Spirit of Heaviness

Part 3

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n response to numerous comments on Parts 1 and 2 of this series, I thought it prudent to write part 3. While parts of it may seem a bit redundant, nonetheless I deem it to be invaluable to the human physic. There are those may who view my writings on the subject as trivial and over simplifying in response to aiding those who are oppressed with depression. Some may even assert, “It’s easy for you to say, ministers are exempt to such attacks”. My response to those who think accordingly is that in no way do I imply the topic at hand is trivial. To the contrary, I myself have experienced depression in varying degrees and offer my personal experience in the exploration of the depths of depression. Furthermore, it is shear fallacy to assert that ministers are exempt from such maladies, to the contrary, many times our adversary, the devil, is set out to snare those in ministry as a means of attacking and scattering the flock. Therefore, I earnestly solicit your prayers both for myself and for the countless members of the clergy throughout the world, yes even your own place of worship.

To be sure depression is waged in the hearts of men, women and children of all ages everywhere. Even staunch men and women of God. In 1Kings 19:1-14 the story of one of the greatest prophets of the Lord is told. He had just experienced a great “high”, so to speak, in the slaughter of the 450 prophets of Baal, in chapter 18:1-46, only to descend from the mountain to receive a death decree from Jezebel. This was so highly disturbing to Elijah that he literally ran for his life into the wilderness and stayed there, begging for God to take his life. He wanted to die, he was so despondent.

Please take note that while the prophet was in hiding the Lord was with him sending His angels to feed and water him. No matter what the depths of your despair, the Lord God is there to feed you, comfort and assure you.

One Dear Response

One dear insightful sister responded: “Have I been depressed? Probably, there are times in which I thought it was more like stressed or tired, but who knows. If I have, I am quick at realizing (God illuminates me), that the "spirit of heaviness" is my "imagination". And I definitely "fill up" my "prescription" of prayer, alone or in company. Furthermore, a good sleep, healthy nutrition and family and friends contribute to the "cure" or healing. So I reject that spirit of heaviness, I want to be and plan on remaining healthy.”

Note: the “spirit of heaviness” is not an imagination; to the contrary—it is very real! Depression is as real as the sky is blue, or the grass is green.

She goes on to say, however, that a good antidote for depression is a healthy dose of family love and support, a healthy nutritional diet, lots of prayer [alone or in prayer], plenty of good restful sleep, and the assurance of God’s provision are vital for defeating depression. These are the very things that depression robs us of. We don’t eat properly, neglect our prayer and study of God’s word, become insomniacs, we isolate ourselves, and focus on “Oh, woe is me” instead of turning our focus on Isaiah 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”

Now, that is no trivial Rx for depression, for it overtly implies summoning energy from within ourselves, as well as others, but most importantly, from the God of all creation.

Isaiah 26:3

Isaiah 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”

Examining this verse:

1.    The person who keeps his mind focused of the Lord is kept in perfect peace.

2.    The person who focuses on his or her problems does not have the promise of peace, because it is the problems of life that bring turmoil and depression.

3.    Focusing on the Lord is a lifestyle, not happenstance or whimsical.

4.    Focusing on life’s problems is also a lifestyle which brings depression and destruction.

5.    The ability to focus on the Lord is a demonstration of trust, whereas focusing on our problems denotes distrust and a lack of faith though we lay claim to faith [like it or not].

6.    It is not easy to change a lifestyle—but it can and must be done!

Philippians 4:8

Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

If we were to then read verse 7 [it is not my normal practice to reverse the order of verses, however, in this passage I deem it to be advantageous only for the sake of clarification]; “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard our hearts, and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Verse 8 becomes a literal filter by which we can use to not only defeat depression, but also to prevent it from taking a foothold in our hearts in the first place. Then and then only can God’s peace guard our hearts and minds, the same way as Isaiah 26:3.

Help for the Depressed

What can you and I do to help the depressed? Here are some do’s and don’ts.

·         Be a good listener. Many times all the person needs is to have someone simply listen. Listening is an art form. It takes a lot of patience to sit quietly giving a loving ear to someone in need. Many times a listening ear is all that’s needed.

·         Hope: be ready to give plenty of hope. The depressed often cannot see beyond their immediate circumstances, all they see is perpetual turmoil, which adds to their malady. “What is my strength that I should hope? And what is mine end that I should prolong my life.” Job 6:11 those experiencing deep depression are likely ready to die, see 1Kings 19:1-14 Elijah, the prophet of the Lord sought to end his life seeing no hope.

·         Be compassionate: not superficial. Superficial people often belittle the situation, implying the person needs to “grow up”. Thus it becomes an attack on the person themselves.

·         Show pity or kindness: Job 6:14 “To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the almighty.” “To him that is about to faint and despair, kindness is due from his friend, lest he forsake the fear of the almighty.” Amplified Bible

Pity (KJV) is rendered kindness in the Amplified Bible. We need to be kind to those in need, not harsh and overbearing.

·         Honesty: not finger pointing. There is a way to be honest and sincere without accusing the person wrongfully. Remember Job’s friends falsely accused him of sin several times. Arguing exacerbates the situation; “How forcible are words of straightforward speech! But what does your arguing or your reproof reprove? Job 6:25 Amplified Bible. Many times depression comes upon a person simply because we live in a fallen world, and has nothing to do with a whether or not a person has sinned.

·         Bible answer person: Often it is tempting to have all the answers, after all, we reason. “I’m a minister or Pastor, or teacher, and I have all the answers”. In reality all the excuses we may conjure up are but like pouring salt on an open wound. Truth be known, we don’t have all the answers, like it or not. The person who plays God is full of unfounded accusations. Job 1:1 “There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.” Here we have the testimony of none other than the Lord God himself giving account of Job in His eyes. And we’re going to presume to tell someone that they are in sin?! I don’t think so.

·         Show understanding: understanding is closely related to compassion. The hurting can spot a phony a mile away.

·         Golden Rule: Matthew 7:12 “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” So often quoted yet so often misunderstood, this passage, known as the “golden Rule”, really sets the standard for helping others. We must ask ourselves, “Is the way I would want to be treated if I were in the same situation?” That one question ought to inspire us to godly actions toward a person in need. And yet, why do we yet behave like the scribe and Pharisees who, when they were confronted, on the road to Jericho, with the man left for dead, beaten and robbed by thieves in Luke 10:30-32. Ought we not to be like the Samaritan, vs 33-35, stopped and gave aid, having compassion. To be sure, depression can and will leave us beaten, robbed and left for dead in the back-alleys, and thoroughfares of life.

·         Body Language: Just as the wise sister mentioned; she paid attention to what her body and emotions were saying to her.

Faith Building Practice and Review

1.    List at least five causes of depression.

2.    Have you ever been depressed?

3.    What was the greatest hindrance to your deliverance?

4.    What was the greatest aid to your healing?

5.    Study the 8 items listed for helping the depressed, and commit them to memory.

6.    Study your own body language. Do you cry or weep when depressed? Do you feel a dark cloud following you? Are you constantly rehashing negative thoughts and or actions?

7.    Make a list of what your body is saying to you.

8.    Go back to the list of helps and seek as many ways as possible to set yourself free from depression.

9.    Do the same for others in need.

10. You need not have a Phd. in counseling to help someone.