"defeating Depression" Series

DEFEATING THE HOLIDAY BLUES

“Defeating Depression”

1st Kings 19

Distance runners like those who run marathons often experience what is called hitting the wall. When they get to about mile 20 of the 26 mile run their energy begins to run out and they begin to think, will I actually make it to the finish line? One runner said it was like he felt like an extremely heavy weight had fallen on his shoulders and was making him carry it the rest of the way.

Many of us, on occasion know that feeling. We know what it feels like to hit a wall and not be able to move forward. Sometimes we call this the blues. When you think of the blues our thoughts are always negative. Losing a job---you get the blues. Someone betrays you—you get the blues. You experience regret and you get the blues. As far as music goes, the blues began on Southern Plantations in the 1800’s when slaves would sing as they worked in the cotton fields. The blues were born out of pain. So at this time of year some of us experience the Holiday Blues. But that is not true depression. Depression is when the winter blues roll into the springtime blues and then roll into the summer blues and even the fall blues. Depression lingers. And it can be very hard to separate ourselves from it.

But listen. Paul wrote to the church in Romans and said, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present, nor the future, nor any powers; neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” And I would add, not even depression! Nothing can separate us from God’s love.

Let me give you a few thoughts regarding depression.

1. No one is immune to depression. Young. Old. Rich. Poor. Men. Women. And hear this both believers and non-believers. Even a believer can fall into depression. Let me ask you a question. How many of you deal with depression or have someone in your immediate family who deals with depression? In the 1800’s a lawyer wrote this: “I have wrestled with depression my entire life. I am the most miserable man alive. If what I feel was equally distributed to the entire human race, there would not be one cheerful face on earth. That was Abraham Lincoln.

The great preacher Charles Spurgeon would pack in crowds of over 5000 people…. Was known all over the world for his preaching so the congregation was shocked when one Sunday morning in the middle of his sermon he announced: “I am the subject of depressions of spirit so fearful that I hope that none of you ever gets to the extremes of wretchedness as I go to.

Allow me to add one more person to this list. Your pastor. Me. I have dealt with depression since I was a teenager. Now you may wonder why I haven’t spoken about it more openly. The answer is actually simple. If you’re a believer and especially if you’re a pastor, people will often judge you for it. They will say really encouraging words like:

• You’re just not trusting God enough

• Pastors shouldn’t be depressed

• You just need more faith

• No one should take medication for depression; they need to trust God more.

I would not be able to count the number of people who have come to me for counsel through the years to tell me they are dealing with depression. The first thing I do is advise them to get a complete physical. See a doctor right away. If he prescribes meds take them and give them at least a month to work. Don’t quit after a few days. Let me ask you, if you’re diagnosed with cancer, if you fall and break your arm, if you experience physical pain that is overwhelming, I’m guessing you will see a doctor and if he prescribes meds you will take them. Don’t allow the judgment of other people who are not thinking clearly to hold you back from getting better. No one is immune to depression.

In the Bible we find men who were spiritual giants who dealt with depression.

• David battled deep despair. Just read the Psalms. He wrote about anguish, grief, loneliness, fear, guilt and it was him who was experiencing it. He used words like downcast, broken-hearted, misery.

• Jonah was so angry he tried to run away from life. He said I am angry enough to die.

• Job went through every trial we can imagine. He said, I have no peace, nothing but turmoil. He said, why didn’t I just die the day I was born?