First Good Samaritan Baptist Church
Weekly Word

The Caring Church, Preparing the world by Sharing the WORD!

DELIVERANCE FROM DEPRESSION

4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, LORD, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!”
I Kings 19:4
New King James Version

Our church has a mission statement that reads: “Developing Disciples for Kingdom Building, Wholistic Living and Family Strengthening” This sermon appeals to the “Wholistic Living” perspective of the church’s mission statement. Many people who claim to be a believer can exhibit a behavior that could be categorized as depression. Many who sit in our sanctuaries suffer in silence that stem from depression. It has been said that many come to church masking depression personally while maintaining a public appearance of notoriety which is not their reality.

This passage of scripture introduces us to a preacher/prophet by the name of Elijah who goes through a season of severe depression. His depression is so severe to where he asks God to take his life. Elijah’s depression is not one of suicide but asking God to commit a homicide. His request to God is for Him to take his life. What is interesting about Elijah is that in chapter 18, he has experienced VICTORY. However, in chapter 19, he goes from VICTORY TO EXTREME AGONY. So the question becomes, how does he go from an extreme high point in his life to an extreme low point in his life. Here it is: It is Jezebel who says she wants to kill him.

• 2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.”

It is in vs. 3 that brings us revelation to Elijah depression.

• 3 And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.

One of the revealing signs of depression is going through a season of isolation. Elijah isolates himself from the world and goes to a deserted place. He finds himself in a desolate place that isolates himself from others. Some isolation can sometimes serve as a breeding ground for depression. It’s one thing to have some alone time but it’s another to be in a season of isolation that has you lonely. Isolation with negative thoughts can lead to dangerous outcomes. Always remember that depression can attack anyone at anytime but what can deliver us from depression is having a conversation with God.

Philippians 4:6 tells us that DON’T WORRY ABOUT ANYTHING, PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING, TELL GOD WHAT YOU NEED AND THANK HIM FOR WHAT HE HAS ALREADY DONE. WHAT DEFEATS DEPRESSION IS A CONVERSATION WITH GOD. ALSO, DELIVERANCE FROM DEPRESSION REQUIRES YOU TO HAVE APPRECIATION. APPRECIATION AND DEPRESSION CANNOT RESIDE IN THE SAME SPACE. ACCORDING TO PHILIPPIANS 4:6, IT ALSO SAYS, “…THANK HIM FOR WHAT HE HAS ALREADY DONE.” DELIVERANCE FROM DEPRESSION REQUIRES A CONVESATION WITH GOD AND APPRECIATION FOR WHAT GOD HAS DONE! WHY? BECAUSE WHAT GOD HAS DONE…HE IS STILL ABLE TO DO!

Dr. James A. Simmons, Senior Pastor