GOD’S WAY OF OVERCOMING DEPRESSION – ELIJAH’S EXPERIENCE
Literally, depress means to press down, to sadden, deject and to make less active as well as to lower in value, price etc. It then means that depression could be described as a feeling of despair or sadness that communicates to a person his life is “out of control.” Depression is not just feeling sadness; rather it is a state of mind that makes it difficult for people to envision that their lives or anything they do will turn out well. Someone who is depressed has a feeling that life is hopeless and there is no solution in sight. It is believed to be caused by some chemical imbalances/changes in the brain; problem with genes or triggered by stressful occurrences. Depression could lead to poor or excessive appetite, weight loss or gain, slow speech, poor self-esteem, feeling guilty and sleeplessness.
Grief is not depression rather it is an intense emotional suffering caused by a loss. However, if grief is not resolved it can deteriorate into long term dangerous depression. For example: When one experiences the loss of someone or something precious, that person passes through the grief process – grieving process is healthy and normal. Guilt should not be confused with depression. E.g. when a person sins or commits guilts he experiences nagging guilt. The feeling of guilt is normal for sinful behavior. When Christians confess their sins, their guilt is replaced by a sense of gratitude for God’s forgiveness. Do not confuse other negative emotions with depression. Forgiveness of sin can be found in Jesus Christ – the Lord of our Salvation.
In America, one half million people are hospitalized because of clinical depression. Depressive disorders affect approximately 18.8 million American adults or about 9.5% of the U.S. population age 18 and older in a given year. Depression affects many Americans at different level. Depression is fatal. Psychologists inform us that one out of every 200 people who suffer from depression end up committing suicide. Studies reveal women are twice as likely to be treated for depression; however, men are 4 or 5 times more likely to commit suicide. Depression can result in increase work absenteeism, short Term disability and decreased productivity.
4 BASIC TYPES OF DEPRESSION:
i). Endogenous Depression: Caused by a clinical imbalance in the central nervous system. A person suffering from diabetes, hypoglycemia, or other medical problems may experience depression because of chemical imbalance in his system. Alcohol may offer a brief escape from pains but it triggers a brutal chemical assault on the brain.
ii). Reactive Depression: in response to severe personal disappointment; it could be divorce, loss of job, or loss of health or death in the family. It could be caused by any traumatic events.
iii). Toxic Depression: By the influence of outside substance on the nervous system – Alcohol, drugs, diet or a virus. When the damaging substance is removed, the depression gets away.
iv). Psychotic Depression: caused by a combination of factors that leads to nervous breakdown or burnout.
Elijah Exposition – 1 King 19: 1-9
Elijah was a great man of God. In the preceding chapter 18, he commanded fire from heaven and it came down and consumed the burnt offering and sacrifice; the wood, the stones, the dust and licked up the water that was in the trench (vs. 38). When all the people that gathered saw what happened, they fell on their faces and cried, “The Lord, He is God.” At the time of evening sacrifice, God’s power over fire, water, and rain demonstrated that He, not Baal, is the Lord, He is God. Baal proved impotent while the fire of the Lord destroyed everything on the altar. Elijah then seized the 450 prophets of Baal, brought them to the Brook Kishon and executed them all (vs. 40). Elijah prayed to God and released rain to the land. King Ahab went home disappointed and agonizingly told the wife, Jezebel all that had happened. Then Jezebel thundered and Elijah fled. God knew something human beings did not know about Elijah and why he fled. Then He made provision.
CAUSES OF ELIJAH’S DEPRESSION:
- a)Exhaustion: At the heels of great victory: (1 Kings 18:22-39) Elijah called down fire from heaven and slain 450 Baal prophets but that took a combination of God’s grace, provoking faith and hard work. Elijah was tired and had neither eaten or rested. He neglected his diet and rest because of engaging in prayers, fasting and waiting!!! He went from exhilaration to exhaustion. He became weary and vulnerable while he fell into natural depression because fatigue strips him of courage and energy.
- b)Fears: Fear caused him to loose perspective: The great man of God who just brought down fire from heaven and murdered 450 false prophets, got threatened by a woman, Jezebel and took to his heels (1 Kings 19). Fear made him to forget God’s super natural power and look like a prey. Exhaustion coupled with fear is a dangerous combination. It invites helplessness, hopelessness, wrong thinking and creates the illusion that your options are gone. In reality, most of the things we worry about never happen!
- c)Isolation: He became isolated: Elijah left his servant at Beersheba and travelled into the wilderness alone (1Kings 19:3-4). When you most needed support, anxiety, sense of inadequacy and fear of failure will push you into isolation. Elijah thought, “I am the only one left and now they are trying to kill me” (vs. 10-14). Elijah ran away to isolate himself. When you are down, it is not time to isolate but need to reach out to God and the people who love you and can help to encourage and support you to stay focus on course.
In Handling life disappointment, Dr. Dyke, David O. expounds: If your problem is physical, strengthen your body. There’s no quick fix for depression. Since you do not get into depression state overnight, you will not get off it in a short span. Even in our “microwave society” people are always looking for a quick fix or instant cure/relief. E.g. If you are depressed, think of yourself as a car battery that needs recharging. There are 2 ways to recharge a battery that has lost its power or juice. A mechanic can put a “quick charge” with the battery by infusing a ‘massive shock’ for about 15 minutes. This recharges the battery but it may damage it for it may explode. Another method is called “trickle charge.” Over a period of 8 to 12 hours the mechanic can gradually introduce a small amount of power until the battery is completely recharged. This is the most effective way to recharge a battery. While most human beings look for quick or instant fix, God is interested in renewing us through a slower process.
God‘s Prescription for Restoration:The Word for you Today, offers suggestions;
i). He adjusted Elijah’s God-perspective: “Get in the presence of God and He will meet with you there” (1 Kings 19:11-13). The one who gave Elijah victory in Mount Carmel could also sustain him in the desert of Jezreel. But Elijah first had to spend time with Him, other wise he was running on an empty tank.
ii). He adjusted Elijah’s world-perspective: Elijah opined, “God’s covenant is broken, His altar destroyed, His prophets murdered and I’m the only one left” (vs.14). But God showed Elijah that He still had the necessary resources and strategies to accomplish His purposes, even in a hostile environment. God always makes provision where there is a vision.
iii). He adjusted Elijah’s self-perspective: The prophet saw himself as hopeless, helpless and inadequate. “Lord, let me die, for I’m no better than those who preceded me” (vs.4). But God showed him they were still kings to anoint, battles to win, and 7000 faithful; Elijah had an important role to play (vs. 16-18). When God has not rejected you, do not reject yourself.
iv). He provided a helper: He sent Elisha to minister to him (vs.21). You’re not supposed to carry it all alone! Allow yourself to need help and watch who God puts in your life to support you. God is able, abundantly able to save, deliver, protect and provide.
How He restored Elijah:
i) Rest and nourishment- God recognizes our limitations, even when we don’t. “A bruised reed He will not break and a smoldering wick He will not snuff out” (Isaiah 42:3). When we neglect our legitimate needs, it shows up in our attitude and actions. God simply put him into deep sleep. God sent a chief angel to feed him. Elijah was awakened to find a warm cake and cool water. Then God put Elijah back to sleep and repeated the process – more sleep and more food provided him more strength and energy as well as more rest.
ii) God accompanied Elijah on a steady hike for 40 days (1 Kings 19:18). This journey provided needed exercise important in reducing the potential for depression. For most people the conscientious program for physical fitness is the first step out of depression.
iii) Share burden with others (Gal 6:2). God told Elijah they were 7000 other people in Israel who had not bowed their knees (worship) to Baal. God instructed Elijah to find an assistant, Elisha to help him with his work. By sharing his burden with them, Elijah found relief from depression.
Take relational inventory:This simple exercise shall help you evaluate your friends:
Write down names of people with whom you interact and you’ll discover 3 categories:
- i)People who drain you emotionally; always demanding and you feel like always giving them. Some simply use you when they need you and dump you shortly after that.
- ii)People who are neutral. You like them; they take care of themselves and do not drain you emotionally. Their interactions cause you no pains.
- iii)Those you consider replenishing. You love them and when with them your emotional needs surge from empty to fill. They appreciate and encourage, support and sharpen you.
Check them and pick those that are helpful and useful; stressless and painless.
Reach: Evangelist/Elder Ogbonnaya, Godswill at email: weefreeministries@yahoo.com or P. O. Box 720035, Houston, Texas, 77272; Web: www.weefreeministries.org; Call: 8328813929 (Cell).
[gview file=”discipleship-digest-December-2013.pdf” save=”1″]