You Thought It Couldn't Get Any Worse
Preaching
Lions And Cows Dining Together
And 111 Other Sermon Ideas
Object:
Purpose Statement: How to deal with depression.
Everyone deals with depression at one time or another: things go bad, we get too little sunshine in the winter season, or for no apparent reason at all, and we become blue or down in the dumps. Then there are severe cases of depression of a crisis nature where expert help is necessary. Each one of us could use some clues or secrets in how to deal with depression -- others and ours. This message will acknowledge and skip over the obvious ways of seeking help by going to God in worship and prayer, and instead will focus on other secondary, albeit helpful, ways to conquer depression. First, which three Bible personalities whose names begin with J became depressed for very good reasons? Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem and on another occasion must have been terribly discouraged when he suffered the ordeal in Gethsemane garden, a mock trial, and the cross. Job was so depressed even his friends couldn't cheer him up. Jeremiah hit rock bottom. Jeremiah 20:7-18 is a powerful poem commemorating Jeremiah's devastation because of the ordeal he faced as a prophet for God. He is mocked and friendless, and curses the day he was born (vv. 14-18). The people tormented and persecuted him because he dared to preach God's message (vv. 8 and 10). It becomes impossible not to say what God wants him to say; holding it in causes it to burn like a fire (v. 9). God was on his side (v. 11) and finally he is able to sing praises to God (v. 13). Some secrets in defeating depression might include:
a. Accomplishing something. We can conquer depression appreciably if we become busy with some worthwhile task, or if we have successfully achieved some of our goals. To feel that we have made a difference in our world will usually lift our spirits considerably. Find something in the church that needs fixing, donate blood, write your legislator concerning an issue, or create something. Set some goals and get busy; sweat equity is part of God's plan. Jeremiah (7:1-7) was given an important task. God has more job openings than you and I can begin to fill.
b. Serving others. Take a hot meal to a shut-in, phone a lonely person, be alert to opportunities when out in public to share a kind word or pleasant moment's conversation, or find a way to let another know you love them. Just remembering, "there are many people who are worse off than we are" is not the tonic to cheer us up; we must actively do something about it. Focus on showing love to others and alleviating some of their sufferings, and we will find ourselves healed. Be careful this does not become the reason for your altruism; self-interest is not healing the way true concern for others is. Job was too preoccupied with self.
c. Planning ahead. God prepared Jeremiah very early on for his ministry (1:4-8). Jeremiah could work his way through his troubles because he had developed a sustaining relationship with God. In situations -- overcoming grief, meeting temptations, and struggling with depression -- we must not wait until the need arises before we begin the remedy. If we turn to prayer, find meaningful tasks, help others in need, or simply find ways to love others, we begin our healing process even before our healing is ever needed. We begin to fight depression before we ever become depressed and it will not only prepare us for dealing with depression when it strikes, but will be efficacious for keeping depression from ever knocking on our door.
Everyone deals with depression at one time or another: things go bad, we get too little sunshine in the winter season, or for no apparent reason at all, and we become blue or down in the dumps. Then there are severe cases of depression of a crisis nature where expert help is necessary. Each one of us could use some clues or secrets in how to deal with depression -- others and ours. This message will acknowledge and skip over the obvious ways of seeking help by going to God in worship and prayer, and instead will focus on other secondary, albeit helpful, ways to conquer depression. First, which three Bible personalities whose names begin with J became depressed for very good reasons? Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem and on another occasion must have been terribly discouraged when he suffered the ordeal in Gethsemane garden, a mock trial, and the cross. Job was so depressed even his friends couldn't cheer him up. Jeremiah hit rock bottom. Jeremiah 20:7-18 is a powerful poem commemorating Jeremiah's devastation because of the ordeal he faced as a prophet for God. He is mocked and friendless, and curses the day he was born (vv. 14-18). The people tormented and persecuted him because he dared to preach God's message (vv. 8 and 10). It becomes impossible not to say what God wants him to say; holding it in causes it to burn like a fire (v. 9). God was on his side (v. 11) and finally he is able to sing praises to God (v. 13). Some secrets in defeating depression might include:
a. Accomplishing something. We can conquer depression appreciably if we become busy with some worthwhile task, or if we have successfully achieved some of our goals. To feel that we have made a difference in our world will usually lift our spirits considerably. Find something in the church that needs fixing, donate blood, write your legislator concerning an issue, or create something. Set some goals and get busy; sweat equity is part of God's plan. Jeremiah (7:1-7) was given an important task. God has more job openings than you and I can begin to fill.
b. Serving others. Take a hot meal to a shut-in, phone a lonely person, be alert to opportunities when out in public to share a kind word or pleasant moment's conversation, or find a way to let another know you love them. Just remembering, "there are many people who are worse off than we are" is not the tonic to cheer us up; we must actively do something about it. Focus on showing love to others and alleviating some of their sufferings, and we will find ourselves healed. Be careful this does not become the reason for your altruism; self-interest is not healing the way true concern for others is. Job was too preoccupied with self.
c. Planning ahead. God prepared Jeremiah very early on for his ministry (1:4-8). Jeremiah could work his way through his troubles because he had developed a sustaining relationship with God. In situations -- overcoming grief, meeting temptations, and struggling with depression -- we must not wait until the need arises before we begin the remedy. If we turn to prayer, find meaningful tasks, help others in need, or simply find ways to love others, we begin our healing process even before our healing is ever needed. We begin to fight depression before we ever become depressed and it will not only prepare us for dealing with depression when it strikes, but will be efficacious for keeping depression from ever knocking on our door.
