Did People In The Bible Have Depression? Part One

Does The Bible Address People Who Had Depression

 

The Term Depression that Society uses today is not a term used in the Bible. 

Definition of depression:  (1) feelings of severe despondency and dejection. So do we have any example of people in the Bible that had this problem.  Yes, and we are going to look at some examples of those who had depression, but the terms are different.

 

 

We are going to look at several men came under this problem, and we are going to see why and what was the result of their problem. 

Cain may be the first clear example of depression in the Bible. Although Adam and Eve may well have been depressed after they sinned and then after they were driven from the Garden of Eden, the text does not explicitly address it. But it is clear that Cain was depressed, for God spoke to him about it:

NKJ Genesis 4:2b-7 "Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. 3 And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the LORD. 4 Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected Abel and his offering, 5 but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. 6 So the LORD said to Cain, 'Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.'"

The Net Bible notes are correct in describing the meaning of the phrase that describes Cain's "countenance" (literally face) as having "fallen":

Heb "And his face fell." The idiom means that the inner anger is reflected in Cain's facial expression. The fallen or downcast face expresses anger, dejection, or depression. Conversely, in Numbers 6 the high priestly blessing speaks of the LORD lifting up his face and giving peace. (BibleWorks)

So the text indicates clearly that Cain was depressed and that his depression was connected to his anger, anger which the context leads us to believe was toward both God and Abel. He was clearly angry because God had not accepted his offering, which means that he was angry at God. But he was also clearly angry at Abel for having been accepted by God when he had not been, which is obvious from the fact that he murdered Abel (vss. 8-9).

So what can we learn from this example? I would suggest at least three lessons:

1) Depression can result from an unrepentant heart, such as when Cain refused to heed God's counsel and repent of his sinful heart. Cain wanted God to accept him, but only on his own terms. His prideful heart would not allow him to humble himself before the Lord. Instead of confessing his sin and seeking God's grace and forgiveness, he let his anger rule him until it led to murder.

2) Depression can result from unresolved anger. Cain became depressed because he was angry and refused to deal with his anger in the right way.

3) Depression can result from feelings of inadequacy and perhaps jealousy of someone else. In this case Cain felt he couldn't please God and was jealous of Abel's relationship with Him. But he could not see that the problem was not really his inadequacy; it was really his refusal to come to God on God's terms.

The cure for the depression Cain experienced is obvious from the causes, isn't it? All Cain had to do was confess his sin and ask for God's grace. But he refused to do so.

We can also learn from Cain's example that sometimes depression is a signal of pride and unresolved sin in a person's life. Sadly, most people today resent even the suggestion of this possibility when they seek help with depression. Yet, isn't this the very issue God Himself raised with Cain in response to his depression? Indeed it is, and it is the very issue many who struggle with depression need to confront in themselves as well. In fact, although I risk sounding insensitive to many, and even cruel to some, when I say this, nevertheless I must say that in my experience some of the most depressed people I have known are also some of the most prideful or angry people I have known. I include my own past struggles with depression in this assessment.

Now, I would of course never say that this is the only – or even the primary – reason for depression for many who struggle with it, but I do believe it is a far more common source of depression than many want to admit. And the reason they don't want to admit it is the very same reason that Cain didn't want to admit it, because they would rather blame God or some other person for their dilemma than take responsibility for themselves. This tendency toward refusal to take personal responsibility for one's actions or the state of one's own heart is a growing problem in our culture, and it has made significant inroads into the churches as well.

In addition, even where unresolved sin such as pride and anger are not readily identifiable as the source of one's struggle with depression, these sins are often present as a response to depression. I have dealt with many a person who responded to their struggle with depression by becoming angry at God, for example, and who have pridefully refused to let go of their anger, and it has only made their battle with depression even more difficult.

Therefore it is all the more important that we do not shirk from raising the issue of sin when dealing with depressed people. Although we may not know their hearts the way God knew Cain's heart, we do know that they were born sinners just as Cain was, and thus we also know that sin will likely be a crucial factor in their struggle with depression, whether as its source or as a complicating factor.
I WANT TO THANK THOSE WHO HELP WITH THIS MATERIAL.

The Worldview of How To Deal With Depression

http://www.everydayhealth.com/depression/tap-into-your-bodys-depression-fighters.aspx

Whether you have a case of the blues or you’ve been diagnosed with depression, your body may hold the keys to fighting depression. And once you know how to tap into them, you may be able to boost your happiness.
Neurotransmitters including endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine are the brain’s messengers that regulate mood, concentration, motivation, and other emotions. Antidepressant medications work by increasing the flow of these neurotransmitters to areas of the brain that cause depression.
By understanding how these chemicals work, you can use your body to fight depression. No pills required.

Endorphins

Know that euophoric feeling after an intense workout? Or the contentment you feel after sex? You can thank endorphins for those happy feelings. These neurotransmitters are released when you’re under physical or emotional stress.
How to boost endorphins:

• Exercise. To get that runner’s “high,” you don’t necessarily have to run. Research shows that a regular aerobic program may be just as helpful in treating depression as some medication.
• Laugh. A recent study done at Oxford University found that having a good old-fashioned laugh with friends releases endorphins, which then improve mood and social bonding.
• Indulge in chocolate. You know it, and science has backed it up: Chocolate makes you feel good. Researchers have found that a bit of the cocoa treat can trigger the release of endorphins and improve your mood.

Serotonin

The neurotransmitter serotonin works to regulate sleep, reduce pain, and improve your mood. When you’re low on serotonin, you may be at a higher risk for depression and suicide.
How to boost serotonin:

• Think happy. Research shows that swapping negative thoughts out for happier ones can increase serotonin levels.
• Head outdoors. Natural sunlight can help your body produce more serotonin, so take your workout outdoors during the day. Or, at the very least, take a daily stroll either in the morning or early afternoon.
• Eat smart. Your body converts the amino acid tryptophan into serotonin. So load up on tryptophan-rich foods like brown rice, cottage cheese, turkey, sesame seeds, and peanuts.

Dopamine

This neurotransmitter associated with motivation and the reward and pleasure center in your brain is helpful in fighting depression symptoms like anxiety, loss of interest, and withdrawal.
How to boost dopamine:

• Play your favorite music. Ever wonder why a favorite song can give you a rush of pleasurable feelings? Researchers at McGill University report that listening to music you like can lead to a release of dopamine.
• Eat your favorite food. Can’t live without pizza? Your go-to foods can also boost levels of dopamine. (Just remember to enjoy in moderation.)
• Go for a healthy lifestyle. Alcohol, poor sleep habits, caffeine, too much sugar, and stress can all deplete your body’s dopamine supplies. Help protect the neurotransmitter by eating fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants.

The neurotransmitters acetylcholine and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) may also play a role in depression. GABA is an amino acid that may ease feelings of anxiety, and acetylcholine could improve both your memory and your concentration. GABA is found in fish, especially mackerel, and wheat bran. You can get acetylcholine from eating egg yolks, whole wheat, and soy.
Boosting your endorphins and other neurotransmitters may help you prevent depression and improve your mood, but don't ignore symptoms of depression like sadness, anxiety, and a lack of energy that keeps you from functioning normally. If symptoms of depression last more than a few weeks, talk with your doctor.

Severity and minor depression

 Let me make an opening statement.  First what you are about to read is taken from several website which I have provided the site.  I like to see what the world view of depression is and what they say is the problem and sure.  So this is what I have done in this post.

Severity and minor depression

 
The severity issue deserves further consideration. It is elevated to an important consideration in ICD-10. As an episode qualifier it is useful, since severity does carry implications for treatment, and severe depressions also tend to have worse outcome than do mild. It is not well recognized that, in practice, ICD-10 mild depressive episode is by no means minor, at least in the Research Criteria. The definitions for individual symptoms and the absence of some symptoms from the list means that subjects who fit these criteria usually have sufficient depression also to qualify as DSM-IV major depressives.

This raises another issue, the lower boundary to distinguish pathological depression from normal mood change. Although defined by the number of symptoms present, it is not in fact well-defined, since the thresholds for individual symptoms are not clear or easy to be sure about: when does lowering of mood, even if present every day, cross the threshold in severity to count as being present? The issue is not crucial in the clinic, but it has become important as psychiatric research has extended to the community, and to community epidemiology. Comparatively high rates of depression arc found in community prevalence studies.33 It is not clear whether all these depressions share fully the qualities of depression presenting for medical or psychiatric treatment. Similar issues arise in the use of “symptomatic volunteers” for research.

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, DSM IVPsychiatric Diagnoses are categorized by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th. Edition.  Better known as the DSM-IV, the manual is published by the American Psychiatric Association and covers all mental health disorders for both children and adults. It also lists known causes of these disorders, statistics in terms of gender, age at onset, and prognosis as well as some research concerning the optimal treatment approaches.

 http://allpsych.com/disorders/dsm.html

The DSM uses a multiaxial or multidimensional approach to diagnosing because rarely do other factors in a person's life not impact their mental health.  It assesses five dimensions as described below: 

DSM-IV Codes are the classification found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition, Text Revision, also known as DSM-IV-TR, a manual published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) that includes all currently recognized mental health disorders. The DSM-IV codes are thus used by mental health professionals to describe the features of a given mental disorder and indicate how the disorder can be distinguished from other, similar problems.[1]  

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DSM-IV_codes     it is recommended that users of these manuals consult the appropriate reference when accessing diagnostic codes

Axis I: Clinical Syndromes
    This is what we typically think of as the diagnosis (e.g., depression, schizophrenia, social phobia)
Axis II: Developmental Disorders and Personality Disorders
    Developmental disorders include autism and mental retardation, disorders which are typically first evident in childhood
    Personality disorders are clinical syndromes which have a more long lasting symptoms and encompass the individual's way of interacting with the world.  They include Paranoid, Antisocial, and Borderline Personality Disorders.
Axis III: Physical Conditions which play a role in the development, continuance, or exacerbation of Axis I and II Disorders
    Physical conditions such as brain injury or HIV/AIDS that can result in symptoms of mental illness are included here.
Axis IV: Severity of Psychosocial Stressors
    Events in a persons life, such as death of a loved one, starting a new job, college, unemployment, and even marriage can impact the disorders listed in Axis I and II.  These events are both listed and rated for this axis.
Axis V: Highest Level of Functioning

    On the final axis, the clinician rates the person's level of functioning both at the present time and the highest level within the previous year.  This helps the clinician understand how the above four axes are affecting the person and what type of changes could be expected.

Mood disorders
293.83 Mood Disorder Due to...[Indicate the General Medical Condition]
96.90 Mood Disorder NOS
Depressive disorders
    300.4 Dysthymic disorder
    Major depressive disorder
Bipolar disorders
Anxiety disorders
        Panic disorder
            300.23 Social phobia
    300.3 Obsessive-compulsive disorder
    309.81 Posttraumatic stress disorder
    308.3 Acute stress disorder
        293.84 Anxiety disorder due to a general medical condition
        293.89 Anxiety disorder due to... [indicate the general medical condition]
        300.00 Anxiety disorder NOS
Sexual and gender identity disorders
Gender identity disorders
Eating disorders
    307.1 Anorexia nervosa
    307.51 Bulimia nervosa
Sleep disorders
Impulse-Control Disorders Not Elsewhere Classified
Adjustment disorders
        309.9 Unspecified
        309.24 With anxiety
        309.0 With depressed mood
        309.3 With disturbance of conduct
        309.28 With mixed anxiety and depressed mood
        309.4 With mixed disturbance of emotions and conduct

Personality disorders (Axis II)
Cluster A (odd or eccentric)
    301.0 Paranoid personality disorder
    301.20 Schizoid personality disorder
    301.22 Schizotypal personality disorder
Cluster B (dramatic, emotional, or erratic)
    301.7 Antisocial personality disorder
    301.83 Borderline personality disorder
    301.50 Histrionic personality disorder
    301.81 Narcissistic personality disorder
Cluster C (anxious or fearful)
    301.82 Avoidant personality disorder
    301.6 Dependent personality disorder
    301.4 Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder
NOS
   301.9 Personality disorder

The severity issue deserves further consideration. It is elevated to an important consideration in ICD-10. As an episode qualifier it is useful, since severity does carry implications for treatment, and severe depressions also tend to have worse outcome than do mild. It is not well recognized that, in practice, ICD-10 mild depressive episode is by no means minor, at least in the Research Criteria. The definitions for individual symptoms and the absence of some symptoms from the list means that subjects who fit these criteria usually have sufficient depression also to qualify as DSM-IV major depressives.
This raises another issue, the lower boundary to distinguish pathological depression from normal mood change. Although defined by the number of symptoms present, it is not in fact well-defined, since the thresholds for individual symptoms are not clear or easy to be sure about: when does lowering of mood, even if present every day, cross the threshold in severity to count as being present? The issue is not crucial in the clinic, but it has become important as psychiatric research has extended to the community, and to community epidemiology. Comparatively high rates of depression arc found in community prevalence studies.33 It is not clear whether all these depressions share fully the qualities of depression presenting for medical or psychiatric treatment. Similar issues arise in the use of “symptomatic volunteers” for research.

Mental Illness, and Depression Study

The core symptoms 
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3181879/
The core symptoms of depression, of which at least one is required in DSM-IV, are depressed mood, and loss of interest or pleasure. The further eligible symptom in ICD-10 is decreased energy or fatigability, but, since two core symptoms must be present, in effect depressed mood or loss of interest/pleasure are required in this schema also. The reason for the addition of decreased energy to the core is not clear.

Generally few want to look at their mental illness from a biblical point of view.  They want a secular diagnosis of their problem or mental illness.  Most do not see their problems, illness, depression from a biblical point of view. 

While I have studied Biblical Counseling that covers this issue, from Liberty University of Life Long Learning and Faith Baptist College, with Jay Adams, and Master's College on Counseling, and a few other places.  I have studied and still study this issue at hand. 

I was looking at this website for some information from the world view of depression.

NOW HOW DO THE DOCTORS COME TO UNDERSTAND YOUR ILLNESS OR DEPRESSION:?

Psychiatric resident conceptualizations of mood and affect within the mental status examination.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12900321/

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

1. To explore the ways in which psychiatry residents conceptualize the terms "mood" and "affect," a 14-item questionnaire was sent to residency programs in New York.

METHOD:

1. The questions consisted of possible definitions of mood and affect; all questions required a "true" or "false" response. Residents (N=99) were asked how they viewed mood and affect from a temporal perspective (i.e., sustained versus momentary) and in terms of an objective-subjective (or external-internal) dichotomy.

RESULTS:

1. There were inconsistencies in the temporal view of mood (said to be sustained by 60.6% and momentary by 50.5%) and affect ("pervasive" by 26.3% and "momentary" by 66.3%). Residents overwhelmingly defined mood as being subjective and internal and affect as being objective and external.

CONCLUSIONS:

If mood and affect are to be viewed from both perspectives, psychiatrists must infer the enduring internal emotional tone (mood) of a patient over an entire interview.

. Residents overwhelmingly defined mood as being subjective and internal and affect as being objective and external.

CAN CHRISTIANS BE BIPOLAR?

FOOTNOTE:

First I am not a writer, as you can tell, and I just put down thoughts that most of the time seem ramdom in nature. Sorry about that.

• It seems believers are being identified more by psychiatric labels than by their fruit. Labels like ADHD, bipolar, panic attacks, OCD and integration sensory disorder are becoming more normal than the list from Galatians 5:22-23 to describe the Church.
• Since more believers are being diagnosed with these and other kinds of psychiatric labels pastors, elders and lay counselors are finding it difficult to offer counsel that seems relevant. Sufferers bear the emotional, physical, mental, and relational burden of the diagnosis, while pastors are hard pressed to understand and accept the premise of the diagnosis. The believer who is looking for comfort and guidance from their leaders typically struggle with the counsel they receive because a gap of misunderstanding separates them.

BIPOLOAR DISORDER OR MANIC DEPRESSION

• Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, manic depressive disorder or bipolar affective disorder, is a psychiatric diagnosis that describes a category of mood disorders defined by the presence of one or more episodes of abnormally elevated mood clinically referred to as mania or, if milder, hypomania. Individuals who experience manic episodes also commonly experience depressive episodes or symptoms, or mixed episodes in which features of both mania and depression are present at the same time. These episodes are usually separated by periods of "normal" mood, but in some individuals, depression and mania may rapidly alternate, known as rapid cycling. Extreme manic episodes can sometimes lead to psychotic symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations. The disorder has been subdivided into bipolar I, bipolar II, cyclothymia, and other types, based on the nature and severity of mood episodes experienced; the range is often described as the bipolar spectrum.
  
  You click on the blue for the definitions of these terms.
  
  Here is my point, it is not that Christians don't get themselves in these conditions. They do. But should they have gotten themselves in theses conditions?
  
  DIAGNOSIS
  
  
• Diagnosis is based on the self-reported experiences of an individual as well as abnormalities in behavior reported by family members, friends or co-workers, followed by secondary signs observed by a psychiatrist, nurse, social worker, clinical psychologist or other clinician in a clinical assessment. There are lists of criteria for someone to be so diagnosed. These depend on both the presence and duration of certain signs and symptoms. Assessment is usually done on an outpatient basis; admission to an inpatient facility is considered if there is a risk to oneself or others. The most widely used criteria for diagnosing bipolar disorder are from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the current version being DSM-IV-TR, and the World Health Organization's International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, currently the ICD-10. The latter criteria are typically used in Europe and other regions while the DSM criteria are used in the USA and other regions, as well as prevailing in research studies.

So there you have it. Can we say that those who have bioplar disorder have a form of mental illness? What is mental illness? Good question.

What percentage of Christian pastors suffer from some type of mental illness?

• I am sure many pastors of all churches suffer from some kind of mental illness? I have worked I am sure with a few of them.

So who makes the disagnoses of our conditions?

• We go to the doctor, what kind of disagnoses is he going to give us? We go to a friend what kind of dosagnoes will they give? We go to a professional counseler what is their disagnoses? What if we were to go to a pastor/teacher, what would be the disagoses? What if we went to all these people? How many different disagnoses would we have and how to solve them?
  
  How would a medical doctor view a conditon verses a pastor/teacher?

Should Christians Stay In A State of Depression

WHAT IS DEPRESSION

Feeling down from time to time is a normal part of life. But when emptiness and despair take hold and won't go away, it may be depression. More than just the temporary "blues," the lows of depression make it tough to function and enjoy life like you once did. Hobbies and friends don’t interest you like they used to; you’re exhausted all the time; and just getting through the day can be overwhelming. When you’re depressed, things may feel hopeless, but with help and support you can get better. But first, you need to understand depression. Learning about depression — including its signs, symptoms, causes, and treatment — is the first step to overcoming the problem.

So tell me, who does not have these symptoms at times. Are we already into "depression" or are we going into depression? I can say, "I Am Depressed." So does that makes it okay to accept it?


Common signs and symptoms of depression

* Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. A bleak outlook—nothing will ever get better and there’s nothing you can do to improve your situation.
* Loss of interest in daily activities. No interest in or ability to enjoy former hobbies, pastimes, social activities, or sex.
* Appetite or weight changes. Significant weight loss or weight gain—a change of more than 5% of body weight in a month.
* Sleep changes. Either insomnia, especially waking in the early hours of the morning, or oversleeping (also known as hypersomnia).
* Psychomotor agitation or retardation. Either feeling “keyed up” and restless or sluggish and physically slowed down.
* Loss of energy. Feeling fatigued and physically drained. Even small tasks are exhausting or take longer.
* Self-loathing. Strong feelings of worthlessness or guilt. Harsh criticism of perceived faults and mistakes.
* Concentration problems. Trouble focusing, making decisions, or remembering things.



So look that this list..... To have the attitudes of some of these is sinful, wrongful thinking. And you are saying, "I can't help it?" I might feel restless or sluggish or feel fatigue and physically drained or not able to focus or not feeling strong and this attitude might get me to feel hopeless.

I don't say, "I am depressed!" I don't say I am worthless. Well I might. But I don't believe it. I don't take my thoughts and make them law of my life. Am I as a Christian believer worthless? No. Might I feel worthless in the sight of God? Yes. AM I? No.

I am not going to act upon feelings to the point of believing I am worthless. Which if I do, can lead me to false reading of my self.

Had I read into some of the events that have taken place in my ministry and life, I would be really depressed, heart broken, sad, sluggish, and worthless. And I would have just quit and got into the term used by the medical field, as manic depressive. What is that anyway? If that had happen I would not be the Pastor/Teacher of Rivers of Joy Baptist Church.

Well, you say, I don't know how all this has happen? I now find myself with all these symptoms. This could be true I am sure. So that is why it is important to keep a daily tap on your life.

Remember you are more than the sum total of all your negative experiences.

SHOULD CHRISTIAS BELIEVERS GET CLINICAL DEPRESSION

SHOULD CHRISTIAN BELIEVERS GET CLINICAL DEPRESSION

Christians Struggle With Life.

How Should Christians Deal with Life’s Events?

How to respond to emotions of Fear, Worry and Anxiety

Sunday Evening I spoke from Philippians 1 again (as a matter of fact I have taught in this book now since I have pastored Rivers of Joy Baptist Church.) THE INTEGRITY OF WEARING THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST PERSONALLY An exhortation to steadfastness, unity, fearlessness.

• 27 Only let your conversation be as it becomes the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; 28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. 29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; 30 Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me. Phil 1:27-30.

Now that does not sound like we as Christians should get into the condition that is called clinical depression. IF YOU GO TWO WEEKS WITHOUT PRAYER, BIBLE STUDY, AND BIBLICAL TEACHING, WISDOM, AND WORSHIP, AND YOU ARE HIT BY DAILY EVENTS IN OUR LIVES, YOU COULD GET YOURSELVE TO THE POINT OF BEING OVER COME WITH FEAR, WORRY AND ANXIETY.

We hear the term so much "depression" most of us will use the term to describe us when we have the “symptoms” quote of depression. According to the DSM-IV, major depressive disorder (or "depression") is diagnosed when five or more of the following symptoms of depression are present for most of the day, nearly every day for at least 2 weeks. At least one of the symptoms must be either persistent sad or "empty" feelings or loss of interest in activities.

• Constant sadness
• Irritability
• Hopelessness
• Trouble sleeping
• Low energy or fatigue
• Feeling worthless or guilty for no reason
• Significant weight change
• Difficulty concentrating
• Loss of interest in favorite activities

As I am doing research on this subject, I note there are a number of definitions of terms we use to describe ourselves.

Sadness, empty feelings, loss of interest, feelings of lack of fulfillment, downturn in mood or frame of mind, a feeling or display of gloom or anger or irritability over something perhaps trivial.

So would you say any of the above or below symptoms are to characterize a Christian?

And I WOULD say all people could describe themselves in these terms at times

Our “emotional state of mind,” our “mood today is”, our “feeling today could be described as”,
So I am taking a look at terms that are used in our description of ourselves. The process of giving an account or explanation of events in our lives.

Depression (mood), a common term for a sad or low mood or emotional state, or the loss of pleasure.

An emotion is a "complex reaction pattern, involving experiential, behavioral, and physiological elements, by which the individual attempts to deal with a personally significant matter or event." It arises without conscious effort and is either positive or negative in its valence.

Other closely related terms are:

• affect, a synonym for emotion
• affect display, external display of emotion
• disposition, referring to a durable differentiating characteristic of a person, a tendency to react to situations with a certain emotion
• feeling, which usually refers to the subjective, phenomenological aspect of emotion
• mood, which refers to an emotional state of duration intermediate between an emotion and a disposition
• http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/emotional+state

Of course we all know people who have such emotions, moods, sorrow, fear, worry and anxiety.

I OFTEN GIVE AN ACCOUNT OF MY PAST EXPERIENCES. Charity and I often hear accounts of people’s experiences in life. This process of giving an account of our experiences sometimes are pleasant, sometimes they are heart wrenching, your emotions are forcibly moved to one level to another level of feelings, some good and some bad.

So to get an idea of what we are dealing in terms we use, I am trying to understand what is meant by the terms we use.

“Emotion is generally regarded by Western civilization as the antithesis of reason. This distinction stems from Western philosophy specifically Cartesian dualism and modern interpretations of Stoicism, and is reflected in common phrases like appeal to emotion or your emotions have taken over.”

“Depression is a serious biologic disease that affects millions of people each year. The encouraging news is that it may be successfully treated. Learn how you can manage your depression by reaching out to others such as a health care professional or family and friends.”

Psychology and mood:

• Depression (mood), a common term for a sad or low mood or emotional state, or the loss of pleasure.
• Clinical depression, or major depressive disorder, a clinical term for a state of intense sadness, melancholia or despair that has advanced to the point of being disruptive to an individual's social functioning and/or activities of daily living. Subtypes of clinical depression:
• Melancholic depression, characterized by the inability to find pleasure in positive things combined with physical agitation, insomnia, or decreased appetite.
• Atypical depression, a common long term cyclical form of depression in which the individual can feel enjoyment, eat, and sleep, but there is significant lethargy, a 'leaden' feeling, and a strong response to rejection-related issues.
• Psychotic depression, in which clinical depression co-exists with psychotic or delusional perceptions.
• Postpartum depression, depression following childbirth, sometimes known as 'postpartum blues'.

Now do Christians get into these kinds of “depressions”? And if so how do they deal with them.

I often hear that Charles Spurgeon had “depression”? And I ask myself how is that possible?
So I found this article about Charles Spurgeon:

• “Few men in God’s army have been as faithful and productive as Charles Spurgeon. His work output, as it is recounted, seems almost superhuman: The church had many institutions which needed constant input from Spurgeon, such as the Pastor’s College, the Almshouses, the Orphanage, the Colportage Association and many evangelistic and compassionate societies, the latter usually being chaired by the elders. There were 66 of these by the time Spurgeon had been pastor for 25 years. The Pastor’s College generated a great deal of work, not only in the regular interviewing, lecturing and oversight, but also in the endeavors and cares of the churches founded by former students . . . Spurgeon’s literary work was immense. He compiled more than 140 books, maintained the monthly The Sword and the Trowel magazine (from 1865), and edited the weekly sermon (The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit) . . . [and] he responded to an average of 500 letters each week (p. 11). What is even more amazing is that he accomplished all this while having regular bouts with serious illness throughout the last 24 years of his life. These letters, many of which were written from France while on leaves of absence due to illness, are addressed to his congregation. Many of them speak of his pain and his trials, many of them speak of his great passion for the salvation of the lost, but all of them reflect the love and concern of a true pastor. The letters are divided into three time periods, Part 1: 1876-83; Part 2: 1884-90; Part 3: 1891-92. At the end of the book appear several short articles and sermons written by Spurgeon. This attractive volume includes pictures, illustrations, annotations regarding the circumstances referred to in the letters, and pictures of some of the original letters.”

Then I have read D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Spiritual Depression (the book is not about depression) which is used to say that Christians can have depression.

• “Very well, that is what I regard as perhaps the most important rule of all, that we must not concentrate overmuch upon our feelings. Do not spend too much time feeling your own pulse taking your own spiritual temperature, do not spend too much time analyzing your feelings. That is the high road to morbidity (p. 115);”
• “If you want to be truly happy and blessed, if you would like to know true joy as a Christian, here is the prescription: ‘Blessed (truly happy) are they who do hunger and thirst after righteousness’ not after happiness.”
  This book is not so much about depression (a word that has taken on official, clinical connotations), as it is about a lack of joy in the Christian life.
• 
  End of this post, maybe. Thanks dear, deer, doe, Charity. Your buck Charles.

HAPPINESS IN THE SECULAR SENSE IS NOT VERY LONG

In reading the book "Happiness Is A Choice" Barry Kaufman

7 steps to overcome depression.

(Its a start)

(I received this from a friend earlier today)

1. Commit your life daily to the purpose of glorifying Jesus Christ.
2. Spend some time each day meditating on God's Word and applying it to your life.
3. Get rid of grudges daily.
4. Spend a little time nearly every day getting more intimate with your mate and children. Parents, brothers, sisters, and other close relatives should also have a high priority. Do all you can to resolve family conflicts.
5. Spend some time each week having fellowship and fun with at least one or two committed Christian friends of the same sex. If you are married, have fun with other married couples. In this way husband and wife can together benefit from intimacy with others.
6. Be involved in a daily routine (including work, play, housework, projects) that brings personal satisfaction to you. Be convinced that this routine is God's will and purpose for your life-your way of glorifying Him.
7. Do something nice for on special person each week. This kind deed can be physical(helping with a chore, for example), emotional (buying a book or giving counsel) or spiritual( having devotions together.

For anyone who personally knows Jesus Christ as his Savior, and lives by these biblical principles happiness is a choice.

Then I read on a blogger this from a mom.

1. I don’t like the intimations of happiness being a choice. Call me jaded if you want but I just don’t like the idea of someone telling a depressed mom that she made the “choice” to be depressed. Yeah, right. I CHOSE to have horrific thoughts about harming my children. I CHOSE to slide so far down my pole that I landed in a psych ward. Yeap, that’s me. Choosing to be horrifically clinically depressed with OCD thrown in just for kicks. Why? Cuz I like it there. I like it in the dark, all alone, milling over thoughts of how to hurt my kids, thinking that everyone is out to get me.
   C’MON.

And that does make sense doesn't it. Many do find themselves in a state of unhappiness, and before they know it, they have many of the symptoms of "DEPPRESSION." I fully undertstand that, don't you.

There are few who want to get into a state where they are "crushed under the load that sometimes life in general throws at them.

I don't know anyone who doesn't have situtations in their lives that if allowed would totally crush them into a state of worry, fear, and anxiety. While it is true we do personally get our selves in to situtations that will result in a lot of unhappen results. But most of the stuff in our lives come via someone other means.

While we create a lot of things in our lives that will cause of grief, worry, anxiety, there are a lot of events in our lives that are not of our causing and will result in the same problems.

Life isn’t about what it hands you. It’s about how you handle life. Looking at life through that lens would make it seem that happiness is a choice and to a certain extent it is a choice.

But sometimes life throws a curveball you just can’t avoid. So what are you to do? You have two choices. You can either let it knock you flat on your butt and stay there for awhile…..Or you can pick yourself up, dust off the dirt and mend the wounds, and go on your way.

But the longer you stay on your butt, the harder you are going to find the strength to get up.

So the scripture tells us to "examine ourselves daily to see where we are in living life." (2 Cor 7:1) We are to be like David in Psa. 51 we are to ask the Lord to "cleanse our heart daily." Psa 51:10. Psa 51:12 "Restore to me the joy of your salvation.""And sustain me with a willing spirit."

I am happy once are twice a day. If Tiger Woods win I am happy. I am happy if I get to talk to my children. I am unhappy if I hear what my children are telling me about there life. I am happy if Charity is happy. If I have $100 in the checking account I am happy.

I really don't focus so much on happiness. But there are ways to stay happy longer.

I read this earlier today:

• Every day, it seems, we're flooded with pop-psych advice about happiness. The relentless message is that there's something we're supposed to do to be happy -- make the right choices, or have the right set of beliefs about ourselves. Our Founding Fathers even wrote the pursuit of happiness into the Declaration of Independence.
• Coupled with this is the notion that happiness is a permanent condition. If we're not joyful all the time, we conclude there's a problem.Yet what most people experience is not a permanent state of happiness. It is something more ordinary, a mixture of what essayist Hugh Prather once called "unsolved problems, ambiguous victories and vague defeats -- with few moments of clear peace." J. Scott McKay

So I have learned happeness is a state of mind, and I am going to be happen sometimes, I am not going to to happen very long at a time. Happy could be described as the following ways

1. feeling or showing pleasure, contentment, or joy
2. causing or characterized by pleasure, contentment, or joy
3. feeling satisfied that something is right or has been done right
4. resulting unexpectedly in something pleasant or welcome
5. slightly drunk
6. used in formulae to express a hope that somebody will enjoy a special day or holiday
7. inclined to use a particular thing too readily or be too enthusiastic about a particular thing

Some one will say, "How are you doing?" I will say, "good." They might say, "Just good, not great." What do they mean by that? You can't force a person to be good, or great, or to be in high spirits.

If I am drunk, I could be really great in my mind, high in spirit. But it doesn't mean I am happy. (Of course I have never had a drink of Cool Light either.) No wonder I am never very happy.

So where we are, not happy about this post. Or can we be pleased with what we have said, because someone might be happy to read it?

The Power of God's Strength and Comfort

Well we are not a monkey, but we do get angry sometimes.

When we do get angry, when we do get over loaded in our emotions, when we are pulled down in our spirit by our physical weakedness, when we get upset by our actions, when we have family problems

Then we can remember

There is no boundary away from the power of God's strength and comfort

• 
  
  A workman was employed on a building project. One of those high-rise deals. It was necessary because of some deadlines and bad weather for them to work at night. While busy on the edge of the wall, he slipped, lost his balance, fell over the edge, grabbed the edge of the wall with both hands and hung on desperately. He began to scream and cry and call for someone to rescue him. It was pitch black, riveting machines were going, metal hammers were beating and pounding, mechanical motors were running and nobody could hear a word. Gradually his arms grew numb as he hung suspended over the street below and his fingers began to slip and against every effort of his own will to hold on, at last he lost his hold and he fell...about three inches to a scaffold that had been there all the time. The darkness prevented him from seeing it. And all through his anxiety he was completely safe.

IS 'DEPRESSION" A BIBLICAL RESPONSE?

I must say, if you allow events in your life get to you, you could be in trouble with your emotions. You could get into the secular mode that is called depression. But since I don't believe in depression for more than ten minutes as a biblical response to events in our lives, I try to respond in a manner that will allow me to react better than what my emotions are telling me.

MY PERSONAL TRAINING IN COUSELING:

Since I have my counseling training in several schools of thinking. One in the Liberity University of Life Long where I worked on my master's in counseling. Second, Institute For Nouthetic Studies training for a number of years, while in Kansas as Pastor/Teacher for 17 years. Thirdly, the Master's College where the training emphasizes the proper interpretation and specific application of Scripture in ministering to people. And, a number of other, Charity loves Dr. Bill and Anabel Gillham counseling. And I have a number of other resources on the subject of counseling both in the secular and in the Christian community.

"It is true that NANC (which stands for the National Association of Nouthetic Counselors) once had their office at Faith Baptist Church, Ind, , it is also true that Bill Goode (former Senior Pastor at Faith Baptist Church – now with the Lord) served as a president of NANC. However, FBCM and NANC have always been separate organizations. Technically speaking, NANC is a certifying organization that does counseling training where FBCM is a counseling and counseling training center which is part of the overall ministry of Faith Baptist Church. "I have taken these courses a number of years as well while in Kansas.

MY TOPIC HERE IN THIS POST IS DEPRESSION:

• Depression is the buzzword for our time and culture. Every other commercial seems to be an advertisement either from a mental health institution or a drug company offering a sure cure for people who find themselves depressed. If you have ever been depressed, you know that it is a terrible state in which to exist. It is as if you are carrying around a 300-pound pack on your back, being forced to walk uphill, while having a terrible case of the flu. So those who are depressed will pursue any possibility for a cure. But before a cure for depression can be found, we must be sure we have a proper understanding of this terrible condition.

Depression is the name we have given to the spot where a person has had a “crash landing” after reacting sinfully to one or more difficult or undesirable situations that God has brought into his life. Jay Adams explains depression this way:

• Almost anything can be at the root of the counselee’s depression: a recent illness in which he gets behind in his work, hormonal changes, a reversal of his fortunes, the consequences of simple negligence, guilt over a particular sin, self-pity arising from jealousy or a disadvantageous turn of events, bad feeling resulting from resentment, worry, etc. The important fact to remember is that depression does not result directly from any one of these factors, but rather comes from a cyclical process in which the initial problem is mishandled in such a way that it is enlarged in downward helixical spirals that eventually plunge one into despair.


• The downward cycle of sin moves from a problem to a faulty, sinful response, thereby causing an additional complicating problem which is met by an additional sinful response, etc.

What is depression?

According to the DSM-IV, a manual used to diagnose mental disorders, depression occurs when you have at least five of the following nine symptoms at the same time:

1. a depressed mood during most of the day, particularly in the morning


2. fatigue or loss of energy almost every day


3. feelings of worthlessness or guilt almost every day


4. impaired concentration, indecisiveness


5. insomnia or hypersomnia (excessive sleeping) almost every day


6. markedly diminished interest or pleasure in almost all activities nearly every day


7. recurring thoughts of death or suicide (not just fearing death)


8. a sense of restlessness -- known as psychomotor agitation -- or being slowed down -- retardation


9. significant weight loss or gain (a change of more than 5% of body weight in a month)

Depression Types (for the secular point of view)

• All depression types are not the same. Major depression, also known as clinical depression, and chronic depression, also known as dysthymia, are the most common types. But there are also other types of depression with unique signs, symptoms, and treatment.
  What is major depressive disorder?


• According to the National Institute of Mental Health, major depressive disorder is characterized by a combination of symptoms that interfere with a person's ability to work, sleep, study, eat, and enjoy once-pleasurable activities.


• There are times you may feel sad, lonely, or hopeless for a few days. But major depression -- clinical depression -- is disabling. It can prevent you from functioning normally. An episode of clinical depression may occur only once in a person's lifetime. More often, though, it recurs throughout a person's life.


• In addition, with major depression, one of the symptoms must be either depressed mood or loss of interest. The symptoms should be present daily or for most of the day or nearly daily for at least two weeks. Also, the depressive symptoms must cause clinically significant distress or impairment in functioning. The symptoms cannot be due to the direct effects of a substance -- drug abuse, medications -- or a medical condition, such as hypothyroidism, nor occur within two months of the loss of a loved one.

And what happens, how the culture and the medical field define depression, we as Christians pick up the same definitions, and symptoms. And as a Christian believer we all could say we have some form of depressive symptoms daily.

Of course most people know the symptoms:

• Most of us know about the emotional symptoms of depression. But you may not know that depression can cause physical symptoms, too.


• In fact, many people with depression feel pain or other physical symptoms. These include:

1. Headaches. These are fairly common in people with depression. If you already had migraine headaches, they may become worse if you're depressed.
   
2. Back pain. If you already suffer with back pain, it may get worse if you become depressed.
   
3. Muscle aches and joint pain. Depression can make any kind of chronic pain worse.
   
4. Chest pain. Obviously, it's very important to get chest pain checked out by an expert right away.


5. It can be a sign of serious heart problems. But chest pain is also associated with depression.
   
6. Digestive problems. You might feel queasy or nauseous. You might have diarrhea or become chronically constipated.
   
7. Exhaustion and fatigue. No matter how much you sleep, you may still feel tired or worn out.


8. Getting out of the bed in the morning may seem very hard, even impossible.
   
9. Sleeping problems. Many people with depression can't sleep well anymore. They wake up too early or can't fall asleep when they go to bed. Others sleep much more than normal.
   
10. Change in appetite or weight. Some people with depression lose their appetite and lose weight. Others find they crave certain foods -- like carbohydrates -- and weigh more.
    
11. Dizziness or lightheadedness.

I guess all of us have had some of these physical symptoms at one time or another.

So it seems we all at times want to get depressed when we have these physical symptoms. Well maybe we don't want to get depressed, but we do.

DEFINE DEPRESSION: Biblically. While I do not see the term depression in Scripture, there are other terms that might describe the word.

1. Overcome by fear
   
2. Anxiety
3. Worry

SO IT'S TRUE WE ALL AT TIMES STRUGGLE WITH THESE SYMPTOMS.

And if I read the scripture correctly, it is SIN to be overcome with fear, worry and anxiety.

So the issue is how do we control our emotions, our fears, our worry, or anxiety?

• Life is hard and full of drama and we respond in various and troubling ways. People have problems and tend to react problematically, struggling with big and small issues alike: everything from annoying habits that are hard to kick to full blown addictive behavior, from little conflicts in relationships to complete communication break down, from anxious thoughts and mild anxiety to severe panic attacks and the deepest, darkest depression. Human beings often live lives of quiet desperation, wearing masks, fearing what others think, feeling like hypocrites, longing to be different, but having no real hope for authentic and lasting change.
• 
  
• I will address in another post. Which will deal with:

• Biblical counseling is built on the simple truth that God has spoken to us in his Word, and revealed everything we need to know about him, ourselves, and how to live in his world. The Lord, who made us, sees, evaluates and speaks to every aspect of human life and understands the deepest complexities and struggles of the human heart. Scripture speaks to the heart, where we trust and love either the true God or some other God-replacement in our lives such as pleasure, control, peace or prosperity. The Bible is not an encyclopedia or a how-to book of techniques for change, but rather a grand story of redemption that ultimately points to a relationship with the person of Jesus Christ. It is in relationship with this Jesus –through his life, death, resurrection and rule that people become different and experience true and lasting change in the midst of their various human struggles.

We will review some Biblical ways of handling these emotions and struggles

DEPRESSION: TAKE A BRIEF LOOK: part one

Depression has been called "a room in hell," "a howling tempest in the brain.". In 1621, Robert Burton put his finger on it, "They are in great pain and horror of mind, distraction of soul, restlessness, full of continual fears, cares, torment, anxieties, they can neither drink, eat, nor sleep.." His description caputres the experience of million of people who at this very moment that you are reading this struggle with depression.

.

In the photo on the right:

• On the Threshold of Eternity. In 1890, Vincent van Gogh painted this picture seen by some as symbolizing the despair and hopelessness felt in depression. Van Gogh himself suffered from depression and committed suicide later that same year.

Depression can make the most dedicated friends, family, and ministers feel incompetent because there are times when it seems absolutely resistant to change. But here is what I know, depressed people have an inner spirit like all the rest of us, and they can be renewed by faith even in the midst of the pain.

The basic steps to follow with those who have depression, a term that is generally used by society at large.

1. Understand the experience of depression. Understand what people mean by "depression"
2. Make tentative distinctions between physical and spiritual symptions. The need a be physical that can be treated, but it could be spiritual that also needs to be address.
3. This distinction will allow you to focus on heart issues. In doing this if a person is not a Christian, the hope I trully believe is in knowing Christ as LORD. If a person is a Christian than the hope is still in Christ, and a bibically understanding of what that person is suffering can be address. Personally I believe in a believer, the issue could be one of "faith" in the providence and will of God.
4. Its possible and I understand and often happens, that when issues of life is not address, there is pain of emotions. The longer one does not address the issues that is causing the pain, the deeper the problems becomes.
5. Address the issue with some one who is a Christian, who will be willing to address the issue from a biblical point of view.

Every Person In Life has to Deal with Living Life