June 14 2015 Freedom From Depression

FREEDOM FROM DEPRESSION

1 Kings 19:1-18 

Verse 4 – I have had enough, Lord.  Take my life.  I am no better than my ancestors.

A Prime Candidate For Depression Is: Physically tired & emotionally exhausted.

I. First, notice what causes or increases depression.

A) One – You focus on feelings instead of facts.

Verse 3-4 – Elijah was afraid and ran for his life.  He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said.

B) Secondly, you can increase depression by comparing yourselves with others.

Verse 4 – “I’m no better than my ancestors.”

2 Corinthians 10:12 – We do not dare to compare ourselves with some.

C) Thirdly, depression is increased when we take false blame.

Verse 10 – “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty.  The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword.”

You can sometimes influence people but you can’t control them.

D) A fourth mistake we make about depression is exaggerate the negative.

Verse 10 – “Everybody’s against me.”

II. Secondly, notice God’s cure for depression

A) First take care of physical needs.

Verses 5-6 – Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep, and then the angel said, “Get up and eat,” and he looked and saw bread and a jar of water.

B) Secondly give your frustrations to God.

Verses 9-10 – Israel rejected the covenant, broke down the altars, put the prophets to death, the only one left.

Many emotions:

Verse 3:  He was afraid.

Verse 4:  He talks about resentment.

Verse 10:  Worked hard for nothing. Thought they would kill him.

C) Thirdly get a fresh awareness of God.

Verse 11 – “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord for I am to pass by.”

HOW TO GET A FRESH AWARENESS

Get alone with God.

D) Fourthly get a new direction for life.

Verse 15 –“Go back the way you came and go to the Desert of Damascus.  When you get there here’s what I want you to do.”

Matthew 16:25 – Whoever loses his life will find it.

YOU CAN CHANGE!

October 7 2012 The Choice Of Comfort

THE CHOICE OF COMFORT
Matthew 5:4 - Happy are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

How To Experience God’s Comfort

1.  Realize God is with you.
Psalm 34:18 - The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 121:2-3 - Where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth, He will not let your foot slip, He who watches over you will not slumber.

Things I need to remember:

• God is aware.
Job 13:27 - You (God) keep a close watch on all my paths.

• God is sympathetic.
Nahum 1:7 - The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.

• God let’s you talk about your discomfort.
Heb. 4:16 - Let us approach (God) with confidence, so we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

2. Release the hurt.

How?

I must stop focusing on what has been lost,
And start focusing on what’s left.

Options for our hurts:
•  You can repress it
•  You can rehearse it.
•  You can refuse to resent it.

Isaiah 43:18 - Do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing (says the Lord).

Romans 12:19 - Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God, for He has said He will repay those who deserve it.

Psalm 10 - Victim’s Psalm

3. Rely on God’s resources for comfort.

Three Comforters:

• God’s Word.
Psalm 119:25, 52 - I am completely discouraged.  Revive me by your Word.  Your Word has been my comfort.
Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me.

• God’s people.
II Cor. 1:3-4 - The God of all comfort comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort others with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

• God’s Spirit is a comfort.
Romans 15:13 - May the God of hope fill you will all joy, that by the power of the Holy Spirit your whole life and outlook may be radiant with hope.

Revelation 21:4 - He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.