The Question of the Ages—Why?
The Darkness of Depression & Despair
Job 3:1-10 (NIV) – [1] After this, Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth. [2] He said: [3] “May the day of my birth perish, and the night it was said, ‘A boy is born!’ [4] That day—may it turn to darkness; may God above not care about it; may no light shine upon it. [5] May darkness and deep shadow claim it once more; may a cloud settle over it; may blackness overwhelm its light. [6] That night—may thick darkness seize it; may it not be included among the days of the year nor be entered in any of the months. [7] May that night be barren; may no shout of joy be heard in it. [8] May those who curse days curse that day, those who are ready to rouse Leviathan. [9] May its morning stars become dark; may it wait for daylight in vain and not see the first rays of dawn, [10] for it did not shut the doors of the womb on me to hide trouble from my eyes.
1. Depression and despair affect what we say.
a. When Job spoke immediately after his loss, he was full of faith.
b. However, when Job speaks now, his tone has dramatically changed.
2. Depression and despair can distort our perspective.
a. Job’s feelings have affected his faith.
b. It is not necessarily a sin to pour out your heart.
c. God can handle our honest feelings as long as we still revere Him.
3. Despair can cause us to show contempt for our lives.
4. Depression and despair bring a deep darkness to the soul.
a. It can be a spiritual oppression, demonic in origin.
b. Some depression is psychological, some physiological, but some is also spiritual.
c. Praise and worship are a remedy for spiritual depression.
Isaiah 61:3 (NIV) – [3] and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
d. Spiritual warfare is another remedy against spiritual depression and despair.
Ephesians 6:10-13, 18 (NIV) – [10] Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. [11] Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. [12] For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. [13] Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand… [18] And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
5. Depression and despair must be resisted to be overcome.
a. Despair is something we can’t surrender to; we must fight it in the spirit.
b. We fight it through worship, through taking our stand, by putting on the armor of God, speaking God’s Word and by praying in the Spirit.
6. Depression and despair can lead to hopelessness.
a. Hope sustains us when all else has failed us.
Romans 5:3-5 (NIV) – [3] Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; [4] perseverance, character; and character, hope. [5] And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
Romans 4:18 (NIV) – [18] Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”
b. The way to keep from losing all hope is to keep believing.
7. Depression and despair blind us to all the good we have in life.
a. Life without problems is not real life.
b. Peace in life comes not through an absence of suffering, but through an acceptance of God’s will for your life.
c. While we would prefer to avoid trouble, often times it is trouble that brings us closer to God.
2 Corinthians 1:8-11 (NIV) – [8] We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. [9] Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. [10] He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, [11] as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.
8. Depression and despair are the result of relying on ourselves and trusting in our own understanding.
9. Depression and despair can drive one into isolation, which is the opposite of what they need