I want to speak a message entitled, "Freedom from Depression". Very rarely have I had a time where my Wednesday night message and my Sunday message begin to coincide like they did this week. What I began to realize is that God has a miracle that He wants to do in this church. Depression has been a struggle even in my own life. My wife told me that it isn't so much depression that's been my struggle but discouragement. I have faced that through my life from a teenager where in the 7th grade I wanted to take my own life. Even today there are some Sundays where everything is wonderful, God has been good and His presence has been here but some Sunday afternoons are just a struggle. What I have found is this, God is faithful and through those emotions God is so real and so powerful.
If you will take a survey of most churches on what would minister the most to them, it's the struggle of depression and discouragement. I believe this morning that God is going to set many people free once and for all. I know that it's summer and sunny outside and you wonder why God would deal with this idea of depression on a summer day. How many understand that depression doesn't know the sunshine or the darkness? God wants us to live in such victory in the summer that by the time the seasons come we won't be affected by our feelings or the seasons and we will know that God has done a work.
Psalms 6: 2-6 says, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak. O Lord, heal me for my bones are troubled. My soul also is greatly troubled but you O Lord, how long? Return O Lord, deliver me, save me for your mercies sake, for in death there is no rememberance of you. In the grave who will give you thanks? I am weary with my groaning. All night I make my bed swim; I drench my couch with my tears. O save me for your mercies sake".
Father, thank you that you are here to save, that salvation really is deliverance and I thank you that you came here to deliver us from all evil. Spirit of God, this morning, have your way. Right now I bind every thought, every spirit, every enemy that would exalt itself above the knowledge of God, anything that would seek to hinder the work of God in this place today. Lord, may we decrease and may you increase, in Jesus name, amen.
Almost everyone experiences depression at some time. For some it is simply just a low mood that they might have from time to time. For some it is the blues when a negative situation arises and they can't shake it. As a matter of fact, an entire music genre was based on having the blues. All you need to do is turn on a radio station and you can hear anyone singing how bad their day has been. Some have described depression as a dark tunnel that seems to have no end whether they're awake or asleep. Some people are predisposed to depression because of stress or pressure, they deplete a chemical called Serotonin from the brain which can be treated medically. This morning I did not come to give you pop psychology or to give you a message where I simply talk about the idea. I believe that God wants to set people free and if you will receive this word, God is going to do a powerful work in your life.
Depression is a new name for an age old problem. It is the opposite of happiness and results in a deep sadness, weariness and even confusion. In some people it has become a deep melancholy that has become a way of life. They may smile but inside they still carry such a sadness that many would never realize they have hidden. Believe it or not, depression is addressed in the Bible and it is dealt with more than you and I would ever think. It was a problem then and has become an epidemic in our day. Depression is no respecter of persons. It effects people from all walks of life, all income brackets; from Presidents and Kings to the hard working housewife.
David suffered depression. Jonah became so discouraged, he asked God to take his life. Elijah suffered from depression after one of the greatest victories that you and I have ever read in the word of God, where fire came from heaven and consumed a sacrifice that was covered in 5 barrels of water and burned up the dust in the altar itself. Elijah ran into the wilderness and asked God to take his life. Job cursed the day that he was born. Jesus, when he was in the garden and preparing to go to the cross, told his disciples in Matthew 26:38, "My soul is sorrowful even to death. Stay here and watch with me". Our Savior took discouragement and depression right to the cross. Jesus, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, understood that this would be a battle that you and I would face.
The word says there's not one thing that we experience that Christ didn't understand himself. He told his disciples, "My heart is troubled".
President Abraham Lincoln suffered from incredible bouts of severe depression. Winston Churchill said, "It follows me like a black dog". The great preacher, Charles Spurgeon, spent weeks in seclusion after someone yelled fire in his church where 2500 people were sitting; everybody stampeded for the door and 7 people were killed. He mourned those who had died and those who were more concerned about themselves than others; and how Christians in the church would trample others to death just to save their own skin. He cried out to God for weeks at a time because he couldn't understand why the Lord would even allow something like that to happen in a house of worship. Things in life happen that you and I will never understand but no matter what we face or how hard the circumstance, we serve a God who understands us, created us and loves us and today is capable to set us free. No matter what your confusion or what you've been through, the Lord is here this morning and in his presence there is freedom.
The first step to freedom from depression is to realize that depression and discouragement is not a sin; It is a symptom.
God is not mad at you. He cares for you and loves you. His desire is for you to be whole. He knows the hurt that you experience and knows the depth of your pain and He is here this morning to set you free. I have found when I come to those times of discouragement and depression, that is when I come to learn and know the heart of God for real. When you know that He cares, you move past religious people just trying to say something nice and God begins to touch you deeper than you ever thought possible. You get to know of His love.
Depression is a normal response to what is going on in life. It may be a time that you experience hardship and you wonder how in the world your soul could be at that place. It's a feeling, that's all it is. It is an attack that the enemy places on you that is a debilitating feeling but how many are thankful that God is the God who is above our feelings? He is the God that can heal our deepest hurt and can bring joy where all we can see is darkness. Psalm 119:50 says, "This is my comfort in my affliction, for your word has given me life". People can talk to you and tell you nice things that make you feel good for the moment but this word of God is living and active, sharper than any two edged sword able to divide soul and spirit, joint and marrow. It is that word that brings life to the hurting.
God's word is one of comfort and many have added condemnation to discouragement and despair by telling those in depression that they are in sin. That is not right. Sometimes depression is a result of sin but many times it is the enemy trying to take you away from the hope and the joy of God's promise for your life. God's desire is to comfort, build us up and build our faith. I pray this living word will so build your faith that you will never be the same again and never struggle with this issue from this day forth. Depression is something you go through, it is not a destination. You have not arrived there; this is not all there is to life, this is not all that God has for you, this is not your lot as if it's God's will.
God's word will help you know that there is a hope for the future. I am not going to sing for you, "The sun will come out tomorrow", that just makes you want to punch someone in the nose. But I've got a word from God for you. Malachi 4:2 says this, "But to you who fear my name, the son of righteousness shall arise with healing in his wings".
When there is depression all you see is darkness. When you are discouraged, all you see is hopelessness. But the Bible says to those of us who know him, "The son of righteousness will rise". He will bring light to the dark place. He is not just the one who made the sun to shine outside. He is the Son of God, the light of the world and that light drives out all darkness; not just the darkness of sin but the darkness of depression, hopelessness and discouragement and he will heal you today. That is the promise of the word of God. Christ turns all darkness into light because he is the light of the world. Depression is just a season; there is another side and another season.
Psalm 40:1-3 says, "I waited patiently for the Lord and He inclined to me and heard my cry. He also brought me out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay and set my feet upon a rock and established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth, praise to our God. Many will see it and fear and put their trust in God".
Some of you need a new song; you're singing the blues. How many have ever had a song stuck in your head before? It's time to get a new one. God says you will sing a new song, a different tune. You'll be saying different things and it will be praise to our God because we have put our trust in Him. I want to encourage you; you may have not had a nice song in your mouth but today God desires to fill your mouth with His word and with his praise; not just something that you say because it's the right thing, it will be something that you mean. "Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks". That means if your mouth is going to be filled with the praise of God and it's going to change you, then God will have changed your heart. What you sing will be the life of God and the high praises of God. How many are glad that He's putting a new song in you today?
There is a work that God does in us during a season of depression. There are things that die during depression and that won't be you. There are some things that can only be done in the dark places. It is in those times that you look at yourself and become very honest; you see what you look like and see what is there and God wants to remove everything that doesn't belong. That's a positive step. It is here that fears are faced and overcome; it is here that victories are won and you come from a dark place into the light. Depression is never cured by treating the symptoms. Symptoms are caused by our emotions and our emotions are always changing. Depression is cured by dealing with our heart and our mind. If you will just treat symptoms then you will have temporary happiness. You can go get drunk and drink your sorrows away but at some point after you throw up and the headache is gone, you're still going to have the same stuff going on. You can escape into a novel or watch a good movie but happiness wears off; happiness is just a distraction. That's not bad if it's not sinful but it's just temporary.
The first step in overcoming depression is to realize that you always have a reason for hope. Depression comes when the enemy tries to rob us of all hope. He tells us this is how it's going to be and you have no choice but to just be here. Psalms 42:11 says this, "Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me?" How many have ever tried to figure depression out? How many have realized that you will never figure it out? It says, "Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God". With God there is always reason to hope. If Christ is your Lord and Savior, you'll always have a reason to hope because He is the God of all hope. Hope teaches us to lean completely on God and to be completely dependent on Him. When you are dependent on God, nothing else matters in all the world. You may not be able to count on anybody else or any situation but you and I can always count on God.
The Bible says that by faith we are to speak to that mountain even if that mountain is ourself. David said, "Why are you so disquieted within me? Hope in God". He began to talk to himself. When you're depressed, your self talk is real negative so you need to talk to yourself to obey the word of God. Sometimes you just need to remember what this word says. We all talk to ourselves; it doesn't mean you're crazy, it just means you're trying to work through something. So why not tell yourself what the Word of God says. Why not remind yourself that you have a hope and a future and that you've got a God who cares for you who will see you through and whatever it is, it's just temporary.
Depression many times is the result of us coming to the end of ourself. I have found that some of my greatest times of discouragement are when I start trying to do things my own way, when I try to work it and make it happen. I'm a "can do" person and I believe there's nothing impossible with Jesus. People ask me if I believe I can do anything. I absolutely do; I'm one of those crazy people. I believe there's nothing I can't do. Why? because He is my Savior. So I also believe I can do a lot of things on my own but I found when I try to make things happen on my own and figure it out, then finally I come to the very end of myself and get discouraged. Why? Because I did it in my own strength, in my own power, with my own intellect and I forgot to depend on Jesus. How many have ever been there? Finally when I get to the end of myself I begin to trust in the Lord.
Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all you heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him and he will direct your path". The NIV says, "He will make your path straight". I have found that trusting God will see us through every depression, through every discouragement and through every dark season. Jesus is the light of the world. His word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. His word drives out every bit of darkness. You might be in that dark place and sometimes we think that we have to see everything and understand everything. Sometimes we think that Jesus is going to be that light that drives the darkness so far back that we'll never see another bit of darkness ever again. But his word says that "His word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto our path". There are times when God completely drives the darkness away and there are other times when all He does is show you the next step, just enough to show where you go next. That's a good place to be in the Lord because you don't have to figure it all out; all you can see is the next thing. I'm a simple man and sometimes I'm glad to only see the next thing.
I've got a vision for this church and He's got great things for us. We have plans for the building, souls are being won, lives are being changed. People ask me what are all the next steps? I can't tell you and that's just honest. People say when you have a vision you have to have it all figured out. That's not true but He's got it all figured out. Sometimes in life the only thing you need to see is the next step. You've got to have a plan but if God changes your plan it's ok.
Depression is the result of distorted thinking. You cannot choose your feelings but you can change what you think about. One of the things that is so wonderful about understanding the word of God, is that I can't choose how people make me feel at times but I can choose how I think. How many have ever woken up cranky and you can't figure out why you feel that way? How many have ever woken up all happy and you can't figure out why you're all happy? Sometimes you're so depressed; you can't choose your feelings but you and I can choose what we think. Colossians 3:2 says, "Set your mind on things above, not on the things of the earth".
One medical journal lists 10 types of distorted thinking that effects the depressed and I want to look at just 3 of those. Number one is all or nothing. That means that all we see is black or white; it's either all good or all bad. How many know it's not always all bad? But when you're depressed, everything is bad. You can even convince yourself that your favorite food tastes bad. The devil is a liar. As believers, one of the things we need to train ourselves in which will help set us free; you may not be in control of your feelings but you are in control of your mind. God created your mind and gave you a will and a desire and you can do with it whatever you want. If you don't like what you're thinking, change your mind. Think on the things of God's word and on the good things He has for you.
Another thing about depression is over generalizing; if one person rejects you then everyone rejects you. Some people get so depressed they hide out in seclusion because they think everybody is against them. God is not against you and the truth is most people are not against you. There might be a couple people against you but don't be paranoid about that because greater is He that is in you than He that is in the world. Another thing is jumping to conclusions, seeing everything in negative terms. When you are depressed there is almost nothing positive. People may say it's beautiful outside but you say, "It's so hot and humid I don't know what to do with myself". You live in Florida, if you don't like hot and humid then you're in the wrong place in the summer time.
Allow God to establish your heart and renew your mind; read the Word. Start taking every thought captive instead of being taken captive by your thoughts. Refuse to become a prisoner in your own mind. It's your mind, think and take this word. If you get stuck in a certain cycle and can't get out of it, get into God's Word. It will not only change your mind but it will refresh your heart. It will go deep down into your spirit. When I find myself in my deepest times of discouragement I go to the Word of God. I've found that a lot of times I'm there because I'm really worn out and tired.
If you're tired, take a nap but don't you stay in bed. You were meant to live and if you're having a hard time living, grab your Bible, dust the dust off of it and open it up, the inside isn't dusty. It's fresh and awesome for you then start taking every thought captive so those patterns begin to change.
Another way to be free from your depression is to move on from your mistakes. There's not one person in this room who is perfect. Each week I just try to be real because I know a lot of people look at the pastor and think he's got his whole life together. If I have ever given you that impression, please forgive me because I don't. But I do have a lot of things going on that are pretty good and I'm happy with that. It's time for people in the church to be real; things go on, we've made mistakes but we move on. It is ok to learn to forgive yourself; it is ok to love yourself. I don't mean this in some kind of new age goofiness that's going on in the world today. The Bible says that we're to love our neighbor as ourselves. You can't obey that word unless you care about who you are. You need to be happy with who you are and care about who you are because God does. He wants you to be alright with you.
In Ephesians 3:16,19, Paul said a prayer for the disciples, "I pray that He would grant you all the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His spirit in the inner man that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you being rooted and grounded in love may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height, to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fulness of God".
The way you find freedom from depression is when you are rooted and grounded in the love of God. Those who are depressed and discouraged understand that verse "the miry clay" where you're trying to walk but all you're doing is trudging and each step you take you sink and can't hardly move. But there's a difference between being sucked into the mud and being rooted in the love of God. Rooted in the love of God is that depth God puts you in so you are receiving every nutrient of the spirit of God that feeds your spirit man so that you don't have to live discouraged. There is that constant supply of his life and love flowing into you because He is the vine and we are the branches; if we stay rooted in that we will constantly have the supply that God supplies to each and every one of us. This will free you from the past quicker than anything you can imagine. We can stay bogged down or we can be grounded in Him.
The last thing I want to share with you this morning is this, in order to be free from depression make sure that you are in relationship with other believers. Psalms 42:4 says, "When I remembered these things I poured out my soul within me, for I used to go with the multitude. I went with them to the house of God with the voice of joy and praise, with a mutitude that kept a pilgrim feast".
Make sure that you're in relationship with other believers. Loneliness and isolation will often just feed your depression. David said, "I remember what it was like to go to the house of God, to be around other people who were filled with the Holy Spirit and praise. I knew what it was like to be around those who loved God with all their heart and I used to be one of them. We had a good time with the Lord and not only in church but we had fellowship with one another before and after church; we went to each others homes and we went out to eat. We always kept that pilgrim feast in the Lord. Everyone of us need friends who will support us, who will build us up and even cry with us but it takes effort to build strong relationships. If you are not facing depression then do this now; get those relationships solid in the Lord. Remember that Jesus sent out the disciples two by two, not only so they would be strong together because it's easy to get discouraged alone; But when you have someone else with you then you're feeding off each other and always building each other up. The enemy will try to cause you to get away from the house of God and to get away from other Christians. Make sure you're in relationship so you don't feed that depression and you won't stay discouraged.
Above all these things remember this, you're never alone. Jesus said, "I will never leave you and will never forsake you". Just because you are discouraged and it doesn't feel like God is there, it doesn't mean He's not there. As a matter of fact, God is not a feeling. Have you ever been in a room with someone else and felt alone? Have you ever been in a stadium full of people and felt alone? Then why do we think God isn't there? He's God, He's there and sometimes our feelings deceive us. He promised He would never leave us or forsake us. As a matter of fact, that's one of his names, "Jehovah Shamah" God is there. So your feelings can lie to you but He never does. There have been times when I've felt so alone and I know that I'm not. I'll say, "God, I know you're there though I can't feel you but thank you". Then something begins to change. Something happens when you begin to praise and love Him and talk to Him. You can feel all alone with your spouse but when you begin to talk to each other it begins to change. God is not mad at you: He loves you and He's for you. He's here today to set you free; it's His desire.
