Depression: The Bleak Perspective
Are you depressed or know someone who is? How can you help someone who struggles with a bleak perspective? Let’s draw strength from God’s Word to help in dark times of the soul.
Author
Travis Agnew
Lead Pastor
Depression
Depression: The Bleak Perspective
Are you depressed or know someone who is? How can you help someone who struggles with a bleak perspective? Let’s draw strength from God’s Word to help in dark times of the soul.
Travis Agnew
Lead Pastor
Initial Questions
- Can you describe how you are feeling?
- On a scale of 1 to 100 (1 being the most depressed and 100 being the most joyful), how would you describe yourself right now?
- On a typical day?
- What factors are contributing to how you are feeling right now?
- What makes it better?
- What makes it worse?
Practical Considerations
- What social dynamics are impacting you?
- What physical aspects are contributing to how you feel?
- What circumstantial challenges are you facing?
- What spiritual issues need to be addressed?
- What unalterable realities must I accept?
Biblical Companions
As you look at these people in the Bible, they are companions with us in suffering. Look at the first verse and see how these people felt. Then look at the following verse and see what they decided to do despite their feelings.
- Joseph
- Gen. 37:28
- Gen. 39:7-10
- Son of Korah
- Psalm 42:3
- Psalm 42:5
- Elijah
- 1 Kings 19:10
- 1 Kings 19:19
- Job
- Job 3:11, 26; 10:1
- Job 23:8-12
- Jeremiah
- Jer. 20:7
- Jer. 20:9
- Habakkuk
- Hab. 3:17
- Hab. 3:18-19
- John the Baptist
- Matt. 11:3
- Matt. 11:2
- Jesus
- Mark 14:33-34
- Mark 14:36
- Paul
- 2 Cor. 12:7-8
- 2 Cor. 12:9-10
- What do I feel?
- What do I know?
- What must I do?
Important Warnings
- Never argue with what another person feels.
- Never simply equate another’s hurts with your own.
- Don’t seek to explain that with which you cannot empathize.
- A complex issue is rarely fully addressed by a single approach.
- What must I do to see progress in my life?
- What type of help do I need?
- Who must walk beside me?
