DEFEATING DEPRESSION IN JESUS’ NAME

Psalm 42:5 (NKJV)

Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, for the help of His countenance.

Psalm 42:5 (HSCB)

Why am I so depressed? Why this turmoil within me? Put your hope in God, for I will still praise Him, my Savior and my God.

Cast down – to sink, to depress, to be brought down, to be oppressed and in a distressed situation.

The COVID-19 pandemic took an undeniable toll on mental health.

Depression is more widespread than ever in the United States.

More than 1 in 6 adults are depressed or being treated for depression.

50% of adults 18-24 are struggling with anxiety or depression in 2023.

“Appropriate and inappropriate depression.” – Scott Floyd

Appropriate depression is, at times, part of the journey through grief.

Inappropriate depression is when we get stuck in the place of depression, and we can’t get out.

Those struggling with depression see the world through a dark lens.

How do we overcome the oppression of depression in Jesus’ Name?

1. Acknowledge We are Struggling

Psalm 42:5a (NKJV)

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me?

Psalm 42:5a (HCSB)

Why am I so depressed? Why this turmoil within me?

The first step in getting free is to realize we need to get free.

The Psalmist is acknowledging the problem and asking the right question.

2. Turn to the Lord and Ask for Help

Psalm 42:5b (NKJV)

Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance.

Hope in God – Wait in expectation

Help of His Countenance – Salvation of His Presence

Psalm 42:8

The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime and in the night His song shall be with me – a prayer to the God of my life.

We need the Presence of the Lord and the presence of His people.

3. Cry Out for Deliverance from a Spirit of Heaviness

Psalm 42:9

I will say to God my Rock, “Why have you forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?”

The Psalmist describes his battle as an oppression of the enemy.

The enemy wants to keep us depressed and rob us of the abundant life in Jesus Christ.

The spiritual root of depression is a spirit of heaviness. (Isaiah 61:3)

“At times depression descended on me like a grey mist that shrouded my head and shoulders. I felt isolated and lonely.” – Derek Prince

“I am calling on You now to deliver me in the Name of Jesus.” – Derek Prince

“Something like a huge, heavenly vacuum cleaner came down over me and sucked away the grey mist that shrouded my head and shoulders. Suddenly everything around me seemed brighter.” – Derek Prince

Whether it happens dramatically or progressively, Jesus wants to break the oppression of the enemy.

4. Stand Against the Spirit of Heaviness

James 4:7

Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

Renew our minds with the Word of God

Romans 12:2a

And do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Put on the garment of praise.

Isaiah 61:3

To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.

Psalm 42:5b

Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him…

Receive the oil of Joy.

Isaiah 61:3a

…The oil of joy for mourning.

Hebrews 1:9

You love justice and hate evil. Therefore, O God, your God has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than anyone else.

Discussion Questions:

1. Could you share a time in your life when you struggled with depression or deep discouragement?

2. How would you describe the depression and how it affected you?

3. Which of the steps to freedom from the oppression of depression spoke to you?

4. If you are in the midst of the struggle with depression right now, what is the next step the Lord is inviting you to take?

5. If you are not facing the struggle with depression, how is the Lord equipping you to better minister to those who are?