This is a post I found on  Google Plus.  It is by Christian Support.  I know many of us here have battled with this spirit.  May it bless you, encourage you, and lift the blanket of Depression from your life, in Jesus Name.

DEPRESSION & DISCOURAGEMENT

Recognizing the Problem
Depression is a prolonged feeling of sadness, discouragement and an inability to get on top of things. It is probably the most common emotional problem that people have today. The following symptoms may be present when a person is depressed:

Physical:
Insomnia, loss of appetite, loss of weight, loss of interest in sex, complaints about the body, lack of energy.

Thinking patterns:
Difficulty concentrating, poor memory, trouble making decisions, excessive self-criticism, thoughts of death or suicide.

Emotions:
Despair, guilt, irritability, crying, fear, gloomy outlook (sometimes masked by such opposite behavior as giddiness, inappropriate laughter, or pronounced quietness and sweetness.)

Activity:
Slowing of most activity, withdrawal from social contact, or the desire to withdraw, deterioration of work and personal appearance. Risk of suicide is strong for the extremely depressed person, as is the risk of mental or emotional breakdown.

Biblical Perspective

Discouragement can be caused by circumstances beyond a person’s control: dead-end job, marital difficulties, criticism from friends, and family, etc. It can also arise from the sense of failure or inadequacy, which could be caused even by seemingly insignificant factors in a person’s life. These factors can gradually multiply into a grave problem in the person’s life.

Often discouragement and depression is rooted in sin, as seen in Psalm 38:3-8; 32:1-5. With a prolonged feeling of sadness can come a growing distrust of God. There may be guilt from blaming God for the events, circumstances, and people with whom we have to do, and with whom we may be bitter as well. Often this is further seen in resentments and self-pity.

All of these factors can lead to guilt, inactivity, doubting, complaining, and worrying, so that the person may feel as though he’s in an inescapable pit. Many admirable biblical characters experienced discouragement but the Bible gives
evidence that hope in God’s mercy and steadfast love provides deliverance from depression.

What are Further Causes of Depression?

1. Lack of Adequate Rest. I Kings 19:3-4
2. Lack of proper diet.
   I King 19: 6-7
3. Frustration and anger at God or others.
   Gen. 4:6; Num. 11:11; I King 19:10, 14
4. Excessive stress. Matt. 26:37-38
   • a person fails to delegate: Num. 11:14
   • a person fails to trust God: I King 19:1-4
5. Feeling sorry for oneself because of circumstances.
   Num. 11:11-14; Psa. 77:3; Jonah 4:1-4
6. Disobedience to God’s revealed will.
   Gen. 4:6; II Sam 12:1-18; Psa. 51:1-12; Jonah 4:1-4
7. Personal expectations of others or God that are not realized.

• Jonah didn’t want Nineveh to repent.
Jonah 4:1-4
• Elijah wanted people to turn to God.
I Kings 19: 10-14
• Moses wanted Israelites to turn to God.
Num. 11:10-14
8. Fear of what might happen. I King 19:3
9. Loneliness. I King 19:4

What Are The Examples of Depression in Scripture?

1. Cain’s depression was caused by disobedience to God’s revealed will.
   Gen. 4:6-7
2. Moses’ depression was caused by excessive stress. Num. 11:11-15
3. Elijah’s depression was caused by personal high expectations, fatigue, lack of food, a fear of Jezebel and loneliness. I King 19
4. David’s depression was caused by his adultery. II Sam. 12:1-17;
   Psa. 32:1-5
5. Jonah’s depression was caused by circumstances that did not go as he desired, and disobedience to God’s will for his life. Jon. 4:3
6. Christ’s depression was caused by excessive stress prior to the crucifixion. Matt. 26:37-38

What Are the Characteristics of a Depressed Person?

1. Complaining about his circumstances.
   Num. 11:14; Psa. 38:4; 77:3
2. Desire to be alone.
   I King 19:3-4
3. Seeing no meaning or purpose in his life.
   I King. 19:4
4. Loss of joy. Psa. 51:8, 12
5. Sense of problems being overwhelming.
   Psa. 77:3-4
6. Continual focus on one’s problems even into the night with loss of sleep.
   Psa. 77:6
7. Questioning of God’s goodness.
   Psa. 77:7-9
8. Anger and jealousy.
   I Kings 19:10, 14; Jonah 4:1-4
9. Facial expression of despondency.
   Psa. 38:6; Matt. 26:37-38
10. Physical exhaustion.
    Psa. 38:10
11. Imagined exaggerated calamities that may come upon him.
    I Kings 19:10, 14, 18; Psa. 38:11-12

What Is the Biblical Solution of Depression?

1. Proper eating habits. I Kings 19:5-7
2. Proper rest. I Kings 19:4-7
3. Sharing your inner feelings with another concerned person or God.
   I Kings 19:9-10, 21; Matt. 26:37-38
4. Resolve unnecessary stress by delegating position or work to others.
   Num. 11:10-25
5. Determine areas of responsibility that have been neglected and begin to focus on them. I Kings 19:15-18
6. Confess all known sin, if sin is the cause.
   Gen. 4:5-7; Ps. 51:1-4; 8-12
7. Focus and meditate on God’s goodness and greatness and share it with others. Psa. 42:5; 77:2, 11-15

A typical believer will face difficult situations as Paul faced, but will not allow them to destroy his outlook on life or his effectiveness. See II Cor. 4:8-9.

Paul was: Troubled……… but ……… not crushed
Perplexed……. but ……… not despairing
Persecuted….. but ……… not forsaken
Struck down….but ……… not destroyed

Brief, But Positive Answers!

1. God cares and is concerned for YOU. Isa. 41:10
2. Biblical confession of sin and failure will relieve a lot of depression.
   Psa. 32:1-5; 103:1-5
3. Total trust in the Lord’s providential will and plan for the life is so important. Phil. 2:13; 4:13; II Tim. 1:7; Rom. 12:3; 8:28-29, 37;
   Eph. 6:10
4. Christ’s YOKE for our lives is not only easy, but HE CARRIES it with us. Matt. 11:28-30
5. We must in everything give thanks, for this is HIS will and the way of rest and peace. I Thess. 5:18; Eph. 5:20; Phil. 4:6-8

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