Brad Smith

Depression

07/20/09 By Brad

I have been privileged to be a part of the panel that addresses several different subjects every Tuesday night this summer at the Word of Life Youth Camp in Hudson, FL. I was asked to talk about depression. Prior to this summer, I had taught about depression only a few times. But I have learned so much from my time in study and teaching on this subject. I will be posting the video of this past week's panel on the main page here (http://www.BradSmith12two.com) as soon as I have it ready (don't worry, I will Tweet about it when it is up). I knew that more and more, young people deal with depression, but I was not aware of just how rampant it was until this past Friday night. At Word of Life, on Friday nights after the campfire service, they have a testimony time. This year, they started doing cardboard testimonies (will have that video up as soon as possible also). I was surprised at how many teenagers listed depression as being greatly or somewhat influential in their lives. On a rough estimate, I would say 40% - 50% of the teens had depression written on their card somewhere. Now, this is not a scientific poll, or maybe even a great indicator of teens across America, but it was true of this past week at camp.

So, I thought I would post my notes that I share each week. Not anything too in depth, and it's just my outline, but if this is something you are struggling with, I pray that the Scripture passages will help you.

1. Depression is a heavy burden and feels insurmountable.

- Ps 13:2 - How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?
- Ps 88:1-5 O Lord, the God who saves me, day and night I cry out before you. May my prayer come before you; turn your ear to my cry. For my soul is full of trouble and my life draws near the grave. I am counted among those who go down to the pit; I am like a man without strength. I am set apart with the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, whom you remember no more, who are cut off from your care.

2. God understands despair

- Ps 38:9 All my longings lie open before you, O Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you.

3. God is the answer to a person in despair.

- Ps 43:5 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.

4. God is big enough to keep a person from sinking further into depression

- Isaiah 43:1-2 But now, this is what the Lord says - He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze."

5. God provides hope and comfort

- Ps 16:8 I have set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

6. It is possible that sin is the cause of this depression.

- Genesis 4:6-7 Then the Lord said to Cain, "Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it."

7. When sin is the cause of depression, confession must take place to begin the healing process.

- Ps 32:3-5 When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord" - and You forgave the guilt of my sin.

COMMENTS MADE BY OTHERS :

Praise Music

October 19, 2009 2:40 pm By Brad Smith

Thanks for your comment and for watching the video. I hope it was helpful. Here are some bands/artists that I love - Chris Tomlin, Fee, David Crowder Band, Chris Allen Band, MercyMe, Shane and Shane, Casting Crowns, Matt Redman, Jeremy Camp, Lincoln Brewster, Hillsong United. There are probably more than that as well. If you have iTunes on your computer, go to the iTunes store and search for those bands/artists. You can preview about 30 seconds of each song, and then choose if you want to buy it. If you don't have iTunes, go to www.apple.com for a free download of iTunes. It works on both Mac and PC.

Brad

Your Video on Depression

October 15, 2009 4:21 am By ?

Hello,

I would have left this comment on your video, but it would not let me. I am not very familiar with Christian music anymore, and I could not catch/recognize the names of the bands/musicians you mentioned for praise music. Your idea about the praise music is interesting, and I think I'd like to try it. Could you please provide a few recommendations? Thanks for posting the video.

Clarification

July 23, 2009 12:01 am By Curious

Thanks for the clarification. I wasn't trying to put words in your mouth. Just wasn't sure if that was what you were saying or not.

Depression -- To "Curious"

July 22, 2009 10:14 pm By Brad Smith

It does exist, however, that is not my focus here. Also, my question is, "Why does clinical depression exist." Ultimately, I believe that all our needs can be met in the Word of God and a personal relationship with Him. However, I also believe that medications can be a very useful tool when medical conditions are present. I am not a doctor, and don't want to even pretend to know what I am talking about in that arena.
Regardless of why the depression exists, the first 5 points are still very important and can be helpful. Also note that point 6 says, "It is possible that sin is the cause of this depression", and point 7 says, "When sin is the cause of depression..." Neither are definitive statements saying that sin is the only cause of depression. But again, I do not want to try to give advice in areas that I am not qualified to speak.

Clarification

July 22, 2009 6:09 pm By Curious

Just to clarify. Based on your statements, it seems like you are saying that depression cannot have a physical basis and can be solved solely through a relationship with God. So, you don't think that clinical depression exists?

Depression -- To "me"

July 22, 2009 9:17 am By Brad Smith

Dear Friend,
I can see that you are really struggling with some stuff, and I would guess that you're pretty alone in it. You need to get some accountability in your life -- someone who you trust who can come alongside of you and ask you the hard questions and help you deal with the struggles and secret sins you are dealing with. When I was a college student, I too struggled with the assurance of my salvation because of sin in my life. It overwhelmed me, especially at night when I went to bed, and I would lay there awake and scared to death that I would die and go to hell. I prayed "the sinners prayer" dozens of times, but it never seemed to do anything. That's because I was already a child of God and didn't need salvation. I needed to get right with him. Addictions of any kind are tremendously hard to deal with, and virtually impossible to deal with alone. The Bible tells us in Proverbs 27:17, "As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of is friend." That is a reminder that even though sparks may fly, in the long run, those close friendships make us stronger and sharper and get rid of the dull spots.
Each of us struggles with sin, and each of us have things that can bring us down very easily. Sometimes it is frustrating as a Christian, but the Apostle Paul faced the same thing. In Romans 7 he talks about the things he doesn't want to do, but ends up doing them; and he talks about the things he wants to do, but does not do those. Our Christian life is not a summer stroll in the park. It's hard. It's battle. It's rough going. Satan doesn't want us to be productive Christians. He wants us to be just like the rest of the world. And our flesh cries out to do those things. It takes dedication and hard work to live for God. But it is worth it!
Confess your sin to God, get accountability in your life, and live one day at a time living for God. Don't get caught up in trying to go 345 days without doing your sin or being holy. Get caught up in living today without your sin and being holy. Then, get up tomorrow and do the same.
We're all going to sin, and when we do, we must confess it, and get right back to living for God. 1 John 1:9 tells us that "if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." God is bigger than whatever you are dealing with. He is more powerful than the grip of your sin. Let Him rule in your life!
Please let me know if there is any other way I can help!

depression

July 21, 2009 12:12 pm By me

what if the cause of your depression is your faith. Or lack of it. Your doubt, or lack of assurance that you are saved. if you have thought for your entire life that you were saved and suddenly, because you see yourself doing things that you know are wrong, you wonder if it was real when it happened. I have the desire to to surrender my life to God, but not the will or ability. I have the knowledge that Chris is the Savior of man, and He is the Son of God, but not the faith to accept His gift of grace. how can I tell my kids to do the things I know are right, but not do them myself.I would be ashamed for my children to know all the wrong things I have done. Recently! I have seen Gods hand , His presence in my life. WHy is my heart so hardened against repentance. I know how foolish it is to continue in the direction I am going, but I am powerless to change it. I must be, for every time I decide that I have to change, not long after I am right back at it. And even though they don't know about it, my sin affects my entire family.

What now?

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