Mental Health Part 2
Entering the Cave of Depression
Sunday, April 14, 2024
I. Mental Health
A. There is Freedom from Depression
1. God used many great people in the Bible that dealt with depression and suicidal thoughts. (i.e. Job, David, Jeremiah, Apostle Paul)
~Depression is not a malfunction of the mind but a signal.
a. (ref. Gal. 5:1) There is freedom from depression.
B. Entering the Cave of Depression (ref. 1 Kings 18)
(1 Kings 19:1-4, 9-10, 13-14 NLT) 6 contributing causes.
1. Life Imbalances Elijah entered into a cave of depression after 30 days of nonstop powerful, miraculous ministry.
a. Life imbalances vs. chemical imbalances.
~More and more research is pointing to our lifestyles as the main factor that causes depression.
b. We’re often exhausted by our unsustainable pace of life. We’re doing too much!
~(Eccl. 4:6 AMP)
c. We need to slow down and prioritize our lives.
~God – People – Eternity
-Many say God comes first, but the way we spend our time, money, and affections says otherwise.
2. Comparing Ourselves with Others (ref. 1 Kings 19:4 NIV) “…I am no better than my ancestors.”
a. “Comparison is the thief of joy.” T. Roosevelt
~Comparison brings pride or envy & jealousy.
b. Social media has been used by the devil to promote this façade of perfection in others that isn’t realistic.
c.(Gal. 6:4-5 NLT)
~Selective ignorance – we need to be intentional about what we never need to know.
3. Ruminating and negative self-talk. (ref. 1 Kings 19:10, 14) “I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.”
a.Ruminating animals chew the cud.
b. “95% of your emotions are determined by the way you talk to yourself. Brian Tracy
c. (Phil. 4:8-9)
d. We need to make daily affirmations about ourselves to ourselves based on our identity in Christ and our purpose.
4. Inability to process pain in a healthy way. (ref. 1 Kings 19:2-3) A threating message from Jezebel caused Elijah to run in fear for his life and pray to God to die.
a. “It’s not what happens to me that matters but what happens in me that matters most.” John Maxwell
b. (John 16:33 NLT)
~More and more people are turning to unhealthy ways, from drugs and alcohol, TV binging, video game binging, over-eating to escape difficulty.
c. There is purpose in your pain.
~(2 Cor. 1:3-6 NIV)
5. Isolation and loneliness (ref. 1 Kings 19:3, 4) Elijah left his servant isolated himself and sulked in solitude.
a. The first problem in the Bible wasn’t sin in Genesis 3 it was solitude in Genesis 2.
~WE NEED RELATIONSHIPS!
~(Eccl 4:9-12 NLT)
b. (Jas. 5:16 NIV) believers need other believers for deliverance and healing.
6. Spiritual warfare (ref. 1 Kings 19:2) Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying… Satan’s only weapon is temptation and deception. He must get in our head to defeat us.
a.(1 Pet 5:7-8 NIV)
b.(2 Cor. 10:3-5)
[Pastor Lee Stokes]