What is Depression?
American Psychiatric Association:
- Depression (major depressive disorder) is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act.
- Depression causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed. It can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems and can decrease a person’s ability to function at work and at home.
- Depression affects an estimated one in 15 adults (6.7%) in any given year.
- One in six people (16.6%) will experience depression at some time in their life
The Center for Disease Control puts this number even higher,
and says that:
Depression affects 20-25% of Americans ages 18+ in a given year.
Depression is an all encompassing black cloud that pulls you in, doesn’t let you go, and often affects you Physically, Mentally, and Spiritually.
Depression from the Enemy
John 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
One of the most evident ways that we see that in our country is through depression, and ultimately through suicide.
- Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the US for all ages,
taking the lives of about 45,000 Americans every year.
- There is one death by suicide in the US every 12 minutes.
- There is one suicide for every estimated 25 suicide attempts,
meaning that there are around
1.1 Million suicide attempts per year in the US.
Spirital Warfare
Spiritual Opression often leads to Depression.
Ephesians 6:12
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
The single most powerful thing you are a part of is the church - the Bride of Christ.
Matthew 16:18
I will build my church, and the gates of Hell will not overcome it.
So, what’s the best way for the enemy to Steal, Kill, and Destroy? To isolate you and pull you away from the Bride of Christ.
Somebody Sinning Against you
We see this in the prophet Jeremiah’s life: Jeremiah was known as the weeping prophet because he suffered from constant rejection by the people that God called him to reach out to. He lived alone, he ministered alone, he was poor, ridiculed, and rejected by his people.
Jeremiah 20:14,18
14 Cursed be the day I was born!
May the day my mother bore me not be blessed!
18 Why did I ever come out of the womb
to see trouble and sorrow
and to end my days in shame?
Often we take the weight of someone else’s sin on our shoulders, and we live under the trauma and regret of THEIR actions until it absolutely crushes us!
Isaiah 53:5
He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
Generational Issues
Some of this is simple genetics - if your family has a history of chemical imbalances that lead to depression and mental health issues, then there is a good chance you might have it too.
But, another part of this, is Generational Sin:
Exodus 34:6-7
The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.
Depression From Inside Us
Believing the Lies of the Enemy
Satan is a liar, and one of his greatest ways to isolate us is by getting us to believe that we don’t know Jesus, or that we are worthless to Jesus.
Willam Gurnall -
"The devil has more temptations than an actor has costumes for the stage. And one of his all-time favorite disguises is that of a lying spirit, to abuse your tender heart with the worst news he can deliver-that you do not really love Jesus Christ and that you are only pretending, you are only deceiving yourself."
We believe the lies that we are worthless, or we aren’t good enough, or we perpetuate the negative truths and we start living like we ARE seemingly worthless and fall right into the enemies hands. It can take years to work through issues, and realize that our identity comes from God, and to CHOSE to believe the truth of who we are.
Psalm 139:14
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
Burn Out
Burn out is another form of depression that generally comes from not having a healthy lifestyle or healthy boundaries and priorities.
Matthew 11:28-30
Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light"
Chrēstos (cray-stOs) is the word for easy, and it doesn’t necessarily mean without hardship. It means: good, better, kind, pleasant.
He doesn’t want us to be buried under the weight of our work for him, BUT, we’re still plowing a field.
- What field am I trying to plow that He doesn’t want me to?
- Where am I trying to turn right that He wants to turn left?
- When am I going into extra innings to plow the field,
and He is holding me back to rest?
Depression is something that often needs to be fought: Mentally, Spiritually, AND Physically. If you are dealing with depression, those are things you need HELP with! It's okay to get help.
If you are reading this after the date it was given, email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to get help dealing with depression.
