Many people experience small bouts with it at winter’s onset; others do battle with it more often.
SAD—or seasonal affective disorder—was first named by Norman
Rosenthal and his colleagues at the National Institute of Mental Health in
1984. Symptoms include oversleeping, overeating, difficulty waking up, lack of
energy, trouble concentrating, and withdrawing from friends, family, and social
activities.
SAD and other types of depression can result from medical,
self-inflicted, circumstance-related, or Satan-instigated sources. Conquering
it is possible, but how?
Consult the proper
Source. David’s present depression was
circumstance-related and Satan-instigated. God anointed him as Israel’s king,
but prior to assuming the role, he faced jealousy and life-threatening tactics
from the sitting king. He found himself running for his life.
God is our ultimate emotional healer when we’re depressed. Our
efforts toward restored health should include praying for guidance, searching his Word for comfort, socializing with those who share our beliefs, and
confiding in trustworthy Christian acquaintances. When God directs—and when
conditions warrant--we may need to visit a medical professional for counseling
and/or medication.
Admit helplessness.
Depression often brings with it feelings of “darkness” and confinement, as if
lingering under an ominous cloud that neither dissipates nor delivers rain.
I’ve taken a few cave tours in my lifetime. While I enjoy pondering underground structures, one part makes me nervous: when the guide turns off the lights. What if they don’t come back, or what if
the flashlight batteries die and he has no extras? Darkness is eerie; absolute
darkness is nerve-racking.
David was a darkness expert. He slept in it as a young man while
tending his father’s sheep, and he hid in it in a wilderness cave because a
jealous king wanted him dead.
Helplessness isn’t easy to admit. We’re more likely to have an
attitude of “There’s nothing I can’t conquer.” But like the addict who must
confess their addiction before help can be effective, so conquering depression
involves admitting to God we’re helpless to overcome without his assistance.
Examine our
relationship with God. Charlie was a good
girl. Although her father rarely darkened the church doors, her mother made sure
she and her brothers attended. When a teenager, she accepted Jesus as her
Savior at a church revival and after graduation married her high school
sweetheart. They soon entered full-time Christian ministry.
But somewhere along the way, Charlie changed. Her love for
church dwindled, and her new friends led her down roads taking her away from
God. She began experimenting with sinful behaviors, which accelerated her
downhill slide. Eventually, Charlie walked out on her family.
David once ventured into forbidden areas after becoming king and
discovered what Charlie did: sin never delivers what it promises. He attempted
to enjoy life with lies, sexual immorality, and murder—but inherited only
depression and God’s discipline.
Disobedience can be a major cause of a believer’s depression.
Anytime we choose to walk away from God, an emotional struggle develops. If not
quickly settled by confession and repentance, our emotional war will be lost to
depression. Sin always takes us farther than we want to go, keeps us longer
than we want to stay, and costs us more than we want to pay.
If depression threatens, start by taking it to God.
Father, draw me to you when the dark clouds of
depression hover over me.
*These issues vary greatly from individual to individual, so it's impossible to address every need. If you or someone you know suffers from mental illness, seek professional guidance.
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