How to Deal with Depression: God's Pathway to Joy
I invite you to turn with me to the book of Philippians 4.
I mentioned last time we were together that chapter 4 has some really good teachings in it. I’d like to underscore that again. It deals with at least three of the top 5 major personal problems: Conflict, Depression, and anxiety. Last week we looked at the issue of conflict and saw that there was some excellent advice there about how to deal with conflict in a God pleasing way. And it is a great relief to know that the relational setbacks we have can be resolved and harmony can be restored if we both keep our eyes on Jesus.
This week we are going to look at the idea of depression. Our passage speaks clearly and directly into this problem. And next week we are going to deal with the issue of anxiety. And we have here substantial truth that so much of our world today needs to hear.
But each of these issues deals comes down to one thing: Peace. Peace in relationships. Peace of mind. And our passage brings talks about peace. The peace of God, a peace that surpasses all understanding. And that’s what makes this portion of Scripture so great. God’s word shows us that we can have peace. When we commit ourselves to Christ and to His word, we can have what all the world is looking for.
So let’s get into our passage. This morning we are going to read verses 4-9. But we are going to deal specifically with verses 2-5, the verses that speak directly to dealing with depression.
So hear now the inspired and inerrant word of God: Philippians 4:2-9
I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me--practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Introduction
We have been working through the book of Joy. We have said that we are on the journey to joy in this epistle. And in our passage today we come to perhaps the most climactic point of the exuberance in this jovial epistle.
Paul has uses the word joy or rejoice 16 times in this letter. And here we see there is a doubling of the word. He actually commands us to rejoice. And, as we read, the joy is combined with the idea of peace. A peace that surpasses all understanding.
And you kind of wonder what may have been going on there in the city of Philipi. Was Paul addressing a people who needed to know more intimately the joy of the Lord. I wonder if there was some problems with depression among those people.
You can easily imagine that this may have been so. If this was a colony of military personnel, what are the chances that some of them were dealing with what we now call PTSD? War back then was certainly a traumatic experience as it was head to head / hand to hand combat. If you lose good buddies, that grief would have been difficult to deal with.
No doubt, the ancient world was likely similar to our own day. Today there are large swaths of people who deal with some sort of depressive episode. In one year alone it is said that there is an average of over 16 million adults who will have a major depressive episode. And that does not include those who have more minor episodes. And that is only adults.
That does not include those in their teens. In recent years there have been articles coming out that are saying that depression among the nation’s youth is on a dramatic rise. In 2016 it was reported that there was a 300% increase in reports of depression (and again, that’s only those that were reported).
The economic toll of that accompanies depression tells us something of the depths of this problem. It is said that the total dollar amount reaches to some 210 billion dollars each year. Loads of money are spent on medications, hospitalizations, and there is also the losses incurred because of absence from work workforce.
We understand that there are different levels of depression. They can range from a slight version (what we may call the blues) to more extreme forms, which are sometimes called “clinical depression” or Chronic depression, or even psychotic depression.
Symptoms can include loss of sleep, loss of interest in hobbies or what are otherwise pleasurable things of life. There can be weight loss or weight gain, forms of fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and in extreme cases even suicide.
All in all, this is a serious problem in our world. I probably don’t even have to expand on this too much because it is likely that you’ve either experienced some degree of depression or know someone who has been affected by it.
Now I will say that there can sometimes be physical problems associated with depression. For instance, I have heard that some forms of depression are associated with certain kinds of thyroid problems. And in some cases women experience a downcast spirit after giving birth (i.e. postpartum depression).
But it should be recognized that these organic causes make up just a fraction of the cases in the world today. And we as Christians can understand that things like peace and joy; these are typically a spiritual things.
We even read in this passage that our Lord is the “God of peace.” This gives us good hope. There is good news in this. We know that God has the answers to all of life’s problems. And we may have our spirits lifted because we know that the Lord can bring restoration to those who have downcast spirits.
And when we understand what is said here in this passage and we take these truths to heart, we can see that we don’t have to just cope with sadness. We can actually experience deliverance from this dark world.
Jesus Christ gives us true emotional redemption. And it doesn’t matter where you are at on the spectrum. If it is just the blues or if it is further down into the pit, you can gain victory and experience true joy—the joy that Jesus gives.
Now, I will say that there are other passages in the Bible that deal with depression. There is a lot of truth that can help you fight this dastardly foe. But this passage can at least provides a world of cure through the lessons it teaches.
And there are basically three lessons—three keys to dealing with depression. And if you want to deal with depression, the first thing you must do is deal with your problems.
I. Deal with your problems
Last week we talked about the Euodia & Syntyche debacle. It would not be too far fetched to say that one or both of them could have been dealing with depression.
Don’t you see how they could have spun downward into depression? Something happened and they were separated. Someone did something and the other was offended. Rather than dealing with the problem, she reacted in an unbiblical manner. This not only furthers the separation, it makes her feel guilty, which makes her all that more down. Not only is she sad by what has happened; and she’s increased her gloom by what she’s done. Add to that the fact that she’s experiencing a feeling of loneliness.
Now guess what happens? Instead of rectifying things and reacting in a godly way, she reacts in an ungodly way. Maybe she starts brooding on all that’s happened. Or maybe she takes some other step in the wrong direction. Guess what? That’s only going to compound her sadness.
Now, if she would just deal with her problem and reconcile with Syntyche, she’d probably start feeling a lot better, wouldn’t she? The guilt would be gone. The loneliness would be gone. The brooding would be gone. All in all, everything that is contributing to her sadness would pretty much be eradicated.
You understand, sin does not lead to joy. Sin robs you of joy. Sin is equated with sorrow, sadness, and death.
And this is why the Apostle says “Let your reasonableness (or moderation) be known to everyone.”
One commentator says that this word (reasonable or moderation) has to do with “restraint on the passions, general soberness of living, being free from all excesses.”
If you are living by your passions, and not demonstrating the tempered and pure lifestyle that Christ calls you to, you are going to have every reason to get down.
Did you know that angry people are usually depressed people. Anger is one of the leading causes of depression. Especially if you are the kind of person who internalizes your anger and lets it percolate within you. If you are an incubator of resentment and bitterness, you are not going to experience a lot of joy and peace.
Or how about excessive sloth? One of the ways we demonstrate reasonableness and moderation is by working and fulfilling our God given callings. But if you are indulging your passion for idleness, it’s easy to feel sad. If you are not working and being active, it’s no surprise that a melancholy spirit that is characteristic of depression.
Take for instance a fellow who has retired after working 35-40 years. Joe retires from work. Now he doesn’t really have a reason to get up in the morning. It takes him a while to roll out. Then he turns on the TV and watches some shows until noon. After that he takes a nap. And then he bums around the house until bedtime. The most exercise he gets is walking over to the kitchen cupboards, where he probably doesn’t pick the healthiest thing to eat.
Guess how that’s going to make Joe feel. Joe comes into his pastor and says, “I feel aimless. I feel down. I don’t feel like I have much purpose in life.”
This is why Martin Luther used to tell his parishioners who came in with the blues to go hitch up the horses and start spreading the manure. They needed to stop being lazy and get to work in the fields. Retired people have to remember that they are still to serve the Lord and do something productive with their lives.
Those are a couple different illustrations of what I believe this passage is trying to tell you. If you want to deal with your depression, this is one of the things you need to make a priority: You have to deal with your sins. Sin will only drag you down.
The second thing you need to do is deal with your emotions. You not only need to deal with your problems, you must put your emotions in order and subject them to Jesus Christ.
II. Deal with your emotions
The passage tells us something we’ve heard again and again throughout the book of Philippians. It commands us to rejoice in the Lord. Paul even puts an emphasis on this time by repeating it: Again I say rejoice!
He teaches us a valuable lesson here. We are not to be led by our feelings. When we let our emotions dictate our behavior, then guess how we are going to feel?
You know, we live in a world that says “follow your heart.” Our culture says that our feelings are to guide our lives. But you know what? If I follow my heart and let my emotions guide my life, I’d never get out of bed. I rarely feel like waking up.
Paul tells us here that our feelings are not supposed to be our guides. Rather, our feelings are to be controlled. Instead of being guided by our feelings, we are to have our feelings guided by Scripture. God is to rule over our emotions.
And God’s word tells us that we need to make ourselves rejoice. We have to command ourselves to be joyful. You need to practice lifting your eyebrows and smiling. You need to shake yourself out of that rut and try to lift your countenance.
Sometimes the only reason people struggle with depression is because they have allowed themselves to get down. And again, once they started down that path, they eventually get sucked into that downward pattern that makes their mood become more and more glum.
Let’s say that something does happen to you. Let’s say that you end up going through a trail or something traumatic happens that causes you some degree of suffering. Now, it is appropriate that this event will make you sad. We are not saying that sadness is altogether bad. Sadness, grief, sorrow are all natural reactions to things that happen in life.
Where one sometimes goes wrong is that they allow themselves to remain downcast. And the longer they let that sadness linger, the more it can snowball into greater sadness. And it is all because they are following their emotions.
God says that in those circumstances, you need to command yourself to rejoice. Rejoice in the Lord. Rejoice that he is sovereign over our trials, that he uses our trials. Rejoice in your trials; rejoice in God. Rejoice in your salvation, that this trial will end and you will one day have a better home in glory where there is no more sadness or suffering.
You need to rejoice in the Lord and take control of your emotions; dictate to them the way they should be feeling.
Now, notice how this can be linked to what I’ve just talked about. I mentioned a moment ago that you have to deal with your problems. And dealing with your emotions goes along with that. For instance, supposed there is a young man who goes off to college. After he’s been there a while something happens. He gets drunk at a party or maybe he’s sexually active. After that happens, he’s may very well feel bad. There’s that guilt and feeling of shame. Maybe he’s dealt with the problem: he’s not continuing to go to parties or get into situations with his girlfriend that are inappropriate. But he still feels bad. What’s happened?
Well, he’s likely not grasping the notion of grace. He’s not rejoicing in the Lord and remembering that all his sins are covered. Christ has died for those sins. Christ forgives those sins. But he isn’t acknowledging that. He’s concentrating more on his actions and has this regret that he’s holding onto. That’s where he needs to run to Christ. He’s got to command himself to rejoice in the grace and goodness of God. He needs to celebrate the cross rather than commemorate his sin. He needs to praise God for the resurrection and the hope of redemption.
This is why a lot of times depressed people need to sing. Sometimes a good old fashioned hymn sing is good for the soul in this regard. That’s because they are focusing more on the Lord and singing about his grace, rather than letting themselves stew. When you are singing and worshiping the Lord, you are doing what Paul commands. You are rejoicing in the Lord.
There’s an old hymn that goes like this:
Sometimes a light surprises
The Christian while he sings;
It is the Lord Who rises
With healing in His wings:
When comforts are declining,
He grants the soul again
A season of clear shining,
To cheer it after the rain.
This hymn underscores the need to sing and how powerful it is to rejoice in the Lord and deal actively with your attitude.
But there’s one more step in the process of dealing with depression. You need to deal with your problems, you need to deal with your emotions, and you also need to deal with your unbelief.
III. Deal with your unbelief.
The last part of verse 5 says, “Lord is at hand.” Why does he say this? It is because some people have evidently forgotten it. They do not believe he is at hand. So he feels a need to correct their unbelief and tell them that the Lord is very much at hand.
Now, this could mean a variety of things. It is rather open ended. It could mean that the Lord is here with us at this very moment. Or it could mean that the Lord is at hand in that he is on the brink of coming. He will visit this earth in due time, either by way of judgment or redemption.
We don’t know which it is, and it could be that it is both. I personally like to think that it is whichever one you need the most. But the idea is that you need to stop your silly unbelief and remember that He is not a dead god or a God who is far off.
Let’s take this a couple different ways. What if you do feel down? Why do you feel that way? Could it be that you feel that God has abandoned you? Maybe you don’t even think about it theologically. Maybe you feel that your problems are so great and your life is in such a bad spot that you don’t think anything good can come of it. Guess what? You are acting like an atheist. You are basically saying, “God is not here; he is not in control; there’s nothing to be joyful about.”
And so Paul provides you with the theological outlook that you need most. God has promised never to leave you nor forsake you. God is not limited by your circumstances, nor will he allow your enemies to have the final victory. God is sovereign, God is present, God is here to care and to carry you, the Lord is coming back again some day, and he may even exercise his Providential care so as to deliver you out of these problems. If he doesn’t do that, at the very least he is at hand to gird you up and give you help to bear these pains.
If you are down, this may be a good remedy. You may simply need to get your eyes off of yourself; get them off of your situation, and simply begin to remember that God is sovereign, God is omnipresent, God is not limited by these silly circumstances; Christ is coming back and all your problems will be taken care of once and for all.
All in all, Paul’s trying to say that any kind of unbelief will drag you down. But when your faith is properly fixated on God’s being at hand, then there is good reason for joy.
Now let me say that this applies to anyone who is an unbeliever too. An unbeliever is someone who rejects the Lord, right? He essentially says, “I don’t believe that God is at hand, and if he is, I don’t really care.”
Let me just say, if you are still in your sins and have not trusted in Christ, you have every reason to be depressed. Let me make it even more depressing for you too: You will die. Not only that, after you die you will be cast into hell where you will suffer for all the rest of eternity.
There is no hope or happiness for those who do not believe in Christ. If by chance you do have some perky perspective, it is completely without warrant. All you need to do is read the book of Ecclesiastes. You’ll see the sullen state of someone who tries to take an “under the sun” perspective on life. Ecclesiastes is a book that basically has a perspective of life without God in it. And it is at many points rather depressing.
So I would say that the most important thing (and, indeed, the first thing) that you should do is correct this. Leave off your unbelief and turn to Christ.
Christ gives eternal life. He saves his people from sin and death. He is the fountain of all joy and peace. He is the very source of it.
The good news to you today is that the Lord is at hand. He holds out to you the opportunity to turn to him. He will be merciful to you and take away the punishment that you deserve. He will give you a hope for the future. And he will fill your meaningless and despairing life with purpose and joy.
But it all starts with this: deal with your unbelief. Remember that the Lord is at hand. He is an ever present God who is ready to save.
I mentioned last time we were together that chapter 4 has some really good teachings in it. I’d like to underscore that again. It deals with at least three of the top 5 major personal problems: Conflict, Depression, and anxiety. Last week we looked at the issue of conflict and saw that there was some excellent advice there about how to deal with conflict in a God pleasing way. And it is a great relief to know that the relational setbacks we have can be resolved and harmony can be restored if we both keep our eyes on Jesus.
This week we are going to look at the idea of depression. Our passage speaks clearly and directly into this problem. And next week we are going to deal with the issue of anxiety. And we have here substantial truth that so much of our world today needs to hear.
But each of these issues deals comes down to one thing: Peace. Peace in relationships. Peace of mind. And our passage brings talks about peace. The peace of God, a peace that surpasses all understanding. And that’s what makes this portion of Scripture so great. God’s word shows us that we can have peace. When we commit ourselves to Christ and to His word, we can have what all the world is looking for.
So let’s get into our passage. This morning we are going to read verses 4-9. But we are going to deal specifically with verses 2-5, the verses that speak directly to dealing with depression.
So hear now the inspired and inerrant word of God: Philippians 4:2-9
I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me--practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Introduction
We have been working through the book of Joy. We have said that we are on the journey to joy in this epistle. And in our passage today we come to perhaps the most climactic point of the exuberance in this jovial epistle.
Paul has uses the word joy or rejoice 16 times in this letter. And here we see there is a doubling of the word. He actually commands us to rejoice. And, as we read, the joy is combined with the idea of peace. A peace that surpasses all understanding.
And you kind of wonder what may have been going on there in the city of Philipi. Was Paul addressing a people who needed to know more intimately the joy of the Lord. I wonder if there was some problems with depression among those people.
You can easily imagine that this may have been so. If this was a colony of military personnel, what are the chances that some of them were dealing with what we now call PTSD? War back then was certainly a traumatic experience as it was head to head / hand to hand combat. If you lose good buddies, that grief would have been difficult to deal with.
No doubt, the ancient world was likely similar to our own day. Today there are large swaths of people who deal with some sort of depressive episode. In one year alone it is said that there is an average of over 16 million adults who will have a major depressive episode. And that does not include those who have more minor episodes. And that is only adults.
That does not include those in their teens. In recent years there have been articles coming out that are saying that depression among the nation’s youth is on a dramatic rise. In 2016 it was reported that there was a 300% increase in reports of depression (and again, that’s only those that were reported).
The economic toll of that accompanies depression tells us something of the depths of this problem. It is said that the total dollar amount reaches to some 210 billion dollars each year. Loads of money are spent on medications, hospitalizations, and there is also the losses incurred because of absence from work workforce.
We understand that there are different levels of depression. They can range from a slight version (what we may call the blues) to more extreme forms, which are sometimes called “clinical depression” or Chronic depression, or even psychotic depression.
Symptoms can include loss of sleep, loss of interest in hobbies or what are otherwise pleasurable things of life. There can be weight loss or weight gain, forms of fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and in extreme cases even suicide.
All in all, this is a serious problem in our world. I probably don’t even have to expand on this too much because it is likely that you’ve either experienced some degree of depression or know someone who has been affected by it.
Now I will say that there can sometimes be physical problems associated with depression. For instance, I have heard that some forms of depression are associated with certain kinds of thyroid problems. And in some cases women experience a downcast spirit after giving birth (i.e. postpartum depression).
But it should be recognized that these organic causes make up just a fraction of the cases in the world today. And we as Christians can understand that things like peace and joy; these are typically a spiritual things.
We even read in this passage that our Lord is the “God of peace.” This gives us good hope. There is good news in this. We know that God has the answers to all of life’s problems. And we may have our spirits lifted because we know that the Lord can bring restoration to those who have downcast spirits.
And when we understand what is said here in this passage and we take these truths to heart, we can see that we don’t have to just cope with sadness. We can actually experience deliverance from this dark world.
Jesus Christ gives us true emotional redemption. And it doesn’t matter where you are at on the spectrum. If it is just the blues or if it is further down into the pit, you can gain victory and experience true joy—the joy that Jesus gives.
Now, I will say that there are other passages in the Bible that deal with depression. There is a lot of truth that can help you fight this dastardly foe. But this passage can at least provides a world of cure through the lessons it teaches.
And there are basically three lessons—three keys to dealing with depression. And if you want to deal with depression, the first thing you must do is deal with your problems.
I. Deal with your problems
Last week we talked about the Euodia & Syntyche debacle. It would not be too far fetched to say that one or both of them could have been dealing with depression.
Don’t you see how they could have spun downward into depression? Something happened and they were separated. Someone did something and the other was offended. Rather than dealing with the problem, she reacted in an unbiblical manner. This not only furthers the separation, it makes her feel guilty, which makes her all that more down. Not only is she sad by what has happened; and she’s increased her gloom by what she’s done. Add to that the fact that she’s experiencing a feeling of loneliness.
Now guess what happens? Instead of rectifying things and reacting in a godly way, she reacts in an ungodly way. Maybe she starts brooding on all that’s happened. Or maybe she takes some other step in the wrong direction. Guess what? That’s only going to compound her sadness.
Now, if she would just deal with her problem and reconcile with Syntyche, she’d probably start feeling a lot better, wouldn’t she? The guilt would be gone. The loneliness would be gone. The brooding would be gone. All in all, everything that is contributing to her sadness would pretty much be eradicated.
You understand, sin does not lead to joy. Sin robs you of joy. Sin is equated with sorrow, sadness, and death.
And this is why the Apostle says “Let your reasonableness (or moderation) be known to everyone.”
One commentator says that this word (reasonable or moderation) has to do with “restraint on the passions, general soberness of living, being free from all excesses.”
If you are living by your passions, and not demonstrating the tempered and pure lifestyle that Christ calls you to, you are going to have every reason to get down.
Did you know that angry people are usually depressed people. Anger is one of the leading causes of depression. Especially if you are the kind of person who internalizes your anger and lets it percolate within you. If you are an incubator of resentment and bitterness, you are not going to experience a lot of joy and peace.
Or how about excessive sloth? One of the ways we demonstrate reasonableness and moderation is by working and fulfilling our God given callings. But if you are indulging your passion for idleness, it’s easy to feel sad. If you are not working and being active, it’s no surprise that a melancholy spirit that is characteristic of depression.
Take for instance a fellow who has retired after working 35-40 years. Joe retires from work. Now he doesn’t really have a reason to get up in the morning. It takes him a while to roll out. Then he turns on the TV and watches some shows until noon. After that he takes a nap. And then he bums around the house until bedtime. The most exercise he gets is walking over to the kitchen cupboards, where he probably doesn’t pick the healthiest thing to eat.
Guess how that’s going to make Joe feel. Joe comes into his pastor and says, “I feel aimless. I feel down. I don’t feel like I have much purpose in life.”
This is why Martin Luther used to tell his parishioners who came in with the blues to go hitch up the horses and start spreading the manure. They needed to stop being lazy and get to work in the fields. Retired people have to remember that they are still to serve the Lord and do something productive with their lives.
Those are a couple different illustrations of what I believe this passage is trying to tell you. If you want to deal with your depression, this is one of the things you need to make a priority: You have to deal with your sins. Sin will only drag you down.
The second thing you need to do is deal with your emotions. You not only need to deal with your problems, you must put your emotions in order and subject them to Jesus Christ.
II. Deal with your emotions
The passage tells us something we’ve heard again and again throughout the book of Philippians. It commands us to rejoice in the Lord. Paul even puts an emphasis on this time by repeating it: Again I say rejoice!
He teaches us a valuable lesson here. We are not to be led by our feelings. When we let our emotions dictate our behavior, then guess how we are going to feel?
You know, we live in a world that says “follow your heart.” Our culture says that our feelings are to guide our lives. But you know what? If I follow my heart and let my emotions guide my life, I’d never get out of bed. I rarely feel like waking up.
Paul tells us here that our feelings are not supposed to be our guides. Rather, our feelings are to be controlled. Instead of being guided by our feelings, we are to have our feelings guided by Scripture. God is to rule over our emotions.
And God’s word tells us that we need to make ourselves rejoice. We have to command ourselves to be joyful. You need to practice lifting your eyebrows and smiling. You need to shake yourself out of that rut and try to lift your countenance.
Sometimes the only reason people struggle with depression is because they have allowed themselves to get down. And again, once they started down that path, they eventually get sucked into that downward pattern that makes their mood become more and more glum.
Let’s say that something does happen to you. Let’s say that you end up going through a trail or something traumatic happens that causes you some degree of suffering. Now, it is appropriate that this event will make you sad. We are not saying that sadness is altogether bad. Sadness, grief, sorrow are all natural reactions to things that happen in life.
Where one sometimes goes wrong is that they allow themselves to remain downcast. And the longer they let that sadness linger, the more it can snowball into greater sadness. And it is all because they are following their emotions.
God says that in those circumstances, you need to command yourself to rejoice. Rejoice in the Lord. Rejoice that he is sovereign over our trials, that he uses our trials. Rejoice in your trials; rejoice in God. Rejoice in your salvation, that this trial will end and you will one day have a better home in glory where there is no more sadness or suffering.
You need to rejoice in the Lord and take control of your emotions; dictate to them the way they should be feeling.
Now, notice how this can be linked to what I’ve just talked about. I mentioned a moment ago that you have to deal with your problems. And dealing with your emotions goes along with that. For instance, supposed there is a young man who goes off to college. After he’s been there a while something happens. He gets drunk at a party or maybe he’s sexually active. After that happens, he’s may very well feel bad. There’s that guilt and feeling of shame. Maybe he’s dealt with the problem: he’s not continuing to go to parties or get into situations with his girlfriend that are inappropriate. But he still feels bad. What’s happened?
Well, he’s likely not grasping the notion of grace. He’s not rejoicing in the Lord and remembering that all his sins are covered. Christ has died for those sins. Christ forgives those sins. But he isn’t acknowledging that. He’s concentrating more on his actions and has this regret that he’s holding onto. That’s where he needs to run to Christ. He’s got to command himself to rejoice in the grace and goodness of God. He needs to celebrate the cross rather than commemorate his sin. He needs to praise God for the resurrection and the hope of redemption.
This is why a lot of times depressed people need to sing. Sometimes a good old fashioned hymn sing is good for the soul in this regard. That’s because they are focusing more on the Lord and singing about his grace, rather than letting themselves stew. When you are singing and worshiping the Lord, you are doing what Paul commands. You are rejoicing in the Lord.
There’s an old hymn that goes like this:
Sometimes a light surprises
The Christian while he sings;
It is the Lord Who rises
With healing in His wings:
When comforts are declining,
He grants the soul again
A season of clear shining,
To cheer it after the rain.
This hymn underscores the need to sing and how powerful it is to rejoice in the Lord and deal actively with your attitude.
But there’s one more step in the process of dealing with depression. You need to deal with your problems, you need to deal with your emotions, and you also need to deal with your unbelief.
III. Deal with your unbelief.
The last part of verse 5 says, “Lord is at hand.” Why does he say this? It is because some people have evidently forgotten it. They do not believe he is at hand. So he feels a need to correct their unbelief and tell them that the Lord is very much at hand.
Now, this could mean a variety of things. It is rather open ended. It could mean that the Lord is here with us at this very moment. Or it could mean that the Lord is at hand in that he is on the brink of coming. He will visit this earth in due time, either by way of judgment or redemption.
We don’t know which it is, and it could be that it is both. I personally like to think that it is whichever one you need the most. But the idea is that you need to stop your silly unbelief and remember that He is not a dead god or a God who is far off.
Let’s take this a couple different ways. What if you do feel down? Why do you feel that way? Could it be that you feel that God has abandoned you? Maybe you don’t even think about it theologically. Maybe you feel that your problems are so great and your life is in such a bad spot that you don’t think anything good can come of it. Guess what? You are acting like an atheist. You are basically saying, “God is not here; he is not in control; there’s nothing to be joyful about.”
And so Paul provides you with the theological outlook that you need most. God has promised never to leave you nor forsake you. God is not limited by your circumstances, nor will he allow your enemies to have the final victory. God is sovereign, God is present, God is here to care and to carry you, the Lord is coming back again some day, and he may even exercise his Providential care so as to deliver you out of these problems. If he doesn’t do that, at the very least he is at hand to gird you up and give you help to bear these pains.
If you are down, this may be a good remedy. You may simply need to get your eyes off of yourself; get them off of your situation, and simply begin to remember that God is sovereign, God is omnipresent, God is not limited by these silly circumstances; Christ is coming back and all your problems will be taken care of once and for all.
All in all, Paul’s trying to say that any kind of unbelief will drag you down. But when your faith is properly fixated on God’s being at hand, then there is good reason for joy.
Now let me say that this applies to anyone who is an unbeliever too. An unbeliever is someone who rejects the Lord, right? He essentially says, “I don’t believe that God is at hand, and if he is, I don’t really care.”
Let me just say, if you are still in your sins and have not trusted in Christ, you have every reason to be depressed. Let me make it even more depressing for you too: You will die. Not only that, after you die you will be cast into hell where you will suffer for all the rest of eternity.
There is no hope or happiness for those who do not believe in Christ. If by chance you do have some perky perspective, it is completely without warrant. All you need to do is read the book of Ecclesiastes. You’ll see the sullen state of someone who tries to take an “under the sun” perspective on life. Ecclesiastes is a book that basically has a perspective of life without God in it. And it is at many points rather depressing.
So I would say that the most important thing (and, indeed, the first thing) that you should do is correct this. Leave off your unbelief and turn to Christ.
Christ gives eternal life. He saves his people from sin and death. He is the fountain of all joy and peace. He is the very source of it.
The good news to you today is that the Lord is at hand. He holds out to you the opportunity to turn to him. He will be merciful to you and take away the punishment that you deserve. He will give you a hope for the future. And he will fill your meaningless and despairing life with purpose and joy.
But it all starts with this: deal with your unbelief. Remember that the Lord is at hand. He is an ever present God who is ready to save.