BRIGHT STAR COMMUNITY CHURCH

Transcription

1 BRIGHT STAR COMMUNITY CHURCH Isaiah 61:3 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.

2 Breaking Free From The Spirit Of Depression

3 I AM FREE

4 CLINICAL DEPRESSION Depression ranges in seriousness from mild, temporary episodes of sadness to severe, persistent depression. Clinical depression is the more-severe form of depression, also known as major depression or major depressive disorder. It isn't the same as depression caused by a loss, such as the death of a loved one, or a medical condition, such as a thyroid disorder.

5 Signs and symptoms of clinical depression may include: Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness or hopelessness Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration, even over small matters Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities, such as sex, hobbies or sports Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or sleeping too much

6 Tiredness and lack of energy, so even small tasks take extra effort Reduced appetite and weight loss or increased cravings for food and weight gain Anxiety, agitation or restlessness Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, fixating on past failures or self-blame Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things

7 Frequent or recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts or suicide Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches Symptoms are usually severe enough to cause noticeable problems in relationships with others or in day-to-day activities, such as work, school or social activities.

8 Clinical depression can affect people of any age, including children. However, clinical depression symptoms, even if severe, usually improve with psychological counseling, antidepressant medications or a combination of the two. If the depression is very bad, and the person who is suffering is in need of immediate support, get them to a doctor as soon as possible.

9 MANIC OR BIPOLAR DEPRESSION This type of depression is marked by extreme mood swings, from "highs" of excessive energy and elation to "lows" of utter despair and lethargy. Manic depression is often treated with Lithium, which evens out the mood swings.

10 POST NATAL DEPRESSION Many women feel a bit down, tearful or anxious in the first week after giving birth. This is often called the "baby blues" and is so common that it s considered normal. The "baby blues" don t last for more than two weeks after giving birth. This is not "the baby blues" which occurs a few days after the birth and goes away. Post natal depression can occur from about 2 weeks and up to 2 years after the birth. Postnatal depression can start any time in the first year after giving birth.

11 lack of energy and feeling tired all the time trouble sleeping at night and feeling sleepy during the day difficulty bonding with your baby withdrawing from contact with other people problems concentrating and making decisions frightening thoughts for example, about hurting your baby

12 S.A.D. - Seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression that's related to changes in seasons SAD begins and ends at about the same times every year. If you're like most people with SAD, your symptoms start in the fall and continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody. Less often, SAD causes depression in the spring or early summer. Don't brush off that yearly feeling as simply a case of the "winter blues" or a seasonal funk that you have to tough out on your own. Take steps to keep your mood and motivation steady throughout the year.

13 In most cases, S.A.D. symptoms appear during late fall or early winter and go away during the sunnier days of spring and summer. Less commonly, people with the opposite pattern have symptoms that begin in spring or summer. In either case, symptoms may start out mild and become more severe as the season progresses. Signs and symptoms of SAD may include: Feeling depressed most of the day, nearly every day

14 Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed Having low energy Having problems with sleeping Experiencing changes in your appetite or weight Feeling sluggish or agitated Having difficulty concentrating Feeling hopeless, worthless or guilty Having frequent thoughts of death or suicide

15 Seasonal Affective Disorder is a type of depression which generally coincides with the approach of winter, starting with September and lasting until Spring brings longer days and more sunshine.

16 Most people who see their Doctor for depression are prescribed antidepressant medication. Medication can lift your mood and help with the symptoms of depression but does not tackle underlying problems.

17 Depression is much misunderstood by the public, yet it affects many people of all ages. It is estimated that one in five people will suffer from depression at some point in their lives. Depression is an illness where the feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, linked to the inability to concentrate, may make it hard for some people to carry out normal daily activities.

18 Depression is an illness with a wide range of physical and psychological symptoms, which sometimes make it hard to recognize and understand. Personality may play a part in depression. Although anyone can become depressed under particular circumstances, some people seem to be more vulnerable than others. This may be because of things that have happened in childhood, such as abuse, or because of our individual make up (including body chemistry).

19 It is important for people to know that: Depression is an illness that can affect anyone at any age. It is not connected with and does not develop into insanity. Depression can be treated. People may be offered antidepressants and/or talking treatments. There is no need to cope alone, seek help. Psalm 42:11 Why am I discouraged? Why so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again--my Savior and my God! NLT

20 The Holy Scriptures indicate that the spirit of depression is a satanic spirit. Consequently, although THE PROBLEM OF DEPRESSION may be treated psychologically, ITS ORIGIN is spiritual. Therefore, I invite you to consider a passage of Scripture that (for believers) gives a SPIRITUAL SOLUTION for the SPIRIT of depression that is the origin of the PROBLEM of depression. The passage of Scripture that I would like for you to consider is Isaiah 61:1-3. It says:

21 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and to provide for those who grieve in Zion --- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.

22 THE FIRST QUESTION: The first question that needs to be raised and answered is What is the spirit of depression? In order to answer that question in the simplest of terms, let s look at the word depression. The word depression comes from the word depress. To depress is to press down. To depress is to hold down. To depress is to keep down. To feel depressed is to feel down. To feel depressed is to feel gloomy. To feel depressed is to feel sad. To feel depressed is to feel empty. To feel depressed is to feel worthless.

23 Therefore, in the simplest of terms, depression is the RESULT of FEELING or BEING depressed. SYMPTOMS of depression may include a FEELING of helplessness, hopelessness, loneliness, self-pity, disappointment, defeat. despair, dejection, rejection, boredom, and worthlessness.

24 Although some Bible believers may argue that depression is a form of idolatry because one who is depressed is not exercising faith in God, I believe that few would argue that there is biblical evidence that the spirit of depression is a satanic spirit and, therefore, that the spirit of depression is the CAUSE of depression. SINCE the spirit of depression stems from a SPIRITUAL CONDITION, the remedy for the spirit of depression must be SPIRITUAL.

25 THE SECOND QUESTION: The second question that needs to be raised and answered is: HOW do we destroy the spirit of depression? Keep in mind that the spirit of depression must be destroyed. It is NOT to merely be controlled, medicated, contained, lived with, dealt with, put up with, or neutralized. It must be DESTROYED!

26 Therefore, the question must be asked: HOW do we destroy the spirit of depression? A good biblical answer is found in Isaiah 61:1-3. According to this passage of Scripture: The Sovereign Lord will give us the garment of praise INSTEAD OF the spirit of despair (Isaiah 61:3, NIV). The King James Version of the Scriptures call this the spirit of heaviness (Isaiah 61:3). It is my belief that what one version calls the spirit of despair (NIV) and the other version calls the spirit of heaviness (KJV) can (in modern terms) be accurately referred to as the spirit of depression.

27 Therefore, it is my belief that, according to Isaiah 61:3, IF you wish to GET RID OF the spirit of depression you have to CLOTHE YOURSELF with THE GARMENT OF PRAISE! SPECIFICALLY, IF you want to get rid of the spirit of depression, (1) CLOTHE YOURSELF WITH SCRIPTURES OF PRAISE:

28 Therefore, when (no, BEFORE) you feel the spirit of depression, CLOTHE YOURSELF WITH: THE LORD is my Shepherd, I shall not want! THE LORD is my Light and my Salvation, whom shall I fear? THE LORD is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid? THE LORD has given and THE LORD has taken away, blessed be the name of THE LORD! WEEPING may endure for a night, but JOY comes in the morning!

29 THE JOY of the Lord is my strength! THOU will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee, BECAUSE he TRUSTS in Thee! HE that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty! I will be with you in the sixth trouble and in the seventh trouble, I will in no wise forsake you! I will be with you ALWAYS, even unto the end of the age! I can do ALL THINGS through CHRIST who strengthens me!

30 Fret not thyself because of evil doers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. GREATER is He who is in me than he who is in the world! NO WEAPON formed against you shall prosper! ALL THINGS work together for good for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose!

31 ASK and it shall be given. SEEK and you shall find. KNOCK and the door shall be opened! IF you abide in Me and My words abide in you, ASK what you will and it will be given you! WITH MEN it is impossible, but NOT with GOD. For with GOD, all things are possible! THOSE who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. THEY shall mount up with wings like eagle s. THEY shall run and not be weary. THEY shall walk and not faint!

32 Then, IF you want to get rid of the spirit of depression, (2) CLOTHE YOURSELF WITH SONGS OF PRAISE: Just as you can t be depressed and clothe yourself with SCRIPTURES OF PRAISE, you can t be depressed and clothe yourself with SONGS OF PRAISE! YOU SEE: Even modern psychology tell us that you can t hold two thoughts at the same time!

33 THEREFORE, when you feel depressed (better, BEFORE you feel depressed), CHANGE your thoughts! REFOCUS your thinking! REPLACE the negative with the positive! REPLACE the depressing with the uplifting! As you do so, CLOTHE YOURSELF WITH SONGS OF PRAISE! WHY? BECAUSE, YOU CAN T SING GOD S PRAISES AND BE DEPRESSED AT THE SAME TIME!

34 YOU MIGHT want to CLOTHE YOURSELF with songs like: HE is Lord! JUST a Closer Walk With Thee! EVERY TIME I Feel The Spirit! HE Just Keeps On Being God! AMAZING GRACE! I MUST Tell Jesus! THE LORD Will Make a Way, Somehow! HIS EYE is On the Sparrow! IN the Name of Jesus! VICTORY IS MINE!

35 A PRAYER FOR DELIVERANCE- HOLY FATHER, I acknowledge You as my God and Father and thank you for the privilege and power of prayer. I thank you for the blood of Jesus that cleanses me from all sin and unrighteousness. I thank You for Your precious Holy Spirit who is willing and able to lead, guide, and direct me in all truth and righteousness.

36 FATHER GOD, In the Name of Jesus, I ask now that You forgive me of all known and unknown sins, of all sins of omission and commission, of all sins committed intentionally and unintentionally, of all sins of thought, word, and deed.

37 ESPECIALLY, HOLY FATHER, I ask now, In the Name of Jesus, that you forgive me for allowing the spirit of depression to enter me and influence me against Your will. FATHER GOD, In the Name of Jesus, I bind the spirit of depression and cast it out of my life now and forever.

38 HOLY FATHER, REPLACE the spirit of depression with the spirit of joy and praise. REPLACE each satanic spirit with Your HOLY SPIRIT in order that, from this day forward, I will glorify YOU in ALL that I THINK, in ALL that I SAY, and in ALL that I DO. FATHER GOD, these things I ASK, these things I CLAIM by faith, IN the Name of Jesus, ON the strength of His shed blood, and THROUGH Your DIVINE HOLY SPIRIT. Amen!

39 BRIGHT STAR COMMUNITY CHURCH Isaiah 61:3 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.