5831 depression

A deep sense of despondency, discouragement and sadness, often linked with a sense of personal powerlessness and a loss of meaning in and enthusiasm for life. Many biblical characters show evidence of such behaviour which originates in a number of different ways.

Some causes of depression

External circumstances 2Co 1:8 See also 1Ki 19:3-4; Job 9:23; Ps 42:1-11; Ps 88:1-18; Joel 1:11

Physical illness or exhaustion 1Ki 19:5-8 See also Ge 21:15-16; Ps 6:1-7; Ps 22:14-17; Ps 31:9-12; Isa 38:1-2; Jnh 1:5

Fear of others 1Ki 19:1-3

Fear of failure 1Ki 19:4 See also Ex 4:1; Nu 11:11-15

Serious sin Mt 27:3-4 See also Ps 25:16-18; Jer 14:2-3,7; Jer 16:9-10; Eze 4:16-17; Eze 7:26-27; Eze 12:19; Rev 16:10-11

A sense of the futility of life Ecc 2:17-20

Loss of sense of God’s presence Ps 22:1-2 See also Mt 27:46; Mk 15:34

Symptoms of depression

A loathing of life and a desire to end it Nu 11:15 See also 1Ki 19:4; Job 10:1; Ecc 2:17; Jer 20:15-18; Jnh 4:8

Deep sorrow Ge 21:16 See also Jdg 21:2; 1Sa 1:10,16; Ps 42:3; Ne 1:4; Ne 2:2; Est 4:1-3; Job 16:16; La 2:11

Loneliness 1Ki 19:10 See also Nu 11:14; 1Ki 19:14

Perplexity Ps 42:5 See also Hab 1:2; Lk 24:17; Jn 16:6

Despair Job 17:1 See also Ps 88:3-9; 2Co 1:8-9

Escapism Ps 55:6-8 See also 1Ki 19:1-3; Jer 8:22

Feeling forsaken by God Ps 22:1 See also Ps 27:9; Ps 38:21; Isa 49:14; Jer 15:18; La 3:1-20

Examples of spiritual depression

Jdg 6:13; 1Ki 19:9-18; Ps 22:1-2,6-8; Ps 42:1-7,9-11; Ps 43:1-5

Remedies for depression

Renewed vision of God and being centred upon him 1Ki 19:11; Isa 26:3 See also Jer 17:7-8; Ro 8:6

Hope and trust in God Ps 42:11 See also Ps 22:9-11,22-31; Hab 3:16-18

Praise Ps 30:1 See also Ps 42:5; Ps 107:1-43; Isa 61:1-3; 2Co 4:8-12

Reviewing what God has done Ps 77:11-12 See also Ps 42:6; Ps 143:5; La 3:19-26; 2Co 7:6

Prayer Php 4:6-7 See also Ps 139:23

See also