YOU HAVE HOMEWORK! Read several of the following verses each day. They will offer comfort and guidance during this time of difficulty. Psalm 16 Psalm 12 Psalm 42 Psalm 30:5b 2 Chronicles 20:20-28 2 Corinthians 4:17 Isaiah 49:9-11 Jeremiah 29:13-14 Nehemiah 8:10 Psalm 37:4 Psalm 77 Psalm 121:3-8 Isaiah 26:3 Isaiah 53:4-5 Proverbs 3:5-6 Psalm 38:14 Psalm 38:21-22 Psalm 23 Psalm 56 Matt 6:34 Romans 8:28 Phil. 4:13 Heb. 12:11 James 1:12 copyright 2000 BACK TO HOME PAGE DISCLAIMER This material represents our best efforts to be helpful within the constraints of this format. Other information and additional counseling should be considered before crucial decisions are made. |
WHAT CAUSES DEPRESSION? Physical illnesses or changes within one's body can bring on depression. Hormonal changes in women, diabetes, thyroid, or any prolonged illness or injury in either sex can cause depression. Anxiety and worry also leads to depression. The fear of losing a job or not making ends meet are examples of problems that can result in despondency. Depression can also be brought on by the loss of a loved one to death, to divorce or to another person. The resulting grief can evolve into despair. Boredom, a general lack of fulfillment in life and self-pity complete our partial list of causes. Interestingly enough, self-pity was a leading cause of depression for some of the Bible's strongest characters. Moses, Elijah, Job, Jeremiah and John the Baptist all had moments of self-pity before and during dark periods in their lives. NOW TO SOME ADVICE A Bible verse, John 10:10, informs us that Jesus came to give us a fruitful and abundant life. However, it's an offer limited to those who seek His help (Nahum 1:7). ADVICE: Turn your life over to God as outlined in the pamphlet entitled "The Meaning of Life." As a member of God's own family, you will never again have to face your problems alone (Psalms 37:39). Turning to God means placing your life under His management. It means trusting Him to work in your best interest at all times no matter how things looks at the moment. You become a new creation in Christ, endowed with the ability to rise above problems associated with the past. (2 Cor. 5:17,21) A Help In Time Of Need. As a member of God's family, you are the object of His love and concern. Matthew 11:28 says, "Come unto me all you who are weary and over burdened and I will give you rest - I will ease, relieve, and refresh your souls." ADVICE: Trust your depression to God. In other words -- hand it over! 1 Peter 5:7 puts it this way, "Throw the whole weight of your anxieties on Him for you are His personal concern." Again, allow God to intervene in your situation. Then trust Him with the outcome. A Support Group. Find several people to lean on until you are better. Be accountable to them to carry out the counsel outlined in this pamphlet. Talk to them every day at a preset time. ADVICE: The best place to find this support is in a local, Bible preaching church. There you will discover people ready to stand with you -- anxious to pray for your situation. No More Introspection! Too much self-inspection is not healthy. Preoccupation with yourself and your problems is, to be honest, selfish and defeating. ADVICE: Begin helping others even before you are over your own depression. Commit part of your time to this effort through your church, civic group or on your own. ADVICE: Thank God for everything! 1 Thessalonians 5:18 commands Christians to give thanks in all circumstances. Why? It's hard to stay down when you're counting your many blessings. It's God's will that thanks be given for everything (Ephesians 5:20). ADVICE: Establish a personal quiet time. Spend some time each day in prayer and Bible study. Concentrate on who you are in Christ. (John 1:12, Rom. 6:6, Gal. 5:16 & Rom. 8:18) ADVICE: Apply truth to wrong thinking. Your mind must be renewed (Rom. 12:2). Your mind must be controlled (2 Cor. 10:5) and your mind must be occupied (Phil 4:8) |
Note to the Reader: Before you read this pamphlet, click on The Meaning of Life. It contains basic information that should be read first. Then return to this topic and continue to read. It is important to follow this sequence to get the most out of this material. |
ADVICE for depression By Duron Davis |
Note to the Reader: Before you read this pamphlet, click on The Meaning of Life. It contains basic information that should be read first. Then return to this topic and continue to read. It is important to follow this sequence to get the most out of this material. |
ABOUT DEPRESSION: The wisest man to ever live, Solomon, observed, "A man's spirit sustains him in sickness, but a crushed spirit, who can bear?" Proverbs 14:18 Anyone can get depressed -- rich, poor, young, old, educated, uneducated, married or single. No one is exempt from dark moments of despondency. Depression can sometimes be dangerous and should not be ignored. Almost all suicides are caused by depression. First, let's examine some interesting information about depression and then we will offer some advice for your consideration. DEPRESSION is a heavy-hearted feeling of gloom and despair accompanied by a general disinterest in life. Again, it can occur to anyone for no apparent reason. |
Symptoms No appetite Loss of sex drive Difficulty sleeping Disinterest in work or hobbies Unexplained fatigue Crying spells Overeating, drinking or sleeping Heavy-hearted feelings Hypochondria Negative self image Grooming lapses Extreme sensitivity |
WHAT CAUSES DEPRESSION? Physical illnesses or changes within one's body can bring on depression. Hormonal changes in women, diabetes, thyroid, or any prolonged illness or injury in either sex can cause depression. Anxiety and worry also leads to depression. The fear of losing a job or not making ends meet are examples of problems that can result in despondency. Depression can also be brought on by the loss of a loved one to death, to divorce or to another person. The resulting grief can evolve into despair. Boredom, a general lack of fulfillment in life and self-pity complete our partial list of causes. Interestingly enough, self-pity was a leading cause of depression for some of the Bible's strongest characters. Moses, Elijah, Job, Jeremiah and John the Baptist all had moments of self-pity before and during dark periods in their lives. NOW TO SOME ADVICE A Bible verse, John 10:10, informs us that Jesus came to give us a fruitful and abundant life. However, it's an offer limited to those who seek His help (Nahum 1:7). ADVICE: Turn your life over to God as outlined in the pamphlet entitled "The Meaning of Life." As a member of God's own family, you will never again have to face your problems alone (Psalms 37:39). Turning to God means placing your life under His management. It means trusting Him to work in your best interest at all times no matter how things looks at the moment. You become a new creation in Christ, endowed with the ability to rise above problems associated with the past. (2 Cor. 5:17,21) A Help In Time Of Need. As a member of God's family, you are the object of His love and concern. Matthew 11:28 says, "Come unto me all you who are weary and over burdened and I will give you rest - I will ease, relieve, and refresh your souls." ADVICE: Trust your depression to God. In other words -- hand it over! 1 Peter 5:7 puts it this way, "Throw the whole weight of your anxieties on Him for you are His personal concern." Again, allow God to intervene in your situation. Then trust Him with the outcome. A Support Group. Find several people to lean on until you are better. Be accountable to them to carry out the counsel outlined in this pamphlet. Talk to them every day at a preset time. ADVICE: The best place to find this support is in a local, Bible preaching church. There you will discover people ready to stand with you -- anxious to pray for your situation. No More Introspection! Too much self-inspection is not healthy. Preoccupation with yourself and your problems is, to be honest, selfish and defeating. ADVICE: Begin helping others even before you are over your own depression. Commit part of your time to this effort through your church, civic group or on your own. ADVICE: Thank God for everything! 1 Thessalonians 5:18 commands Christians to give thanks in all circumstances. Why? It's hard to stay down when you're counting your many blessings. It's God's will that thanks be given for everything (Ephesians 5:20). ADVICE: Establish a personal quiet time. Spend some time each day in prayer and Bible study. Concentrate on who you are in Christ. (John 1:12, Rom. 6:6, Gal. 5:16 & Rom. 8:18) ADVICE: Apply truth to wrong thinking. Your mind must be renewed (Rom. 12:2). Your mind must be controlled (2 Cor. 10:5) and your mind must be occupied (Phil 4:8) |
Make This Your Daily Prayer Dear Lord, I turn my depression over to you, and I never want it back. Thank you for what will occur in my life today, whether good or bad. Make me a better person for what I experience. May the lessons I learn serve the purpose of helping others. ---- In Jesus Name, Amen. |
YOU HAVE HOMEWORK! Read several of the following verses each day. They will offer comfort and guidance during this time of difficulty. Psalm 16 Psalm 12 Psalm 42 Psalm 30:5b 2 Chronicles 20:20-28 2 Corinthians 4:17 Isaiah 49:9-11 Jeremiah 29:13-14 Nehemiah 8:10 Psalm 37:4 Psalm 77 Psalm 121:3-8 Isaiah 26:3 Isaiah 53:4-5 Proverbs 3:5-6 Psalm 38:14 Psalm 38:21-22 Psalm 23 Psalm 56 Matt 6:34 Romans 8:28 Phil. 4:13 Heb. 12:11 James 1:12 copyright 2000 BACK TO HOME PAGE DISCLAIMER This material represents our best efforts to be helpful within the constraints of this format. Other information and additional counseling should be considered before crucial decisions are made. |
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