{"id":558,"date":"2011-10-28T06:05:59","date_gmt":"2011-10-28T10:05:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/godonomics\/?p=558"},"modified":"2011-10-25T10:00:47","modified_gmt":"2011-10-25T14:00:47","slug":"where-does-a-mother-go-to-resign-biblical-answers-for-depression","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/godonomics\/2011\/10\/where-does-a-mother-go-to-resign-biblical-answers-for-depression.html","title":{"rendered":"Where Does a Mother Go to Resign?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Where Does<\/em> a Mother Go to Resign?<\/p>\n

I.\u00a0 BIBLICAL ANSWERS FOR DEPRESSION<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Serious mental illnesses (SMIs), which afflict about 6% of American adults, cost society $193.2 billion in lost earnings per year, according to findings published in this month’s\u00a0American Journal of Psychiatry. <\/em>Most families feel the cost in their monthly medical bills and the wear and tear of trying to push through a season of depression. \u00a0 \u00a0The Bible offers practical help in beating back the blues. \u00a0The Bible is one of the most\u00a0sophisticated\u00a0pyschological handbooks in history. It reminds us that anyone and everyone can struggle with depression. Even God’s top prophets: Moses, Jonah, and Elijah struggled with suicide, depression, and sadness. Let’s examine some practical lessons from Elijah.<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0 The Roller Coaster Effect: After a Victory Comes a Valley<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Elijah has just come off a huge victory against the Baal\u00a0worshipers. This emotional high sets him up for a devastating crash. \u00a0This pattern is observable. You can see it in your kids the day after a school play. After months of practice and a great show, they come crashing down. \u00a0You can see it in yourself after a move. You see it after a baby is born. After the Victory comes a Valley.<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0 The Running on \u201cE\u201dffect: Physical Exhaustion<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Elijah has just finished outrunning Ahab’s chariot. This season of physical drainage has his tanks reading “E.” \u00a0 His\u00a0gauges\u00a0are low. \u00a0 He is physically tied. This sets him up for an emotional crash.<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0 The Runaway Train Effect: Life Seems Out of Control<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

With the table set for depression, Jezebel sends Elijah a\u00a0threatening\u00a0letter. That letter is the catalyst for his spiral. \u00a0 If we don’t see the first two causes, we won’t understand the final straw that breaks our camel’s back. This letter from Jezebel becomes the spark to Elijah’s depression. \u00a0 \u00a0Look at the circumstances in your life, are you coming off a victory, physically drained, or reacting to a letter (a threat, a phone call, a big fight, an email, an audit)? Perhaps you are not in full fledge sadness yet, but maybe you can Identify symptoms of the blues.<\/p>\n


\nII. IDENTIFY SYMPTOMS OF THE BLUES<\/strong><\/p>\n

Here are six symptoms of depression we see in Elijah’s life:<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0 Fear<\/strong><\/p>\n

1 Kings 19:3<\/em> Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there,<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

2.\u00a0 Withdrawal<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

1 Kings 19:3-4<\/em> Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there<\/span>, while he himself went a day’s journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die<\/span>. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” <\/em><\/p>\n

It’s striking to see a man of faith honestly share his feelings with God. He is withdrawn and wants God to take his life. Why? He thinks he needs to be better than his ancestors. This reel, ” I must be better” drives him to perfectionism which leads to depression. God never told him he needed to be better than anyone, but this thought rolls around and around in his head. What self talk rolls in your head?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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3.\u00a0 Hopelessness<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

1 Kings 19:4 <\/em>“I have had enough, Lord<\/span>,” he said. “Take my life<\/span>; I am no better than my ancestors.”<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

4.\u00a0 Comparisons<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

1 Kings 19:4<\/em> ” I am no better<\/span> than my ancestors.” <\/em><\/p>\n

Comparison leads to criticism or conceit. Religion always produces fear, pride or guilt. I will either feel proud that I’ve kept the rules or guilty that I didn’t. Religion drives people into depression and fear of “have I done enough?” God’s grace and message of Christ’s work on the cross is the opposite of religion. Religion is about what we do for God, grace is about what He did for us. Grace fills you with humility, gratitude, and confidence. It frees you from comparing yourself to others.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

5.\u00a0 Exaggeration<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

1 Kings 19:10<\/em> He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty<\/span>. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left,<\/span> and now they are trying to kill me too.”<\/em><\/p>\n

Often the exaggerations we believe become “true” in our thinking. Those lies push us deeper into depression. God will later tell Elijah that he is not the ONLY one left. There are thousands who have not bowed to Baal. Until we identify the lie and replace it with truth, our thinking will continue to drive us into deeper sadness. After all, if you keep telling yourself you’re alone, you’ll feel alone -especially when you repeat it over and over like Elijah does.<\/p>\n

6.\u00a0 Self-Pity: The Snowball Effect<\/strong><\/p>\n

1 Kings 19:14<\/em> He replied, “I have been very zealous<\/span> for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left<\/span>, and now they are trying to kill me too.”<\/em><\/p>\n

Do any of those symptoms ring true for you right now? \u00a0Do you see yourself, your struggles, and your feelings echoed in Elijah’s conversation?\u00a0 If so, God has a perscription for beating back the blues, for battling spiritual depression.<\/p>\n

III.\u00a0 BEATING BACK THE BLUES<\/strong><\/p>\n

1.\u00a0 Take Care of Physical Needs<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

1 Kings 19:5-7<\/em> Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep<\/span>. All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat<\/span>.” <\/em>6<\/em>He looked around, and there by his head was a cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again<\/span>. <\/em>7<\/em>The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat<\/span>, for the journey is too much for you.”<\/em><\/p>\n

2.\u00a0 Realize the Toll and Receive Help in Your Need<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

1 Kings 19:7<\/em> <\/em> <\/em>The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you<\/span>.”<\/em><\/p>\n

3.\u00a0 Rediscover Your Purpose<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

1 Kings 19:9<\/em> There he went into a cave and spent the night. And the word of the Lord came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah<\/span>?” <\/em><\/p>\n

1 Kings 19:15-18<\/em> The Lord said to him, “Go back the way you came<\/span>, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint<\/span> Hazael king over Aram. <\/em>16<\/em>Also, anoint <\/span>Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet<\/span>. <\/em>17<\/em>Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu.\u00a0 <\/span><\/em>18<\/span><\/em>Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel–all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him<\/span>.” <\/em> <\/em><\/p>\n

4.\u00a0 Rediscover God<\/strong><\/p>\n

1 Kings 19:11-12<\/em> The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”<\/em> Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. <\/em>12<\/em> After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.<\/em><\/p>\n

Imagine the financial cost savings to our mental health, our marriages, and our bottom line, if each of us made a priority of God’s\u00a0prescription\u00a0for depression. We sleep more, eat better, and rediscover God daily. \u00a0 Imagine the healing that is possible when we find God in the still small voice.<\/p>\n

Finally, remember that if Elijah struggled with depression, it’s okay that you struggle with it as well.<\/p>\n

For a free first session of Godonomics, visit:\u00a0 http:\/\/www.godonomics.com\/watch-session-1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=BH6D1WKDIdA<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Where Does a Mother Go to Resign? I.\u00a0 BIBLICAL ANSWERS FOR DEPRESSION Serious mental illnesses (SMIs), which afflict about 6% of American adults, cost society $193.2 billion in lost earnings per year, according to findings published in this month’s\u00a0American Journal of Psychiatry. 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He graduated from Moody Bible College in Chicago, majoring in pastoral ministry and communication. His love for ministry and creativity can be seen in many forms: leading teams, expository teaching, acting, and video production. He has served as pastor at two high-impact churches in Georgia: Cumberland Community Church and New Community Church. Chad received an M.A. in Ministry from Moody Graduate School in 2008. 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