Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always: [and] again I say, Rejoice.”
Depression is defined as “A psychotic or neurotic condition [causing] feelings of extreme sadness, dejection, and hopelessness.” Sometimes depression is a clinical condition which is caused by some imbalance in body chemistry. In many other cases it is brought about by certain circumstances in one’s life. This doesn’t mean that a person who is depressed is psychotic or neurotic which are, in themselves, extreme conditions. Some studies show that 30-35 million Americans suffer from depression, of which 17 million suffer from the clinical type
Most everyone, from time to time suffers from psychotic or neurotic depression to one degree or another. As I understand, usually the only way to correct or control clinical depression is by medication which brings the body’s chemistry back into balance. With psychotic or neurotic depression, often medication is used to trick the body and mind into thinking that you are happy instead of depressed.
The child of God has no real reason to be depressed, but because of the presence of the human nature, even we experience depression. In reading the Psalms and the accounts in 1 Kings and Chronicles of David’s life, we know that even he had his bouts with depression. Job and Jeremiah were men who suffered from distress, depression and despair. This tells us for sure that depression is not necessarily demonic. Nevertheless, if I always practiced what I preach, I would never be depressed. If you practice what I preach you would never be depressed either. The answer is not to condemn ourselves or others who are in depression, but to let the word of God teach us how to handle it when it comes. Psalms 3:4 “I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.” 14 times David records his crying unto the Lord. I would like to give several biblical reasons why we, as the children of God need not be depressed due to life’s circumstances, but rather have every reason to be happy.
Reason number one: the lord’s return should make the child of God happy. Titus 2:13 “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ.” The world today is a depressing place; there is trouble on every hand. Terrorism, communism, socialism, financial woes, world-wide energy crises, disease; we are even now being told that the earth is entering another ice age because, of all things, global warming. The Lord Himself warned us of these things which are coming upon the earth in Matthew 24:1-14. See the promise of our Savior in John 14:1 “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” Also, see 1st Thessalonians 4:16-18.
Second, the lord’s chastening should make the child of God happy. You may ask, ‘why would chastening make me happy?’ Job 5:17 “Behold, happy [is] the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:” Proverbs 3:11 “My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction.” In Hebrew 12:5-11 we are given one very important reason and that is; it gives us assurance that we are the child of God; therefore, chastening is an expression of God’s love; Hebrews 12:6 “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.” Again, Hebrews 12:7 “If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?” We are blessed (happy) when we know that God the Father loves us enough to chasten us. E-mail, johnpruitt@frontiernet.net
