Depression
Sun, Jul 12, 2026
Teacher: Kaleb Rockwell Series: Square Up Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-18:0 & Job 1:1-2:13
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SQUARE UP
Depression
Job 1-2, 38-42
Job 1-2, 38-42
Our weapons and armor are mostly defensive in nature
- Ephesians 6:10-18 expresses an excellent analogy of how we are expected to survive our struggle against the enemy.
Ephesians 6:10-18 “10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 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. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may b able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”
- Every piece of the armor of God, except for 1, is completely defensive in nature: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the readiness of the gospel, the shield of faith, and the helmet of salvation. All of these pieces of armor are designed to allow us to take hits and keep moving forward, to endure the attacks of the enemy.
- Only the sword of the Spirit, the word of God, is offensive.
Square up against depression
What is depression?
- In general, depression is an extreme mental or emotional state marked by sadness, despair, loneliness, and withdrawal.
Causes: Personal loss, grieving, shame, feelings of inadequacy, sickness/illness, etc.
Given that, how can we prepare to fight against it?
- Focus on the peace that Jesus brings into the world. Jesus said these words to the disciples as he was preparing to go to the cross.
John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
2. Belt of truth - Remembering that we are God’s image-bearers, created to worship Him and to live a full life of service towards Him.
Psalm 139:13-14 “13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
3. Breastplate of righteousness - Shame from the weight of sin in our lives can often lead to depression. We can work to overcome these feelings through the righteousness that Jesus brings to our lives.
2 Corinthians 5:21 “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
4. Boots of the gospel (Purpose) - The gospel is what gives us our purpose in life, we are to spread the message of Jesus to all who are far from Him.
2 Corinthians 5:20 “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”
5. Shield of faith - Faith that God is present and will deliver us from our troubles can be a source of strength when experiencing depression. Just as Joshua had faith that God would go with him during all of his battles and travels into the promised land, we need to remember and have faith that God is with us through all of our struggles as well.
Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
6. Helmet of salvation (Hope) - Hope is something that can directly combat against depression. Salvation is something that we have to look forward to and it therefore gives us hope.
1 Peter 1:3-4 “3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade.” What amazing news to hear! Promises like this from God can give us strength when depression tries to steal away our hope.
7. Sword of the Spirit - Scripture is an incredible gift from God that He has given us as a source of knowledge, wisdom, hope, joy, and peace.
Example of Job
- Someone in the Bible who knows suffering and depression better than most is Job. He endured incredible hardship and his story has much to teach us about how to respond to and square up against depression.
- Caveat: There is an incredible amount to analyze in the book of Job and it could probably be an entire year-long sermon series on its own. This morning, we just want to look at Job’s experience with depression, analyze how/if he used the armor of God, what he did well, and some ways that he could have responded differently.
- What was Job’s response (how did he or could he use the armor of God):
1. Job is tested and his initial response: In one fell swoop, Job lost all of his possessions, his children, and his servants. His response to this tragedy, however, was mourning AND worship. He fastens on the belt of truth and recognizes that God is still in control.
1. Job is tested and his initial response: In one fell swoop, Job lost all of his possessions, his children, and his servants. His response to this tragedy, however, was mourning AND worship. He fastens on the belt of truth and recognizes that God is still in control.
Job 1:20-22 “20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship 21 and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” 22 In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.”
- Job is then tested further by being inflicted with sores over his entire body. His initial response is still in the positive and he responds faithfully towards God.
Job 2:9-10 “9 His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!” 10 He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God and not trouble?”
2. As Job’s suffering continues though, he begins to question his suffering and he slips into some serious depression. First, he curses that he was ever born at all!
Job 3:11 “Why did I not perish at birth, and die as I came from the womb?”
3. Continuing on in his discussion with his friends, Job then begins to question God for his suffering.
Job 6:1-4 “1 Then Job replied: “2 If only my anguish could be weighed and all my misery be placed on the scales! 3 It would surely outweigh the sand of the seas - no wonder my words have been impetuous. 4 The arrows of the Almighty are in me, my spirit drinks in their poison; God’s terrors are marshaled against me.”
- In this moment, the shield of faith could have helped Job to trust in God and His ways, even when we don’t understand them.
4. Job held onto hope through the helmet of salvation:
Job 19:25-27 “25 I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. 26 And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; 27 I myself will see him with my own eyes - I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!”
5. Job continued seeking God.
Job 23:3-5 “3 If only I knew where to find him; if only I could go to his dwelling! 4 I would state my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments. 5 I would find out what he would answer me, and consider what he would say to me.”
- Boots of the gospel: Job kept turning toward God instead of completely walking away.
- Depression can cause us to withdraw. We should continue praying, attending church, and staying connected to other believers.
- Depression can cause us to withdraw. We should continue praying, attending church, and staying connected to other believers.
6. Job became too focused on getting an answer from God. Job 31:35 “35 (“Oh, that I had someone to hear me! I sign now my defense - let the Almighty answer me; let my accuser put his indictment in writing.”
- Shield of faith: Job wanted God to explain why he was suffering and give him the opportunity to argue his case.
- What Job needed to remember: God understands things that we cannot see or understand. Job did not need every answer before he could continue trusting God
- What Job needed to remember: God understands things that we cannot see or understand. Job did not need every answer before he could continue trusting God
7. Job spoke about things he did not fully understand. Job 42:1-3 “1 Then Job replied to the Lord: 2 “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted. 3 You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.”
- Belt of truth: We need to be able to admit the truth that God’s ways are higher than our ways and sometimes there are going to be things that we don’t fully understand. That doesn’t mean we stop seeking God or answers, but we should be careful about maintaining our trust in God.
- Through the story of Job, we can see that depression can be a difficult, confusing struggle to deal with. Through all of it, we need to remember that God is always with us, He never leaves our side. Lean on the hope and peace that scripture offers.