Proverbs 27:21 As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise.
I am not a doctor and do not understand the complexities of physical and mental depression. I do not have the training it takes to understand and diagnose chemical imbalances that some people suffer from and in turn the suffering manifestation of debilitating depression.
The depression I understand is situational depression that comes from unrepentant sin or carrying guilt and shame that has taken over someone’s thought processes to the point of no longer caring for the things of God. Situational depression happens to everyone. The only difference with a lot of people who fall into this type of depression is that they get out of it by faith through the word of God and help from the Holy Spirit.
There are many who fall into this type of despair when they see the events that are taking place in the world. Many people feel like they are part of biblical prophecy and there is nothing they can do about it. Matt. 24:7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
These desperate people become overwhelmed by the circumstances of twenty-four-hour constant information overload of broadcasted bad news, causing a breakdown into depression. There are so many bad things going on and there is nothing that can be done about it. A feeling of hopelessness begins to move into the soul.
There are many who fall into this type of despair when they see the events that are taking place in the world. Many people feel like they are part of biblical prophecy and there is nothing they can do about it. Matt. 24:7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
These desperate people become overwhelmed by the circumstances of twenty-four-hour constant information overload of broadcasted bad news, causing a breakdown into depression. There are so many bad things going on and there is nothing that can be done about it. A feeling of hopelessness begins to move into the soul.
David was being hunted to death by King Saul and his army. David found it hard to keep himself high in spirits, yet he found the way to do it in spite of the circumstance he was in. Psalm 43:5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
David was stating that the mood of his heart and the feelings of his soul was manifesting as depression; however, in the same verse David also comes up with the solution for the depression he was experiencing and that was to hope in God and start praising Him in the situation regardless of how he felt at the time.
Praising God is a way out of a desperate and depressive situation because God is in the very praises that start to come forth out of our hearts and only good can come out of anything God is involved with. Psalm 22:3 But thou art holy, O thou that inhabits the praises of Israel. God is in the praises of His people. God is in us and we are in Him. God is in the praises that the people He is in are saying, “Praise the Lord.” In this case, praise will help diminish situational depression.
David was stating that the mood of his heart and the feelings of his soul was manifesting as depression; however, in the same verse David also comes up with the solution for the depression he was experiencing and that was to hope in God and start praising Him in the situation regardless of how he felt at the time.
Praising God is a way out of a desperate and depressive situation because God is in the very praises that start to come forth out of our hearts and only good can come out of anything God is involved with. Psalm 22:3 But thou art holy, O thou that inhabits the praises of Israel. God is in the praises of His people. God is in us and we are in Him. God is in the praises that the people He is in are saying, “Praise the Lord.” In this case, praise will help diminish situational depression.
Another example is Elijah defeating Jezebel’s prophets. 1 Kings 19:1 And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword. However, after a great defeat over the false prophets Jezebel threatens Elijah with death. He ran for his life and in the same breath wants God to kill him. What happened to cause such a depression of fear? 1 Kings 19:4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.
He says, “I am no better than my fathers.” Is that some sort of personal shame, because of the feeling of nonperformance? I think the problem was what happens to a lot of people in ministry. They start thinking they are all alone and there is no one else to do the work. They become overwhelmed with the call on their life, shamed into thinking they have failed. 1 Kings 19:14 And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. This is not true, of course, because God says to Elijah “There are seven thousand who have not knelt to Baal nor kissed him.” God helps Elijah refocused on the message that was originally in his hearts.
He says, “I am no better than my fathers.” Is that some sort of personal shame, because of the feeling of nonperformance? I think the problem was what happens to a lot of people in ministry. They start thinking they are all alone and there is no one else to do the work. They become overwhelmed with the call on their life, shamed into thinking they have failed. 1 Kings 19:14 And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. This is not true, of course, because God says to Elijah “There are seven thousand who have not knelt to Baal nor kissed him.” God helps Elijah refocused on the message that was originally in his hearts.
Jonah was going through a state of situational depression because he did not want the enemy of Israel forgiven. So he ran away from God, trying to force God’s hand to judge Nineveh. Ah, the plans of mice and men. When the lot fell on Jonah during the storm at sea, Jonah said to the sailors to throw him overboard into the sea and the storm would stop. Jonah 1:15 So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging.
Jonah, after spending three days and three nights in the great fish that was prepared for him by God, begins to repent. Jonah 1:17 Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. There comes a point where Jonah repents from his sin and the fish spews him out and Jonah is sent on the same mission to Nineveh. After Jonah ministers the word of the Lord in Nineveh the citizens repent.
God is pleased, but not Jonah. Jonah 4:2 And he prayed unto the LORD, and said, I pray thee, O LORD, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repents thee of the evil. Did Jonah ever get over his depression about his enemies receiving the same mercy that was available to Israel? I believe he did because of the fact that he records such a scathing account of his character during this time. Jonah is honest about himself and God; therefore because Jonah is able to be so truthful about himself speaks to his heart change in God.
Jonah, after spending three days and three nights in the great fish that was prepared for him by God, begins to repent. Jonah 1:17 Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. There comes a point where Jonah repents from his sin and the fish spews him out and Jonah is sent on the same mission to Nineveh. After Jonah ministers the word of the Lord in Nineveh the citizens repent.
God is pleased, but not Jonah. Jonah 4:2 And he prayed unto the LORD, and said, I pray thee, O LORD, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repents thee of the evil. Did Jonah ever get over his depression about his enemies receiving the same mercy that was available to Israel? I believe he did because of the fact that he records such a scathing account of his character during this time. Jonah is honest about himself and God; therefore because Jonah is able to be so truthful about himself speaks to his heart change in God.
What about you? Is there something you are carrying that could be dissipated with praises to God Almighty or repent of some nonsense that you are fed up with? Is there something of shame you have to let go of that has been eating away at your peace? These are all tricks of the enemy of our soul to keep us in a state of depression where there is no joy. I know the cure to this depression. It is Psalm 47:1 O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph. Psalm 150:6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.
leena brit 30 July 2015 at 19:50
Great stuff. very incisive post, i really appreciate it. The example you have shown in your post is really good and easily.Thanks for sharing understandable.
That does not sound off at all miss Jami. You have got it right.
That is the truth of grace that we can come to Him defeated, depressed, and even angry and He will give us what we need for that moment. That is the wonder of His love for us; that he never stops saving us from ourselves and others. Oh! What a Savior we have. Blessings!
No matter what type of depression I experience ( I seem to have both at times), I do know to praise God. But boy is it hard to praise when you feel so defeated! It is most important to ask God to help you praise Him even though that sounds a little off. God understands our heart before we express it and knows when we come to Him that we need Him. That's all He needs from us. We walk away loved and comforted. And a little less depressed perhaps?
Thanks Norm
As usual your timing is perfect.
This blog is sure to minister to so many! It definitely did to me!!
Bless you