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What Does The Bible Say About Depression And Sadness

We Was Beat When We Was Born

What does the BIBLE say about DEPRESSION & ANXIETY?

In the movie;Newsies, Jack Kelly says the phrase, We was beat when we was born.

Hes referring to the fact that the poor kids of New York were defeated from the moment they were born, and would never have a chance to succeed.

We too were beat when we were born.

The moment sin entered the world, everything went to pieces. The perfect world God created was suddenly, violently shattered. Things that once worked perfectly, like the gears of a Swiss clock, began to shift and grind and groan and shutter.

Bodies began decomposing and everyones death clock started ticking. The soil rebelled, spewing out thorns and weeds and poisonous plants. Suddenly, nothing worked as it should and chaos began its reign of terror.

In Reformed circles, we refer to this as total depravity. It simply means that sin has infected the;totality;of our being. Our bodies and emotions and souls are all under the oppressive dominion of the darkness.

Total depravity means our world is broken. Our bodies are broken. Our brains are broken.

This is why Paul says in Romans 8:22-24:

For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

What does the Bible say about depression and anxiety? Nothing. And everything.

Helpful Resource:

Bible Verses For Depression To Encourage You

Every year nearly 20 million adults are affected by some form of depression, making it one of the most common mental health problems in the United States. Depression can be debilitating and may lead to even more serious disorders, such as suicidal tendencies and extreme anxiety.

The good news is that there are a number of Bible verses for depression. Though the word depression is not a biblical word, depression in the Bible is often referred to by terms such as downcast, brokenhearted, etc. If you suffer from it, then meditating on the following Scriptures for depression could help you move through it to the light on the other side.

If Youd Like To Learn More About How To Overcome Depression Here Are Some Excellent Resources For You:

  • For My Life Retreat This retreat is available at our Be in Health campus and also online. Find healing in God for your spirit, soul, and body. And find Biblical keys to freedom so that you can walk and live in wholeness and be restored in every area of your life according to Gods love and His will for you.
  • Exposing the Spiritual Roots of Disease;by Dr. Henry W. Wright. This book is a concise and informative book that will help you understand the spiritual roots of disease and mental health issues from both a Biblical and a medical perspective. A must-read for anyone looking to find healing in their own lives or wanting to help others.
  • Overcoming Depression by Dr. Henry W. Wright. This book dives specifically into what is behind depression. It will answer questions like: Why do we get depression? What the Bible says about depression? How do we overcome depression? And How can we help others who are struggling with depression?

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Other Types Of Depression People May Experience

Other types of depression have also been identified, including seasonal affective disorder in which a person is influenced by the lack of light associated with changing seasons, post-partum depression which is not uncommon after giving birth and is linked to the treatment of the mother during labor and delivery, and manic depression or bipolar disorder which involves periods of depression alternating with periods of mania or extremely high energy.

Each type of depression also gives clues to its ideal potential treatment protocols. For example, SAD is often treated with light therapy and Vitamin D supplements in addition to conventional psychiatric treatments.

Many people who experience depression feel the treatment options present a no-win situation. They are rightly concerned about taking potentially harmful drugs, but fear that talk therapy or counseling is not enough to address their symptoms. They may have heard of natural depression remedies; however, they may lack the information on efficacy, dosage, and safety needed to make an informed decision.

Some Basics On Suicidal Thoughts And Actions

What Does the Bible Say About Depression by JSB Heartening
  • Suicide occurs almost twice as often as murder. Each year, about 36,000 people in the United States die by suicide.
  • Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death.
  • Suicide is the third leading cause of death for people ages 15 to 24 and the second leading cause for people ages 25 to 34.
  • Suicide rates have increased for middle-aged and older adults. One suicide death occurs for every 4 suicide attempts.
  • Women try suicide more often, but men are 4 times more likely to die from a suicide attempt.

Many people have fleeting thoughts of death. Fleeting thoughts of death are less of a problem and are much different from actively planning to commit suicide. Your risk of committing suicide is increased if you think about death and killing yourself often, or if you have made a suicide plan.

Most people who seriously consider suicide do not want to die. Rather, they see suicide as a solution to a problem and a way to end their pain. People who seriously consider suicide feel hopeless, helpless, and worthless. A person who feels hopeless believes that no one can help with a particular event or problem. A person who feels helpless is immobilized and unable to take steps to solve problems. A person who feels worthless is overwhelmed with a sense of personal failure.

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So How Does This All Apply To Depression

Back in Isaiah 61:3, it says that God wants to give us beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. God wants to do an exchange here; He wants to take away the spirit of heaviness and its influence on our lives and replace it with the garment of praise. The garment of praise is something that He wants us to dress up in, that we can wear all the time. According to this scripture, praise is the antidote to depression!

You Can Find Strength By Leaning On Community

When youre depressed, the last thing you usually want to do is be around people. The problem is that being alone with your thoughts is probably the most dangerous thing you can do when youre really depressed. Depressive thoughts tend to spiral, and because depression overwhelms your emotions, its easy to believe the lies that your life is hopeless and no one cares about you.

As much as you do not feel like being around people, its crucial to have someone who can just be with you and be a physical reminder that people love you.

If you are at the point where going anywhere or even just getting out of bed seems impossible, ask a trusted friend to come by and spend time with you. Give that person a key if you are at the point where you cannot get out of bed. If you do not feel like talking, watch a movie together or listen to music.

If you are able, go to places where you can receive support and encouragement, like a church small group or a family gathering. Sadly, sometimes those places are not supportive or encouraging. If thats the case, it is really important to find at least a few key people who can walk through your depression with you.

If you do not feel like you can muster the initiative to get yourself out and go somewhere on your own, ask a friend to help. Have someone who attends the same church come by and pick you up on their way to church. Have a small group member in the same neighborhood meet you to walk to group with you.

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How Can A Christian Overcome Depression

Regardless of the cause of depression, there is help available. While God doesnt promise to heal us of our struggles with depression, He does promise not to leave us and that He will strengthen us .

Additionally, just like having an unknown ailment diagnosed or having a broken leg set, skilled doctors are there to provide wisdom and diagnosis. If you find yourself suffering from depression or any other mental health ailment, there is no shame in seeking medical help. Sometimes, like being given antibiotics or vitamins, one suffering from depression might need medication to help the brain heal or supplement a chemical theyre not making correctly. It’s OK to need spiritual and mental health doctors, counselors, and psychologists.

If you suffer from depression, please understand that your depression does NOT automatically mean you have a weak faith or that you have done something wrong and God is punishing you.

There is nothing sinful about being sad or depressed or worn down by the world . We all get upset and frustrated about life from time to time. There is nothing sinful about being born with or developing a chemical imbalance in your brain. There is nothing sinful about some of your body partslike your brainnot functioning as they were intended to.

ALSO SEE:Is it wrong for a Christian to be depressed?

TL;DR

My Friends Just Don’t Understand

What does the Bible say about depression and suicide?

“You look so good!” Surely you’ve heard this on more than one occasion and you may not know if you should take is as a compliment or as someone misunderstanding the seriousness of your chronic illness. How do you get passed friends who just don’t seem to get how much your life has changed since becoming ill.

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What Does The Bible Say About Depression Heres The Key

The key is, we have to be in agreement with God and allow Him to do that work. If we agree with a spirit of heaviness, oppression, fear, guilt, shame, or whatever the case may be, we are not listening to the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit. Our focus is feel like to stuck on the negative things, and we are missing out on the good things in our lives.

What Does The Bible Say About Sex

A lot, actually.;First of all sex is Gods idea.

Actually the first commandment;God ever gives people is to be fruitful and multiply .

And the rest of the Bible isnt shy on the subject either. On several occasions, it tells of people having sex . Theres even a full book of the Biblethe poetic Song of Solomon dedicated to celebrating a romantic relationship in very intimate language.

Even with all this talk of sex, the Bible also offers some cautions and restrictions on sexual behavior. Why? Two key reasons are false worship and desire that becomes destructive.

The Old Testament shows the first followers of God living alongside other cultures that essentially worshiped sex. For example, folks called the Canaanites celebrated the mating of a sky god with an earth goddessand sometimes re-enacted it. Later, the followers of Jesus encounter similar religions throughout the Roman world. This is probably why so many biblical writers go out of their way to clarify that sex is not how they worship their God.

The Bible also suggests that destructive desires can lead to unforeseen injury. Which explains why some biblical writers do their best to urge readers to not let any sexual desire rule their life.

While the New Testament often prohibits fornication , it does so not because sex is a bad thing, but because it is such a good and wonderful thing, knowing that it should not be squandered, but given the full protections;of a lifelong commitment.

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Which Bible Characters Struggled With Depression

In addition to David and Saul, other Bible characters wrestled hard with depression and mood disorders.

Moses;had a dark wilderness period of his own several times over the course of his long life. God had tasked him with leading Israel out of Egypt and to the Promised Land, a job Moses did not want, yet God insisted. Again and again hed do as God told him, only to face opposition, complaint, and rejection from his people, who were dissatisfied and scared. At one point, after the people railed against him in the desert, Moses cried to the Lord, I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me. If this is how you are going to treat me, please go ahead and kill me if I have found favor in your eyes and do not let me face my own ruin .

The prophet Jeremiah; rejected, mocked by his people, poverty-stricken, and deeply lonely struggled with depression throughout his days. At one of his lows, he cursed the day hed been born and, a few breaths later, cried out, Why did I ever come out of the womb to see trouble and sorrow and to end my days in shame? .

Judas Iscariot, so overcome with guilt and pain over the wrong he did in betraying Jesus, hanged himself .

Here are some others who struggled deeply with depression:;

  • Elijah, after he achieved huge success for the Lord against the prophets of Baal, sank into depression after he was forced to flee for his life into the desert beyond Beer-sheba. He even begged God to take his life .

What The Bible Says About Depression

Top 24 Bible Quotes About Sadness  Home, Family, Style ...

Tim AllchinFor Those Giving Help, For Those Seeking Hope

Editors Note:;This article is part of our series on finding hope in the midst of depression.;In this series, our counselors are helping people understand the reality of depression and how God sustains and helps those who are depressed.View the Series Page here.

As depression becomes more common and more talked about in society, many Christians are wondering what the Bible says about depression.

Depression can be very difficult to express or understand.;We hear more and more people talking about depression, and see more people struggling with it.

Listen to the way that some who are going through depression describe what they are going through:

  • Whenever I have a good few months and I think Ive gotten over the worst on my depression, it silently returns. This isnt a battle I asked to fight. Im tired of knowing its always coming back.
  • Iwanted to write down exactly what I felt but somehow the paper stayed empty andI could not have described it any better.
  • No one realizes how strong someone with depression has to be just to do daily stuff like shower, brush hair, or get out of bed.
  • When youre depressed, you dont control your thoughtsyour thoughts control you. I wish people would understand this.
  • I am not using my depression as an excuse. Trust me, Id give anything to function normally on a day-to-day basis.

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Combat The Lies Of Your Mind With Truth From Gods Word

You already have your identity found in Jesus! His life, death, and resurrection define who you are in the eyes of your Creator. God sees you as forgiven, redeemed.

Ephesians 1:3-14 in Him

Quit listening to yourself and start speaking the words of Scripture to yourself. Quit listening to demonic lies and start preaching the Gospel to yourself. Quit listening to worldly counsel and start submitting to biblical counsel. Quit believing the darkness and start believing the truth of who Christ has declared you to be.

In the darkness, cry out to the Lord. Read the Word of the Lord and remember your identity in Christ. Pray for wisdom and strength to preserver . Stay active . Sing truth. Preach the Gospel to yourself. Tell a trusted friend what youre thinking and seek pastoral counsel.

If youre a Christian, this is how God loves you! He is the author of Truth. Shoot these arrows at the lies your mind is speaking back at you. God loves you and you are His son, His daughter. Fight lies of fear and anxiety with the Truth of Scripture.

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26

Bible Verses On Depression

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. – Romans 8:38-39

Among the many verses for depression, Romans 8:38-39 offers a powerful reminder that there is nothing in the world, no matter how seemingly powerful, that can separate us from Gods love. The illustration of the intense power of Christs love is inspiring and can help lead us through the most difficult of lifes challenges.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. – Isaiah 41:10

Bible verses that deal with depression make it clear that God is the light that will guide us through lifes foggy points. When we are looking for strength, we know where to turn. Sometimes, simply starting with prayer and admitting our brokenness is the first step to healing.

You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. – Psalm 32:7-8

Humble yourselves, therefore, under Gods mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. – 1 Peter 5:6-7

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