Globally, depression significantly contributes to the disease-burden affecting people from various communities of the world. Depression refers to a common mental problem that is exhibited by loss of interest, depressed moods, decreased energy, low self-worth, guilt feelings, poor concentration, disturbed appetite, and sleep (Lyer & Khan 2012). Depression is associated with anxiety with the problem becoming recurrent or chronic thereby impairing a person's ability to cater to their responsibilities (Lewinsohn, 2010). In severe cases of the condition, people are likely to commit suicide. According to Marcus et al. (2012), approximately 3000 lives are lost daily to suicide, which translates to 1 million deaths yearly. Depression is posing a significant public health challenge in both the economic and social levels. This essay integrates the biblical commentary teachings in understanding and helping overcome depression and its associated problems.
The book of Deuteronomy 31:1-8, Moses is assuring the Israelites of God’s constant presence with them. Moses uses the scripture on the Israelites to encourage their hope and faith. Henry (2005) commentary of Deuteronomy 31:1-8, speaks on the available hope in Christ for the hopeless. He further explains that those who have God ought to be courageous as with his strength they will be victorious. Henry shows that in dealing with depression and the various problems associated with it including, hopelessness, low self-worth, and having a depressed mood, returning to spirituality would help solve the problems, similar to how Moses did to the spiritual Israelites. Similar sentiments are expressed in the book of John 16:29.
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John 16: 29, depicts an outright declaration of Jesus coming from the father and his departure to heaven. The scripture focuses on how Divine nature never left human nature but supported it while adding value and comfort to the suffering of Christ. Utley's (2013) commentary on John 16: 29 asserts that God’s favorable presence to humans is enough to ensure their happiness and easy living even when forsaken by the world. An individual suffering from depression experiences depressed moods, guilt feelings, low interest, which are characteristics of an unsettling and unhappy life. Utley (2013) insists on the available true peace in Christ for the believers. He affirms that overcoming the world with the various factors that may accelerate depression, accepting Christ, and denouncing all the things of the world while similarly praying without ceasing can help deal with the health condition. It is an indication of the somewhat strong connection in spiritual and physical well-being when considering depression. Similarly, the scripture in Psalm 40:1-3 expresses aspects of spirituality that can help overcome depression.
Psalm 40:1-3 is a description of how fears and doubts about the eternal state affect many people while forming a horrible pit for God’s children. Henry (2005) commentary on Psalm 40:1-3, affirms on God's power to strengthen the weakest with sufficient grace among all his believers. He explains the Psalmist's patience in waiting, hoping, and believing, which is followed by rewards. More so, he highlights on Christ’s suffering and agonies he faces on the cross, which he finally conquers. His explanations mainly dwell on affirming God's power even to the depressed, who feel weak, hopeless and unworthy ( Burke, Chauvin, & Miranti 2004). He asserts that by believing and waiting patiently on God, people suffering from depression are relieved of their miseries. They can adopt such a text to acquire hope and the eventual detachment from depression. Similarly, Psalm 34:17-22 demonstrates how Christians can deal with depression in their lives.
Psalm 34: 17-22 speaks of the need for real believers to cry to God when in distress, which he promises to hear and answer. The scripture further talks about how in sin, the righteous are humbled. Henry's (2005) interpretation of the scripture asserts that nothing is more Godly than a heart that is broken from any type of self-confidence. He affirms that on earth anyone is likely to flourish only with the encouragement from the Lord’s gospel. For example, when offering interventions to depressed individuals, the opportunity to lean on one’s spirituality often makes significant difference (Wright, 2014). Henry further explains that the righteous suffer afflictions from hell but the Lord assures them of his protection and safety of their souls. Therefore, in the extreme cases of depression, the scripture gives hope with the assurance of God's protection to these individuals as long as they remain righteous. Similarly, aspects of how a Christian can address depression are found in Psalm 34:1-10.
No one seeks the Lord in vain. Psalm 34:1-10 elaborates on the power of prayers in silencing the fears of David. In the scripture, Henry (2005) affirms that many people search for the Lord’s help through prayers and faith, which help in comforting and reviving them. He further asserts that people will always find themselves at a loss by comparing their lives to the world, thus emphasizing the need to hope in the Lord who is capable of saving them from miseries. Henry (2005) helps give hope to the depressed by discussing a story about a poor man who lacked respect in the world but was saved from his suffering and miseries by the Lord, calling him to his throne. He further explains on Lord's goodness, affirming his willingness to comfort his believers. Through Henry's interpretation, people suffering from depression can also regain their productive selves as the Lord is capable of saving them from their troubles and miseries. Therefore, he affirms the need for those who wait upon the Lord to trust and believe his capability in providing the necessary comfort.
Through the analysis of the various scriptures, it is clear that there is hope to the hopelessness, to whoever believes and acknowledges the Lord's presence in their lives. Scriptures such as Deuteronomy 31:1-8, John 16: 29, Psalm 34:1-10, Psalm 34: 17-22 and Psalm 40:1-3 elaborate on the power faith, God’s word and prayer and incorporating them as part of addressing the depression problem in the society can be helpful. Prayer lifts the spirit to the believers while increasing their self-worth. In major depressive disorder, people tend to be pessimistic, with decreased activity, sense inadequacy and sadness which adversely affect an individual's life to the point of attempting suicide. Incorporating medications as well as bible scriptures can help rekindle hope in such individuals. Therefore, adopting both the Lord's scriptures in the various approaches of addressing the depression problem can help lessen the burden of the disorder to the social and economic levels in the world.
References
Burke, M. T., Chauvin, J. C., & Miranti, J. G. (2004). Religious and spiritual issues in counseling: Applications across diverse populations . Routledge.
Henry, M. (2005). Matthew Henry's concise commentary on the Bible . CCEL. https://www.whitehorsemedia.com/docs/matthew_henrys_bible_commentary.pdf
Lewinsohn, P. (2010). Control Your Depression, Rev'd Ed . Simon and Schuster.
Marcus, M., Yasmin, M. T., van Ommeren, M. V., Chisholm, D., & Saxena, S. (2012). Depression: A global public health concern. https://www.who.int/mental_health/management/depression/who_paper_depression_wfmh_2012.pdf
Utley, R. J. (2013). The Beloved Disciple's Memoirs and Letters: The Gospel of John, I, II, and III John . Bible Lessons International. https://bible.org/assets/pdf/Utley_04Johns.pdf
Wright, T. (2014). Surprised by Scripture: Engaging with contemporary issues . SPCK.
Lyer, K., & Khan, Z. A. (2012). Review Paper Depression–A Review. Research Journal of Recent Sciences
