Sermon Tone Analysis

Depression

Big Idea: 4 Positive Responses and 2 Negatives to Depression in the Church

Title: I’m A Christian, Why am I Depressed?

My Story

Struggled with Seasonal Affective Disorder about when I started College

Major Depression Hit, and was clinically diagnosed with a Depressive/Anxiety Disorder in Christmas of 2015.

Things that led to this Depression - Triggers

Matt B’s Death, Sister getting pregnant before married, coming Baby, Fear of change, Fear of Inadequacy, Fear of Death, Stress of Ministry, etc.

What I remember - which isn’t a lot.

Crying without being able to stop.

Feeling Paralyzed most mornings not wanting to get out of bed, Fear of not living up to the self made expectations that were far too high for anyone to reach.

Thoughts of self harm, thoughts of death.

What made it harder

Friends didn’t know what to do

Caitlyn didn’t know what to do

Other people who didn’t know what to say would say the wrong things - parents, friends.

People treating you differently.

Statements about You need more faith, you need to pray more, you need to Confess you sin, etc.

From Christianity Today - Faith Magazine

Persistent sad or anxious mood

Anger, restlessness, irritability

Sleeplessness, or not enough sleep

Reduced appetite and weight loss, or increased appetite and weight gain

Loss of pleasure and interest in things once enjoyed

Persistent physical symptoms that don't respond to treatment (such as chronic pain or digestive disorders)

Difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions

Fatigue or loss of energy

Feeling guilty, hopeless or worthless

Thoughts of suicide or death

Sermon Notes -

Sermon Notes on

psalm 43

Biblical Figures who struggled with depression

Job, David, Jesus?

Job - had everything, and all that he had was taken away from him - he wanted to die, and cursed the day he was born

David - how many of the psalms were laments?

How many times did he Ask God about his presence being taken from him, how many times did david ask “How Long, O Lord?”, David was acutely aware of his need for God, but was also honest about the mental and emotional state he was in.

Jesus - Garden of Gathsemane, this was not a prolonged period of depression, but it was absolutely Jesus’ greatest moment of lonliness, despair, fear, anxiety, even depression.

RESPONSES to the Depressed Person

God understands, and grieves with you as you grieve.

He is close to the downcast, he is near to the depressed, he is fully aware of the pain you are in, and is in pain over the reality of your depression

Jesus lived your depression - he understands what you’ve gone through because he went through it the same, and even more intensely.

The Literal Weight of the Worlds Sin was on him, and he was for the first time in Eternity Separated from the perfect communion with His Father that he had always enjoyed - Jesus knows the feeling of lonliness, despair and want.

What we have to be willing to do

You’ve got to be honest with SAFE, and close confidants.

It is essential for those who struggle with Depression to find safe family/friends/co-workers/counselors etc, to be able to share their struggles with, their honest feelings with, their true self.

You have got to be Honest with God -

DAVID - Use Psalms as the Example - , , , ,

you have to Lean into what you KNOW to be true, and not what you feel

We All MUST preach the Gospel, and Grace to yourself everyday.

YOU MUST preach the Gospel, and Grace to yourself everyday.

Questions for Cait and Cory

Cait, how did you feel when I would breakdown and cry without any reason?

Cait, What was a moment when you were scared for me?

Cait, Did you ever get frustrated at my inability to tell you what was happening?

Cory, When I told you about this issue, and that I wanted you to be honest with me and ask me how I was doing, what sorts of things went through you head?

Cory, In your experience with Mental Health Issues, not just with me, but also in your own family - What have you found to be really difficult?

+ Helpful?

Cory, do you feel like you had to act differently around me?

Cory, was it difficult for you to be around me when I was really down or anxious?

Both, What changes did you see in me that were hard to deal with?

Individual , , , , , , , , , , , *, 28, 31, 36*, 39, 40:12-17, 41, 42-43, 52*, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 59, 61, 64, 70, 71, 77, 86, 89*, 120, 139, 141, 142 

Community , , , , , , , , , *, 90, 94, 123, 126, 129

Penitential , *, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143

Imprecatory , , , , , ,

68 Psalms - more than a 3rd of all the psalms are downcast, are lamenting, are depressive in nature, are about sorrow, despair, difficulty

55 Psalms are Specific Laments - either communal or individual