HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAYS: Getting to the Root of Depression

This article is not to be used without permission from
the Founder of T.A.G. Ministries, International
© 2007 TAG Ministries, International / Houston, Texas

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In our previous lesson, we looked at a form of depression called Seasonal Affective Disorder (also known as SAD). SAD is marked by symptoms of depression profound enough to seriously affect work and relationships. This disorder may have its onset in adolescence or early adulthood and, like other forms of depression, occurs more frequently in women than in men. Whether you are a man, woman, teen or child, all of us can become SAD during the holidays. Seasonal Affective Disorder can sometimes progress to a major depressive syndrome so, please refer to our previous lesson for the symptoms of SAD. Talk therapy (or counseling) may be necessary to diagnose and treat this disorder. I recommend you seek advice from a Faith-Based (Christian) Counselor who will address this disorder from both a physical and biblical perspective.

Each year, depression affects about 6 million American men and 12 million American women. But these numbers may not tell the whole story. Because men may be reluctant to discuss male depression with a health care professional or a counselor, many men with depression may go undiagnosed, and consequently untreated. Children and teens also suffer in silence to depression. Peer and parental pressures can create expectations on our youth that can be perceived as being unrealistic and unfair. Oftentimes this is a true perception produces a fear of disappointing parents and not being accepted by peers. This can send our youth spiraling down depression’s dark path; and for some, this path may lead to suicide.

BUT, be encouraged,

There is HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAYS:

Isaiah 61:1-3

1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,
Because the LORD has anointed me
To bring good news to the afflicted;
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to captives
And freedom to prisoners;
2 To proclaim the favorable year of the LORD
And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,
3 To grant those who mourn in Zion,
Giving them a garland instead of ashes,
The oil of gladness instead of mourning,
The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting
So they will be called oaks of righteousness,
The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.

In order to get to the root of depression, it is important to understand who you are both physically and spiritually.Knowing that depression can come upon any of us (men, women, teens and children), let’s go back to Genesis to review the creation of mankind.

Genesis 1:25-27

25 God made the beasts of the earth after their kind, and the cattle after their kind, and everything that creeps on the ground after its kind; and God saw that it was good.

26 Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."

27 God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

Our “kind” is not beasts nor insects nor birds. Our “kind” is patterned after God Himself. The word “kind” here is the Hebrew word “miyn” (pronounced “mēn”). It is a masculine noun usually defined as “species”. Unlike animals we (mankind) having been made in God’s image are of His species. What species is that and what image…what do we look like?

In this lesson series, I want to take time to go through the scriptures and share some things with you because I want you to understand WHERE the ROOT of your SADness and depression can be found. So have patience as we rightly divide the word of truth.

SPIRIT, SOUL, BODY

Three equals One (3 = 1)

1 Thessalonians 5:23

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

You are a spirit,

You have a soul,

And you live in a body

God is a spirit; and in His spiritual image was mankind’s “species” created. God is a Father, a Son and a Holy Spirit, but all three exist as one in unity (3=1). Since we were created in God's image, our spirit, soul and body is a similar trinity (3=1).

God created your spirit, soul and body to be as one. However, SIN has killed us and this unity. When mankind sinned in Adam, that oneness was broken and now our soul (flesh) fights against the Spirit of God as Paul talked about in Romans chapters 6-7. As believers, our soul (flesh) is in a constant warfare against our spirit. In addition, there are outside forces or satanic influences (firey darts) that are contrary to the Spirit of God. (2 Cor 10:3-5) Hence the warfare is in our souls, which is why James tells us that our souls must be "saved" or renewed day by day (James 1:21).

But there is good news, if any man be in Christ he is a new creation – a newly created spirit. (2 Cor 5:17) Now, only our recreated spirit in Christ can renew our souls. Our spirits are born again and therefore "perfect" (Heb 12:22-23) at the point of our confession of faith. BUT, our souls must be renewed daily by God’s word. After salvation, your renewed spirit is a done deal. Salvation is a finished work.

What do you mean our souls must be renewed daily?

What is our soul if it is not our spirit?

Why do I get depressed?

I’m saved, shouldn’t that all be taken care of?

Isn’t a life as a Christian supposed to be joyful?

And why do I keep having these bad thoughts?

Those are very good questions. In our next lessons we will look at what influences our thoughts. Where does depression come from? And how do we deal with those depressing thoughts and feelings.

Information Sources: The Holy Bible, “The Heart of Man & The Mental Disorders”-Thompson, “Caring for God’s People God’s Way”-Clinton/Hart/Ohlschlager, Mayo Clinic, Healthline.com, Christinyou.net, the5foldman.com, Christian-faith.com, Dr. Richard Boyum, “Lord, I Want to be Whole”-Omartian, “Competent Christian Counseling”-Clinton&Ohlschlager, “Christian Counseling”-Collins

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This lesson is presented by:

T.A.G. MINISTRIES, INTERNATIONAL
Evangelist Tracy Curtis, Founder

HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAYS: Why Am I So Sad?

This article is not to be used without permission from
the Founder of T.A.G. Ministries, International
© 2007 TAG Ministries, International / Houston, Texas

__________________________________________________________

In America , the most joyous holidays are celebrated at the end of each year: Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. Families and friends come together for fanciful feasts, to frolic outdoors and to express their faith in God. Homes are beautifully decorated denoting both the change in weather as well as the change in holidays. There are beautiful fall colors for Thanksgiving; Christmas lights illuminate living rooms and lawns; and party hats, streamers and confetti are at the ready to ring in the New Year. Kitchens come alive with the aroma of savory sensations that makes your mouth water as soon as you walk through the front door. Dining tables are adorned with desserts so delightfully delectable you are tempted to sneak a sample of each sweet treat. (Go ahead; Mom won’t see you taste the frosting.) As each holiday approaches not only do you look forward to the food that will fill your belly, but you anticipate the fun-filled moments you will have as you are surrounded by family and friends. Laughter will fill the air as children are outside playing with each other and adults are inside playing various games of friendly competition; some families go hunting together; some will be singing others will be dancing; all of this will create memories for the next year.



But what about those who experience “un-happy holidays”? For them, Thanksgiving through New Years is the worst time of their lives. During this season some experience a SADness that seems to engulf them and despite how much they want to be happy…there seems to be no hope for the holidays.

Do you feel depressed around the holidays?
It could be a sign of seasonal
affective disorder
also known as S.A.D.
SADness is a form of depression.

Depression may be described as feeling sad, blue, unhappy, miserable, or down in the dumps. Most of us feel this way at one time or another for short periods. But, true clinical depression is a mood disorder in which feelings of sadness, loss, anger, or frustration interfere with everyday life for an extended period of time.


Depressed children may not have the classic symptoms of adult depression. Watch especially for changes in school performance, sleep, and behavior. If you wonder whether your child might be depressed, it's worth bringing to a counselor or doctor’s attention.

What is SAD?
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that occurs in relation to the seasons, most commonly beginning in winter.


Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is marked by symptoms of depression profound enough to seriously affect work and relationships. The disorder may have its onset in adolescence or early adulthood and, like other forms of depression, occurs more frequently in women than in men. But note, most people with the "winter blahs" or "cabin fever" do not have SAD.

Physicians and counselors say that the cause of SAD is not known, but is thought to be related to numerous factors including body temperature, hormone regulation, and ambient light. A rare form occurs in the summer.

Symptoms of SAD

• Depression with the onset of fall or winter
• Lack of energy
• Decreased interest in work or significant activities
• Increased appetite with weight gain
• Carbohydrate cravings
• Increased sleep and excessive daytime sleepiness
• Social withdrawal
• Afternoon slumps with decreased energy and concentration
• Slow, sluggish, lethargic movement

Medical Treatment
As with other types of depression, antidepressant medications and talk therapy can be effective. With the change of seasons, symptoms oftentimes resolve themselves without any outside assistance.


Expectations (prognosis)
The outcome is good with continuous treatment, although some people have the disorder throughout their lives.


Complications
Seasonal affective disorder can sometimes progress to a major depressive syndrome.


How does the Bible address depression?
Talk Therapy (counseling) alone or medicine alone is NOT the answer to depression. The suggestions above are a “natural” solution to treat mental and/or physical issues. These are the solutions prescribed by the world’s system. But what do the scriptures say about such things? How does the Bible address depression?


In our next lesson, we will take a look at depression or SADness from a biblical perspective. For it is in the Word of God that we will find Hope for the Holidays.

Information Sources: The Holy Bible, “The Heart of Man & The Mental Disorders”-Thompson, “Caring for God’s People God’s Way”-Clinton/Hart/Ohlschlager, Mayo Clinic, Healthline.com, Christinyou.net, the5foldman.com, Christian-faith.com, Dr. Richard Boyum, “Lord, I Want to be Whole”-Omartian, “Competent Christian Counseling”-Clinton&Ohlschlager, “Christian Counseling”-Collins

___________________________________________________________

This lesson is presented by:

T.A.G. MINISTRIES, INTERNATIONAL
Evangelist Tracy Curtis , Founder