Gateway Baptist Church
10/20/2024 Real Life Series: Depression
2 Chronicles 7:14ESV
- Since Jesus Came Into My Heart
- This Joy I Have
- Heavenly Sunlight
- Wonderful Merciful Savior
- Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
- Depression is a severe mood disorder that can last up to two weeks. Depression is to be taken seriously. It affects not only the person who is dealing with depression but also those around them. Some of the characteristics of depression are:· Feeling sad, irritable, or empty· Losing interest in activities· Having trouble sleeping· Having a change in appetite· Feeling tired or low on energy· Having feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or hopelessnessWhat if Elijah had a smartphone during his time of despair? Picture this: instead of hiding in the cave, he'd share his feelings on social media! "Feeling down, self-isolating... wondering if I can take on Queen Jezebel again." His honesty might inspire a few likes, but remember, it was God who ultimately slid into his DMs with encouragement. A reminder that even prophets have bad days!We observe Elijah experiencing some of these symptoms after escaping from Jezebel. His depression stemmed from his desire for Jezebel and Israel to genuinely repent. Similarly, some of our own depression may arise from hoping for outcomes that never materialize.Considering the clear and irrefutable events on Mount Carmel, along with the noticeable transformation in Ahab and the people, is it not plausible that Ahab (and even Elijah) anticipated, or at least wished, that the news of Yahweh’s undeniable triumph might influence Jezebel as well? All the people who saw it had said, “The Lord, He is God; the Lord, He is God.” 1 Kings 18:39. So how could she not have a repenting heart? Her god had failed her, and those lowly prophets, Ahab, and the people had repented; why not her?I understand Elijah's experience. I've delivered messages that resonated with people, yet their lives didn't reflect that response. What we will learn to address our depression is this: trusting God to decide the outcome and accepting it.You cannot isolate the spiritual from the physical for we are body, mind and spirit. The greatest and the best Christians when they are physically weak are more prone to an attack of spiritual depression than at any other time and there are great illustrations of this in the ScripturesSpiritual Depression, 19David Martyn Lloyd-Jones (Welsh Preacher and Writer)Now we have seen the cause of Elijah’s depression, let us look at the symptoms.1. Fear2. Stress3. LonelinessFearIn the upcoming weeks, we will examine each of these aspects. For now, let's consider Elijah's depression. Fear grips Elijah, aware that Jezebel is unrepentant and seeking revenge. Jezebel realizes she must demonstrate strength to secure her reign or risk losing her kingdom. When individuals feel threatened by you, they may resort to any means to attack. This is a defense mechanism employed by Jezebel against Elijah.Elijah witnessed (some translations use the term fear); the accurate translation is witnessed. In Hebrew, the term is “raah,” which encompasses becoming aware, seeing, understanding, or revealing. Elijah sees that Jezebel and not Ahab is in charge. His reaction of understanding that his life is endangered and that Jezebel was not going to repent was to flee for his life. Sometimes, we allow our fears to motivate us to do rash actions. We move before God tells us to move. Psalm 46:10
Psalm 46:10 ESV “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”Elijah is overwhelmed by fear for his life, allowing stress to take hold.StressWhat is causing his stress? Has anyone here experienced significant stress in their life? Perhaps it stemmed from issues like hunger, homelessness, losing a job, receiving a troubling diagnosis, or fearing for your safety. Whatever the cause, we all have experienced some form of stress.Elijah is stressed because Jezebel did not repent but went in a different direction. In a sense, she pulled a Pharaoh. She heard of what God had done, but her heart was hardened, and hatred filled it. She sends a message to Elijah, warning him of what she plans to do.The narrative offers profound psychological insight into the generalized depression that can arise from stress, particularly when the stress of fear combines with the pressures of achieving success. Individuals grappling with depression often cannot be persuaded out of their sadness; however, a sense of purpose is beneficial, and that is precisely what God offers through a new commission.To have something to do for Jesus, and to go right on with it, is one of the best ways to get over a bereavement, or any heavy mental depression. If you can pursue some great object, you will not feel that you are living for nothing.We Endeavor, Page 81Charles SpurgeonElijah feels overwhelmed by the fear of failure. In verse 4, he expresses a desire for death, which goes beyond mere despair. He understands he has been just as ineffective as his prophetic predecessors in urging Israel to return to the covenant. Elijah is not alone in this thought. Moses, Numbers 11:15 ; Jeremiah 20:14 ; Jonah 4:3 ; 8 All these mighty men of God wanted to lie down and die because of their thoughts of failure.Numbers 11:15 ESV If you will treat me like this, kill me at once, if I find favor in your sight, that I may not see my wretchedness.”Jeremiah 20:14 ESV Cursed be the day on which I was born! The day when my mother bore me, let it not be blessed!Jonah 4:3 ESV Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live.”Jonah 4:8 ESV When the sun rose, God appointed a scorching east wind, and the sun beat down on the head of Jonah so that he was faint. And he asked that he might die and said, “It is better for me to die than to live.”At times, our stress arises from expecting a different outcome than the one God intended. It's important to remember that the outcome belongs to Him, not us. Stress leads to loneliness, another symptom of depression.LonelinessThe combination of fear and stress leads to profound loneliness. You experience an overwhelming sense of isolation, feeling that no one truly understands your struggles. How could they? It seems like everyone has deserted you. Elijah shared this sense of solitude. He believed he was completely alone, facing the malicious Jezebel and the people of Israel. Even his own community wished to harm him.Elijah failed to see that God was supernaturally providing for him. When we focus solely on our symptoms to manage everything, our perspective becomes distorted. Instead of recognizing God’s care, we only see the problems we face. In his solitude, God empowered Elijah to lead him to a significant destination. Elijah was returning to the mountain—not just any mountain, but THE Mountain: Mount Horeb, or Sinai, where God encountered Moses.I understand that loneliness can be overwhelming, but I want to offer some perspective. We are never truly alone when we belong to God. Joshua 1:5 ; Deuteronomy 31:8 ; Hebrews 13:5 ; Exodus 3:12 ; Matthew 28:20 ; Acts 18:10Joshua 1:5 ESV No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.Deuteronomy 31:8 ESV It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”Hebrews 13:5 ESV Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”Exodus 3:12 ESV He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”Matthew 28:20 ESV teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”Acts 18:10 ESV for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.”I could talk endlessly about how our God accompanies us everywhere. Yet, loneliness can sometimes overwhelm us due to our circumstances. Elijah found himself isolated, fighting against a foe who had an entire army backing her up. What supports us is far greater!I present these verses to help you confront the formidable challenge of depression. Though the enemy is strong, God surpasses all. What He has placed around us is more powerful than anything our adversary possesses. 2 Kings 6:15-172 Kings 6:15–17 ESV When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.Elijah, the great prophet, found himself hiding in a cave, feeling like a total flop after a magnificent victory on Mount Carmel. Consider this: a man who called down fire from heaven was now sulking like a teenager who just got dumped. Sometimes, even the mightiest feel low. But God's response? He didn’t scold Elijah but served him a heavenly snack. Proof that even prophets need a snack break! Psalm 46:10NASB95
Numbers 11:15NASB95
Jeremiah 20:14NASB95
Jonah 4:3NASB95
Jonah 4:8NASB95
Joshua 1:5NASB95
Deuteronomy 31:8NASB95
Hebrews 13:5NASB95
Exodus 3:12NASB95
Matthew 28:20NASB95
Acts 18:10NASB95
2 Kings 6:15–17NASB95
- Without Him
