Church of the Cross Lutheran

Coping with Depression

By Greg Swift, LMFT

Depression affects both people of faith and non-believers. Depression is feeling sad, losing interest in things, trouble sleeping, or a loss of energy, crying or feeling like crying, irritability, worthlessness, and/or feeling fatigue. As people of faith, we need to understand that depression is not always triggered by sin. It can be triggered by a loss of a job, loss of a loved one, major setbacks in one’s life, financial problems, divorce, serious injury or illness in the family, discrimination, housing problems, etc. If symptoms of depression last more than a few weeks, it could be a potential problem in one’s life.
Common Symptoms of Depression
Emotional: Mood is changed, feeling sad, blue, or hopelessness, or suicidal thoughts.
Physical:  Loss of appetite or appetite increases, sleep disturbance, or sleeping for long hours, feeling fatigue, frequent headaches, or stomach aches.
Behavior/Attitude: Diminished interest in, and enjoyment of, previously pleasurable activities, such as going out with friends, sports and/or hobbies.
Thinking: Negative thoughts about self or others, pessimistic thoughts, or difficulty with decision making, or expecting the worse.
Causes:

1. Issues of loss: of a loved one, friendship, a job, self-esteem
2. Stress of self: chemical or hormonal issue, pressure at work, etc.
3. Faulty thinking: Poor self-talk, or distorted thinking

Tell someone about your depression:

1. Your primary care doctor
2. Your local mental health clinic
3. A licensed therapist (talk therapy)
4. A family member, friend, or pastor

What can you do to help yourself?

1. Find healthy activities to do enjoy. Engage in social, community, and/or church activities.
2. Talk to someone about your feelings.
3. Engage in daily exercise: walking, stretching, or other physical activities.
4. Eat a healthy diet.
5. Break down large tasks into smaller ones.
6. Spend time with safe and supportive people.
7. Expect your mood to improve gradually.
8. Help someone else by volunteering.
9. Meet new people by taking a class or joining a club.
10. Confide in your pastor, counselor, or therapist.

For family members:

1. Be patient, understanding, and encouraging as your loved one will get better with treatment.
2. Offer emotional support, compassion and understanding.
3. Never criticize your family member’s feelings of depression.
4. For safety, never ignore their comments about suicide.
5. Bring them in for an evaluation or treatment if you have concerns about their safety.
6. Do not accuse the depressed person of faking illness or of laziness, or expect him or her to just snap out of it. Eventually, with treatment, most people get better.
7. Invite the depressed person for walks, outings, to the movies, or other activities.

When we are depressed, our emotions can get the best of us but if we stay in God’s scripture, we can stay strong because, “Your word, O Lord, is eternal and it stands firm in the heavens” (Psalm 119:89).
For spiritual encouragement and/or spiritual affirmation, the following Biblical verses can be used:

1. However dark the storm appears in your life God will never abandon you - Hebrews  13:5, “I will never leave you or forsake you” and II Corinthians 4:8-9, “We are pressed on every side,  but not crushed; We are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 
2. Cast your burden on the Lord, He shall sustain you - Matthew 11:28 and 30, “Come to me, all of you who are wary and burdened, and I will give you rest, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

1. Our God the great Provider - Philippians 4:19, “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
2. Overcoming fears  - II Timothy 1:7, “I have not given you a spirit of fear” and Isaiah 41:10, “Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God, I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” 
3. God offers us peace of mind - John 14:27, “Peace I give to you, not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you will have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” 
4. With God’s help, we can keep our mind on positive thoughts - Philippians 4:8, “Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.” 
5. God as the great healer - Psalm 147:3, “He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds.”
6. Prayer for strength during difficult times - Isaiah 40:31, “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
7. The Lord will deliver from our emotional pain - Psalm 34:17-19, “the righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
8. You are promised a great future - Jeremiah 29:11, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, “’Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, and plans to give you hope and a future.’”

Books that speak to depression:

1. Changes That Heal by Dr. Henry Cloud
2. Unmasking Male Depression by Dr. Archibald Hart
3. A  Woman’s Guide to Overcoming Depression by Dr. Catherine Hart
4. Healing Is A Choice, Ten Decisions That Will Transform Your Life by Stephen Arterburn