Approximately seven per cent of Americans, nearly fourteen million, experience depressive disorders. Since the bride of Christ is to go through the same experiences as the rest of the race (1 Corinthians 10:13), it is no surprise that true Christians often experience the same disorder. This issue of The Herald is dedicated to taking a Scriptural look at this serious ailment to see how some of the great heroes of the Bible fought this disabling problem.
The first article, Coping with Depression, provides an overview of the subject and shows the difference between clinical and spiritual depression.
Then we look at the lives of biblical individuals who struggled with this problem. Job’s Depression and Final Victory explores Job’s conflict with depression and how he handled it.
David at Gath analyzes the beloved king’s behavior and how he later repented of his actions when he wrote a psalm about his emotions.
Out of the Depths is a verse-by-verse study of David’s hymn of thanksgiving found in Psalm 130. He thanks the Lord for the many times God delivered him from all dangers, both real and fancied.
King Saul’s Woes shows us a king who was not successful fighting his mood swings. Even the therapeutic sound of David’s harp could not control him in his fits of rage.
Peter’s Discouragement looks at how Peter fought his battle with discouragement after he realized he had disavowed knowing his Lord and Master.
The Tears of a Prophet describes how the sorrow Jeremiah felt over the future of his beloved Jerusalem caused him to write an entire epic poem of his lamentations.
The concluding article, As a Man Thinketh, finishes our analysis of this subject and prescribes proper self-love, as distinguished from self-esteem, as an antidote.
If you are one of the many who has been discouraged or depressed, we hope you find this issue of The Herald of special benefit.
Bible Student elder Tim Krupa talks about despair and discouragement here: Tim_Krupa_Despair_And_Discouragement
I am a Jehovah’s Witness and I have been all my life. Unfortunately I haven’t attended many meetings in a while and I feel really bad about it. I have however attended many of the district and circuit conventions that have been held. I try to get as much out of it as possible, but sometimes I get distracted and discouraged in the midst of things that I feel it defeats the purpose of even attending the conventions. I have lived in a house with two other families all my life as well at least up until last Friday. Last Friday they took all the furniture in the house except the refrigerator, stove and microwave (which they are returning to get in the next few days) and have left me my mom and my baby sister with nothing. They haven’t even so much as asked did we need any help or did they need to leave anything at the house until we can replace the old furniture. The big problem with that is they didn’t even tell anybody they were moving so that someone could make arrangements to get things in order before they left. Also, no one has bothered to call and check on me and my sister who is staying in the house with no furniture and barely any food or anything else for that matter. It it truly discouraging. My mom and dad are completely furious with the whole situation as well as myself. I think it is very selfish and cruel what they have done. On top of that, we don’t have reliable transportation other than the bus. That makes it 10x harder to get to meetings. We don’t have much of any help and not too many places to turn. It is a very uncomfortable and complicated situation that seems to get worse each passing day. I hate being in this house with absolutely nothing. It is not fun and I as well as my sister is miserable. I need someone to talk to, but I have no one. I pray about the situation everyday. It is all I can do. I really truly need a kind word. I am so discouraged and I just feel like throwing my hands up and just leaving. I just want to get up and start walking with no destination in mind and not look back. I really feel like I am about to break. Does anyone have a kind word or advice?????
Hi Shemika,
I am so sorry to hear about your problems. When it rains it pours it seems sometimes. Shemika maybe your Mom and Dad has a solution you aren’t aware of. Don’t leave stay there and as a family think and talk together. Some agencies will help quickly if they know of your situation. Shemika, your family sticking together now is better. If you leave it will make your family have more worry if they don’t know where you are. So tell them if you are going to stay with a friend for a few days, but don’t just walk away. Your little sister will be distressed. There are places that will put families up for a month to a year in most cities. Ask the social services, police or the fire department, often each can get you in touch with the proper people. I know you are praying to God and he hears your prayers, but I will pray for you also. It is at theses times that you have to throw your burden on Jehovah, then he will go ahead of you to make things work out at the agencies. You sound like a very caring person. It comes across in your writing. And I know you have love for God so you pray; it works.
Don’t feel God is thinking about whether or not you are able to make the meetings, those are men’s laws. You can get in touch with Jehovah right where you are. There is no building that can hold or contain him. I think you are near a large city, they usually have many social services for emergency purposes. Others will write to give you some scriptures to read, but now call a friend and social services. Take care my sister. In our Redeemer’s name, Jacqueline
Shemika – We are praying for you and your family. Please keep us informed. Let us know if your family is able to get help from Social Services. We can be contacted privately on the ABOUT page under CONTACT. Let us know if you need help finding a social service near you. Don’t give up hope. Jehovah will help you through this. Remember Jesus’ promise in the book of Luke.
In Luke 12, from the New World translation, we read this:
24 Mark well that the ravens neither sow seed nor reap, and they have neither barn nor storehouse, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more worth are YOU than birds?
25 Who of YOU by being anxious can add a cubit to his life span?
26 If, therefore, YOU cannot do the least thing, why be anxious about the remaining things?
27 Mark well how the lilies grow; they neither toil nor spin; but I tell YOU, Not even Sol’o-mon in all his glory was arrayed as one of these.
28 If, now, God thus clothes the vegetation in the field that today exists and tomorrow is cast into an oven, how much rather will he clothe YOU, YOU with little faith!
29 So quit seeking what YOU might eat and what YOU might drink, and quit being in anxious suspense;
30 for all these are the things the nations of the world are eagerly pursuing, but YOUR Father knows YOU need these things.
31 Nevertheless, seek continually his kingdom, and these things will be added to YOU.
Dear Anonymous
I am a sister not brother. But I can’t even think about this anymore, its all to much. I am trapped , I’ve lost all hope and faith?
My brain can’t handle it right now. I can’t deal with it right now.
I can’t reach out for anything and I’m self destructing. Please understand and bear with me. I appreciate all your help but I can’t take hold of your hand right now. I’m too ashamed to even talk to God. He doesn’t want me, you’re wrong. No one does. I have no money to make phone calls. I am financially broke too. So much for the help for me from my so called previous family in the faith. I have to find my own way.
Dear Sis many of us have been were you are right now and i pray you believe me ….
I my self have tryd to step out of this world some years ago,but when you have come to that lowest point you will come to see and understand that God is mercy .
When you are in the deepest pit it is He who will come to you and hold your hand .
Now you say “God does not want me”, you are wrong sister.
Matth 9:12On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’a For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Dear sister ,you say;
“I can’t take hold of your hand right now”,
God knows how you feel and He knows how you are harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd
How ever he give you some thing to hold on for he is reaching out to you
He loves you …..and he says “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Be strong sis ,we love you .
no I can’t turn to God or Jesus. Thats just it. I’m too ashamed that I am doubting everything now. I don’t know how to find ME in all this. I believed so strongly and now I don’t want to believe anything because its too painful and confusing. I don’t find comfort in believing anymore. I can’t read Gods word. It only mocks me. Nothing makes sense to me right now.
I have fallen too far away and can’t see my way back to any kind of relationship with God. Everyone says something different. So I’ve given up on it all. I am seeing a therapist next week but no one understands this unless you’ve been in my shoes. Yes you say you have but you didn’t turn your back on God. I have for the second time….the road back is too painful, I know I’ve done it before. So I am just a bad seed and deserve what is in store for me.
There is no peace for me. I’m sorry to bother you with this.
Anonymous,
Somehow this comment got lost. I am so glad you are going to a therapist now. You see, God answers prayers in many ways. I am a therapist and I know your’s will help you. Believe her when she tells you not to feel guilty. Jehovah called David his friend, and we know what David did. There is no sin that Jesus can’t handle! God is your Father, he loves you and Jesus is a covering sacrifice. He shields our sins from his father.
All you have to do is say “Our Father who is in heaven Hallowed be thy name. Let your Kingdom come and your will be done on earth. His will is that all men get forgiveness of their sins. He offers this by the blood of Christ. His shed blood is a guarantee. Tho our sins be scarlet, Heaven can bear them as Jesus forgives each and every one of them. All power has been given to the one that died for you
Anonymous. Ask him to help you accept his redemption, tell him you are having a problem forgiving yourself. He’ll understand.
I might not have gotten as low as you, but I have suffered at the hands of false brothers. I have someone dear to me that won’t speak to me because of the shunning policy. He’s my son. I am old and that hurts me. But I know Jesus can sustain me, and I want to help you, all of us are concerned about you Anonymous. Knowlege is not how you get to God, Anon, Faith, Love ,Hope, prayer is the way.
One reader called and came over to my home to talk about you. You see that person has been where you are and they thought we didn’t see your comment. I told them yes we see it.
Please come back and let us know how you are doing. It will cause us distress if we don’t hear from you. Take care and may God, Jesus and the angels protect you, we are praying and pulling for you. In the name of Jesus. Jacqueline
Let’s keep talking.
I am a sister not brother. But I can’t even think about this anymore, its all to much. I am trapped between the world I knew and the world I’m not suppose to be in. Do you understand I’ve lost all hope and faith? My brain can’t handle it right now. I can’t deal with it right now. I can’t reach out for anything and I’m self destructing. Please understand and bear with me. I appreciate all your help but I can’t take hold of your hand right now. I’m too ashamed to even talk to God. He doesn’t want me, you’re wrong. No one does. I have no money to make phone calls. I am financially broke too. So much for the help for me from my so called previous family in the faith. I have to find my own way.
Hi Anonymous,
Good to hear from you again. Sometimes it seems all is lost, and it can be worse in the winter. I don’t know much about you but sometimes if you talk it can be a relief.
May I ask what it is that is causing so much distress? I don’t mean to pry. If you answer on the ask Jacqueline tab, it won’t show your comment unless you tell me to do so. It can be private for a bit. Or public so that all can help you. Have you seen the poem “Footprints”? Look it up on the internet, I find it conforting. Psalm is a book that has many travails of prayer in it. Pray hard to God, be specific as to what you want and wait. If it is in harmony with his will he’ll give it, but maybe in a different way than you expect. In fact you just might not recognize it as an answer to your prayer.
In your country, your health care can help you at no cost. Talk to a professional tell them what you told us. Let them help you. Tell your family, or maybe you have already. Government services might be able to help you get over the hump so to speak. Then you can think. It’s true you need physical support before you can think. Jesus feed the crowd literally as well as spiritually. Answer back and let me know if any of this makes sense. If not, we can talk about something else until we get it right.
Jesus said at John 14:27 “I leave you peace, I give you my peace.”‘ He promises to come back again and get rid of all causes for pain. Take care my sister, Jacqueline
Where is God for me? Why am I in such distress when I tried so hard for so long and he knows the pain I’m suffering. I am barely hanging on. I’ve turned my back on Him by questioning so He certainly isn’t going to help me now!!! There is no where to turn. I can’t do either thing…religion or no religion!!! I’m inbetween two worlds and can’t live in either one.
Hello Anonymous, One of the brothers will respond. We see your message give us a little time. Thanks Jacqueline
Dear Anonymous,
You may question God, but please don’t turn your back on Him, just wait for His answers.
Your situation reminds me of Job’s turmoil, here’s a passage from his monologue:
Job. 30: 19 “He has cast me into the mire, And I have become like dust and ashes.
20 “I cry out to You for help, but You do not answer me; I stand up, and You turn Your attention against me.
21 “You have become cruel to me; With the might of Your hand You persecute me.
22 “You lift me up to the wind and cause me to ride; And You dissolve me in a storm.
23 “For I know that You will bring me to death And to the house of meeting for all living.
Job honestly doubted God’s intentions but we do not find that God was angry with him as he was with his friends (Job. 42: 7) because he was sincere. He wanted to trust God, but he was confused. God did not answer him directly but raised questions about the intricacies of His creation to make Job realize God’s infinitely superior power and wisdom and good intentions for everyone’s eternal welfare. When Job realized that his answer was:
Job. 42:2 “I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.
3 ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ “Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.”
4 ‘Hear, now, and I will speak; I will ask You, and You instruct me.’
5 “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; But now my eye sees You;
6 Therefore I retract, And I repent in dust and ashes.”
Job was now able to perceive God by faith and he put his trust in Him more than ever before.
My prayer is that you will have a similar experience – and you will come thru victorious from the severe test of faith you are going through.
Remember, God does not give us what we want, but what we need for our best eternal interest, which we at times cannot understand, but please choose to trust Him and in the end He will not disappoint. We are praying for you. 🙂
Anonymous,
You aren’t turning your back by questioning. He commanded us to ” make sure of all things”. You’re doing exactly what he wants you to. Forget what the society says. There is a reason they don’t want you to question and research. If they really had the truth, they wouldn’t be afraid of self examination.
Anonymous,
It is a very simple thing to say to you to “trust the Lord” as you wrestle with reconciling what you have been taught to what you are coming to learn for yourself. We all know that the application of knowledge and truth is much more difficult than the obtaining of it. And we all struggle with it, whether we are new or long time followers of Christ.
So, my prayer for you as you struggle with this reconciliation is:
That you are able to see how Jehovah’s hand has been and continues to be involved in the daily affairs of your life,
That you can find true peace in knowing that Jehovah loves you so much that He was willing to give His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, for your redemption,
That you will keep seeking a relationship with Jehovah through the Lord Jesus and that as you do so, He will reveal more of Himself and His son to you,
That Jehovah will give you the courage to believe what He and His word reveals, even when it contradicts what others may be telling you and,
That the peace of Christ in your life becomes so evident to all who interact with you that they ask you how they might have that peace also.
I just want to remind you that you are loved by Him and His people, and you are in our prayers.
Aaronk
Anonymous, If you need to talk verbally with someone, we will help you on Saturday on the Richard Rawe Hook-up or on Sunday when we do Bible reading and discussion. All of us are ex-JW, existing witnesses, Bible Student and many were elders.
Jesus said at Matt. 11:30 “Come to me, all whose work is hard, whose load is heavy; and I will give you relief. Bend your necks to my yoke, and learn from me,for I am gentle and humble-hearted; and your souls will find relief. For my yoke is good to bear, my load is light.”
Jesus has answered your prayer now, maybe unspoken. He loves you and has set up help now for those who just can’t meet or live-up to all the pushing and demanding of a load that you just can’t carry. You will get your voice back, you can get in touch again with Jesus. That’s what’s wrong the load is from men not God. We’ve all been there, we want to help and be encouraged by you also.
You aren’t doing to bad, at least you are “Concious of your Spiritual need.” If you want the phone numbers say yes and we will post them. Thank you, and may the Peace of God and Jesus be with you my brother. Jacqueline
Anonymous, please continue to hope in Jehovah’s promises – this may be a very hard test for you, but put your trust in the Lord.
Remember Job of old, all his children died suddenly, all his riches were lost, his friends deserted him, and he was afflicted with pain and suffering, but he still chose to praise God. Choose to do the same in the midst of confusion and He will not disappoint you.
Read Psalm 103 and know that we are praying for you.
I can’t trust anyone now. There is no where for me to turn. Everything I believed in is gone. I have nothing left. There is nothing left for me. There is no one to trust. God doesn’t hear me. There are no answers. Why are people so cruel? I don’t understand anything. I tried to be a good person. I never hurt anyone but everyone hurts me. Why?????? I can’t live with this pain. You say you’re right and they say they’re right. Everyone thinks they are right and I just want to let God be right. Where is He? Why am I plagued with this?????
Rom.3:4 say : “Never may that happen, Let God be found true though every man be found a liar”. Everlasting life is by “grace” or undeserved kindness, it is not by works. What does it matter to God if you are trying to understand but just can’t get it right. Rom. 10:13 says everyone that calls on the name of God shall be saved. You and I, everyone can do that. Do not put your trust in Nobles ,or men. Notice what saved this man Luke 23:42-43 And he went on to say: “Jesus remember me when you get into your kingdom. And he said to him “Truly I tell you today, You will be with me in Paradise. How much studying did he do? He recognized Jesus as the son of God, right then from what he saw. He didn’t understand all the scriptures and wasn’t going to, he was dying. He was SAVED BY GRACE.
Luke 8 :49,50 What did this dead twelve year old understand to get saved, ressurrected. In part. “Your daughter has died, don’t bother the teacher any longer….Jesus said “Have no fear, only put forth faith, and she will be saved.54. But he took her by the hand and called saying:”GIRL, GET UP!”What about Daniel, he wrote and didn’t understand a thing he wrote, couldn’t explain it right in a thousand years. He told him seal up the book! Dan. 12:13 …’ go toward the end; and you will rest, but you will stand up for your lot at the end of the days. He would have confused us if he tried to explain. Knowledge will not save you. Some people have good hearts and love God. I know a sister from my childhood that never explained it like it was taught. She aided almost all of our early brothers in my city to come to a knowledge of the Bible. Her name was sister Delbridge. She was 70 when I was a child, she couldn’t read, but she had a relationship with God and always found someone to read at the door or just quoted wrong, but explained it from her heart. God brought the person in. Both you and I and everyone can do what all the aforementioned ones did. THEY PUT FAITH IN THE LORD. Isn’t that what God said? John17:3 “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” How does God say you get to know him?
Prov.1:7 says the ‘Fear of God is the beginning of knowledge’. Not fear of man. My friend have you considered that all creation keeps on groaning together and being in pain together until now.( Rom. 8:22) Jesus is here now and has died for our sins.Verse 26. “In like manner the spirit also joins in with HELP for our weakness;” “Trust No one” is a famous saying but, Prov. 3:5 says “Trust in Jehovah with all you heart”.
Don’t worry about others being right or wrong, get a personal relationship with him. It’s okay to be selfish, how can you help anyone else in the furture if you don’t help yourself first. Prayer with pleading. Getting a good nights rest. Visiting your doctor to make sure all is well physically, eating right if you can, all of this can calm the spirit. Exhale and just read a book, do something you like to do first. These things balances you. God doesn’t push you, man does. HIS SON HAS ALREADY REDEEMED YOU! In the millenium the whole world will be filled with the Knowledge of Jehovah. Take care my friend. Listen if you like Sat. about a thousand do every week and never say a word. If not just enjoy yourself my brother or sister. Peace. Jacqueline
It is trust in Jesus. There is no other name given under the heavens the you can be saved by, only the name Jesus.
No all of this just confuses me more. I don’t know who to believe anymore. I just emailed my “best friend” last night and told her of my problem with all this. I am even more hurt now because of course she wrote back blaming me….I have a bad attitude!!!!This is exactly what I’m talking about!!!!! Why am I the one to blame??? I’m the one that gets treated like garbage and then when I can’t take it anymore, they blame me. And they are the Christians?????? Wow!! This is so unbelievable to me. I believed and trusted for 25 yrs. I was friends with her for amost 20 yrs. Where is the understanding? Where is the compassion? If you don’t see it their way then you are damned to destruction. I just don’t understand anything anymore. They don’t care about the distress I’m in. I tell them and they always blame me.
Anonnymous,
I was a witness over 60 yrs, every day of my life. Loyal to a faultline. Financially supportive to every full time overseer (CO, DO, missionary, etc), working at Bethel to help personal ones. I asked questions of things I couldn’t quite accept and I found out about certain victims being abused. I told them and the Walls of Jericho Fell on me! I know what you are feeling and saying. I am not DF, but my own son turned on me for questioning, he feels I should just ignore the false doctrine. He feels you cannot get life unless you are inside the corporation of governing body owned and operated JW. (My other over 200 relatives didnot turn on me). That’s, the problem, they are masters at manipulation of the mind. Just like Satan in the garden. There is something wrong at the top, in Bethel. Your friend and others are followers, you might say sheep. Askl them to question something, those elders and the congregation will turn on them like a pit bull. That in itself says something is wrong up top. These people think they will die at armaggeddom the war between God and Nations, soldiers, government etc. They have the time period wrong for most of the phophecies. A lot will happen in the Millenium, that is Judgement day. They have Judgement day wrong, they do now admit it but they need to change the doctrine period! They got it wrong.
That’s why I went to the original BS to let them know what has happened to the empire Rutherford built. Barbara Anderson is writing a book to try and show the plan to make millions that was impliment by Rutherford and others. Intimidation is how they control. Just like Hitler and his SS. It is going to take time for you to level out. But you need friends now. Please if you can come on Saturday, January 8,2011 at 712.432-8710, 6pm CST, press#9925 when asked for pen. At about 7pm JimParkinson will be interviewed. But at 6pm all of us will just talk to each other Press *1 to unmute yourself and say hello to Jacqueline and I will hear you and you can get help from the many ex-elders and still elders on the call. Please come on with us. You are loved by Jehovah and Jesus. Let us help you. Thanks
Dear Anonymous,
Not all of us will condemn you. I am more than happy to give a helping hand to a fellow Christian. The method taught and used by some is not Christian at all. Read the Bible by yourself and The Holy Spirit will guide you. That is exactly what is happening to me. I now realize that the only time there ” is love amongst yourselves” is when we are obedient to a fault. Start to question and the “love” disappears. Not Christ like at all.
Hi Anonymous,
This is partially accurate. We know the Old Testament was first written for the Jews, and certainly applied to them. There are many principles in there which apply to all. If people follow these principles, they will have a character more pleasing to the Lord.
Then we are told in the New Testament, that all these things happened for examples to those who have given their lives to Jehovah. (1Co 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.)
As we look at the Bible, there are several different types of scriptures there. There is history, which everyone can gain from, both Old Testament and New Testament. There is devotion and instruction, such as much of the Psalms and Proverbs. There is prophecy, which is specifically about certain groups of people. Some was specifically for a time period in the past, some in the future, and some have applications to both. Then there are letters written to the churches. These are specifically written to ones who have given their lives to Jehovah, and apply to all members of Jesus’ Body…to the Church, the Anointed. These Scriptures were written before there was a “Jehovah’s Witnesses” organization, and apply to those who truly have given their lives to the Lord, regardless of who they meet with.
I hope this helps. As long as we’re taking the Scriptures from His word as our guide, and truly looking for His will, He will guide us. (Pr 8:17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.)
🙂
but you see I’ve always been told the scriptures apply to those only who have dedicated (and baptized) their life to God….of course only Jehovah’s Witnesses