Part One on a biblical perspective on depression.

1. Depression:
A Biblical Perspective
{ Psalm 34:18

2. “The LORD is nigh unto them that
are of a broken heart; and saveth
such as be of a contrite spirit.”
Psalm 34:18
Dealing with Depression

3. Psychiatrists treat depression more
than any other emotional
disturbance.
Introduction to Psychiatry and Counseling
The Reality of Depression

4. 1 out of every 20 Americans has
been medically diagnosed with
depression.
Introduction to Psychiatry and Counseling
The Reality of Depression

5. “Millions of people are depressed and
don’t even know it.” Tipper Gore
Note: If I’m
depressed
and don’t
know
it…..DON’T
TELL ME!
The Reality of Depression

6. Women are twice as likely to be
depressed as women are.
Introduction to Psychiatry and Counseling
The Reality of Depression

7.  Depression begins most often when
individuals reach their forties and
fifties.
Introduction to Psychiatry and Counseling
The Reality of Depression

8. Can godly people be
depressed?
Psalm 38
The Reality of Depression

9. Body - Organic
Soul - Emotional
Spirit - Spiritual
The Reality of Depression

10. Body - Organic
Physical Depression

11. Neurotransmitters such as
serotonin, norepinephrine, and
dopamine work to regulate our
emotional responses. Imbalances in
these can lead to emotional
irregularities that are not spiritual in
nature. Abnormal
hormonal levels or brain
injuries may have the same effect.
Medication may be helpful in these
instances.
Physical Depression

12. While depression can truly be the result
of organic causes, irresponsible
physicians have a tendency to
overprescribe psychiatric medications.
Physical Depression

13. "Researchers at the Rand Corp. in
2002 surveyed close to 700 adults
who had received a prescription
for an antidepressant. Of those
who reported receiving the
medication for depression, just
20% tested positive when
screened for the disease. Fewer
than 30% of those receiving the
medication had any depressive
symptoms at all.“
Psychologytoday.com
Physical Depression

14. While medication is the answer for
some individuals it is not the
solution for everyone or even most.
Be discerning in the use of
medication to control your
emotions or to quieten guilt.
Some people do legitimately
require medication. However,
sometimes we are meant to work
through the difficulties in our lives.
Physical Depression

15. “These things I have spoken unto
you, that in me ye might have
peace. In the world ye shall
have tribulation: but be of
good cheer; I have
overcome the world.”
John 16:33
Physical Depression

16. As a pastor, I am called to give
spiritual counsel but not medical
advice.
“Discretion shall preserve
thee, understanding shall keep
thee.” Proverbs 2:11
Ask Questions
Get Testing
Don’t Abuse
Choose Your Physician Wisely
Physical Depression

17. Will prayer and Bible Study make
a difference if your depression is
based on physical imbalances?
Pray for this physical need just as
you would any other with judging.
“The effectual fervent prayer of a
righteous man availeth much.”
James 5:16b
Physical Depression

18. Treatment
Follow the counsel of a competent
physician or Christian psychiatrist
and apply the same biblical
principles that will be examined
as we discuss emotional and
spiritual causes of depression.
Physical Depression

19. Emotional Depression is the result of negative
factors in one’s life that may be beyond one’s
control and have not been properly dealt with.
• Child Abuse
• Loss of a Loved One
• Divorce
• Loss of a Job
• Financial Difficulties
• Dysfunctional Home Life
• Unmet Needs
Emotional Depression

20. These negative factors often produce negative
emotions in one’s life which lead to depression.
• Anger
• Resentment
• Bitterness
• Frustration
• Self-pity
• Withdrawal / Isolation
• Inability to trust
• Vengefulness
Emotional Depression

21. Although the original offence is often beyond the
control of the individual our response to
these factors is not.
We cannot choose all that happens
to us but we can choose
How we respond.
“A wise man's heart is at his
right hand; but a fool's heart
at his left.” Ecclesiastes 10:2
Emotional Depression

22. Don’t allow another’s sin
cause you to sin in your own
heart.
Their wrong does not justify
yours.
Emotional Depression

23. Our carnal instincts will lead us down a self-
destructive path unless they are brought under
subjection.
“The heart is deceitful above all
things, and desperately wicked:
who can know it?”
Jeremiah 17:9
Emotional Depression

24. Determine to rule your heart and mind rather
than be ruled by them!
“Let not your heart be troubled: ye
believe in God, believe also in me.”
John 14:1
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I
give unto you: not as the world
giveth, give I unto you. Let not your
heart be troubled, neither let it be
afraid.”
John 14:27
Emotional Depression

25. Determine to rule your heart and mind rather
than be ruled by them!
“ (For the weapons of our warfare
are not carnal, but mighty through
God to the pulling down of strong
holds;) Casting down
imaginations, and every high thing
that exalteth itself against the
knowledge of God, and bringing
into captivity every thought to the
obedience of Christ.”
2 Corinthians 10:4-5
Emotional Depression

26. Determine to rule your heart and mind rather
than be ruled by them!
“Be careful for nothing; but in every
thing by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests
be made known unto God. And the
peace of God, which passeth all
understanding, shall keep your
hearts and minds through Christ
Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7
Emotional Depression

27. Determine to rule your heart and mind rather
than be ruled by them!
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things
are true, whatsoever things are
honest, whatsoever things are
just, whatsoever things are
pure, whatsoever things are
lovely, whatsoever things are of good
report; if there be any virtue, and if
there be any praise, think on these
things. “
Philippians 4:8
Emotional Depression

28. Determine to rule your heart and mind rather
than be ruled by them!
“Wherefore gird up the loins of your
mind, be sober, and hope to the end
for the grace that is to be brought unto
you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
As obedient children, not fashioning
yourselves according to the former
lusts in your ignorance: But as he
which hath called you is holy, so be ye
holy in all manner of conversation.”
1 Peter 1:13-15
Emotional Depression

29. Determine to rule your heart and mind rather
than be ruled by them!
“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and
anger, and clamour, and evil
speaking, be put away from you, with
all malice: And be ye kind one to
another, tenderhearted, forgiving one
another, even as God for Christ's sake
hath forgiven you.”
1 Peter 1:31-32
Emotional Depression

30. You Have a Choice in How You Respond
“And be not conformed to this world:
but be ye transformed by the
renewing of your mind, that ye may
prove what is that good, and
acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
Romans 12:2
Emotional Depression

31. The key to overcoming emotional depression is
to surrender your heart and mind to the Lord.
Failing to do so is failing to trust Him.
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect
peace, whose mind is stayed on thee:
because he trusteth in thee.”
Isaiah 26:3
Emotional Depression

32. The key to overcoming emotional depression is
to surrender your heart and mind to the Lord.
Failing to do so is failing to trust Him.
“But they that wait upon the LORD
shall renew their strength; they shall
mount up with wings as eagles; they
shall run, and not be weary; and they
shall walk, and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:31
Emotional Depression

33. The key to overcoming emotional depression is
to surrender your heart and mind to the Lord.
Failing to do so is failing to trust Him.
“Wait on the LORD: be of good
courage, and he shall strengthen thine
heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”
Psalm 27:14
Emotional Depression

34. Next Week:
Spiritual Depression