbacks in life, emotional pressure, or when we fail at important tasks.

Depression produces a sense of heaviness which often leads to despair and a feeling of
hopelessness. One lady said, ‘I constantly feel overwhelmed with the basics of life...I am in a
downward spiral...’

ABRAHAM LINCOLN SUFFERED DEPRESSION

“I am now the most miserable man living. If what I feel were equally distributed to the
whole human family, there would not be one cheerful face on earth. Whether I shall ever
be better I cannot tell. I awfully forbode that I shall not. To remain as I am is impossible, I
must die or be better, it appears to me.”
Reportedly, Lincoln struggled with depression for most of his adult life. It was said that
his friends at times thought it wise to keep knives and razors away from him.

Depression is not an indication that you are a spiritual failure. Some of the heroes in the Bible
were depressed at times, even despairing of life. Some examples:

MEN OF GOD SUFFERED DEPRESSION

 Moses (Num. 11:10-15)
Moses heard the people of every family wailing... He asked the LORD, “Why have you brought this trouble
on your servant? What have I done to displease you that you put the burden of all these people on me? Did
I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth?.... If this is how you are going to treat me, put me to
death right now...
When a person is so down they just want to die, that is despair. Despair is the deepest level of depression.

 Elijah (I K. 19:1-5)
[After Jezebel threatened to kill him, Elijah ran...] He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed
that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.”

 Job (Job 3:1-4)

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 [Job] said: “May the day of my birth perish, and the night it was said, ‘A boy is born!’
That day – may it turn to darkness; may God above not care about it; may no light shine upon it.

 David (Ps. 43:5)

Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me?...

 Paul. (II Cor. 1:8).

[As he ministered in Asia].
We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life.

 Other men of God: Charles Spurgeon, Oswald Chambers, F. B. Meyer, and Ron Dunn

DISCOURAGEMENT IS A COMMON TOOL OF THE DEVIL

 It can lead to depression, even despair.
 Many a man of God has been hindered or stopped in useful service because of
discouragement.
 Discouragement can cause a healthy believer to wilt spiritually, to lose one’s joy, and to
feel overwhelmed.
 It can blind us to the mercy of God, cause us to dwell primarily on the negative, and lead
to despair.
 It magnifies our problems and keeps our focus on self, instead of God.

Dr. Martyn Lloyd- Jones wrote an excellent book, Spiritual Depression, which dealt with
this problem. He said,
“The devil’s one object is to depress God’s people so much that he can go to the man of
the world and say: There are God’s people. Do you want to be like that?” (Dr. Martyn
Lloyd- Jones)

DEPRESSION MAY OCCUR AFTER A GREAT SPIRITUAL VISTORY

 Elijah – after defeating the false prophets of Baal (I Kings 19:1-5).
 God’s remedy was very practical: food, rest, and a new revelation of Himself (vv.6-13).
One doctor said one of the first things she did for depressed patients was to order them a
steak dinner, because they were generally low on protein. (Sounds like a good remedy!)

SATAN OFTEN ATTACKS US (through discouragement and depression) WHEN WE ARE

PHYSICALLY AND EMOTIONALLY WEAK.
We see the enemy’s tactics when Israel was traveling through the wilderness, the enemy
would attack those who were weak, weary, and lagging behind...
Remember what the Amalekites did to you along the way when you came out of Egypt.
When you were weary and worn out, they met you on your journey and cut off all who
were lagging behind; they had no fear of God. (Deut. 25:17-18)

Whenever we are physically and emotionally weak, we must be spiritually on guard. We

must be careful about over reacting and avoid making any major decisions (e.g., quit job,
move, etc.) Satan will try to “pick us off” when we are weak.

Now, if you are not presently being affected by the three “D’s” at some point you probably will
be and you will likely know others who suffer from discouragement and depression. So, here are
some suggestions for...

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DEFEATING DEPRESSION
1. Expect a certain amount of trouble in this present world.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have
trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
Some Christians naively think that they should somehow be immune from life’s troubles....
To the contrary, this is one of Jesus’ promises...We can expect a certain amount of trouble...
The good news is that through Jesus we can overcome!
Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through
manifold temptations. (I Pet. 1:6 KJV)
So, we should not be unduly alarmed if we fall into depression, but the Bible is clear –
long term depression is not the will of God:

2. Get a medical check-up.

Sometimes there are physical causes for our emotional problems.
Dr. Don Colbert, in his book, Deadly Emotions, says that there can be many physical causes,
Like low blood sugar, for example.
He says that almost twice as many women suffer from depression as men.
For some ladies, it can be something as simple as hormone medicine that makes a big
difference.
If anyone is depressed, include a medical check-up.

3. Keep praising. In a prophecy about Jesus, the prophet Isaiah said...

[He will] provide for those who grieve in Zion-- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead
of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit
of despair [heaviness]... (Is. 61:3)

Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thes. 5:18)

If you have been in this church for long, you’ve probably heard this advice many times!
Last week I quoted Ruth Graham who said she learned to replace worry with worship.
A garment is provided for us, but it is something we have to put on; and there are times we
put on a garment of praise. It’s not the only remedy for depression, but it’s part of the
prescription. Dr. Richard Swenson says, “Praise is a powerful painkiller and so is gratitude.”
[Contentment, p. 185]
4. Stay connected.
If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to
help him up!...Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. (Ecc.4:10-12)

A depressed person should not isolate themselves. God has given us a spiritual family, the
body of Christ. When you are down or hurting, at least share your problems with a person or
two that you know will be praying for you.

5. Eliminate the word “can’t” from your vocabulary.

Some depressed people say, “I can’t go on...” “I can’t do anything right...” “I can’t face life
anymore...” or “I can’t take it anymore...” Let’s replace such negative thinking with this
remarkable verse: I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (Phil. 4:13)
Remember, Paul wrote this from a cold, Roman prison cell. In context, this verse implies we
can even walk through hard circumstances by the power of Christ. By the grace of God, we
can do what we need to do!

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6. Quit second guessing all your past decisions and mistakes.
But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead... (Phil.
3:13)
Some Christians suffer from...
Perfectionism = living constantly under a cloud of guilt, dwelling on past mistakes, and
thinking they ought to have done better. Perfectionism is a form of pride.
In his book, Spiritual Depression, Lloyd-Jones said a type of person who is particularly
prone to spiritual depression is the person always looking inside himself – This kind of
person “tends to be always analyzing everything he does, worrying about the possible
effects of his actions, and always full of vain regrets.” (M. Lloyd-Jones)
THE REMEDY for this is taking the yoke of Jesus.
...my yoke is easy and my burden is light. (Matt. 11:30)
We also remind ourselves of the grace of God. His yoke is a yoke of grace, not a constant
condemnation of where you fall short. So we can say,
But by the grace of God I am what I am... (1 Cor. 15:10)

7. Take the next step.

Rise, let us be going. (Matt. 26:46)
Depressed people often are in a fog and often just stay idle.
Oswald Chambers had some serious bouts of depression. One of his remedies was to “take
the next step.” He said,
“Never let your sense of failure corrupt your new action...We must do the next thing and not
lie like a log. If we will arise and shine, drudgery becomes divinely transfigured.” (Oswald
Chambers) [Feb. 18 -19]
So, if you are depressed, do the next thing. Get out of bed...take a shower...get dressed...and
step by step, start living again...

8. Focus on others.
...if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then
your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday....You will
be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. (Is. 58:10-11)

Charles Spurgeon, one of the greatest preachers in modern times, regularly battled with
depression. Despite his own emotional turmoil, he rested in God’s faithfulness and was still used
to bless others. We can all learn a lot from this man. But, Spurgeon refused to wallow in self-
pity or avoid the company of other people. He chose to concentrate on ministering to others.
“Oh, that I might comfort some of my Master’s servants! I have written out of my own
heart with the view of comforting their hearts. I would say to them in their trials, ‘My
brethren, God is good. He will not forsake you; He will bear you through.’”
In another account, Spurgeon gives a specific example of helping another man who was
contemplating suicide while he himself was “feeling blue.”
Spurgeon once said, “Much of the sickness of Christians comes from their having
nothing to do...”
So, if you are depressed, stay active, get around people, and seek to minister to someone
even more needy than yourself.

9. Constantly keep in mind the larger, eternal view of life.

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ
is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. (Col. 3:1-3)
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 WHAT KEPT MOSES GOING?
In Egypt as well as the wilderness, Moses at times got down-in-the-dumps and felt like
giving up. What made the difference?
He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt,
because he was looking ahead to his reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's
anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. (Heb. 11:26-27)

WHAT KEPT DAVID GOING?

David in his early years was often running for his life. Later he has a lot of trouble internally
in his kingdom and with his own family members, some because of his own doing. But why
did he not spiral down in depression?
I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD In
the land of the living. (Ps. 27:13)

David, believed there was another land coming...better things were yet to come.

WHAT KEPT ABRAHAM GOING?

For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
(Heb. 11:10)
If all we have to look forward to in this present life, we will certainly despair, so let’s set our
affection on things above.
EVEN, WHEN LIFE APPEARS TO BE AT ITS WORST, WE CAN BE QUITE
OPTIMISTIC AND SAY...
 I am part of the redeemed community of saints, who will reign with Christ forever.
 I am part of the church of Jesus Christ that is ever growing and that the gates of hell will
not prevail against.
 I am being prepared as the bride of Christ for an unbelievable and joyful life in heaven.
 Therefore, I am going to put up with the “stuff” of this imperfect life and persevere to the
end!

One last suggestion, if you feel you are ever at your lowest point...

10. Turn to the kindness of God.

You are God, ready to pardon,
Gracious and merciful, slow to anger,
Abundant in kindness,
And [you] did not forsake them.
(Neh. 9:17 NKJV)

For the love of God is broader

Than the measure of man’s mind;
And the heart of the Eternal
Is most wonderfully kind (F. W. Faber)
If your mind ever gets so clouded you can hardly think straight, remember this thought:
My Heavenly Father is “most wonderfully kind.”
Last week, I shared how Ruth Graham suffered a lot of anxiety and depression, much
related to her son Franklin walking in rebellion. During a time of deep depression, she wrote this
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poem. [Prodigals, p. 80]

SUNK IN THIS GRAY DEPRESSION By Ruth Graham

Sunk in this gray depression
I cannot pray.
How can I give expression
when there’re no words to say?

This mass of vague foreboding

of aching care,
Love with its overloading
short-circuits prayer.

Then through this fog of tiredness,

this nothingness, I find
only a quiet knowing
that He is kind.

Ruth was so depressed she could hardly pray...and this poem is not the most victorious
poem you will ever read... but she is being honest and she ultimately rests in a “quiet
knowing” that the Father is kind. If you are depressed, like Ruth Graham, about some
family member, remember that...
OUR HEAVENLY FATHER IS MOST WONDERFULLY KIND...

Do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not
knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? (Rom. 2:4)

With this idea of “kindness” in mind, I’ll to close with a thought about helping others
who are battling depression and discouragement. Sometimes it is difficult to know what
to do or say. We don’t always have to be “God’s answer man.” And depressed people,
more than anything, simply need our friendship and kindness.

For the despairing man there should be kindness from his friend; So that he does not
forsake the fear of the Almighty. (Job 6:14)

We can just “be there” and let our words be very selective.

I can remember once talking to a man who was depressed and I sat there thinking, “Lord, I
don’t have a clue what to tell this man.” And, I really didn’t have much to say. So, after
listening for some time, I just got up and laid my hands on his shoulder and prayed...and as
we pray, the Holy Spirit helps us to pray, and in this case, I felt the Lord gave me just the
right words to pray.

Remember how Job’s friends had so many words for him, but they weren’t that helpful. He
needed compassion and kindness from his friends. For the despairing man there should be
kindness from his friend.

LET’S PRAY:

Lord, for those who are discouraged this morning, we pray they could receive a fresh
encouragement from the Holy Spirit.
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For those who are more deeply depressed or even despairing, we pray you would lift
them up from the miry pit; that they would have the spirit of heaviness replaced by the
garment of praise; that they would receive a new hope, a sense that better things are
ahead, that the best is yet to come to those who trust you. Thank you we will yet see the
goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

Lord, show us how we can encourage one another daily and to show kindness to the
despairing.

Each of us gives thanks to you, heavenly Father. Indeed you are most loving and most
wonderfully kind. We choose to worship you and continue to run the race you have set
before us. We know your grace is sufficient to help us finish well.

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 [EXTRA NOTES]

SHEILA WALSH BATTLED DEPRESSION

On the surface all would seem well; she was a very talented singer; former co-host of 700 Club;
but she wrote a book called, Honestly, in which she reveals an unhappy side of life.

“. . . I was losing my hold. I felt numb and old and distanced from people . . . . My thoughts were
slow and labored. I wasn’t eating much at all. I would come from work and lie in a dark room,
but I could not sleep . . . . I would pray, ‘Lord, please hold me. I’m falling into a deep well.’
In my journal I wrote, ‘I feel as if I am disappearing a little more every day. I am angry
inside that I am afraid of myself. I feel so alone.’ I felt as if I were slowly losing my mind . . .

HELPING OTHERS

One final thing I sometimes do when I don’t know anything else to do with a person who is
depressed or despairing.

Remember how Peter denied the Lord three times and then he realized the severity of his
failure and “he went outside and wept bitterly.” Peter was probably overwhelmed here with
a sense of hopelessness and despair. Yet, he survived the ordeal. You know why? Because
of a specific prayer Jesus had prayed beforehand.

Pray for their faith not to fail.

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that
your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke
22:31-32)

There are some cases in which I can only pray: “Lord, sustain their faith; may their faith not
fail.” I believe God hears this kind of prayer, because he has promised:

....I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Is.
41:10)