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◄ Being Depressed►

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Topical Encyclopedia

Depression, a state of deep sadness and hopelessness, is a condition that affects many individuals, including those within the biblical narrative. The Bible, while not using the modern term "depression," addresses the emotional and spiritual struggles akin to it through various accounts and teachings.

Biblical Examples of Depression:

1.David: King David, a man after God's own heart, experienced profound sorrow and despair. InPsalm 42:11 , he writes, "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God." David's psalms often reflect a journey from deep distress to renewed hope in God.

2.Elijah: The prophet Elijah faced a period of intense discouragement after his victory over the prophets of Baal. In1 Kings 19:4 , Elijah, overwhelmed and fearing for his life, prays, "I have had enough, LORD. Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers." God responds by providing rest, sustenance, and a gentle whisper, demonstrating His care and presence.

3.Job: Job's account is one of immense suffering and emotional turmoil. InJob 3:11 , he laments, "Why did I not perish at birth; why did I not die as I came from the womb?" Despite his anguish, Job's narrative ultimately reveals a profound encounter with God and a restoration of his fortunes.

4.Jeremiah: Known as the "weeping prophet," Jeremiah experienced deep sorrow over the state of Israel. InLamentations 3:20-21 , he writes, "Surely my soul remembers and is humbled within me. Yet I call this to mind, and therefore I have hope." Jeremiah's writings express both his grief and his steadfast hope in God's faithfulness.

Biblical Teachings on Coping with Depression:

1.Prayer and Supplication:Philippians 4:6-7 encourages believers, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Prayer is presented as a means to find peace and solace in God's presence.

2.Community and Support: The Bible emphasizes the importance of community.Galatians 6:2 instructs, "Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Fellowship with other believers provides support and encouragement during times of distress.

3.Hope in God: The Scriptures consistently point to hope in God as a remedy for despair.Romans 15:13 states, "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." This hope is rooted in the character and promises of God.

4.Renewal of the Mind:Romans 12:2 advises, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Engaging with Scripture and focusing on God's truth can transform one's perspective and provide strength in difficult times.

God's Presence in Suffering:

The Bible assures believers of God's presence in their suffering.Psalm 34:18 declares, "The LORD is near to the brokenhearted; He saves the contrite in spirit." This promise of divine closeness offers comfort and reassurance that God is attentive to the cries of those who are depressed.

Encouragement to Seek Help:

While the Bible provides spiritual guidance, it also implicitly supports seeking help from others.Proverbs 11:14 notes, "Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety." This suggests the value of seeking wise counsel and support from trusted individuals, including mental health professionals, when facing depression.

Topical Bible Verses

1 Peter 5:7
Casting all your care on him; for he cares for you.
Topicalbible.org

Philippians 4:6-7
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Topicalbible.org

Revelation 21:4
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Topicalbible.org

Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Topicalbible.org

Greek

5011. tapeinos -- low-lying, fig. lowly, hence lowly in spirit
... See 5012 (). 5011 (", humble") meansbeing #NAME?#NAME?... lowly, hence lowly in spirit
NASB Word Usagedepressed (1), humble (5), lowly (1), meek (1)....

Library

Whether the Effect of Sorrow or Pain is to Burden the Soul?
... Now carefulness and indignation imply that the soul is uplifted, which is contrary
tobeing depressed. Therefore depression is not an effect of sorrow....

Of the Former Religion of Men, and How Error was Spread Over Every
... For men ceased to raise their countenances to the heaven; but, their mindsbeing
depressed downwards, clung to goods of the earth, as they did to earth-born...

Encouragement for theDepressed
... Encouragement for theDepressed.... When its foundations were laid, it struck everybody
asbeing a very small edifice compared with the former glorious structure...

How the Demons Can Mediate Between Gods and Men if they have...
... The demons,being rational, must be either miserable or blessed... intermediate position
is abandoned in proportion as they tend to, and aredepressed towards, the...

The Emperor Preparing an Expedition against the Persians, Arrives...
... to show the citizens how much he affected glory, he undulydepressed the prices... The
merchants and retailers [536] therefore left off trading,being unable to...

Christian Morals. Part iii.
... Grateful ingenuities are content to be obliged within some compass of retribution;
andbeing depressed by the weight of iterated favours, may so labour under...

"Take My Yoke Upon You," &C.
... Notwithstanding, Christ hath taken that burden upon him,being able to bear it... down
any believing soul to hell; for that weight whichdepressed his spotless soul...

Thirsting for God
... that occur in one part of the psalm point to his situation asbeing on the... He was
depressed, because he was shut out from the tokens of God's presence; and...

Of the Parts of Man: the Eyes and Ears.
... quarter from which he derives his origin; but Hedepressed the others to the earth,
that, inasmuch as they have no expectation of immortality,being cast down...

Of the Wound of Love.
... into a company, free, hearty, and in the best of spirits, who,being off his... and
wounded his poor heart, so that there he is, all sad, gloomy anddepressed....