Let’s Talk About It – Depression

What is depression?

“Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. You may have trouble doing normal day-to-day activities, and sometimes you may feel as if life isn’t worth living.” (www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20356007)

If you have 5 or more of these symptoms consistently for 2 weeks or more, you may be depressed (more info): *this is not intended to diagnose depression, please seek professional help for diagnosis and treatment

1. Your mood is depressed for most of the day, especially in the morning
2. You feel tired or have a lack of energy almost every day
3. You feel worthless or guilty almost every day
4. You feel hopeless or pessimistic
5. You have a hard time focusing, remembering details, and making decisions
6. You can’t sleep, or you sleep too much almost every day
7. You have almost no interest or pleasure in many activities nearly every day
8. You think often about death or suicide(not just a fear of death)
9. You feel restless or slowed down
10. You’ve lost or gained weight

Biblical figures likely impacted by depression:

• Jonah (Jonah 4:3)
• Job (Job 30:16)
• Elijah (1 Kings 19:4)
• Jeremiah (Jeremiah 20:18)
• David (Psalm 42:5)

The impact of depression:

1. Depression has a physical impact
2. Depression has an emotional impact
3. Depression has a relational impact
4. Depression has a mental impact

How to break free from depression:

1. Pray
2. Share with others
3. Stay aware of God’s presence
4. Put your hope in God

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Key Scripture:

Psalm 42:5-6a (NLT)

 5 Why am I discouraged?
Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
I will praise him again—
my Savior and 6 my God!

Now I am deeply discouraged,
but I will remember you—

Psalm 9:9-10 (NLT)

9 The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed,

    a refuge in times of trouble.

10 Those who know your name trust in you,

    for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you.

Romans 12:2 (NLT)

12 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. 

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NLT)

 3 We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. 4 We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.

Jonah 4:3 (NLT)

 3 Just kill me now, Lord ! I’d rather be dead than alive if what I predicted will not happen.”

Job 30:15-17 (NLT)

 15 I live in terror now. My honor has blown away in the wind, and my prosperity has vanished like a cloud. 16 “And now my life seeps away. Depression haunts my days. 17 At night my bones are filled with pain, which gnaws at me relentlessly.

1 Kings 19:4

Jeremiah 20:18

Start talking. Find a conversation starter for your group.

• How do you weigh out focusing on the positive vs wrestling with the negative, problems, etc, in your life and in the world?

Start thinking. Ask a question to get your group thinking.

• Read Psalm 42:5.  In this Psalm, what is David doing with his feelings of depression?
• Read Psalm 9:9-10. What is the Psalmist saying about the Lord, and our relationship to Him?
• Read Romans 12:2.  Does this verse have impact how we should think about our mind, and depression?  How does your bible translation compare?

Start sharing. Choose a question to create openness.

• Have you or someone close to you experienced depression before?  Describe what that was like and what you learned?
• Does knowing that several people in the Bible wrestled with depression or despair at some point in their life change how you view depression?

• Discuss how depression relates to our spiritual, psychological and physical health.

• What is so important about sharing your difficulties with others?  What are some potential benefits of being transparent with another believer?
• What are some of the ways we should be asking God to help us battle depression?

Start doing. Commit to a step and live it out this week.

• Identify one stronghold or negative thought pattern and be intentional about how you give it to God.

Start praying. Be bold and pray with power.

• Father, thank you that our battles are from a victory you have already won.  And so please help us to remain faithful and joyful, and protect us from the enemy as grow on this walk.  -Amen

Start digging. For further study.

• Read this Got Questions article, “Is it wrong for a Christian to be depressed?”

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