Battling Depression

Sword of the Spirit

Then David and all the men with him took hold of their clothes and tore them.  They mourned and wept and fasted till evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the army of the LORD and the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.  II Samuel 1:11-12

David's Battle: Depression

David fell into a deep depression when he heard the news that Saul and Jonathan had been killed.  In spite of everything Saul had ever done to hurt him, David still loved him.  And losing Jonathan, his best friend, was very painful.  As a result, David was tempted to be depressed.  He walked through a rough time as he came to grips with his grief, but eventually overcame his depression and went on to become king.

Strategic Questions:

What does it mean to be depressed?
Is depression and easy thing to get out of?
What other problems can depression cause?

Putting On Your Armor:

Have you ever been through a time when you just felt depressed?  Maybe something happened to cause your depression.  Maybe not.  But you just seemed to go through a 'season' of feeling down.  Nothing could cheer you up.  David certainly went through similar times.  The good news is, there is hope!  You can rise up out of your depression and face life with a smile again.  God is on your side and He doesn't want to see you walking around with a downcast face.  He came to give you joy!  So, whenever you begin to feel depressed, remember that God is for you, not against you!  Like David, you can rise up and become a "king" in your world.

S.O.S. (Speaking to Our Savior in prayer)

Dear Father,

Whenever I get depressed, please help lift my spirits.  Keep my eyes focused on you and not on my situation.  Help me to overcome in Your Name! – Amen.

Which Side Are You On?  (Thought for the Day)

Ever met someone who always seemed depressed?  Shine a light into their life today!