Rev. David Holwick
First Baptist Church
Ledgewood, New Jersey
July 14, 1991
2 Corinthians 4:7-10
DEPRESSION AND SUICIDE
I. Depression as a sign of our culture.
A. Many feel depressed.
1) At any given time, up to 10% of U.S. population is depressed.
2) Valium, stimulants are among most popular drugs.
B. Especially true of young people.
1) Many teenagers are severely depressed and even suicidal.
a) One study found that 20% of teenagers claimed they were
"empty, confused, and would rather die than live."
b) 34% of teens says they have seriously considered suicide.
1> 14% say they have made an attempt.
2> Each year, as many as 2 million between the ages of
13 and 19 attempt suicide.
3> In the last ten years, the suicide rate for
adolescents has tripled.
2) Contributing factors for their depression.
a) Family problems, divorce.
b) Drug and alcohol abuse.
c) Pressure to excel in sports and school.
d) Physical and sexual abuse.
II. Christian attitude toward depression.
A. Often viewed as a sin.
1) "Just remember God's promises and smile!!"
2) Depression is a sign of weakness and defeat.
B. The Bible's view of depression.
1) The OT is very graphic: Psalm 69:1-3 says -
"Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck.
I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold.
I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me.
I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched.
My eyes fail, looking for my God."
a) Depression was a real experience for David.
b) But David is responding to a specific problem.
c) Our depression often doesn't have an identifiable cause.
2) New Testament speaks of being sorrowful, distressed, troubled,
perplexed, in agony and very heavy.
a) These are more industrious states of suffering than what
we usually experience.
b) The word "depression" is not found, but the idea is
well-covered.
C. Depression was experienced by some of the greatest people in Bible.
1) Saul.
a) Classic manic/depressive.
b) In dark mood turns on young David.
c) Ends up committing suicide in the midst of utter defeat.
2) David.
a) Psalm 42 - "Why are you downcast, O my soul?"
b) Psalm 88. Unrequited gloom, but he keeps his faith.
3) Solomon.
a) Ecclesiastes - "All is vanity, meaningless."
4) Paul.
a) He knew what it was to be crushed. 2 Cor 4:7-10
5) Even Jesus Christ.
a) In Gethsemane he was overwhelmed with sorrow and grief.
D. Depression of great Christians.
1) Martin Luther.
a) He saw God as his adversary more than the devil.
2) Charles Spurgeon.
a) Spent weeks in bed, unable to function.
III. Clinical features of depression.
A. Awareness of a gap between our ideal for ourselves and
how far we fall short of that ideal.
1) This is a cause of depression as well as a feature.
B. Low self-esteem. (related to first)
1) Most people feel inadequate.
2) Some are paralyzed.
3) Others work to disprove them.
4) Others project them. (racism, sexism)
C. Hopelessness. There is no way out, things will get worse.
1) Concept of "hope" is alien in scientific society.
a) Greenhouse effect, nuclear winter.
2) Lack of hope can ruin physical health.
a) Univ. of Rochester Sch. of Med.: 80% of patients
who died after surgery were depressed.
IV. The Christian response.
A. Gap between ideals and reality.
1) The NT says there is a genuine gap between us and God's ideal.
a) Christ bridges the gap. Rom 3:23; 6:23
2) New birth is free, good works are the result.
a) God wants not just good people, but first of all new
people.
b) We then have inner strength to become what we ought
to be.
B. Low self-worth.
1) I cannot improve my worth in God's eyes.
2) My worth is what Jesus has done for me.
C. Hopelessness.
1) Hope is not wishful thinking or even optimism, but belief
that what is desired is attainable. Rom 8:24
2) Christ Jesus is our hope.
a) Death is a reality, but he overcomes it.
b) The Bible gives us insight into God's plan for our
planet.
c) Thoughts of C.S. Lewis on death and hope.
V. What Christians can do to help those who are depressed.
A. Much depression comes from feeling all alone.
B. Christians are not alone.
1) We always have Jesus.
2) We can often have fellowship with other Christians.
a) Are you building up friendships?
b) Cementing ties with those closest to you?
c) Helps you, and you may find out they need help.
C. Christians should be sensitive to the emotions of others.
1) Don't be selfishly wrapped up in yourself.
2) Most people want to hang around happy people.
3) Jesus sought out needy.
D. Success story.
A teenager named George harbored deep suicidal thoughts.
Five years previously, his father had killed himself.
George often told his friends he looked forward to death so he
could meet his father.
He even had it all planned:
He had a loaded gun rigged in his room so that one pull of a
string would end the last five years of pain and questioning.
And he carried two more bullets with him to remind him he had
an escape.
A counselor at school knew how serious this was and tried to
get George to hand over the bullets, but he wouldn't.
So the teacher handed him a book which presents the gospel of
Jesus as the foundation for purpose in life.
George agreed to read the book.
That evening a woman approached the counselor with tears in her
eyes.
"I'm George's mother - thank you.
George gave me this envelope to give you."
In the envelope were three bullets.
#561
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"Naming the Darkness," Virginia Owens, CT, 1/19/79, p. 22.
"Dealing with Depression," Stanton Jones, CT, 9/17/82, p. 60.
"Too Young to Die," Diane Eble, CT, 3/20/87, p. 19.
David Holwick
Depression notes
July 11, 1991
DEPRESSION
I. Armand Mayo Nicholi II, CT 11/11/83, p 38.
A. Parallels of Marx and Freud.
1) Both had devout fathers, and fought with them.
2) Both wrote much and were rejected.
3) Both had no friends and died bitter and disillusioned.
B. Clinical depression.
1) Awareness of a gap between our ideal for ourselves and
how far we fall short of that ideal.
a) This is a cause of depression as well as a feature.
b) Christian response:
1> The NT says there is a gap between us and God's ideal.
2> Christ bridges the gap.
3> New birth is free, good works are the result.
A> God wants not just good men, but first of all new
men.
4> We then have inner strength to become what we ought
to be.
A> Forgiveness and ability to start over.
2) Low self-esteem. (related to first)
a) Most people feel inadequate.
1> It is important how we handle this feeling.
A> Some are paralyzed.
B> Others work to disprove them.
C> Others project them. (racism, sexism)
2> Christian response:
A> I cannot improve my worth in God's eyes.
B> Our worth is what Jesus has done for me.
3) Hopelessness. There is no way out, things will get worse.
a) Concept of "hope" is alien in scientific society.
1> But science is built on hope, so that it often ends
up being a substitute for religion.
b) Lack of hope can ruin physical health.
1> Univ. of Rochester Sch. of Med.: 80% of patients
who died after surgery were depressed.
c) Hope is not wishful thinking or even optimism, but belief
that what is desired is attainable. (Rom 8:24)
d) Christian view:
1> Christ Jesus is our hope.
2> Thoughts of C.S. Lewis on death and hope.
