How To Cope with Life’s Struggles (Part 10)
DEALING WITH DEPRESSION
Philippians 4:4-12
1. THE COURSE OF DEPRESSION
Down!
Discouraged!
Depressed!
Despondent!
Despair!
2. THE CAUSES OF DEPRESSION
Physical causes
Psychological causes
Circumstantial causes
Spiritual causes
·(Deu 28:65) Among those nations you will find no repose, no resting place for the sole of your foot. There the LORD will give you an anxious mind, eyes weary with longing, and a despairing heart.
·(1 Ki 19:10) He replied, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too."
·(Jonah 4:1) But Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry. He prayed to the LORD, "O LORD, is this not what I said when I was still at home? That is why I was so quick to flee to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. Now, O LORD, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live."
3. THE CURE FOR DEPRESSION
Be filled with joy.
(Phil 4:4) Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
·Rejoice continually. (Note: re - joy)
·Rejoice sacredly.
(Jer 9:23-24) This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the LORD.
·Rejoice obediently.
Be responsive to people.
(Phil 4:5) Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Be prayerful.
(Phil 4:6-7) Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
·Pray away your worries. (Matt. 6:25-34)
·Pray in all situations.
(1 Chr 16:11) Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.
·Pray in all ways.
·Pray with confidence.
.Pray with profit.
.Control your thoughts.
(Phil 4:8) Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.
(2 Cor 10:5) We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Follow your Spiritual leaders.
(Phil 4:9) Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
(1 Cor 11:1) Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
(Heb 13:17) Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.
Learn contentment.
(Phil 4:10-12) I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
Be positive.
(Phil 4:13) I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
