Christians fighting depression

[Acacia]

Depression and Christians?

Scriptures please. The word of God is truth ? blessings ??

Edited April 9, 2018 by Acacia

[Jayne]

Depression is real and can happen to God's people:

• Jeremiah - Jeremiah 20.  Loneliness, feeling detached from God, and  feeling like an utter failure led Jeremiah to curse the day he was born.
• King David - 1 Samuel 27.  His fear of the unknown and weariness over running from Saul drove David to the lowest point in his life.  He went to live with the Philistines and became a murdering raider.
• Elijah - 1 Kings 19:4.  Circumstances drove him to want to die.

 

Depression can come from many sources:

• Guilt over sin - Psalm 32 and 38.  [David]
• Self-pity - Psalm 73.  [Asaph - he couldn't understand why evil people lived a life of ease and he, living in moral purity, suffered]
• Anxiety/other related mental health issues - Proverbs 12:25
• Oppression from serious trials of life - Psalm 42;  2 Corinthians 2:8-9;  Matthew 11:1-6
• Life's responsibilities becoming overwhelming - Numbers 11:15
• Physical torments - Psalm 38
• Personal loss/inability to cope - 1 Samuel 1

 

Help for depression:

• competent counseling - Proverbs 16:24;  27:9;  12:15
• competent physicians - Matthew 19:12
• the Bible/prayer - Philippians 4:6-7; 
• prioritizing one's life - Romans 8:18;  Romans 8:6;  Romans 12;1-2
• God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit - 1 Peter 5:7;  John 14:27;  Matthew 11:28-30

Edited April 9, 2018 by Jayne

[Neighbor]

Hi, One might seek out  a history of what many call the greatest of pastors or the prince of pastors Charles Haddon Spurgeon by doing a search of Spurgeon depression, several links will appear.

 

The greatest of people in all walks of life are marked with depression, and have many very real adversities. How they deal with them, the pain, injury, accident, oppression, persecution, and the depression, all shape the will of the individual whether the individual is famous, infamous, or just not all that well known.

Depression is just one manifestation of what shapes the will and the faith of most individuals.   God has used depression in a mighty way in my own life. I didn't much like it, still don't, but it shapes me, motivates me even as it debilitates my very limbs at times.  I am neither famous nor especially infamous, like most I just am. I exist, I am likely a good person and on occassion do good things, I am also born again, a saint at his post in service to Jesus the Christ my savior. None the less, very bad things happen in my life. In that is much company. Depression has it's good work in some of us. It forces the fight for life,  and for faith to grow within, even as the worst mindset wants to rule over the body, mind, and soul.

It appears it was so with apostles, Paul writing with  what appears to be personal depression and sadness. Job in his perfect faith also  expressed depression. The Psalmist King David expresses depression. And going back to where I started, so did the prince of pastors the great expositor Charles H. Spurgeon. 

Depression hurts. It is a heavy burden. It also is opportunity knocking, or banging, the foreboding being a heavy doorway that appears too heavy to swing open at times,  yet through that door is the pathway that each saint must run pacing self to be able to finish the race of one's life well, and to hear "well done good and faithful servant".

The following is an lengthy but valuable excerpt from Hebrews, part of  11 along with 12. May it be encouragement.

 

 

 And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets—  who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,  quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment.  They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated—  of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,  looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Do Not Grow Weary

 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.  And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?

“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
    nor be weary when reproved by him.
 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
    and chastises every son whom he receives.”

 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?  If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.  Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live?  For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

 Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees,  and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;  that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal.  For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.

A Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken

 For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them.  For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.”  But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering,  and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,  and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

 See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven.  At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.”  This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain.  Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,  for our God is a consuming fire.

 

 

 

[Sower]

This too will pass................

[Not me]

I know you asked for scriptures. But life’s experiences has brought these things to life; 

Feed your personal relationship with Christ, for joy only come from Christ.  Depression come from “self”,  “reckon self died.” Keeping eyes on Jesus is the quickest way out of it. We all go through it, it’s just a matter looking to Jesus in all things. For joy is “only” found in Christ. Praying that you see these things. 

much love in Christ, Not me 

[Acacia]

On 10/04/2018 at 1:36 AM, Jayne said:

Depression is real and can happen to God's people:

• Jeremiah - Jeremiah 20.  Loneliness, feeling detached from God, and  feeling like an utter failure led Jeremiah to curse the day he was born.
• King David - 1 Samuel 27.  His fear of the unknown and weariness over running from Saul drove David to the lowest point in his life.  He went to live with the Philistines and became a murdering raider.
• Elijah - 1 Kings 19:4.  Circumstances drove him to want to die.

 

Depression can come from many sources:

• Guilt over sin - Psalm 32 and 38.  [David]
• Self-pity - Psalm 73.  [Asaph - he couldn't understand why evil people lived a life of ease and he, living in moral purity, suffered]
• Anxiety/other related mental health issues - Proverbs 12:25
• Oppression from serious trials of life - Psalm 42;  2 Corinthians 2:8-9;  Matthew 11:1-6
• Life's responsibilities becoming overwhelming - Numbers 11:15
• Physical torments - Psalm 38
• Personal loss/inability to cope - 1 Samuel 1

 

Help for depression:

• competent counseling - Proverbs 16:24;  27:9;  12:15
• competent physicians - Matthew 19:12
• the Bible/prayer - Philippians 4:6-7; 
• prioritizing one's life - Romans 8:18;  Romans 8:6;  Romans 12;1-2
• God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit - 1 Peter 5:7;  John 14:27;  Matthew 11:28-30

Hi thank you for your reply I have struggled with this since I was younger. I am great full for the scriptures you provided thank you ?

[Acacia]

On 10/04/2018 at 10:36 PM, Neighbor said:

Hi, One might seek out  a history of what many call the greatest of pastors or the prince of pastors Charles Haddon Spurgeon by doing a search of Spurgeon depression, several links will appear.

 

The greatest of people in all walks of life are marked with depression, and have many very real adversities. How they deal with them, the pain, injury, accident, oppression, persecution, and the depression, all shape the will of the individual whether the individual is famous, infamous, or just not all that well known.

Depression is just one manifestation of what shapes the will and the faith of most individuals.   God has used depression in a mighty way in my own life. I didn't much like it, still don't, but it shapes me, motivates me even as it debilitates my very limbs at times.  I am neither famous nor especially infamous, like most I just am. I exist, I am likely a good person and on occassion do good things, I am also born again, a saint at his post in service to Jesus the Christ my savior. None the less, very bad things happen in my life. In that is much company. Depression has it's good work in some of us. It forces the fight for life,  and for faith to grow within, even as the worst mindset wants to rule over the body, mind, and soul.

It appears it was so with apostles, Paul writing with  what appears to be personal depression and sadness. Job in his perfect faith also  expressed depression. The Psalmist King David expresses depression. And going back to where I started, so did the prince of pastors the great expositor Charles H. Spurgeon. 

Depression hurts. It is a heavy burden. It also is opportunity knocking, or banging, the foreboding being a heavy doorway that appears too heavy to swing open at times,  yet through that door is the pathway that each saint must run pacing self to be able to finish the race of one's life well, and to hear "well done good and faithful servant".

The following is an lengthy but valuable excerpt from Hebrews, part of  11 along with 12. May it be encouragement.

 

 

 And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets—  who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,  quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment.  They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated—  of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,  looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Do Not Grow Weary

 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.  And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?

“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
    nor be weary when reproved by him.
 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
    and chastises every son whom he receives.”

 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?  If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.  Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live?  For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

 Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees,  and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;  that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal.  For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.

A Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken

 For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them.  For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.”  But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering,  and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,  and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

 See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven.  At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.”  This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain.  Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,  for our God is a consuming fire.

 

 

 

Thank you for your reply. I feel that way to that it shapes and molds me and keeps me in a constant state of surrender and repentance. One night I had a really strong attack on my mind I started to ask God for help and why I was like this. I just laid on my bed and cried. Then I got a vision of my mind with a rainbow and white fluffy clouds symbolising peace. ??

[Acacia]

On 10/04/2018 at 10:46 PM, naominash said:

Going through it now.

It'll be alright. 

Trust God and be in his presence and read his word. May peace truth and love be with you ❤️

[Acacia]

18 hours ago, Not me said:

I know you asked for scriptures. But life’s experiences has brought these things to life; 

Feed your personal relationship with Christ, for joy only come from Christ.  Depression come from “self”,  “reckon self died.” Keeping eyes on Jesus is the quickest way out of it. We all go through it, it’s just a matter looking to Jesus in all things. For joy is “only” found in Christ. Praying that you see these things. 

much love in Christ, Not me 

Thank you for your words ?

[Not me]

2 hours ago, Acacia said:

Thank you for your words ?

Your welcome, we all need to learn these things by experience. As scripture says “we die daily” and dying is something “self” does not want to do. God has to bring us to a place where we are willing. I’d like to say “sometimes” but it might be better to say “all the time” it is painful. But joy comes in the morning and the fruit is righteousness. 

Much love and prayers in Christ, Not me