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Fixing the Fatal Feelings of February

The Consequences, Causes and Cure of Depression

Psalm 77

Depression is real…and affects many people year round.  But we are starting the month known for being the most depressing of all.  Aside from the cold, the clouds, the darkness in late afternoon, there is the credit card bills from Christmas, the letdown from the holidays, and finally, the broken resolutions which by now have fallen thru the cracks.

February is strange enough as it is.  From the spelling of the word, to the ‘exact 4 week’ length, it’s a monotonous time of just going thru the motions…and then there’s leap years where we have to extend our misery another extra day!  The calendar adds insult to injury each and every February.  It’s exactly like March, because of the 4 week thing…Feb. 1 is a Thursday and so is March 1.  Do we even need this month?!

Even our study is grouped in ‘fours’.  Four consequences, four causes, and four cures.  Let’s make it a positive thing and let these ‘fours’ fix our fatal feelings for February and ‘frewout’ the year!

Most of us know what depression is, and few can claim that they have never experienced depression of some kind. Certainly the psalmist was depressed when he wrote Psalm 77; and since he knew what depression was, and we know it also, we can base this study upon two books, the Book of God and the Book of Human Experience. What gloomy and depressing reading this psalm makes! Have you ever felt like verses 2, 3 and 4? And have you ever said verses 7, 8 and 9?

Four Consequences of Depression

(1)   It overwhelms our spirit. 

The psalmist tells us this in verse 3. One dictionary definition of depression is "a lowering of the spirit". How often some of us have experienced this! We find ourselves down in the depths, our spirit has been defeated, dejected and overwhelmed, and often we don’t seem to know why.

(2)   It awakens our memory. 

In verse 6 the psalmist tells us that in his time of depression he remembered the times when he had been able to sing, even in the night, but not now! When he compared that time with this time he longed that this time could be like that time, and the very memory of it made him more miserable!  And not just a time, but likely another place or other circumstances.  He didn’t have Paul’s words about being content in whatsoever state you are in [even if it is Illinois!]

(3)   It robs us of sleep. 

In verse 4, he tells us that when he went to bed his eyelids refused to close. Depression does that, and so do its relatives--worry and anxiety. Depression is usually worse at night than in the day.

(4)   It seals our lips. 

In verse 4, the psalmist says, "I am so troubled that I cannot speak!" Have you ever been in that condition? There are two causes of dumbness:    preoccupation and depression. We can easily rouse ourselves out of our preoccupation, but not out of our depression.

Four Causes of Depression

Before we look at the causes of depression and think of the cure, we must remember that there are many reasons why people, including          Christians, may get depressed--The cause may be physical, e.g. a chemical imbalance in the body. Good health is a great enemy of depression, and bad health is a good friend of depression.  Lack of exercise can be a major contributor.

Adverse circumstances and bad news can bring depression; the job we are engaged in may make us specially prone to depression; temperament has something to do with it, and even the weather can cause depression of the body and then of the mind! Also, a lack of necessary vitamins and proper nourishment can cause depression. Notice at the end of verse 9, "Selah", which means, "Pause and think about it!"  Well, please do so before you go any further.

Here’s the 4 causes from Psalm 77:

(1)   A morbid, pessimistic outlook.

In verse 2, the psalmist "refused to be comforted". Some people are full of pessimism, always thinking and speaking in a "minor key", "enjoying bad health"!  As Christians, we should cultivate a holy optimism and deliberately refuse to dwell upon the dark side of things. What right have we to be pessimists?  A complaining spirit goes right along with this…In verse 3, the psalmist says, "I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed". The person who is always complaining is especially prone to depression.  Avoid being one of those people!

(2)   An offending conscience.

In verse 3, he tells us that in his depression he "suddenly remembered God and was troubled".  Evidently he did not have a conscience "void of offence", Acts 24:16. There was something between himself and God. Is there anything between us and the Lord? Are we disobeying Him in any way, Eph. 4:30?

(3)   Too much unhealthy introspection.

In verse 6, the psalmist says, "…my spirit made diligent search." We have already said that we must make sure our depression has not been caused by sin; we do, however, need to search and try our ways, Lam. 3:40, and to pray the prayer of Psa. 139:23-24…

Lamentations 3:40
Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD.

Psalms 139:23-24
²³ Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: ²⁴ And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

…but we must at all costs avoid plunging into an unhealthy, unspiritual, morbid introspection that keeps looking inside and can see nothing but bad. The look we must cultivate is indicated in Heb. 12:2 and Col. 3:1-2…

Hebrews 12:2
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Colossians 3:1-2
¹ If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. ² Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Many of God's people are spiritually, mentally and physically ill because they keep looking at themselves!

You see, looking around brings discouragement.

Looking within brings depression.

But looking up brings delight, and

Looking forward brings us direction!

(4)   Leaving God out.

Look at verses 7-9. He keeps thinking about the Lord, but not talking to Him.  Prayer is the last thing you want to do when depressed…but it’s the most important need you have at that very moment!

This is the all inclusive reason we stay depressed; we fail to call on the        presence, power and provision of our wonderful Lord.  Sometimes it’s almost like we want to be down, or be a victim, and we don’t want it fixed.

What a Friend we have in Jesus

All Our sins and griefs to bear;

What a privilege to carry

Everything to God in prayer!

Oh, what peace we often forfeit,

Oh, what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry

Everything to God in prayer!

Four Cures for Depression

These are spiritual cures which can have impact on depression of any kind.  However, clinical depression is not necessarily a spiritual problem.  The brain is an organ just like your heart or kidneys, and can have a problem just like they can.  Please see a qualified medical advisor about this if the cures below do not seem to fix the big problem for you.  But beware and bring their recommendations to the Lord in prayer, and to a good Biblical counselor for a ‘Biblical balance’ their position may be lacking.

If you feel fine, consider this:  Prevention is important!  Try to lead a regular, healthy life, to get the right amount of sleep, relaxation, exercise, fresh air, food and fun, and plenty of work too! Seek to live an all around balanced life to the glory of God. However, should depression descend upon you:

(1)   Admit and confess it at once.

Look at verse 10, "this is my infirmity…" Depression is not a sin, though staying under it may be; it is a weakness, and we must not pretend it does not exist. If it comes, admit that it is there just as Paul did with his infirmity, 2 Cor. 12:9-10.

(2)   Seek God "in the sanctuary."

Verse 13, in the place of prayer, privately, Matt. 6:6 and corporately, Acts 4:24.

You need a friend or loved one who can stand with you in prayer.  See Matt. 18:19-20…

Matthew 18:19-20
¹⁹ Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. ²⁰ For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

And remember, His way is not only in the sanctuary, verse 13; it is also in the midst of your difficult circumstances, wherever you are. [verse 19] He is with you there!

(3)   Encourage yourself in the Lord.

Read verses 10, 11, 12 and 14, and do what David did in 1 Sam. 30:6. Also see Ps. 34:1-6…

Psalms 34:1-6
¹ I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. ² My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. ³ O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. ⁴ I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. ⁵ They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. ⁶ This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.

(4)   Testify to others of the Lord's doings.

See verse 12, this will soon banish depression!  The Lord will help you, not just to feel better, but so you can help others!

2 Corinthians 1:4
Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.