"Dealing with Depression"

1Kings 19:1-18 August 1, 2004

Positive Attitude on the Poop-deck

Bad things often befall people, whether they be good or evil. A short tale emphasizes the value of not being overwhelmed by negative circumstances.

      Back in the day of sailing ships, a sailor met an old friend on a muddy street one day. The friend did a double-take then said, "Hey, I haven't seen you in a while. What happened? You look terrible!" "What do you mean?" said the sailor. "I feel fine." "What about the wooden leg? You didn't have that, last time I saw you." "Well, we were attacked by pirates, and I got hit with a cannon ball, but I'm over it now." "Well, O.K., but what about that hook? What happened to your hand?" "Oh, that was in another skirmish. Another bunch of pirates boarded our ship and started a sword fight. My hand was cut off, so I got fitted with a hook. I'm fine, really." Then the friend queried, "And what about the eye-patch?" "Oh, that...one day, we were at sea, and a flock of birds flew over. I looked up, and just at that moment a bird-dropping landed square in my eye." "You're kidding," said the friend, "You couldn't lose an eye just from that." There was a long pause, then the sailor admitted, "Well, you see, it was my first day with the hook."

      Now, we may not be sailors having to deal with pirates and all, but everyone nonetheless encounters troubles in life. Friends and loved ones move away or even die; job and schooling prospects don't work out; other expectations and plans are dashed due to circumstances beyond our control. At such times we're tempted to become angry, resentful, and depressed. In the story of Elijah fleeing from Jezebel, we see how God restores someone from doubt and self-destructiveness to purposeful, positive living.

Elijah's Elusive Expectations

Last time we studied Elijah, it was at a high point in the prophet's life. The contest on the top of Mount Carmel between Elijah and the prophets of Baal ended when God miraculously sent fire from heaven to consume the sacrifice, the stones, even the water in the surrounding trench (1Kings 18:38). Elijah had the hundreds of false prophets slaughtered. He prayed, and God sent rain to end the 3-year drought. Elijah ran back ahead of the king to the city in the power of the Lord, a dramatic picture of a possible start of a revival.

      And then - boom. When the king told Queen Jezebel what had happened, she sent a message threatening to kill Elijah by the very next day. V3 in 1Kings 19 says, "Elijah was afraid and ran for his life." Boy, did he run! From Carmel to Jezreel was 20 miles; add to that the distance to Beersheba, 100 miles. Beersheba was in the opposite end of the country, way down south next the wilderness. Then he kept going a day's journey into the desert before he sat down under a tree and prayed to die, saying, "I've had enough, Lord: take my life -- I'm no better than my ancestors." Doesn't that sound like he was depressed?

      Later, Elijah travels on another 250 miles down to Mount Sinai, also known as Horeb. He really wants to get away from it all. Arriving there, he explains his actions by whining to God: "I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty.The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword.I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too." (1 Kings 19:10) Sounds so negative and fearful, doesn't it? Very depressing, as if all is lost. Time for a little teaching lesson: God's going to show His messenger the big picture, that it's not time to whine but to get on with carrying out God's larger plans.

Spotting Depression

It's quite understandable that Elijah would be depressed and discouraged. Depression is a very common emotional problem. A psychologist noted, "The prevalence of depression in America today is staggering...Depression is the common cold of psycho-pathology and has touched the lives of us all, yet it is probably the most dimly understood and most inadequately investigated of all the major forms of psychopathology."

      If you've ever felt depressed, don't be despondent: you're in good company. Several psalms -- 69, 88, 102 -- suggest feelings of depression, although they are set in a context of hope. In Ps.43 David acknowledged, "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me?" then went on to put his hope in God. Elsewhere in Scripture it appears that Job, Moses, Jonah, Peter, and the whole nation of Israel experienced depression (Job 3; Num.11:10-15; Jon.4:1-3; Ex.6:9; Mt.26:75). Jeremiah wrote a whole book of Lamentations. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Matthew records that our Lord Himself "began to be sorrowful and troubled...he said to them, 'My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.'" (Mt.26:36f) These were real people facing very real problems, like we face, and worse; yet they found strength and hope in God to go on.

      What is depression? Larry Crabb describes it as self-pre-occupation, self-pity, giving up; no concern for others, hence no action on behalf of others. He says it blocks compassion and therefore involves sin. It is distinguished from Anguish which does not necessarily involve sin. Anguish is "deep hurt over difficult circumstances; emotional pain over loss; soul-searching agony as problems mount" (eg Lk.22:44).

      According to Gary Collins, signs of depression include sadness, apathy, and inertia which make it difficult to 'get going' or to make decisions; loss of energy and fatigue, often accompanied by insomnia; pessimism and hopelessness; fear; negative self-concept; loss of interest or pleasure in activities; loss of appetite and spontaneity; and, difficulties in concentrating (so, you're not allowed to be depressed during the sermon!).

      Depression may have a variety of effects. For example, unhappiness and inefficiency: depressed people often feel 'blue', hopeless, self-critical, and miserable. Elijah was self-critical when he moaned, "I am no better than my ancestors." (Howard Hendricks commented, "Whoever said you were?")

      Another common effect of depression is withdrawal. Discouraged and bored with life, the person experiences a desire to get away from others (since social contacts may be too demanding), to daydream, to escape into a world of TV, novels, alcohol or drug use. Some people dream of running away or finding a simpler job. Elijah ran away literally - hundreds of miles - not just to protect his life; in the wilderness you can avoid people altogether.

      A most serious effect of depression is suicide. Satan loves to destroy people's lives in this manner. Suicide attempts may be a cry for help; an opportunity for revenge; and either intentional or subtle, as in reckless driving, drinking, or other ways to flirt with death. Elijah sounds suicidal when he says, "I have had enough, Lord; take my life." (19:4) He's completely given up.

Causes of Depression

Depression has many causes. Dr Gary Collins notes some causes are physically- or genetically-related. Lack of sleep and improper diet are among the simplest physical causes. Then there are chemical malfunctions in the body such as low blood sugar or a faulty hypothalamus gland.

      Sometimes our background plays a role, the way we were brought up. Children deprived of parental warmth have shown apathy, poor health, and sadness as a result -- indicators of depression. Also, depression is more likely when parents blatantly or subtly reject their children; or when status-seeking families set unrealistically high standards which children are unable to meet.

      Another cause is what's called "learned helplessness", a result of situations over which we have no control. "When we learn that our actions are futile no matter how hard we try -- that there is nothing we can do to relieve suffering, reach a goal or bring change -- then depression is a common response." We feel helpless and give up trying.

      Negative thinking is another cause of depression: seeing the dark side of life and overlooking the positive. This may involve a negative view of the world and life experiences; of oneself; or of the future. You can't get a much more negative picture than Elijah's complaint: "The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword.I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too." (1 Kings 19:14) As if to say, 'The whole country's a write-off, Lord.All the good people are gone.It's just me left, and everybody's out to get me!' Totally negative thinking.

      Life stress is another common cause of depression, especially when these stresses involve a loss, such as: lost opportunity, job, status, health, freedom, or possessions. Then there's the loss of people through divorce, death, or prolonged separations. It's not known how many other prophet friends of Elijah's were killed by Jezebel's forces, but the number must have been considerable (cf 1Kings 18:13). And now the whole RCMP, CSIS, and local police were under orders to snuff him out! I'd say that's stress.

      The oldest and most common explanation of depression is that it involves anger which is turned inward against oneself. Many children were raised in homes or schools where the expression of anger was not tolerated. Or a widow may be angry at her husband dying and leaving her to raise the children alone, but such anger seems irrational and arouses guilt, so she denies the anger and bottles it up inside. Anger that's denied festers "under cover" and "gets us down". If we're angry at someone else, that may lead to feelings of revenge or bitterness. Revenge leads to one of 3 things: destructive action, bodily symptoms, or depression.

      Revenge and bitterness are highly toxic and deadly. That's why forgiveness is so important, turning that grudge over to God, choosing to accept paying the emotional cost of the injury just as Jesus accepted the cost of paying for our sin. Psychologist Roger Barrett says, "Resentment...is the accumulation of unexpressed anger.And, resentment...is the most destructive emotion in human relationships and in personal well-being...Some depressed clients...wallow in depression as a means of hurting others...It's a kind of psychological blackmail."

      You can detect more than an ounce of bitterness, anger, and resentment in Elijah's whining. "I have been very zealous...The Israelites have rejected your covenant...they're trying to kill me..." Reading between the lines: "Oh, if only I could get my hands on that twisted Jezebel and those wicked Baal-worshippers! I'd make 'em pay!"

      Another cause of depression is guilt. When a person feels that they have failed or have done something wrong, guilt arises and along with it comes self-condemnation, frustration, hopelessness, and other symptoms of depression. Of course this did not apply in Elijah's case as he was so sure he'd done everything right!

      Larry Crabb contends that "Anxiety, resentment, and guilt are the basic problem conditions behind all other personal difficulties...Guilt comes from believing that what God provides is not enough, and then going outside of God's will to secure what He has not provided. Resentment comes from believing that my needs are threatened by something which He has allowed to happen to me. Anxiety is the fear that something I need will not be provided." The solution? Crabb states, "If I believe that all I need is God and what He chooses to provide, I will not experience any of these three emotions."

From the Cave into the Light

Let's go back to our Biblical story and see how God provides just what Elijah needs to get him out of his "funk". Vv5-7, God begins by looking after Elijah's physical needs, providing rest and refreshment. The prophet lies down under the tree and falls asleep. I would too after a hundred-mile run! An angel tells him to get up and eat - and there's some fresh-baked cinnamon buns and a Nalgie full of fresh water. After a rest, Elijah is wakened again for more of the same. The angel explains, "The journey is too much for you" - the human needs to acknowledge his physical limits, and start thinking realistically.

      At Horeb, God's mountain, Elijah is queried twice: "What are you doing here, Elijah?" This is an invitation to step back and look at the big picture, challenging expectations that this revival thing has to happen overnight, reminding the prophet of his original calling just to be God's messenger - to those troublesome stubborn Israelites, not the scorpions of Sinai. Challenging negative thinking.

      VV11-12 contain a remarkable object lesson: "a great and powerful wind" tearing the mountains apart and shattering rocks, followed by an earthquake, then a fire - but the Lord was not in any of them. Then "after the fire came a gentle whisper" - "a still small voice", "a sound of sheer silence" or "soft breath" other translations put it. Faint but unmistakable: the Lord is here.

      We're never told the exact significance of the object lesson, but it may have to do with Elijah's dramatic showdown on the top of Mount Carmel. Perhaps he was hoping revival would appear just as dramatically and powerfully, like a hurricane or earthquake. God would in time bring about revival and reforms, but in a much more gradual and subtle way. His agents were already quietly being prepared and put in place. Elijah's style had been dramatic; the Lord's style of operating was quite different, gentler, quieter, yet irresistible nonetheless. Elijah would have to be patient. God is not rammy or destructive or coercive, but patient and longsuffering with people, bringing about change in the long term. God's manner is not that of a bulldozer or bomb, but an unmistakable breeze. The object lesson rattled Elijah's bullish expectations and assumptions about God's methods in dealing with mankind.

      In vv15-17, the Lord doesn't offer any lengthy explanation or rebuke, but simply gives Elijah a meaningful and significant job to do. He is to anoint an enemy king, Hazael king of Aram, who will be an agent of discipline to Israel externally. Elijah is also told to anoint the next king of Israel (who would eradicate wayward Ahab's descendants), and anoint Elisha as prophet to succeed Elijah. (Interesting side-note: Elisha's name means "God is salvation" as in "Joshua" or "Jesus".In the New Testament, John the Baptist was compared to Elijah. Elisha follows Elijah just as Jesus came after John.) God re-commissions his prophet by giving him a do-able job: "No, Elijah, you can't save the world, but you can set apart these three blokes for the important tasks for which I'm preparing them." Resizing expectations and goals from that which is unattainable down to manageable size.

      Counsellor John Regier tells of one man who was stuck in a factory job putting packing tape on boxes. When he didn't put the tape on quite right, he got yelled at. The man came to John for counselling, severely depressed. John found out about the demeaning job situation, and that the fellow had some computer skills. He asked the man to help him make up some overheads for the seminars he was preparing. The symptoms of depression disappeared overnight because the man had renewed purpose, a meaningful assignment that he could handle.

      Elijah was starting to realize it didn't all depend on him; he was part of a team, and God was in control and therefore responsible, not him. The Lord was working out His plan in His own timing and way.

      Finally, God reveals in v18 that He has reserved 7,000 people in Israel who have remained faithful to Him, not bowing to or kissing the false gods. "Relax and take a deep breath, Elijah; you're not the only one." God was challenging the prophet's negative, narrow focus. The Lord has resources beyond our knowing. God is bigger than our problems and preconceived notions -- He can handle the situation.

Overcoming Depression

We can see hints of God's "cure" for Elijah in the treatment for depression suggested by Dr Gary Collins. Begin with evaluating causes -- is there low self-esteem? Discuss and challenge ideas and attitudes people have learned about themselves and about the world. Is there learned helplessness? Begin with small tasks and move on to the more difficult; let's start, say, with anointing three people...

      Is there negative thinking? "Are you telling yourself things about the world, yourself, and the future, which really aren't so?" "Why are you here, Elijah?" Perhaps the person can learn to think more positively as in Philippians 4:8, "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable— if anything is excellent or praiseworthy— think about such things."

      Is there stress, especially that which concerns a loss? Is there revenge covering anger; anger covering hurt? "What would you really like to see happen to Jezebel?" Is there guilt - "Any wrong heart attitudes you might need to confess, Elijah?"

      Those who suffer from depression need to be helped to think realistically, in particular, becoming aware of "automatic thoughts" - to redirect negative thoughts such as "this is terrible", "nobody wants me now", or "I never do anything right". One writer in a magazine article admitted her depression came from an attitude which said, "I should be a perfect hostess, parent, wife, and friend.I should not fail.I should contribute to the community by serving on committees and making contributions to everyone who asks." Such high expectations are impossible to reach; be realistic in your thinking. Accept human frailty and limitations.

      Depressed people may need to be encouraged to change their environment, whether by modifying routines, reducing work loads, or taking periodic vacations. The Lord modified Elijah's workload by providing him a successor to train.

      Physical fitness is an important factor. As we've seen, God sent an angel to help Elijah overcome his worn-down physical state with special "angel food cake". A healthy body is less susceptible to mental as well as physical illness.

      To overcome depression, it's important to learn to trust in God. Even in prison, Paul could state he had learned to be content in all circumstances. Knowing God strengthens us and can supply all our needs, Paul had learned how to live joyfully, both in poverty and in prosperity. (Php.4:11-13,19)

      A realistic attitude expects discouragement. That's not negative thinking, just being prepared for bad things to happen from time to time. Jesus warned we would have problems in this world; James wrote that trials and temptations would come to test our faith and teach us patience (Jn.16:33; Jas.1:2-4). Losses will come, no matter how tightly we try to hold on to something or someone. When we're realistic enough to expect pain and informed enough to know that God is always in control, then we can handle discouragement better and often keep from slipping into deep depression.

      Finally, those who would be free from depression need to learn to handle anger, resentment, and guilt. Dwell on past injustices or failures and you're prone to slide into depression. The unmerciful servant whose own huge debt was written off but wouldn't forgive another's tiny debt was turned over to the torturers (Mt.18:21-35). We need to ask God to help us forget the past, forgive those who've sinned against us, and forgive ourselves. Behold your Suffering Saviour, Jesus, the pain He went through so you might be forgiven, and absorb the pain others have caused you rather than trying to hold it against them. When you forgive, He can restore your soul.

The Difference Faith Makes

Cecilia Zhang, a nine-year-old Toronto girl, was abducted and murdered last fall. If anyone had a legitimate right to be resentful and bitter, you'd think her parents would. But the Globe and Mail reported last Friday that the transforming power of their newfound Christian faith has helped the parents to immediately forgive her alleged killer.

Raymond Zhang and his wife, Sherry Xu, were born and raised as atheists in China. But shortly after their daughter's kidnapping in October, they accepted Christ with the help of Pastor Daniel Lee and members of the Chinese Evangelical Alliance Church. Lee, who had never met the couple, had gone to their home to offer them spiritual consolation. After Cecilia's body was discovered in March, the church organized her funeral. And after that, the couple were baptized and have become regular church attenders.

Lee says he was not surprised to learn that when a 21-year-old visa student from Shanghai was charged recently with murdering Cecilia, her parent's first response was forgiveness. "They are Christians now," he told the press. "For them to forgive requires a lot of strength.I think they get it from God.They know everyone is a sinner." Others have been amazed that they can be so charitable. The Peel Regional Police Chief said, "They are absolutely incredible people...They reflect a position of forgiveness and empathy and compassion." Their faith in God must be a big factor. They may not be conscious of it, but their forgiving attitude is likely also protecting them from slipping into depression due to resentment.

Preacher Vance Havner once hoped that his dying wife would be healed through some miracle. But she died, and he was plunged into grief. Although he didn't understand why it happened, He trusted that God makes no mistakes. Havner wrote: "Whoever thinks he has the ways of God conveniently tabulated, analyzed, and correlated with convenient, glib answers to ease every question from aching hearts has not been far in this maze of mystery we call life and death...He has no stereotyped way of doing what He does. He delivered Peter from prison but left John the Baptist in a dungeon to die...At this writing I never knew less how to explain the ways of Providence but I never had more confidence in my God...I accept whatever He does, however He does it." Let's pray.