Are you a Christian? Are you depressed? Do you think that Christians should get depressed?
Or, do you think we should be joyful all the time? Some Christians think we should run around with a big smile on our face no matter what. It is my opinion that Christians do get depressed at times because we are human, and that we can be overcomers of depression because we have the Lord. I know fellow believers who battle depression. In fact, I know quite of few of them. I also find myself depressed or feeling down at times, and I don’t like it. Lately, I’ve had many issues in my life and I sometimes find myself getting really gloomy, and feel like a big weight is on my shoulders. That reminds me of scripture:
Mat 11:28-30 KJV Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (29) Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (30) For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Jesus is calling me to give him my burdens and He will carry them for me. Isn’t that wonderful? He will do that for us.
Recently, I came across a series of sermons by Martyn Lloyd-Jones given back in the mid-fifties called, “Spiritual Depression.” I thought it might be helpful to listen to these 26 sermons and see what I can glean from them. Why don’t you join me?
I just listened to the first one, but the audio was not very good at all. It was difficult to hear so I used my ear buds and that helped some. Hopefully, the next one will be easier to listen to. I’m putting in a link so that you can go and listen yourself if you wish. Then, it would be awesome if you would come back and share your thoughts in the comment section of this post.
Here is the link: Explore Sermons by Dr. Lloyd Jones
There is also a book you can purchase with these sermons. Here is a link to that: Spiritual Depression: It’s Causes and It’s Cure
The first sermon, “General Consideration,” is actually an introduction to this series. It is based on Psalm 42:5.
Psalm 42:5 KJV Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.
The first thing that jumps out to me is that David sounds depressed. So, I see that men of God got depressed. We are not so different. In this Psalm David is having a conversation with his own soul. He is actually talking to himself, and asking his soul why it is so down. He asks why he is not at peace. Then he tells his soul to hope in God. Isn’t that where we need to put our hope? And he says he will praise God.
So, in a nutshell we can see that David became depressed in his lifetime. He had to have a talk with his soul, and get himself back on the right track. I have to do that myself at times. This is a good illustration of how David handled his depression.
In this first sermon Martyn Lloyd Jones talks about the general causes of Christians becoming depressed. They are temperament, (introvert or extrovert) physical conditions, and reactions. With the primary cause being unbelief.
My takeaway: The devil uses our “self” in order to depress us. We must take control.
Hope you enjoy this study along with me.
