Facing Depression With a Living Faith (Part 2). We will experience overwhelming emotions as we live life We must win the battle for our thoughts by knowing

Facing Depression With a Facing Depression With a Living Faith (Part 2)Living Faith (Part 2)

We will experience overwhelming We will experience overwhelming emotions as we live lifeemotions as we live life

• We must win the battle for our thoughts by We must win the battle for our thoughts by knowing God and pouring out our hearts to knowing God and pouring out our hearts to Him. Him. (Ps 61:2-3)(Ps 61:2-3)


• Psalm 61:2-3Psalm 61:2-3 - From the end of the earth - From the end of the earth I will cry to You, When I will cry to You, When my heart is my heart is overwhelmedoverwhelmed; Lead me ; Lead me to the rock that is to the rock that is higher than Ihigher than I. 3 For You have been a . 3 For You have been a shelter for meshelter for me, , A strong towerA strong tower from the from the enemy.enemy.


• God has blessed us by giving us the ability God has blessed us by giving us the ability to experience emotions.to experience emotions.

• God understands and sent His Son to God understands and sent His Son to experience the pain and temptation that experience the pain and temptation that we do. we do.

• We need to see Jesus and how He helps We need to see Jesus and how He helps us stay in His light.us stay in His light.


• While we will be examining depression, While we will be examining depression, this material can be used for other this material can be used for other emotions that may overwhelm us and emotions that may overwhelm us and make it hard to walk by faith.make it hard to walk by faith.

• In addition to the anger family, the works In addition to the anger family, the works of the flesh list many things that can shut of the flesh list many things that can shut your mind down! your mind down! (Gal 5:19-21)(Gal 5:19-21)


• Galatians 5:19-21Galatians 5:19-21 - Now the works of the flesh - Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told also told you you in time past, that those who practice in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.


• Sexual sins, false religion, addictions and Sexual sins, false religion, addictions and “such like” can take a person to a self “such like” can take a person to a self created world where created world where reality is not reality is not welcomedwelcomed..

• The patterns we will look at in this study The patterns we will look at in this study are the ones I have seen destroy many are the ones I have seen destroy many Christians that I was once close to. Please Christians that I was once close to. Please listen carefully!listen carefully!

We need God’s wisdom to help us in We need God’s wisdom to help us in emotional timesemotional times

• Having strong emotions does not mean Having strong emotions does not mean that one is sinning. that one is sinning.

• Strong emotions can tempt us to accept a Strong emotions can tempt us to accept a false reality. false reality. (Ps 73:11-14)(Ps 73:11-14)


• Psalm 73:11-14Psalm 73:11-14 - And they say, " - And they say, "How How does God knowdoes God know? And ? And is there knowledge is there knowledge in the Most Highin the Most High?" 12 Behold, these ?" 12 Behold, these are are the ungodly, Who are always at ease; the ungodly, Who are always at ease; They increase They increase in in riches. 13 riches. 13 Surely I have Surely I have cleansed my heart cleansed my heart in in vain, And washed vain, And washed my hands in innocencemy hands in innocence. 14 For all day . 14 For all day long I have been plagued, And chastened long I have been plagued, And chastened every morning.every morning.


• Having doubts, questions or even feeling Having doubts, questions or even feeling that things are true does not make us that things are true does not make us guilty of sin. guilty of sin.

• It is like dealing with temptation, the It is like dealing with temptation, the thoughts and desires enter the mind thoughts and desires enter the mind but we can find the way of escape. Many but we can find the way of escape. Many times the battle is entirely fought within the times the battle is entirely fought within the mind! mind! (1 Cor 10:13; James 1:13-16)(1 Cor 10:13; James 1:13-16)


• 1 Corinthians 10:131 Corinthians 10:13 - No temptation has - No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common overtaken you except such as is common to man; but to man; but God God is is faithfulfaithful, who will not , who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escapemake the way of escape, that , that you may be you may be able to bear able to bear itit..


• James 1:13-16James 1:13-16 - Let no one say when he is - Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt does He Himself tempt anyoneanyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is . 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desiresdrawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth it gives birth to sinto sin; and sin, ; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth when it is full-grown, brings forth deathdeath. 16 . 16 Do not be deceivedDo not be deceived, my beloved , my beloved brethren.brethren.

•


• Our knowledge of the character of God Our knowledge of the character of God and renewing our mind through worship and renewing our mind through worship can keep us in reality. can keep us in reality. (Ps 73:15-17)(Ps 73:15-17)


• Psalm 73:15-17Psalm 73:15-17 - If I had said, " - If I had said, "I will I will speak thusspeak thus," Behold, I would have been ," Behold, I would have been untrue to the generation of Your children. untrue to the generation of Your children. 16 When I thought 16 When I thought how how to understand this, to understand this, It It was was too painful for metoo painful for me -- 17 -- 17 UntilUntil I went I went into the sanctuary of Godinto the sanctuary of God; ; Then Then I I understood their endunderstood their end..


• So many strong emotions are a product of So many strong emotions are a product of unrealistic expectations and of us trying to unrealistic expectations and of us trying to take on things that we should wholly give take on things that we should wholly give to God.to God.

• Naaman almost let his false expectations Naaman almost let his false expectations and rash anger keep him from a dearly and rash anger keep him from a dearly needed blessing. needed blessing. (2 Kings 5:11-13)(2 Kings 5:11-13)


• 2 Kings 5:11-132 Kings 5:11-13 - But Naaman - But Naaman became became furiousfurious, and went away and said, "Indeed, , and went away and said, "Indeed, I said to myselfI said to myself, , 'He will surely'He will surely come out come out to to me, me, and stand and call on the name of the and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over LORD his God, and wave his hand over the place, and heal the leprosy.' the place, and heal the leprosy.'


• 12 "12 "Are Are not the Abanah and the Pharpar, the not the Abanah and the Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?" clean?" So he turned and went away in a rageSo he turned and went away in a rage. . 13 And 13 And his servants came near and spoke to his servants came near and spoke to himhim, and said, "My father, , and said, "My father, if if the prophet had the prophet had told you told you to do to do something great, would you not something great, would you not have done have done it? it? How much more thenHow much more then, when he , when he says to you, says to you, 'Wash, and be clean'Wash, and be clean'?"'?"


• Not all emotions are a product of Not all emotions are a product of immediate circumstances. Often immediate circumstances. Often depression can result from learning to bury depression can result from learning to bury anger for years.anger for years.

• There are different levels of depression - There are different levels of depression - Short term, Periodic and Chronic.Short term, Periodic and Chronic.

Dangers that may come with chronic Dangers that may come with chronic depressiondepression

• You can become undependable.You can become undependable. (Mk 4:16-17)(Mk 4:16-17)


• Mark 4:16-17Mark 4:16-17 - "These likewise are the - "These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 17 "and with gladness; 17 "and they have no root they have no root in themselvesin themselves, and so endure only for a , and so endure only for a time. Afterward, time. Afterward, when tribulation or when tribulation or persecution arisespersecution arises for the word's sake, for the word's sake, immediately they stumbleimmediately they stumble..


• You can have problems in maintaining You can have problems in maintaining relationships. Withdrawal becomes a relationships. Withdrawal becomes a pattern. pattern.

• You can be easily upset and influenced by You can be easily upset and influenced by others (Used by others).others (Used by others).

• You can become a chronic complainer. You can become a chronic complainer. Others may withdraw from you. Others may withdraw from you.


• Reality changes easily.Reality changes easily.• A small event can cause a sudden 180 A small event can cause a sudden 180

degree turn in how you view another.degree turn in how you view another.• You can be easily swayed by both flattery You can be easily swayed by both flattery

and gossip. and gossip. (Rom 16:18)(Rom 16:18)


• Romans 16:18Romans 16:18 - For those who are such - For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by their own belly, and by smooth wordssmooth words and and flattering speechflattering speech deceive the hearts of the deceive the hearts of the simplesimple..


• You can become uncertain in things you You can become uncertain in things you can know but certain in things you cannot can know but certain in things you cannot know know (Col 2:18-19)(Col 2:18-19)


• Colossians 2:18-19Colossians 2:18-19 - Let no one cheat - Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in you of your reward, taking delight in false false humility and worship of angelshumility and worship of angels, intruding , intruding into those into those things which he has not seenthings which he has not seen, , vainly vainly puffed up by his fleshly mindpuffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 , 19 and and not holding fast to the Headnot holding fast to the Head, from , from whom all the body, nourished and knit whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase with the increase that is that is from God. from God.


• You can become ego-centered.You can become ego-centered.• It can become all about you. You then It can become all about you. You then

cannot relate to or understand others.cannot relate to or understand others.• You can use the faults of others (real or You can use the faults of others (real or

imagined) to build yourself up. imagined) to build yourself up. (Lk 18:9, 11)(Lk 18:9, 11)


• Luke 18:9-11Luke 18:9-11 - Also He spoke this parable - Also He spoke this parable to some who to some who trusted in themselvestrusted in themselves that that they they were righteouswere righteous, and , and despised othersdespised others: 10 : 10 "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 "The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with "The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like I thank You that I am not like other menother men -- extortioners, unjust, adulterers, -- extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.or even as this tax collector.


• You can be driven by the wrong You can be driven by the wrong relationships. relationships. (2 Pt 2:18-19)(2 Pt 2:18-19)


• 2 Peter 2:18-192 Peter 2:18-19 - For when they speak - For when they speak great swelling great swelling words words of emptinessof emptiness, they , they allure through the lusts of the fleshallure through the lusts of the flesh, , through lewdness, the ones who have through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in actually escaped from those who live in error. 19 While error. 19 While they promise them libertythey promise them liberty, , they themselves are slaves of corruption; they themselves are slaves of corruption; for for by whom a person is overcomeby whom a person is overcome, by him , by him also also he is brought into bondagehe is brought into bondage..


• Pride can become a way of escape. You Pride can become a way of escape. You think you are smarter than others. think you are smarter than others.


• You can reject having a doctrinal core.You can reject having a doctrinal core. (Eph 4:13-15)(Eph 4:13-15)


• Ephesians 4:13-15Ephesians 4:13-15 - till we all come to the - till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should we should no longer be childrenno longer be children, , tossed to and tossed to and frofro and and carried about with every wind of carried about with every wind of doctrinedoctrine, by , by the trickery of menthe trickery of men, in the , in the cunning cunning craftiness of deceitful plottingcraftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, , 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head -- Christthings into Him who is the head -- Christ


• Because you are already burdened you Because you are already burdened you can be tempted to flee from doctrinal can be tempted to flee from doctrinal controversy. Without a foundation you are controversy. Without a foundation you are in great danger.in great danger.

• You can become a spiritual “marshmallow” You can become a spiritual “marshmallow” by refusing to stand and pay a price. This by refusing to stand and pay a price. This can greatly affect your children in how you can greatly affect your children in how you “protect” them.“protect” them.


• You can become fearful of solid truth and You can become fearful of solid truth and of those that stand in it. of those that stand in it. (2 Tim 1:8)(2 Tim 1:8)


• 2 Timothy 1:82 Timothy 1:8 - Therefore do - Therefore do not be not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lordashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor , nor of me His prisonerof me His prisoner, but share with me in , but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God,the power of God,


• You can be led to believe anything when You can be led to believe anything when your emotions are stirred. You then your emotions are stirred. You then become unteachable. become unteachable. (2 Tim 3:6-9)(2 Tim 3:6-9)


• 2 Timothy 3:6-92 Timothy 3:6-9 - For of this sort are - For of this sort are those who creep into households and those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women make captives of gullible women loaded loaded down with sinsdown with sins, led away by various lusts, , led away by various lusts, 7 7 always learning and never able to come always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truthto the knowledge of the truth. .


• 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; 9 but they will concerning the faith; 9 but they will progress no further, for their folly will be progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.manifest to all, as theirs also was.

The challenge of staying faithful while The challenge of staying faithful while experiencing chronic depressionexperiencing chronic depression

• Many in the church have let these issues Many in the church have let these issues be something that we do not speak about.be something that we do not speak about.

• God has given us numerous examples of God has given us numerous examples of men who had these struggles and we able men who had these struggles and we able to find comfort from God.to find comfort from God.

• One can be faithful and have a lifetime of One can be faithful and have a lifetime of struggling with depression. In the scope of struggling with depression. In the scope of those I have know closely, many have.those I have know closely, many have.


• These chronic issues I like to a physical These chronic issues I like to a physical handicap, no one looks down on a brother handicap, no one looks down on a brother who has lost a limb and therefore has to who has lost a limb and therefore has to make adjustments.make adjustments.

• The real tragedy occurs when the problem is The real tragedy occurs when the problem is ignored.ignored.

• Here is where you need to surround yourself Here is where you need to surround yourself with honest and understanding people with honest and understanding people who can help and protect you.who can help and protect you.


• Consider how David helped one of his Consider how David helped one of his mighty men avoid sin. mighty men avoid sin. (1 Sam 26:8-9)(1 Sam 26:8-9)


• 1 Samuel 26:8-91 Samuel 26:8-9 - Then Abishai said to - Then Abishai said to David, "God has delivered your enemy David, "God has delivered your enemy into your hand this day. Now therefore, into your hand this day. Now therefore, please, let me strike him at once with the please, let me strike him at once with the spear, right to the earth; and I will not spear, right to the earth; and I will not have have to strike to strike him a second time!" 9 And David him a second time!" 9 And David said to Abishai, "said to Abishai, "Do not destroy himDo not destroy him; for ; for who can who can stretch out his hand against the stretch out his hand against the LORD's LORD's anointedanointed, and be guiltless, and be guiltless?"?"


• Regularly worship God and assemble with Regularly worship God and assemble with Christians. Asaph was helped!Christians. Asaph was helped!

• Please be honest and open with your Please be honest and open with your family and children. Hiding and denying family and children. Hiding and denying these issues can destroy your children. these issues can destroy your children.

• Remember the examples of Jesus. Remember the examples of Jesus. (Heb 12:1-4)(Heb 12:1-4)


• Hebrews 12:1-4Hebrews 12:1-4 - - Therefore we also, since we Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares the sin which so easily ensnares us, us, and let us and let us run with endurance the race that is set before run with endurance the race that is set before usus, 2 , 2 looking unto Jesuslooking unto Jesus, the author and , the author and finisher of finisher of our our faith, who for the joy that was set faith, who for the joy that was set before Him before Him endured the cross, despising the endured the cross, despising the shameshame, and has sat down at the right hand of , and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.the throne of God.


• 3 For consider Him who 3 For consider Him who endured such endured such hostility from sinners against Himselfhostility from sinners against Himself, lest , lest you become weary and discouraged in you become weary and discouraged in your soulsyour souls. 4 You have not yet resisted to . 4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.bloodshed, striving against sin.


• Jesus poured out “vehement cries and Jesus poured out “vehement cries and tears” to God tears” to God (Heb 5:7-8)(Heb 5:7-8)


• Hebrews 5:7-8Hebrews 5:7-8 - who, in the days of His - who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with supplications, with vehement cries and vehement cries and tears to Himtears to Him who who was able to save Him was able to save Him from deathfrom death, and was heard because of His , and was heard because of His godly fear, 8 though He was a Son, godly fear, 8 though He was a Son, yet yet He learned obedience by the things which He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.He suffered.


• He knows and understands us. Read He knows and understands us. Read Psalms 22 and see how He endured the Psalms 22 and see how He endured the cross!cross!

• Where would you be Where would you be withoutwithout your hurts? your hurts?

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Facing Depression With a Living Faith (Part 2). We will experience overwhelming emotions as we live life We must win the battle for our thoughts by knowing