Dealing with Depression

Pastor’s Pen…

I’m continuing to pray for the health and safety of each of you who are a part of our First Christian Wylie family.  I know we are all looking forward to when we will all feel comfortable attending our ‘safety-oriented’ services. 

We continue to hold our Sunday services with all safety protocols and pre-service sanitizing in place. No Sunday school yet, and the nursery will not be available.  We will continue following the protocols as outlined by GA-18 guidance.  Face masks are required, social distancing and no physical contact. We will again use bulletins printed untouched by human hands, with songs, etc. printed therein, and pre-packaged communion elements. Offering plates at the rear.

If you still feel uncomfortable attending just yet, you can join the live-stream on Facebook (at 10:45 am) which includes communion and the worship hymns, or the message, posted on the website Sunday afternoon.  We are blessed to have the technology available that allow us to still worship, and those in our church family who have the expertise to post the service online.

This week’s message, “Dealing with Depression” is taken from 1 Kings 19:1-18

How are we Americans coping with the crushing realities of the Coronavirus pandemic, the  economic crisis that resulted,  and the widespread riots and demonstrations that followed  the tragic death of George Floyd at the hands of a group of Minneapolis policemen? Not well, according to a new survey from the Census Bureau and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Nationally, around a third of Americans have reported recent symptoms of anxiety and depression since late April. For comparison, in the first three months of 2019, just 11 percent of Americans reported these symptoms on a similar survey.

It’s a sign that along with all the sickness and death, the social distancing restrictions, separation from families, and the deteriorating economy, Americans are facing a severe mental health crisis, too.

According to the physician's handbook on depression, depression is the number one mental health problem in America today, and one of the major health problems. And no one is immune. Even godly Christians have struggled with depression. Symptoms include a sad expression, painful thinking, physical and psychological changes, anxiety or agitation, and even a break with reality in extreme cases. 

Sometimes people want to guilt trip Christians who feel depressed. Depression may result from sinful behavior, but being depressed is not a sin. Nor is it wrong to see Christian counseling or medical help.

There are biblical examples of individuals who struggled with depression. One of those is the prophet Elijah.  His experience can provide us with encouragement and help.

I.               The steps that led to Elijah’s depression

a.     He was called in the aftermath of the great victory

b.     He failed to think or act realistically

c.     He isolated himself from a strengthening relationship

d.     He became physically exhausted and emotionally spent

e.     He fell into the trap of self-pity

II.             God's strategy for dealing with Elijah's depression

a.     He gave him rest and refreshment

b.     He drew out his emotions 

c.     He communicated with him to break through his faulty thinking

d.     He demonstrated His power to the prophet

e.     He gave Elijah a specific job to do

f.      He provided Elijah with the encouragement of a close personal friend

g.     He assured the prophet that he was not alone

III.            Practical steps we can take to ward off depression

a.     Realize our position in Christ

b.     Remain in contact with Christian friends

c.     Be restored to fellowship with the Lord

d.     Care for ourselves physically and emotionally

e.     Meditate on Scripture, especially about God's power and care

f.      Remain active but balanced

My prayer is that this message will encourage you if you have been feeling depressed or down, and that it will equip you to encourage others.

RADIO THIS EVENING The uncertainties of the year 2020 have left many people struggling with anxiety over their financial future. This weekend on Encouragement Live Erik NeVille,  CEO of  Encompass More Consulting will join host Don Hawkins to provide insight, encouragement and wise counsel about financial planning for the future.

Encouragement Live can be heard at 7:05 PM central time on American Family Radio (www.afr.net) and on theworshipchannel.org. 

Don Hawkins, D. Min.                                                                                                                     Interim Pastor