How to have Victory over Depression

-How to have Victory over Depression-

 

Introduction: 

Gallop Poll 2022:  The percentage of U.S. adults who report having been diagnosed with depression at some point in their lifetime has reached 29.0%, nearly 10 percentage points higher than in 2015. The percentage of Americans who currently have or are being treated for depression has also increased, to 17.8%, up about seven points over the same period.

 

Barna Research Group:

In research conducted for The Connected Generation, Barna’s largest-ever study, data show that half of U.S. 18–35-year-olds (49%) expressed anxiety over important decisions and were afraid to fail. Over three in 10 said they often felt sad or depressed (39%) or lonely and isolated from others (34%).

 

Depression is an emotional problem and can be emotional, mental, and spiritual disabler.  Depression is a soulish action out of the Adamic nature. 

 

Psalm 40:1-5 NKJV

40 I waited patiently for the Lord;
And He inclined to me,
And heard my cry.
² He also brought me up out of a horrible pit,
Out of the miry clay,
And set my feet upon a rock,
And established my steps.
³ He has put a new song in my mouth—
Praise to our God;
Many will see it and fear,
And will trust in the Lord.

4     Blessed is that man who makes the Lord his trust,
And does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
⁵ Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works
Which You have done;
And Your thoughts toward us
Cannot be recounted to You in order;
If I would declare and speak of them,
They are more than can be numbered.

 

1.    Pertinent symptoms of Depression:

Every single person has gone through moments or periods of depression.  Overall, 49,449 Americans lost their lives to suicide last year in 2022 according to US New Aug. 10, 2023.  Suicide begins with depression. 

 

 

 These are some of the symptoms:

A.   Reclusiveness- withdrawal from reality and people (Family/loved ones)

B.   A passive mind- The value of life no longer matters

C.   Magnification of difficulties

D.   Lack of Concentration

E.    Lack of ambition and activity

Depression can cause physical disease and feelings of guilt.  Depression can bring about strange feelings of jealousy. Fear, or hostility. 

 

2.    Facing the Issue

We must face the issues of reality.  The depressed have not learned how               to deal with depression.  Most depression follows a traumatic experience of a personal nature.

A.   Disappointment

B.   Sorrow

C.   Rejection

D.   Failure

E.    Religion that is dead or cultish

F.    Traditions- Morning traditions in our culture

G.   Natural disasters or misfortunes

a.    Loss of a loved one- bereavement

b.   Loss of a job, home, savings/finances, or a business

H.   Social problems

I.     Illness, especially of a protracted nature

 

How to win over Depression

How to get free from Depression:

a.    Recognize it for what it is.  You cannot save yourself

b.   Know and believe in Christian Dominion by and from God

 

Ephesians 3:20 NKJV

²⁰ Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,

 

c.    Live a positive spiritual life.

Galatians 5:16 NKJV

¹⁶ I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

 

 

 

d.   Protect your will.

1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV

¹³ No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

 

e.    Protect your emotions.

 

Proverbs 4:23 NKJV

²³ Keep your heart with all diligence,
For out of it spring the issues of life.

 

f.      Protect your mind.  Think on good things.

 

Philippians 4:8 NKJV

⁸ Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

 

How did Jesus deal with his emotions?

 

A.   Jesus always asserted a spirit of Dominion

 

^{Matthew 14:10-14 NKJV}

¹⁰ So he sent and had John beheaded in prison. ¹¹ And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. ¹² Then his disciples came and took away the body and buried it, and went and told Jesus. ¹³ When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities. ¹⁴ And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick. 

John 13:1-5 NKJV

13 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.² And ^[a]supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him, ³ Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, ⁴ rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. ⁵ After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.

 

B.   Jesus understood His relationship with the Father

 

John 10:30 NKJV

³⁰ I and My Father are one.”

 

C.   Jesus knew that spiritual and positive forces could and always will supersede negative forces.

 

Matthew 4:4 NKJV

⁴ But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”

Matthew 26:53 NKJV

⁵³ Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?

What Does the Bible say about what authority do you have as a believer?

 

 

 

Ephesians 2:6 NKJV

6     and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

 

John 10:10 NKJV

¹⁰ The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

Ephesians 4:27 NKJV

²⁷ nor give place to the devil.

2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV

7     For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

James 4:6-8 NKJV

5.    But He gives more grace. Therefore He says:

“God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble.”  ⁷ Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. ⁸ Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.