In the past one or two weeks I have made mention, on a few occasions, to various people that the theme coming up for this Sunday is “Thinking Clearly about Depression”! And it seems to have had a rather depressing effect! NO one seemed to get very excited about the topic of Depression - let alone have a sermon about it! But I will be honest with you and say that that’s the very reason why I chose to face it head on! We know depression exists, but we don’t want to acknowledge it. Even the word “Depression” sounds depressing, doesn’t it? It’s like some big black cloud descends and envelops anyone who talks or even thinks about the topic.

If you are a fan of A.A.Milne and Pooh Bear, you will know that Eeyore, the donkey is perhaps afflicted with this condition of Depression. Here is a brief example from the short story of “Eeyore has a birthday.”   -“Eeyore, the old grey donkey, stood by the side of the stream, and looked at himself in the water. “Pathetic,’ he said. ‘That’s what it is, Pathetic.’ He turned and walked slowly down the stream for twenty yards, splashed across it, and walked slowly back on the other side. Then he looked at himself in the water again. ‘As I thought,’ he said . No better from this  side. But nobody minds. Nobody cares. Pathetic, that’s what it is.’  Sad, isn’t it?

According to Dr. Alison Taylor, chief executive of the Mental Health Foundation, depression is the most common serious mental health problem today, and is by far the leading source of worker disability. Research has shown that at any given time, approximately 6 to 10% of the population is depressed and the condition is undiagnosed and untreated in 80% of its victims. It is found in all races and social classes. It even occurs in those who are not stressed and are otherwise quite well. So the chances are that most of us, at some time or other in our lifetime, will suffer from some form of depression.
Depression is not to be confused with a temporary disappointment, or a feeling of “the blues”.     “Depression” relates to some form of severe crushing despair of one who has lost all interest in life.

So, What causes Depression? Depression can be the result of a chemical imbalance associated with mood control, but it can also be triggered by other deeper problems. Just like a warning light on the dashboard of your car, it gets your attention and shouts SOMETHING IS WRONG!  The real problem is not how you feel, but the cause of those feelings. You may be surprised to discover that in the Bible we find a number of well known people suffering from Depression, and for various reasons.

Here are FIVE of the most common causes of depression, though not necessarily in any order of severity. The five  “F’s” of Depression,  and some comments about how to deal with them.

1/ The first cause of depression – and this is why we have this topic following on from the Stewardship series – is that of Financial mis-management. I think we can read this in to the words of Jesus when he spoke about people worrying themselves silly about their basic necessities of life and where they were going to get them from, or how were they going to afford them. The antidote is to begin to think and act in line with Biblical principles in this matter of Stewardship and finances - Saving; Managing; Spending and Tithing.  When our financial matters are sorted, a lot of people will be set free from their depression. If you are worried about your finances – that could be an underlying cause of depression.

2/ The second cause of depression is Fatigue. When you try to maintain a hectic pace of life week after week in spite of physical and emotional exhaustion, you set yourself up for depression. This was Moses style, and failure. Eventually Moses told God he had had enough, and he wanted to die. And that’s a sure sign of depression! The antidote here is to learn to delegate, to let go and to slow down – and to get a clearer vision that it is God who runs the universe, not us.

3/ The third cause of depression can be Fear!  This was Elijah’s problem!  It is a fact that whenever we try to bury our anxieties or our fears  – our body keeps score. When depression comes our way – we need to ask ourselves – “What is it that I am afraid of?” In Elijah’s situation - following his contest with the prophets of Baal and the opposition of Queen Jezebel, his antidote was to trust God to handle those things which were outside of his control.

4/ The Fourth cause of depression could be Frustration.   This was Jonah’s problem, and we sometimes take it on board too. Jonah had the opportunity to fulfil God’s purpose for his life – to go to Nineveh and preach repentance to the city. But Jonah refused and went in the opposite direction.  The result was distress and depression. A life without meaning and purpose IS depressing. That’s why God’s solution to Jonah’s depression was to help him see the bigger picture. It’s not surprising that we get depressed when either we go against God’s purpose and intention for our lives, or else we ignore it. We are made to have a Life with a Purpose – and until we discover God’s Purpose – and get into it, we are going to be frustrated, and ultimately depressed.

5/ The Fifth cause of depression is a sense of Failure.  Here is often a self-image problem which is buried deep, often from early childhood.  Children brought up with negative reinforcement of not being good enough, being stupid, or dumb, grow up to be adults with that programmed into their thinking.

 They look at life negatively, crippled by their own distorted self-image of themselves, thinking that no matter what they try to do, they will fail – and so they don’t even try. This sense of worthlessness and of failure tracks them down and cripples their lives.  The antidote is to recognise where this negative programming came from, realise that God has not made us that way, and with help from others begin to step out in faith that God accepts what we do, without it having to be perfect., and  will give us the strength and courage to do even greater things. Those are the Five “F’s” which may lead to Depression.   Financial mismanagement; Fatigue;  Fear; Frustration; and a Sense of Failure. 

When Depression strikes, however, there are some simple things we can do. 

1.      We can embrace the pain. Recognise the reality of it for what it is. Don’t try and hide how you feel.

2.      We can, and should share our concerns and our feelings with a friend we can trust.

3.      Take care of yourself. Treat yourself kindly. Take some rest / some time out.

4.      Think about what you think about! St.Paul gives some sound advice in his letter to the Philippians –ch 4:1-9. In verse 8 – “Fill your minds with those things that are good, and that deserve praise; things that are true, noble and right, pure, lovely and honourable.”

5.      Take the opportunity to re-connect with God at a deeper level. Make use of quietness and reflection before God. And

6.      If symptoms persist - seek a medical opinion. That may be helpful in correcting any chemical imbalance.

Over the next few weeks we will have the pleasure of watching the NPC Rugby contest.   In my mind, the most critical period of the game is that ten minutes between halves when the teams disappear into the changing rooms for their team-talk. It’s an anxious time as we await their return to the field and the rest of the game to unfold.  As we have seen many times before, though, a team may be well behind at half-time, but that’s not necessarily where they will end up! A huge amount depends on their attitude to the rest of the game. And this is true also for our life! And no matter where we are in this life, or what our present condition is – the game is not yet over!  There is still time to win, to know God’s grace and strength, and to emerge a winner! If our life is facing the uphill struggles of depression – remember God’s words to Jeremiah – “I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jer.29:11)    

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