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Overcoming Depression: The Spiritual Persepective

By Wily Elder

To come to grips with depression we must first conclude what is the most depressing thing that happens to a human. It is death. And death is what we all have in common. We will all die. We may keep ourselves in excellent health and live a long life but we will die no matter what. The body will eventually die - of old age if nothing else. It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment (Hebrews 9:27). God will bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether [it be] good or whether [it be] evil (Ecclesiastes 12:14). The only thing more depressing than the physical death is the second death (Revelation 2:11).

Vanity is a contributor to depression. Existence without a sense of direction will automatically lead to depression. Also having a sense of direction that leads nowhere results in depression. Depression can be mellow or dysthymic. Dysthymia is the feeling that life is devoid of meaning.

"To every [thing there is] a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven" (Ecclesiastes 3:1). There is "a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance" (verse 4). We weep and laugh at different times depending on the predicaments we find ourselves in. Psychology uses the term bi-polar to describe mania and depression, exuberance and sorrow. When we are in between the two we are centered (neither exuberant nor sorrowful). The ideal human condition is to not be drawn to the outer extremes away from the center of our consciousness.

There are many things that cause us to be drawn away:

1. Seeking a mate that is not compatible.
2. Getting involved in get-rich-quick plans.
3. Gambling.
4. Allowing temper fits to cause us to lose control.
5. Blinding ourselves to our own limitations.
6. Seeking political dominion over others.
7. Being unforgiving.
8. Hating others.
9. Allowing addictions to control us.
10. Participating in self-pity.

We need to cope with both the ups and the downs. Paul was a good example. We need to know how to be abased and how to abound, how to be full and how to be hungry, how to abound and how to suffer need (Philippians 4:12). We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (verse 13).

As we progress in our life, we need to change those things we are able to change and seek to have the wisdom to know what things we cannot change.

There is no greater help we can receive than that of the Father (Matthew 7:11).

"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: casting all your care upon him; for he cares for you" (1 Peter 5:6-7). The head of this vast universe cares for you.

The ultimate result of worldly depression (worldly sorrow) is suicide (death) but godly sorrow works repentance that leads to salvation (2 Corinthians 7:10). God wants to change our heart. Why? Because the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9). God wants to write his law in our hearts (Hebrews 8:19). But isn't that for Israel only? No. Israel is another name for Jacob. Jacob was grandson to Abraham. If you are Christ's then you are Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise (Galatians 3:29).

Jesus did not come to save us in our sins. He came to save us from our sins (Matthew 1:21). The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23a). What is sin? Sin is the transgression of the law (1 John 3:4). The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord (Romans 6:23b). Salvation, the gift, is by grace (unmerited pardon) through faith (Ephesians 2:8). And it must not be a dead faith. It must be a living active faith. Faith without works is dead (James 2:26). We are created in Christ Jesus unto good works (Ephesians 2:10). What works? A young man wanted to know what he could do to obtain eternal life. Christ replied "...if you will enter into life, keep the commandments" (Matthew 19:16-19).

"Blessed [are] they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates to the city" (Revelation 22:14). The King James "blessed" is from the Greek "makarios", which means "happy" (the opposite of depressed).

"I the Lord Search the heart, [I] try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, [and] according to the fruit of his doings" (Jeremiah 17:10). The King James "reins" is the Hebrew "kilyah", which means the "emotional mind set".

"...of making many books there is no end; and much study [is] a weariness of the flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this [is] the whole [duty] of man" (Ecclesiastes 12:12-13). The word "duty" is not in the original Hebrew text. Obeying God is the whole man - the complete human.

"Great peace have they, which love your law, and nothing shall offend them" (Psalms 119:165).

In this modern world, the fast track can, at times, be the wrong track. However, the problem is not the speed but the traditions of modern man that comes with the fast track.

When you practice the good behavior of doing things that cause you to be less depressed, take the next step and reward yourself for being less depressed. Is there a school of psychology that rewards good behavior?

Yes, it is called Behavior Psychology.

Behavior Psychology beats Freudian Psychology every time it is tried.

-- wilyelder

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