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 Isaiah 61:1-3 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, 2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God,

3 to comfort all who mourn, 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.

4 Job 30: "And now my heart is broken. Depression haunts my days. 17 My weary nights are filled with pain as though something were relentlessly gnawing at my bones. NLT Job 30: So I looked for good, but evil came instead. I waited for the light, but darkness fell. 27 My heart is troubled and restless. Days of affliction have come upon me. 28 I walk in gloom, without sunlight. NLT

5 Psalm 42: 1 11 As the deer pants for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. 2 I thirst for God, the living God. When can I come and stand before him? 3 Day and night, I have only tears for food, while my enemies continually taunt me, saying, "Where is this God of yours?" 4 My heart is breaking as I remember how it used to be: I walked among the crowds of worshipers, leading a great procession to the house of God, singing for joy and giving thanks--it was the sound of a great celebration!

6 5 Why am I discouraged? Why so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again--my Savior and 6 my God! 6.Now I am deeply discouraged, but I will remember your kindness--from Mount Hermon, the source of the Jordan, from the land of Mount Mizar. 7 I hear the uproar of the raging seas as your waves and surging tides sweep over me. 8 Through each day the LORD pours his unfailing love upon me and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life.

7 9 "O God my rock," I cry, "Why have you forsaken me? Why must I wander in darkness, oppressed by my enemies?" 10 Their taunts pierce me like a fatal wound, They scoff, "Where is this God of yours? 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

8 Breaking Free From The Spirit Of Depression

9 I AM FREE

10 The estimated number of people who will suffer from serious depression during their lives is a staggering 20%. (1in 5) Many people struggle with some form of depression in their life. (Some say that 70% of Americans) Statistics vary, but it s speculated that 80% of people who attempt suicide are clinically depressed.

11 Psalm 34:15 If you obey the Lord, he will watch over you and answer your prayers. 17 When his people pray for help, he listens and rescues them from their troubles. 18 The Lord is there to rescue all who are discouraged and have given up hope. (CEV)

12 Each year over 17 million American adults experience a period of clinical depression. Impact of Depression: Causes tremendous emotional pain Disrupts the lives of millions of people Adversely affects the lives of families and friends Reduces work productivity and absenteeism Has a significant negative impact on the economy, costing an estimated $44 billion a year

13 Depression is a psychological condition that changes how you think and feel, and also affects your social behavior and sense of physical well-being. We have all felt sad at one time or another, but that s not depression. Sometimes we feel tired from working hard, or discouraged when faced with serious problems. This too, is not depression. These feelings usually pass within a few days or weeks, once we adjust to the situation. But, if these feelings linger, intensify, and begin to interfere with work, school or family responsibilities, it may be depression.

14 Depression: A neurotic or psychotic condition marked by an inability to concentrate, insomnia, and feelings of dejection and guilt.

15 Nearly two-thirds of depressed people do not get proper treatment: The symptoms are not recognized as depression. Depressed people are seen as weak or lazy. Social stigma causes people to avoid needed treatment. The symptoms are so disabling that the people affected cannot reach out for help. Many symptoms are misdiagnosed as physical problems Individual symptoms are treated, rather than the underlying cause.

16 Clinical depression is a very common psychological problem, and most people never seek proper treatment, or seek treatment but they are misdiagnosed with physical illness. This is extremely unfortunate because, with proper treatment, nearly 80% of those with depression can make significant improvement in their mood and life adjustment.

17 The most common symptoms of depression: Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. Feeling useless, inadequate, bad. Self hatred, constant questioning of thoughts and actions, an overwhelming need for reassurance. Being vulnerable and "over-sensitive". Feeling guilty. A loss of energy and motivation, that makes even the simplest tasks or decisions seem difficult.

18 - Self harm. Loss or gain in weight. Difficulty with getting off to sleep, or (less frequently) an excessive desire to sleep. Agitation and restlessness. Loss of sex drive. Finding it impossible to concentrate for any length of time, forgetfulness. A sense of unreality. Physical aches and pains, sometimes with the fear that you are seriously ill.

19 In severe depression, these feelings may also include: Suicidal ideas. Failure to eat or drink. Delusions and/or hallucinations. If these have been experienced for more than two weeks it is essential to seek help. People may suffer from two or three of these symptoms but are unlikely to experience them all.

20 According to Mary Ellen Copeland in THE DEPRESSION WORKBOOK (New Harbinger Publications, Inc., 1992), asserts that: Over an average lifetime between 8 and 15 percent of the population experience serious depressive reactions. The predominant effect of depression is a loss of energy. Few things, if any, seem interesting; motivation drops off to zero (p.12) and in order for a condition to be defined as a major depression, at least five of the following nine symptoms must have been present for at least two weeks:

21 1. Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day 2. Diminished interest or pleasure in almost all activities of the day, nearly every day 3. Significant weight gain or loss when not dieting, and decreased appetite nearly every day 4. Insomnia or hypersomnia (sleeping too much) nearly every day 5. Abnormal restlessness or a drop in physical activity nearly every day

22 6. Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day 7. Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt nearly every day 8. Diminished ability to think, concentrate, or make decisions nearly every day 9. Recurrent thoughts of death, or recurrent suicidal thoughts without a specific plan; or a suicidal attempt; or a specific plan for committing suicide.

23 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:

24 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.

25 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.

26 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. According to Carol and Jerry Robeson in their book STRONGMAN S HIS NAME...WHAT S HIS GAME?

27 Depression is an epidemic that University of Pennsylvania researcher Martin Seligman estimates costs Americans up to $4 BILLION dollars in lost work and medical bills. Its social cost is enormous --- broken marriages, troubled children, suicide, even homicide... The National Institute of Mental Health says one in five Americans, 40 million people, have significant symptoms of depression at any one time. About 2.4 million of them suffer severe, clinical depression... Depression is the oldest known psychiatric disorder. But scientists still don t know what causes it, much less why most of its victims are women. (p.68)

28 Although some Bible believers may argue with this position, 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.

29 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!

30 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.

31 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:

32 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!

33 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!

34 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!

35 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!

36 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!

37 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!

38 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!

39 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.

40 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.

41 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.

42 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!

43 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.