HelpFinder Bible - Flipbook - Page 92
page A90
Depression continued
If you spend your life pursuing meaningless things, you may become depressed when you
recognize that what you are doing has little lasting value.
• J E R E MI A H 2 0 :1 4 , 1 8 | Yet I curse the day I was born! May no one celebrate the day of
my birth. . . . Why was I ever born? My entire life has been filled with trouble, sorrow, and
shame.
Depression likes to keep company with trouble, sorrow, and shame. The more choices you
make that result in trouble, sorrow, or shame, the deeper your depression will become.
• PSA L M 4 3 :5 | Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God!
I will praise him again.
Sometimes we don’t understand why we are depressed. During those times we must run
toward the loving arms of God, not away.
Does God care when I feel depressed?
• PSA L M 3 4 :1 8 | The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are
crushed.
• MAT T H E W 5 :4 | “God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
God isn’t disappointed by your depression and emotional struggles; on the contrary, he
feels a special closeness to you. You can actually experience even more of God’s presence
in times of brokenness.
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• PSA L M 1 3 9 :1 2 | Even in darkness I cannot hide from you.
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There is no depth to which we can descend where God is not present with us. When depression comes, we must remember that even though we cannot see or feel his presence, he
has not abandoned us.
• PSA L M 1 3 0 :1 | From the depths of despair, O Lord, I call for your help. (See note on
page 549.)
We can cry out to God in prayer even from the darkest night of despair. He will hear us.
• I SA I A H 5 3 :3 | He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest
grief.
We know that through Christ God understands the pain of human life.
• MAT T H E W 1 1 :2 8 | Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy
burdens, and I will give you rest.”
Jesus cares deeply for the weary and provides acceptance, love, and rest.
• R O MA NS 8 :3 9 | Nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of
God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Not even life’s worst depression can separate us from the love of Christ.
Does feeling depressed mean something is wrong with my faith?
• J U DG E S 1 5 :1 8 | Samson was now very thirsty, and he cried out to the Lord, “You have
accomplished this great victory. . . . Must I now die of thirst?”
• 1 K I NG S 1 9 :3 -4 | Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. . . . He sat down under a solitary
broom tree and prayed that he might die.
Even for the people of God, depression can often follow great achievement or spiritual
victory.
• PSA L M 4 0 :2 | He lifted me out of the pit of despair.
• MAT T H E W 1 4 :3 0 -3 1 | When he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified
and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and
grabbed him.
God is able to lift us out of the pit of depression and fear.
Can any good come out of my depression?
• PSA L M 1 2 6 :5 | Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy.