The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
--Psalm 18:2
What are the causes of depression?
If you look at Elijah’s bout with depression in 1 Kings 19, you’ll discover that depression is fueled by:
- Fear. Elijah heard that Jezebel was after him and was afraid. According to the late, great Zig Ziglar, FEAR equals False Evidence Appearing Real. The way to avoid fear is to walk in the truth of the Word of God and not according to the false evidence that is all around us.
- Unbelief. Elijah had seen the mighty miracles and works of God, but still allowed feelings of unbelief to creep in. He didn’t trust God to handle the situation.
- Impatience. Elijah ran ahead of God. He was trying to live and die on his own schedule, rather than trusting God to give him life, strength, and health.
- Pride. As Elijah sat under the juniper tree, he cried out, “I’m no better than my fathers!” Where did he get the idea that he was better than his fathers to begin with?
- Self-pity. Elijah was feeling sorry for himself. He looked at his problems and just wanted to give up.
Here’s the formula for depression: insult + anger x self-pity = depression. If you see yourself going down that road, put on the brakes!
Then put your trust in God. When you do, as the Psalmist says in our Scripture today, He will be your deliverer, your refuge, your shield, your stronghold, and your salvation.
if you’re feeling depressed, take inventory of your attitude lately. Are there signs of FEAR, unbelief, impatience, pride, or self-pity?
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first. And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me. Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?”
Galatians 4:13–16
In a quiet corner of Washington DC near the Interior Department building sits Rawlins Park. Today, few remember John Rawlins, though he served as chief of staff to General Ulysses S. Grant and later filled the post of Secretary of War. The thing most worthy of note in Rawlins’ life was not his military career or service to his country. Rawlins was the man who cared enough for General Grant to confront him when Grant broke his pledge to stop drinking. Rawlins was willing to risk his position and his career to speak up, even though he knew his message would be painful to hear. Grant was touched by his friend’s plea, and returned to a life of sobriety.
Many people around us are on the wrong path. We should certainly not be proud, critical, or condescending toward them, but we should still speak the truth that they need to hear. This is not a matter of holding ourselves to be better, and to be well received it must be done with love and kindness. But it must be done. “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1). Most people do not recover from sin or error without the influence of a loving voice to remind them of truth.
Today’s Growth Principle:
We need to love others enough to tell them the truth, even if they do not want to hear it.
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