Depression Help!

Father, you are so. Good and gracious. And, you know, every last thing about every last one of us here in this room you know, our whole histories, You know everything that's been going on even today before we came. And you know, what's going to go on the rest of this afternoon and the rest of our lives.

We trust you because of it because you're a good. Powerful. Loving. Caring. You care for us today? To care for us with your word. We need you to care for a sword. Moving ways to help us. Trees from your word. We say this in Jesus name,

Oh God. Values your life.

and as your pastor, I also found you. Your life. Now we spent The month of July, considering the dignity and sanctity of human life in the womb. But you see human dignity and value from a Biblical worldview extends to each of our entire lives outside of the womb as well. God values, you

And it's a big deal to God. And therefore, So important to me, as well as your pastor and should be important to all of us here when lines are devastated and hurt because of tragedy.

We've experienced.

Did you have experience that? Maybe you are experiencing that right now? I know what's going on. God knows what's going on.

He knows what's going on, when there's deep and dark, depression, or anxiety, and even despair itself. With life, doesn't seem possible to even live anymore. He knows what's going on and God values. You

the Bible has a lot to say about our experiences in a fallen world that we live in. And for those of us, all of us here, who also live in that Fallen World ourselves. We know it, we see if we go through, we experience with ourselves, we know what it's like to be in a fallen world.

If we were still in the Garden of Eden and there have been no fault and no consequences of sin, we would not be going through the whole ristic experiences.

An issues of life. We would not be going through sickness inner turmoil and hardships. Indef. Those things just don't happen. Enough Garden in perfection in an idealized, flourishing environment they don't happen.

But we are not in that environment, are we?

At least, not yet. But there's hope for the Christian for a future Day When sin will be no longer. It was no longer plagued Us in the effects of the Fall will no longer hunt us. Praise God, for that. but for now,

Right now. We experienced both the physical and inner problems in a fallen world. Don't we? People get sick. Maybe you're sick. People get hurt in a variety of ways, maybe you're hurting. People died people struggle and people even become down trap downhearted and even downright just discouraged. Don't they I did not you. Downcast is a Biblical world word that describes many in our day and it's the title of our month-long series that we're going to be looking at in August. We will be dealing with these hard shift, starting today with this topic of depression that you see on the screen. the song that says, in Psalm 42:5 a, why are you Cast down. Oh my soul. And why are you in turmoil within me?

This passage right here was the foundational theme of Martyn Lloyd. Jones is sermon series and which was later turned into a book title, spiritual depression. The former medical doctor turned preacher addressed which he deemed as a common to man problem of depression that people face. Even many Christians, boy, Jones concludes that he says, this interesting to notice the frequency with which this particular theme is dealt with in the scriptures. And the only conclusion to be drawn from this is that it is a very common condition.

So then if it's common in the Bible, just read the songs, read the historical narratives throughout the scriptures. You see the common theme of depression and downcast. And downhearted has come in, the Bible's will see going forward and it was, did Martin Lord Jones's day. I'd say it's going to be ramped up and become increasingly prevalent in our day is well with new technologies and social media, putting our lives on display like never before. This is an issue for our day. Is wow.

Read statistics, that put the numbers of the clinically depressed Americans anywhere from between 5 to 10 %. So, potentially one out of every ten people in the US alone are bearing an extremely heavy, internal burden of depression.

Then there are numbers of over 25% total for those who have experienced. Severe depression at some point in their lives, even if it's not a recurring theme for them right now or regularly in their lives. But but that they've experienced it at some point of the pastor will experience in the future. And so that Dynamic a really deep and dark and hurting moments internally brings us to one in four who will experience bouts of depression of some kind of time of kind in their lifetime. Not to mention all those who know and love and care for those hurting people and their minds. What exactly is depression? Is it just sinus?

No because everyone experiences that has to one degree or another. That is a common shared Human Experience that all people in a fallen World Experience, right? We've all felt sadness, even very intense sadness.

The Bible describes, what? We're getting at here and in this way using words like downcast brokenhearted Afflicted even hopeless,

In the Bible, like I said before, describes many people who were depressed even the point of Despair as we'll see in the future sermons.

Diagnostic statistic, manual for mental disorders, of the DSM-5, put it like, this is a good definition for depression, otherwise known as a major depressive disorder or clinical depression is common is a common and serious mood disorder those who suffer from depression, experience persistent feelings of sadness, and hopelessness, and lose interest in activities. They once enjoyed aside from the emotional problems, caused by depression, individuals can also present with physical symptoms such as chronic pain, or digestive issues to be diagnosed with depression symptoms. Must Present for at least two weeks and then the DSM goes on and lists pervasive inner symptoms associated with debilitating. Internal struggles of people face Almost a quarter of Americans will face this at some point in their lives. A lot with hurting people and downcast people all around us, maybe even you yourself.

And then even the potential for any of us here who may have never been hurting in this way to becoming the future depressed in this way because of your own live unknown future and circumstances in the Fallen world. We live in It's Christians. And as a church, we better have a well-thought-out plan and approach to provide help for this very serious problem. Both for ourselves and for others that are hurting around us. And if the church is not providing this, how I asked, what is it, then that we're doing What are we doing? If not, this leads us to our first point. For us to see that we need to have a number one, compassionate understanding. Look with me at 2nd Corinthians 8, verse 1 or chapter 1, verses 3 and 4. It says this blessed, be the God and father of our Lord Christ Jesus. The father of mercies and God of All Comfort who comforts Us in all our Affliction, so that we may be able to comfort. Those who are in any Affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

You see this passage clearly teaches that Christians are those who find comfort from God and also seek to provide Comfort to other hurting Afflicted and downcast people.

if we're not doing that as Christians, and if we're not doing that is a church again, I asked us What are you doing?

And if you happen to be here in Fall outside about 10 to 25% who are right now, experiencing clinical depression or who have experienced it in the past. I want to challenge you. To step outside of your own, personal knowledge and experience and learn a little bit to sympathize with others who are going through severe hardships and inner anguish, even if you don't go through that yourself. I realize based on the numbers, the majority. Don't experience that themselves. But what do? But the majority don't So for the majority that doesn't, which is just pay attention, and listen, and think, and care, and be here to want to learn. And to know the problems that other people do face.

And just because you haven't had these symptoms yourself, it just doesn't mean that other people haven't. And remember, You are not them, they are them, they're different than you remember. They are suffering too much, is at stake to turn a blind eye to them, ignore them to be careless to them. I mentioned to you symptoms in the DSM, the symptoms of depression, and I'm going to list them now for you just to give more awareness if you're not already cut up on these things, you they are. And I know that this isn't the Bible but you see even secular sources? Do a good time. Sometimes describing symptoms that have been observable through many even for centuries symptoms. Of some of these people freed from our even specifically described also in the Bible, which were going to be continued to see through our series. But I'm just going to go through just these eight of them quickly. So you can see the number one in the, in terms of symptoms in the DSM, a depressed mood, most of the day, nearly every day. To markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all or almost all activities most of the day nearly every day. Number three, significant weight loss. When not dieting or weight gain or decrease of or increase in appetite nearly every day for a slowing down of thought and reduction of physical movement. This is even observable by others, not merely subjective, feelings of restlessness, or being slow down. But an actual slowing down that is Is observable in a 550 girl, loss of energy nearly every day, six feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt nearly every day and then, even recurrent spots of death, recurrent suicidal ideation. Without a specific plan would fall into this category or so those who have had a suicide attempt or also those who plan to commit suicide, these Woodall Fit into specific symptoms that the DSM points out. And if, if people have some of the symptoms for up to two weeks, in terms of that pervasive nature, then they would be described as someone who is clinically depressed. we saw that this is a big issue in our day, why people go through this but a lot of people do And just because you might be fine here, but you say you're fine, you think I'm fine. It doesn't make others who were not fine somehow lesser than you.

And if you don't struggle with depression like this, Praise God for that but be compassionate to others because they're weak or foolish or soft or worse than you know these are real problems. They're facing care for them, know them, understand them. And remember this church. Your awareness and compassion can and does actually help depressed people.

Turn on the flip side though. Your judgmentalism and careless words and trade Solutions, Cannon will hurt depressed, people as well. Don't be that guy or gal saying unhelpful and I'm sensitive things are hurting and suffering. People don't do it. Please don't do it. Be warned about this. And David Marie's helpful book titled Christians get depressed too. He gives us a list of things not to say to someone who's struggling suffering with depression. This is not to say to depressed people. He said don't say pull yourself together.

Or.

But you got nothing to be sad about.

Oro. You'll soon. Get over it.

Or even for you to be depressed.

Or just believe the promises smile. It can't be that bad. Don't say nice things or well, things could be worse.

At least it's nothing serious.

Or you should just confess your sins. Lastly you're not still on your medications. Are you don't say these things? They're hurting people don't do it. these are careless things and insensitive things that you're saying, the real people with burning Hearts, they're going through these things even if you're not have some heart. Have some compassion, put yourself in their shoes for a minute. Remember, they are different than you with different backgrounds and situations and personalities and problems. If someone tells you that they're really hurting and showing signs of being really believe them that their suffering, And seek to understand and love them. don't add insult to injury like These examples open up your eyes and heart. People are hurting, you might not be hurting but they are as loyal. Jones puts it, there is nothing more futile. When dealing with this condition in the act on the assumption that all Christians are identical in every respect.

We might be like, well what the world is wrong with them. What's the issue? And you may have been patiently gotten frustrated even with them yourself. And if that's you What you look in the mirror and be honest about that. Now, Be honest about it. If it's you thinking or even sane just rub some dirt on it and move on already.

If that's you. This leaves us now to our next point to see why. So many people are in this dark and internal place of suffering to begin with the hopefully, open up your eyes to those who are hurting and suffering around you. And number to the complex causes of depression again, let's look at Psalm 42. And now all of her five. It says this, the song that says this, why are you cast down? Oh my soul. And why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God. Or I shall again, praise him, my salvation.

Here we have, the song is kind of going back and forth of themselves. Why are you so depressed? And hoping God, and as Martyn, Lloyd Jones famously said in his book spiritual depression, I say that we must talk to herself instead of allowing ourselves to talk to us.

But this whole thing and mass and struggle, only makes sense, you see in a fallen world with Brokenness and consequences of the Fall. I hope you can see that. Because, as I mentioned before, there are no problems like this, if there is no fall. But we live in a fallen world with falling bodies and volland in ourselves, don't we? Does the bible describe us as both physical and immaterial beings living, in a fallen world. We should expect causes to include both physical on the one hand, right? And also enter or spiritual realities or soulless causes on the other. That's, that's where we're at, as Paul Township. Put it the scriptures affirm that she the human body and spirit impact one another. We are like God's design embodied spirits. And just to be clear this duality of Bonnie and spirit can also be referred to Body and Soul as both, Soul and Spirit are synonymous, when referring to the inner man or woman in scripture, kind of revealing to us as humans are both physical and spiritual.

What years was so complex about the topic of depression. It involves the human inner person or heart as the Bible calls it and the heart is so intricate. I know two people are exactly alike.

And just as the fall influence, our physical bodies. As we were born wasting away and will one day even die. If the Lord doesn't happen to return before. Our final breath, our inner, man, or woman or are sponsored minds and hearts are also uniquely affected by the Fall as well.

and there's a lot going on at each of Our Lives, as we look back at our entire history, also Look, I don't live your life. I haven't and you don't have mine. And I don't have your body and you don't have mine. You may get diseases and sicknesses that I might not get and vice versa. I may have struggles that you might not have. You see? We're all different. So each of us has a lot going on, which is why it's to no surprise at all. That the Saudis would be asking this very puzzling. Question of himself. Why am I so downcast? Oh, my soul. Have you ever felt that way? Ever wonder what's going on inside. the psalmist, the two

So why are we can try to put our finger here on causes? I hope you realize how difficult it really is. It's difficult to pinpoint. Exactly what's going on and many cases of depression. So this should humble us. Not make us think we got it all figured out. Well, I read this article in its well, you know, some Pastor told me that this is exactly the the the Quick Fix and just do this and it's going to be good. I'll take a simplistic. This is humbling to us how complex things are and let's just be honest, we don't know what all do. We

Make matters worse. Most Christians immediately assume. Like job's friends as one, author pointed out that all causes of depression or directly tied to the depressed person sin.

whether specifically their sinful actions or the sinful neglect of properly worshipping God because of idolatry, And in that is a kind of deduced, what you must. It's must be something wrong but you must be doing something sinful. And if we do see examples in scripture and in the history of our own lives, If we're honest where our own personal sin has and does lead the bad feelings and even depressions easy, either the sins that we have committed leading to these bad feelings or our responses to tough situations, that just compounded and, and lead to depression. I mean, this is a reality, I need those consequences of our sinful actions. We see even in King. David's example, for instance, he was wasting away after his Grievous in and he described the situation as his bones were being crushed. And he was groaning over his sense of our personal send can be the cause of these things. And if you're living an unrepentant, sinful lifestyle and secrets in, and things of that nature, may be considered about how your actions might be affecting your feeling and causing deep and dark depression. I don't want to ignore that aspect.

But we can't stop. There are some people do. We must also add in terms of another cause the reality in a fallen world of other people's sins against us.

Think of the tragic situation where people are abused. For instance.

Terrible. What people go through in a fallen world. The most heinous abuse being the abuse of adults towards children. Do you think that other people's Wicked, sinful acts of various kinds of abuse towards others? Whether it's physical, mental, emotional, spiritual or even sexual abuse? You think that might cause a massive damage internally. The people who were abused You think you better believe that it will, which is why it's so serious, which is why for those of you who've gone to our child safety training, the last few years. Those, if you were his kids, you'll know that your pastors believe in the millstone principle of Matthew 18. Jesus said it would be better for a person to have a millstone tied around his neck and thrown overboard, to be drowned in the bottom of the sea. Then for one of these little ones to be hurt and caused it to be drawn into sin, that's Jesus's View. We have you tweet me, agree with Jesus's view on that principal here because it's so serious because it's so unacceptable because it's so harming because it hurts people to their very core. Maybe you've been hurt to your very core in this way.

Jesus takes it serious. Your pastors. Take it serious. I want you to see the connection and caused that, that could lead towards the depression and suffering in her suffering that you face to swell. It's devastating help. People who are human image. Bearers of God can be damaged at their core when they're abused. And certainly it's such a huge connector and it is time to the causes of depression. And we're going to see even despair as we'll see you in a future sermon. This is just so sad on thinkable. Terrible. I can go on and on listing other causes of depression cuz I haven't even mentioned how the fall affects our bodies and how we can have certain problems, both mentally, and physically because of the Fall. Which is why it's so important for doctors and even psychiatrist to be involved to care for the depressed, for depressed people. Because there are a whole host of physical issues and causes that can be investigated and should be an address between the physician and his or her patient. We just need to be humble and realize that there is a lot that could be going on and we need to be willing to get others involved to help people in the multifaceted issues of depression. As I mentioned before, none of us are alike. We all have our own personal makeup and personalities and and bodily challenges that we have faced in the past or might even face in the future. Even if we haven't faced it yet, and I haven't even mentioned in terms of cause of the very real pervasive life circumstances and pressures that pull us and drag Us in different ways that we can go through. Sometimes these pressures in Trials, affect us, During certain Seasons. Other times, they affect us to our core for the rest of our lives with heartbreaking. Emotional trauma due to loss in life circumstances in a fallen world.

I know many of you who have gone through Unthinkable difficult heart-wrenching suffering in your very life experiences that would literally leave each and everyone of us here. Struggling, dork, depression, 100% of us. If we'd gone through, and if we ever go through some of these very, very hard things, which we don't know what might be ahead for all of our Lives. We need, if you have understanding and compassion, we just don't know what life will bring. And I don't care who you are. Each of us, would be thrust into a deep and dark experience of depression because of the many curveballs in Life or even better cannonballs.

They come our way.

I'm sensitive to that.

Which is why I don't want us to be callous. Hurting people. For us to give trite generalities that make hurting people feel that they're all alone. Which is what happens when people say these thoughtless things. And then, while there's so much more to say on this complex issue of the causes of depression, even the fact that the causes are sometimes, not in X unknown, or even unperceived to the struggle, if they don't even know what's going on. Like the Summers, why? Are you downcast or he doesn't know. Why is the question? There's more to be said here but we must move on to our third point. And number three to consider your own inner soul help today. Psalm 63 and verse 1 says this. Oh God you are my God or earnestly I Seek You. My Soul thirsts For You, My Flesh faints for you as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary will holding your power and Glory because your steadfast love is better than life. My lips will praise you.

For the Christian. we find our deepest and Most happiness, in terms of our lives. In the Fulfillment, of course, in God, not other things. I want you to hear this win, Christians find themselves and deep inner turmoil and depression. It's hard for them to presently kind of worship and enjoy God in that state. For a really enjoy anything else in the midst of the terrible symptoms of depression, Want to give awareness to all of us about this David Murray. And the book I mentioned before and then Zach esswein in his excellent book. Titled spurgeon's Sorrows, they both helpfully pointed out to the very obvious reality that when someone is severely sick for instance, with the flu, They are not running around church and a happy-go-lucky way, ready to engage in heartfelt worship, but they are sick and hurting and needing to heal. They can barely think in that situation, right? You been there? in the same way when someone is depressed because of their sin or the sin of others against them as we saw, Or their physical bodily, deteriorating? Health or the bad thought patterns that they are happening or the excruciating chap. Tragedies the drop has been Life Like An Unexpected death of a loved one or the loss of a job or a diagnosis of a serious disease like cancer or diagnosis of a disease where there's chronic pain. You see these things can lead. This hard experience of depression. And what do you think it would make life hard to function and for them to feel overwhelmed and spiraling downward due to depression not being able to do normal daily tasks that they normally and usually a joy. When you think that would be the case.

Let me fall into depression. Just thought something, get all out of whack. Maybe you've been there David Murray really helpfully describes, this false thinking process in a variety of ways in his book and I just want to share a few of them to you to give you an overall idea about how some depressed people think. Maybe even you yourself have experienced thinking like this, I thought of these examples were helpful from him. So here they are. He says, one of them is false extremes or an all-or-nothing thinking that if you make a mistake, And if something you do is just not perfect, that you're just a total disaster.

Or false generalizations as how important After experiencing one unpleasant event, we conclude that the same things will happen to us again. And again,

A-Town Pizza.

This is a pervasive reality that people in this state could actually experience where he goes on and says a false filter where we focus, only on the negative and filter out all of the positive or even false transformation, changing good experiences in the bad ones in her mind because of our depressed moods and thought process. Thinking everybody hates us or bad things are always going to happen to us.

Or he talked about the false shoulds. Or false responsibilities at home. Puts it helpful to hear. He says where we take on Stern unattainable or legalistic standards or even blame ourselves, even when something is not our fall. All of these freaking in times of depression can derail even the most mature. Christians, Did you know that Charles Spurgeon himself affectionately known as the prince of preachers? A very mature and renowned Christian. In church history, we've heard of him. Did you know that he even he struggled with severe depression and seasons of that in his life throughout his life and he made it to take care and feed his own in her soul as well. After a tragedy that happened while he was preaching. Someone yelled fire. In a crowded lecture hall. when he was preaching his sermon and did, you know, and this packed to the brim Place that day seven people were tragically killed in kind of stampeded. Over 28, were severely injured. The end in what turned out to be just a big old prank because there was no real fire. Spurgeon too fat. The heart in a way, but just trust him for weeks, he didn't even want to get out of bed, and had to have someone watching out for him as he was in such a dark place after that. Virgin said, hear him on this topic, the mind can descend far lower than the body for in it. There are Bottomless Pits The Flash can bear only a certain number of wombs at wounds and no more. But the soul can bleed in 10,000 ways and die over and over again, each hour.

The soul can bleed ten thousand ways and die over and over again. Each hour what a profound thought that is from someone who suffered deeply. Stop it. I want those who have never experienced the run under win some kind of deep dark experience of depression like this. I want you to take that to heart. Just think of someone pulled over in our church, parking lot after getting into a car accident and we were the closest place for help even right now, imagine this someone living in right through the doors, there are Church buildings. Crying out for help their arm and leg, bloody we'd stop everything. We're doing to help that poor person. Why? Because we see how urgent it is.

What you see?

The person struggling internally with severe depression will never be seen like that.

You look at them and they seem fine on the outside. if it's you, I just look at you and you seem fine to them. but you aren't,

We have to consider our own inner soul house because others might not ever notice. And if we're honest with ourselves and we need to seek help with others. Because being isolated with his it's true, she dating pain is one of the worst possible things that a depressed person can experience.

Well, I take that back actually. Because the cruel judgmental Quick, Fix, try thoughtless, things that people who are not true friends to the hurting Saturday or who are just ignorant to the problems that people actually face. You see, if they'll actually do more harm than good to her in person, so isolations bad, but that kind of person is just even worse. I understand why? So many keep these terrible thoughts and feelings and experiences to themselves. Why? Because they've been hurt so many times before from people that they confide family members friends, co-workers children been hurt complaining And then being treated carelessly.

What if this is you? For your own well-being and health, I plead with you.

Dear Christian friend. Or even an unbeliever who's here watching online? Please don't keep these terrible depressed, feelings and experiences to yourself. Find a trusted friend. Be honest with your spouse, if you're married. Bring your parents into it when you're feeling or experiencing these things, if you're younger and you're here with us for those of you were children or teenagers or young adults. this is Vicky finding out, tragically the issue, a personal depression, and even despair is not limited to grown adults with careers and families and mortgages

But also happens to our young people with finals, in sports practices, in school event. Sadly tragically, they too are suffering so please don't worry. Don't wait another day.

Reach out to get help. So you can better communicate with God and others and face life's responsibilities. After getting the help the needed help, dealing with this very real problem of depression that you may be going through. This leads us to our last point in number four,

Pair. For those suffering, and depressed, please church by there for a prisoner for the Lord, heard you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called with all humility and gentleness with patience bearing with one another in law. Eager to maintain the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.

I hope you been convinced of the weighty problem people face. He's here with us and you have never struggled with debilitating clinical depression in these ways.

Hope you're gaining in your understanding and awareness, even today. As your pastor up to this point in my life. Do I have experience sadness? And Anxiety, like minion and all people do. I have not yet, experienced this kind of depression. Notice what I just said there. I said I have not yet. Experience. Because I don't know what my future holds and humility and in all honesty. People age and change and go through so many different experiences that they may never have experienced in the past, based on circumstances, or things going on, whatever it may be. I know some of the most respected Pastors in mature, Christians, and even family members, who are believers, who I know. I've gone through this kind of depression and at some point in their rhyme

Which of the following world. Would we expect for these devastating things that happen? Let's not forget what side of Glory that were on. This is no secret or something to be ashamed about. This is a reality that people face in a fallen world.

So I don't know what lies ahead from for me not do to you. But I stopped myself to read good books and articles and watch things that help and to be able to talk with other members and and friends, and family, to be able to pray and to give counsel to those who I care about who are severely depressed, even as someone who has not personally gone through that myself.

Because I want to help hurting people. I want you to be able to help hurting people to even gone through this yourself.

and if you're here and you've never talked about your deep hurt and struggle of depression with anybody else, I'm here for you as your pastor and then Pastor wood, and I are here for you. If you were shepherds of the f*** we're here, we want to know you and be there for you. However, we can And I hope those of you who are going through, this also have trusted family members and friends and fellow church members. Who can you can talk with that may be able to encourage you in to be a true friend to you as well. I hope we have that year, I think we do. I hope we have and I want us to have more of that year in our church. I hope everyone who's here with every experience, depression, or not. Are willing to be there for others in the Long Haul. and show that you care as a true friend because hopefully you really do What is superficial kind of pass you by in the hall? How's it going? Trying to friend? It doesn't really want an answer. It doesn't really care, but someone who really wants to know and help hurting people.

If we're going to help, we must be patient and sensitive suffering. People, So be humble is Ephesians 4, just reminded us and gently and patiently seek to Bear burdens of our loved ones who are struggling and then flee who may be struggling be there. Treat them delicately because there are serious pressures and deep sadness has the need to be met with a kind of of love and kindness and understanding and care.

Are you there for people like that? Is that on your radar?

Ask your friends and family and fellow church members how they're doing.

And if someone struggling in this way, ask them about what they're going through and listen.

But them, tell you what they're going through. But all depressed people are exactly alike because they're not, but find out from your family and friends are children or spouse. What exactly is going on with the news them, engage them, ask the questions and wants to cure. So you can be there specifically for them and seek how you can create a custom-made care plan for them, because each person's different

They're so different. Especially when it comes to the internal health problems and struggle that they're facing their different. And what you pray for them. We can't do anything on our own. We need God.

Ask God for help, you're going through this or if you're helping someone asking for help and ask him. For wisdom is James tells us How do you unlimit with them over their situation which is crying out to God? Why! Oh God, am I going through this terrible thing and Rescue Me care for me as well Seymour, as the series goes on Because did you know? But you as Christians with a Biblical worldview in love and understanding did you know that you could be even more helpful.

As friends. Family, a people struggling with depression than even the most decorated Scholars of our day because they don't know and care and love your loved ones. The way that you do and tear.

You can make a difference.

On that note, I'm just going in with this. There's a lot more to be said, and thankfully, we have a whole month on this thing and we're going to get into more things going for, but I was going to end with this at this point.

Slowly Point them back to the Savior. Jesus Christ, The Gospel through the word. Because even if they're Christians going through the, they know the gospel certainly but they need to be reminded of it again when they're in a coherent place to be able to discuss don't you just give tried platitudes and Christian cliches suffer with them more than with them? Be there for them but in time give them the gospel, they need the gospel. Just as much as you wherever you're at, give them Jesus. They need to be reminded the Jesus suffered like them. But he sweat drops of blood and anguish, and sorrow, and even experience depressed, feeling at the loss of friends, and loved ones. And even in the face of immense, physical, and spiritual suffering, that was ahead of him on that cross point of the Jesus.

And then he, even if Nobody else understands you fully. Nobody will be able to fully grasp what you're going through. Jesus. And his gospel is good and he is there for you. He is really there for the downcast. Do you believe that as Christine Chapel, put it Christ sees you and cares deeply about what you are going through today. If you can be confident that he sees your whole person, including all the suffering and struggles and commits his face with love and Compassionate Care to you, still, no matter what you're going through. This is for Christians, of course, but it's also true. For those of you who do not yet believe who have not trusted the Gospel of Jesus Christ who died and was buried and rose, three days later for your sin, as your substitute, if you just trust him alone for salvation Chapel, she goes on to conclude and says, this is she says, perhaps you don't yet have a personal relationship with Jesus?

The scriptures call our wonderful counselor. if not make this life-changing decision, the humbly cry out to the one who fully sees and knows you

That's still fully and completely loves you in light of that.

And he's not asking you to fix yourself or to get your act together. First rather, he's simply inviting you to come and have a seat at his table.

Don't come to Jesus's table, whether you're struggling with depression or not and remind each other of this. Great fact, come have a seat at Jesus's table and find Hope and healing. Father, we are so thankful, Lord. The you open your arms up to Austin, you care for us, no matter what we're going through. She she loved us and, you know, us better than we know ourselves. You have answers and care.

Your heart is for the suffering. Would you help us all to come to you to know that you're the answer, that you're the solution? Would you help us to be there for those who are hurting as well? We love you. We desperately try out to you now and into the future. Lord help us help us be there for us. We say this in Christ name