The first step to fixing a problem is admitting that there is a problem.

We know that as humans, we are frail and incomplete, and that God offers perfection and completion in Himself. That’s why we’re starting a new series on the “Weak Links” we struggle with: knowing where we’re weak encourages us to seek help for the right things. Today, we’re covering one of the most important Weak Links in our lives:

Depression and Despair

First, it’s important to know that you are not alone. At the time of this message, 37 million people are medicated for depression in America. Being religious does not make you immune. Being rich does not make you immune. Being in a great relationship does not make you immune. 

King David struggled with this (some have joked that if Prozac existed in ancient Israel, the book of Psalms wouldn’t exist). The prophet Elijah struggled with this (ironically after one of his biggest and clearest victories in ministry). Even Jesus, in the garden of Gethsemane, struggled with this. 

Thankfully, there’s a different reality to focus on:

Perspective changes everything.

Remember in the Star Wars series prequels, Obi Wan warns young Anakin: “be mindful of your thoughts, Anakin, they betray you.” This is (literally) sage advice: our minds have the capacity (and tendency) to deceive us. We can get stuck in the “miry pit” of situations, and that’s not healthy.  Except for physical/medical issues, the biggest ‘switch’ we can flip is re-orienting our thinking and changing how we see the situation.

Think about it this way: 

When you stand in the ocean and wade out to where the waves break, you’ll get hit hard by that cresting momentum. Now, you can stand there and keep getting pummeled, or you can move — either forward or backward is fine, even moving far enough sideways will fix it. The worst thing to do is stand still in that spot. 

The husband and father who’s broken by his wife leaving him has a choice: stand there and get pummeled, or use this pain as an opportunity to be a better dad, to get in better shape, to go deeper into his faith, and to learn how to manage his home with one less helper in the space. The choice to stay or move is entirely his. 

When we are in physical or emotional peril, we don’t stand still, we run, we flee, we move, we change our surroundings. Why do we hesitate to do the same thing mentally? Move.

The good news is that God promises to help.

Psalm 34:17-19 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. 18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. 19 The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.

There is no trouble so great that God cannot change it, either by changing the situation or changing your heart. We see it with David. We see it with Elijah. We see it with Paul. We see it with Timothy. We see it in our church. Over and over again, God moves things and God moves hearts. He only asks for our trust.

So while we wait patiently on the Lord, what can we do to be the most ready for His movement?

- First, get on your knees in prayer.

Just as David did constantly, turn to God first. 

Peter 5:6-7 - Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you. Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

Prayer to God is a powerful thing - and it’s so ‘basic,’ so ‘common,’ so ‘easy’ that we tend to overlook or even discount it. Stop that. Pray first. The first step to solving a problem…

- Next, find help.

Physical problems can be met with medical assistance to ease the situation. Mental and emotional problems can be explored privately with a Christ-centered counselor or a Biblical counselor who can help mitigate guilt and frustration. There is absolutely no shame in meeting problems with solutions, and experts around you can help deliver better solutions than you may find on your own. Let someone help you shift your perspective.

- Importantly, do not isolate.

It’s human nature to withdraw when we experience pain or when we’re nursing hurt (this is where God sent an angel to meet Elijah). However, a major step to not feeling alone in your struggle is simply not being alone. Don’t overthink it. Be around people, even if you don’t plumb the depths of your situation. In fact, this helps with one of the best things you can do:

- Distract yourself so that you don’t fixate on the issues.

Don’t get us wrong: you absolutely should face your problems and find help dealing with them. But while the highlights of the struggle are the beginning and the end of it, there’s a huge swath of in-between time between the highlights. In that time, sitting and dwelling on the negativity is entirely unhelpful. What if you picked up a hobby, or picked a hobby back up again? Go for walks. Learn something new. Spend time with your friends, and explore their hobbies with them. 

Doing something, doing anything besides isolating and stewing on your triggers is a massive step forward. 

- Focus on blessings

One of the most powerful things happening in corporate America right now is this re-discovery of the power of gratitude. Companies are beginning to ask employees to start journaling 3-5 good things that happened or developed at the end of each work day, and within 2 months, productivity and happiness are going up all around. 

Yes, bad things happen. Acknowledge them and let them go. Good things happen, too, no matter how small, and acknowledging them and holding on to them will shape our perspective over time. Give thanks absolutely and watch your mindset shift. 

We are only as strong as our weakest link

If depression and despair are a major part of your life, take heart in knowing that Jesus, Elijah, and David all overcame them over and over. Many people around you have overcome it. There are people who have been where you are who are willing to share their experience and hope with you. 

Too often, we just accept the struggle as part of our lives instead of fighting to move past it. You don’t have to live like this. Focus on the good, busy yourself with something new and interesting, surround yourself with friends, get help from experts who deal with situations like yours, and most importantly, seek guidance from the God who made you and knows your heart more intimately than anyone else.