Depression is avoidable

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.