Introduction
A More Life-Giving Rule
Craig Westhoff said he remembered a quote from a movie in which the antagonist said, "If the rule you followed brought you to this, of what use was the rule?" The character was not a good man, but it was a profound question.
Craig then offered a question of his own: "What if we have come to a point in our life where our daily routine, our daily experience is more negative and depleting than positive and life-giving? We should ask, 'How did I get here? And might there be a more life-giving rule and rhythm of life for me to follow?'"
Craig Westhoff
That is the question of this study. Over twelve weeks, we will look honestly at how we got here and ask God for a better rhythm of life and life-giving rules to follow!
Two Eternal Promises that Apply
"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."
John 10:10 (NKJV)
"As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."
John 15:9–12 (NKJV)
Why we are here
Depression is real. It is not a lack of faith, and it is not something you can just snap out of. Many faithful people in the Bible knew deep darkness, including David, Elijah, Job, and Jeremiah. God met each of them there.
You are not alone. God is with you and FOR you! And we are here, together.
There Is Hope
There is hope for healing and feeling good again. It will take healthy habits (new life-giving rules) and boundaries. Over these twelve weeks, we will build both, one small step at a time.
Ideas to Agree On
- Depression is real, and painful.
- Depression can be healed.
If we believe those two, then there is hope for a bright future, and action is the reasonable response.
Three Questions People Ask
Is a season of sadness the same as depression?
No. A season of sadness is normal. It means you are human! But we must be careful that we don't allow sadness to spiral into depression. Depression hampers our ability to live life, serve God and others. We shouldn't allow depression to shackle us. God promises us freedom!
Can we be healed instantly from depression?
Yes. God is all powerful. But we must work with Him. Some root causes of depression can be disobedience. If the cause is that we are not listening to what God is wanting us to do, then we shouldn't expect a healing at all. First we need to align with Him, then deal with the root issues while we pray for God's healing. Pray, then do.
Is depression a sin?
Depression and its causes can be complex. It can be caused by lack of sleep or what we're eating. Or a toxic relationship with someone, or severe spiritual warfare. And yes, it can also be caused by spiritual harm through disobedience to God's Word. But remember, there is a way out and up!
It's also sometimes hard to define whether we are in a season of grief, or in true depression. And there is always hope. But staying in a place where we are not able to serve, shackled to something damaging us, and not making an effort to improve, is not where God wants us. God's command is to live in joy, and to not fear.
This course is designed to help us understand the root causes, and deal with them.
God's mercy, compassion, and patience will help us overcome and experience joy again.
Our anchor verse
"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the LORD, and I will bring you back from your captivity."
Jeremiah 29:11–14a (NKJV)
Things That Don't Work
The whole person: body, mind, and spirit
God wants our whole body to be healthy and whole, and that includes not just our spiritual state, but also our thinking (what we dwell on and how we should think about things), our emotions, including relationships, and our body (muscles, exercise, food and digestion, sleep, posture, and more).
Depression rarely has one cause, so healing rarely has one answer. Each week we will look at a different part of life:
| Body | Sleep, movement, food and water, and what we put into our bodies |
| Mind | Stress, screens, social media, and technology, and hidden habits that hold us |
| Heart | Anger, guilt, fear, and forgiveness |
| Spirit | Prayer, Scripture, worship, and church family |
| Future | Renewed dreams and a plan for the years ahead |
As Paul prayed, "may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless" (1 Thessalonians 5:23, NKJV). God cares about all of you.
Your Story, God's Story
The story you tell yourself
What do you say to yourself about your depression? Tap any that sound familiar.
The story God is writing
Read Isaiah 43:19 again. If God is making a road in your wilderness, where does it lead? Describe a day in your life free from depression.
What does God say?
Elijah Under the Broom Tree
Read 1 Kings 19:1–12 together. Elijah had just seen God's great victory on Mount Carmel. Days later he was exhausted, afraid, and alone, and he wanted to die.
"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.'"
1 Kings 19:4 (NKJV)
Notice what God did first.
Before God gave Elijah a lecture or a new assignment, He cared for his body. Tap what God provided.
