Christ in the Park handout, 4-15-18, “Depression Is
Avoidable”
Depression Is Avoidable
Proverbs
12:25, “Anxiety in the
heart of man causes depression,
but a good word makes it glad.”
When
we know that ANXIETY in our heart CAUSES DEPRESSION, we must do two things:
1. find out what is causing
us to be ANXIOUS
2. find out how to AVOID
BECOMING anxious
It
is as easy as that to AVOID DEPRESSION.
So,
what causes us to be anxious?
·
fear
·
worry
·
guilt
·
doubts
·
condemnation
·
anger/bitterness
·
hope
deferred
These are all emotions, feelings, pain, etc. that
are caused by our reactions to something or someone that has impacted our life
in what we perceive is a negative way.
But, do we ever consider that nothing comes our way without first
passing through the hands of God? He
permits what He could prevent (and sometimes He prevents what He could
permit). But, in all these events that
caused the effects, He allowed them to happen.
AND, God tells us that ALL things/events/people in our lives work
together for good (those of us who are called according to His purpose).
So, does God have anything to say about HOW we can
handle these events/people without them causing us the pain, the feelings, the
terrible consequences? Well, yes.
·
fear – “You (God) will keep
him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You. because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3
·
worry – “Be anxious (or, worry)
for nothing, but…let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God,
which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through
Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7-8
·
guilt – “If we confess our sins,
He (God) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
·
doubts – “And we know that all
things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the
called according to His purpose. Romans
8:28
“And God will supply all your need
according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask
of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given
to him. But let him ask in faith, with
no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by
the wind.” James 1:5-8
·
condemnation – “There is therefore now no
condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the
flesh, but according to the Spirit. Romans
8:1
·
anger/bitterness – “Pursue peace with all
people, and holiness, without no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest
anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up
cause trouble, and by this many become defiled.” Hebrews 12:14-15
·
hope deferred – “Hope deferred makes the
heart sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.” Proverbs 13:12
NOW…go back to our text verse, Proverbs 12:25,
above (under the title), and look at the last six words: “a good word makes it glad.”
WHAT IS A “GOOD WORD” MORE THAN THE WORD
OF GOD? And, all the verses (Word of
God) give us all we need to AVOID ANY DEPRESSION…EVER.
