by Dr. Bruce Wood

1. When you are Depressed… by Dr. Bruce Wood

2. When you are Depressed… Defeating Depression Depression is one of the great problems in the world today.

3. When you are Depressed… How Common Is Depression? • 1 out of 18 adults – about 10 million of us suffer from it. • 1 in 5 adults will experience a severe depression at least once in their life time.

4. When you are Depressed… Who is at risk? Depression is no respecter of age, gender, social status or occupation.

5. When you are Depressed… How can you tell if you are depressed? Symptoms? • Persistent sadness, • Anxiety or an “empty” mood • A sense of hopelessness and pessimism • Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness • Crying at the slightest provocation • Loss of interest or pleasure in ordinary activities • Sleep disturbances • Eating disturbances

6. When you are Depressed… How can you tell if you are depressed? Symptoms? • Decreased energy, fatigue, feeling slowed down • Thoughts of death or suicide • Restlessness and irritability • Difficulty in concentrating, in remembering, and making decisions; • And physical symptoms (headaches, digestive disorders and chronic pain)

7. When you are Depressed… Two major sources of depression: • “From within” – biological and genetic causes of depression. • “From without” – Reactive depression is an emotional reaction to events in life.

8. When you are Depressed… The Solution: Elijah’s Despair – I Kings 19 God’s word says, “Elijah was a man just like us” (James 5:17) Elijah was so depressed that he was ready to die, but God rescued him from his depression. By the grace of God, Elijah defeated depression.

9. When you are Depressed… To Defeat Depression you need to: • Get help immediately. God told Elijah, “Get up and eat for the journey is too much for you.” Therefore, he got up, ate, and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. (Vs. 7-8)

10. When you are Depressed… To Defeat Depression you need to: • Get help immediately. • Seek help with trusted friends – small group • Let them support you and hold you up • Seek help from your physician, counselor, pastor. • We are with you….you are not alone unless you choose to be!

11. When you are Depressed… To Defeat Depression you need to: • Take care of your physical needs. God told Elijah, “Get up and eat for the journey is too much for you.” “So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights.” (Vs. 7-8)

12. When you are Depressed… To Defeat Depression you need to: • Take care of your physical needs. • God’s initial remedy for Elijah’s depression was rest, food, and relaxation. • If you are depressed the first step toward recovery is to get in shape physically. Take care of your health needs. • Maybe you need to watch your diet • Or perhaps you need to get more sleep or • Begin an exercise program. • Physical health has a profound influence on your moods.

13. When you are Depressed… To Defeat Depression you need to: • Examine the causes of depression. God asked a gentle but penetrating question that led to perspective. “The word of the Lord came to Elijah: “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

14. When you are Depressed… To Defeat Depression you need to: • Examine the causes of depression. Elijah responded: “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” (vs. 10)

15. When you are Depressed… To Defeat Depression you need to: • Examine the causes of depression. Notice the six emotions Elijah felt. • afraid (v.3) • Resentment (v. 4) He said, “I’m fed up with it all, and I’m no better than my ancestors.” • Low self-esteem and guilt. • Anger – Elijah complained that he worked hard for nothing (v. 10) • Alone – “I’m all alone.” • Worried – “They're trying to kill me too.”

16. When you are Depressed… To Defeat Depression you need to: • Examine the causes of depression. Notice the six emotions Elijah felt. • Genetic-biological • Family background • Stress and significant losses – grief. • Learned helplessness –Resignation. • Faulty thinking – stinking thinking, “nobody loves, everybody hates me,” • Anger – Hurt = anger=revenge = destructive behavior or Depression which hides the hurt, anger and revengefulness • Sin and guilt.

17. When you are Depressed… To Defeat Depression you need to: 4. Tell God your frustrations. “Elijah said to the Lord, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” (v. 10, 11)

18. When you are Depressed… To Defeat Depression you need to: 5. Align your thoughts with God’s word. “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind, then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)

19. When you are Depressed… To Defeat Depression you need to: 6. Get a fresh awareness of God’s presence. The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” (v. 11)

20. When you are Depressed… To Defeat Depression you need to: 7. Let God give you a new direction for your life. The Lord said to Elijah, “Go back the way you came, and go to the desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha to succeed you as prophet.”(v. 15-16)

21. When you are Depressed… To Defeat Depression you need to: You can change. How do you start? • First by establishing a personal relationship with Christ. It doesn’t automatically cure all your depression, but without Christ in your life you have no power to change. • Once he’s in your life, ask Him to give you a new purpose and a new meaning in living. You need something greater to live for than just your own self.