HOPE FOR DEPRESSION + HOPE FOR DISCOURAGEMENT

INTRODUCTION

Isaiah 53:3

He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Job 3:1-26 After this, Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth. He said: “May the day of my birth perish, and the night that said, ‘A boy is conceived!’ That day— may it turn to darkness; may God above not care about it; may no light shine on it. May gloom and utter darkness claim it once more; may a cloud settle over it; may blackness overwhelm it… “Why did I not perish at birth, and die as I came from the womb? Why were there knees to receive me and breasts that I might be nursed? For now I would be lying down in peace; I would be asleep and at rest with kings and rulers of the earth, who built for themselves places now lying in ruins, with princes who had gold, who filled their houses with silver… Why is light given to those in misery, and life to the bitter of soul?… For sighing has become my daily food; my groans pour out like water. What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me. I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil.

1.  GOD IS HONEST ABOUT OUR DEPRESSION AND DISCOURAGEMENT

2. GOD WANTS TO BE CLOSE TO THE DEPRESSED AND DISCOURAGED

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. PSALM 34:18

3. THERE IS REAL HELP FOR THOSE WITH DEPRESSION AND DISCOURAGEMENT GOD WANTS TO BE CLOSE TO THE DEPRESSED AND DISCOURAGED

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.  HEBREWS 4:15-16

RESOURCES:

4 MAJOR CAUSES OF DEPRESSION

❱ Relational

❱ Biological

❱ Situational

❱ Spiritual

WHAT TO SAY

❱ “I’m here for you,” “We’ll get through this together” or “You’re not alone.”

❱ “It’s okay to not be okay.”

❱ “I believe in you,” or “I support you and your decisions.”

❱ “Let’s find a solution together.”

❱ “Would you like to talk about what’s going on?”

❱ “Is there anything I can do to help?”

❱ “You’re stronger than you think.”

WHAT NOT TO SAY

❱ “Just calm down” or “Relax.”

❱ “It’s all in your head.”

❱ “Just thinking positively.”

❱ “Everyone gets anxious.”

❱ “There’s nothing to be afraid of.”

❱ “Stop worrying so much.”

❱ “Just snap out of it.”