Breaking Free: How to Overcome Depression, Loneliness, and Addiction with God’s Help
Introduction:
According to “https://www.hopefordepression.org/depression-facts” The unfortunate truth is that depression is the primary reason why someone dies of suicide about every 12 minutes (over 41,000 people a year), so it's imperative that we understand it and seek out help if we are experiencing it. If you are wrestling with depression right now, or suspect that you are, be encouraged by the following Sermon that you are not alone and that help and healing are not far away.
Have you ever felt like you are alone in this world? Like no one understands you or cares about you? Like you are trapped in a dark pit of despair and hopelessness? If you have, then you are not alone. The World Health Organization states that more than 300 million people worldwide struggle with depression. Depression is a serious mental health condition that affects how you feel, think, and act. It can cause sadness, loss of interest, guilt, low self-esteem, fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts. Depression can also lead to other problems, such as loneliness, addiction, and lack of love and respect.
Understanding the Problem: Depression and loneliness are not signs of weakness or lack of faith. They are common human experiences that many people in the Bible faced, such as Job, David, Elijah, Jeremiah, and Jesus. God understands our pain and suffering and does not abandon us in our darkest moments. He is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18). He is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1). He comforts us in all our affliction (2 Corinthians 1:4).
Story: In 1995, I found myself in the remote state of Manipur in Northeastern India on a missionary mission. Our goal was to reach out to nearby villages, bolster churches, and share the gospel. On one particular day, we arrived at a village where something extraordinary unfolded.
As we stepped into this village, I noticed a man whose face radiated pure joy. He welcomed us with open arms, offering his assistance and even his home to us. His warmth and kindness were contagious, and he went out of his way to make everyone feel comfortable. I was deeply touched by his spirit, but there was one catch: I couldn't understand the tribal language he spoke.
After spending some time with him, I turned to one of my local guides and inquired, "What is he saying? Who is this remarkable person?" The guide then proceeded to share his incredible life story.
The year prior, a violent conflict erupted between the Naga and Kuki tribes. One fateful night, Naga militants descended upon this man's village, unleashing a barrage of bullets upon the villagers. Tragedy struck, as he had a child and his wife was pregnant. Amid the chaos and fear, his wife, clutching their child, attempted to flee for safety. Tragically, a bullet pierced through her, taking the life of her unborn child and her small son as well.
The horror didn't end there. The militants set fire to every house in the village, destroying crops and animals. This man lost not only his family but also everything he had ever known in an instant. The trauma was so overwhelming that he seemed to lose his sanity, living like a man possessed.
Thankfully, the local church extended its hand to him. Through their care and support, he had a life-changing encounter with God. They helped him rebuild his home and offered him a new beginning. With a transformed heart, he started serving the local church and, in doing so, became a beacon of hope for others.
At the moment when I heard his story, tears welled up in my eyes. I looked at his face with profound respect and honor. And in that very moment, he was selflessly serving others food with boundless joy and an infectious smile on his face.
God’s Love and Care: Love and respect are essential for our well-being and happiness. God created us in His image and likeness (Genesis 1:27) and loves us with everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3). He commands us to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves (Mark 12:30-31). He also calls us to respect ourselves and others as His children (1 Peter 2:17). When we love and respect God, ourselves, and others, we fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2) and experience joy and peace (Romans 14:17).
Story: Last year my son went YWAM DTS training in Bangalore. He shared a story about one of his fellow trainees named Tenngoi, a boy from Nagaland, a northeast state of India. In his childhood, the boy and his sister lost their mother, and their father took another woman. Their lives became worse as they were beaten and abused daily. One day, the boy decided to take his sister and run away from home.
The story went worse to worse then, the local militants took them in the jungle and they used them as child labor, beaten and abused them all the way they could, and sexually abused and tortured them every minute of their lives. They drugged them. After many years they managed to escape from their captivity.
Now they have no home, no food, they are a drug addict. Their lives are full of sharrows and pain. In the meantime, one of their uncles hears their story he finds these children and takes care of them in his custody. He is a missionary of YWAM. He shows the love of God, he admits them in a local school.
Meanwhile, their father lost his second wife, and he want the children with his care. The boy said: I forgive my father for what he did for me and my little sister with my whole heart. They went to meet their father. Last year he also died.
but they found healing and happiness when she discovered their true identity and worth in Christ. He said: “I realized that I am not defined by what others think or say about me; I am defined by what God thinks and says about me. He says that I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14), that I am His masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10), that I am His beloved (1 John 3:1), and that I am more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37). He says that I am beautiful.”
The real big problem: Addiction is a serious problem that can destroy our lives and relationships. It is often a way of coping with pain, stress, trauma, or emptiness. It can take many forms, such as alcohol, drugs, gambling, pornography, or social media. Addiction enslaves us to sin and separates us from God (Romans 6:16). It harms our body, mind, and spirit, and affects our family, friends, and society. God wants us to be free from addiction and to live a life of abundance (John 10:10). He offers us forgiveness, grace, and power to overcome our weaknesses and temptations (1 John 1:9; 2 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Corinthians 10:13).
Story: John was addicted to alcohol for 15 years. He started drinking when he was 16 to cope with his parents’ divorce and his low self-esteem. He dropped out of school, lost his job, and became homeless. He felt hopeless and suicidal, but he found salvation and recovery when he encountered God in a church. He said: “I heard the pastor say that God loves me and has a plan for my life. I felt something stir in my heart. I decided to give my life to Jesus and ask Him to help me quit drinking. He did. He gave me a new life, a new purpose, a new family. He gave me hope.”
Conclusion:
In conclusion, we have seen that depression, loneliness, love, respect, and addiction are important issues that affect many people today. We have also seen that God has the answer to these issues. He understands us, loves us, respects us, and frees us. He invites us to come to Him and find rest for our souls (Matthew 11:28). He wants us to love and respect Him and others as He loves and respects us. He wants us to live a life of freedom and abundance in His presence. What is your response to His invitation? Will you accept His offer of grace and peace? Will you trust Him with your pain and problems? Will you follow Him with your whole heart? I invite you to pray with me:
Dear God,
Thank you for your love and mercy. Thank you for sending your Son Jesus to die for my sins and to give me eternal life. I confess that I am a sinner and that I need your forgiveness. I ask you to come into my heart and be my Lord and Savior. I ask you to heal me from depression and loneliness, to fill me with your love and respect, and to free me from addiction. I ask you to guide me by your Holy Spirit and to help me live according to your will. I ask you to use me for your glory and to bless others through me. I ask all these things in Jesus’ name,
Amen.
