Every few years, I preach a message in my church titled “Defeating Depression.” I did so once again this past Sunday night and had more responses than ever as people left thanking me, asking for transcripts of the message to hand out to others, telling me the message was for them. God brought that back to my mind this morning as I considered what to write the column on this week. Clearly, I cannot cover it all, but maybe the highlights at least will help, and at the end of the column, I will direct you to my YouTube page where you can watch the entire message if you like.
Depression is a very nonparticular monster. It is just as happy to devour pauper as prince, and saint as sinner. The great preacher Charles Haddon Spurgeon was afflicted with it. So was the mighty Abraham Lincoln, and even the greatest of clowns, Joseph Grimaldi. That last one is irony indeed. He made others laugh, while he himself was dying on the inside. But perhaps the most surprising of those afflicted with depression was the greatest of Old Testament prophets, Elijah. This man called fire down from heaven, audibly heard God’s voice, did miracles — and got so depressed that he asked God to please just let him die.
The good news, though, is that he beat it, and you can too. Here is a synopsis of what changed things for Elijah, and you can read the entire story in 1 Kings 19.
› Elijah got some rest. He had faced a taxing emotional battle and found himself suddenly running for his life. He was too tired not to be depressed. So twice, he slept. Exhaustion will depress anyone if it gets bad enough. But when we sleep and rest, our body produces scores of helpful chemicals that settle the mind and emotions and repair damage in our brains and bodies. No wonder, then, that God himself rested on the seventh day and commanded an entire day of rest per week, not because he needed it, but because he knew how badly we would need it.
› Elijah got some good nourishment. Twice, an angel of God fed him a nourishing, healthy meal. Our bodies take the food we put into them and, if possible, convert it to the chemicals and other substances that we need to survive and thrive. And yet, while our grandparents ate things like chicken and fish and beef and homemade bread and vegetables, all straight from the farm or garden, our generation generally eats things that we cannot even pronounce that come from factories rather than farms. Changing to a healthy, clean diet, majoring on fruits, vegetables and lean protein, changes a lot of things within us, things that need to be changed if depression is to be overcome.
› Elijah got some good exercise. God sent him on a 40-day walk! Can you imagine how good you would feel after a 40-day walk? This is a good prescription for losing weight, looking better and feeling better. But even more than that, when we energetically exercise, the body does as God designed it to do, meaning that it releases a powerful set of endorphins into our systems. These endorphins reduce pain, produce feelings of happiness and euphoria, help to regulate the appetite and settle the mind. I am convinced that exercise is the most effective and yet least utilized of all antidepressants. And while weightlifting is my exercise of choice, I can assure you that things like walking, hiking and running, especially because they also get you out into the sunshine, are amazingly effective as well.
› Elijah came to where God was. He ran to Horeb, a place where God had repeatedly met with his people through the years. Going up to the house of God and worshiping is one of the first things the devil will tell you to stop doing when you are depressed, when it is one of the main things that will actually help you through your depression.
› Elijah got his skewed view of reality corrected. He said, “I am the only one left serving you!” God replied, “You are off by 6,999; I have 7,000 in Israel that have not bowed to Baal.” This is why a pen and a piece of paper are great tools in battling depression. When people write down their problems on paper, and also write down all of their blessings, it can help them see things as they really are, which tends to greatly minimize the depression that comes from vague feelings of fear.
› Elijah went out to serve others. God sent him out of the cave on three missions. He gave Elijah a purpose. Serving others turns our focus outward toward healing rather than inward toward even deeper depression.
› Elijah turned toward companionship rather than away from it. He went and found Elisha and then spent the rest of his life pouring into him. He made a friend, made himself valuable to that friend, and we never saw him alone again after that point. When you get depressed, the devil and the depression tell you to withdraw and isolate yourself; don’t ever do that. Run toward your spouse, your children, your friends, your church family or even a therapist if needed. Spend more time with them than ever.
And confide in someone. Let someone, or plural someones, know what you are dealing with. Depression usually wears a mask that others cannot see through – others who would gladly pray for you, call to check on you and help you if they only knew. So let them know.
If you would like to watch the entire message, my YouTube channel is @pastorbowagner.
Bo Wagner is pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church of Mooresboro, North Carolina, a widely traveled evangelist and the author of several books available on Amazon and at wordofhismouth.com. Email him at 2knowhim@cbc-web.org.