1 Kings 19:4-5 (NKJV) But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!” Then as he lay and slept under a broom tree, suddenly an angel touched him, and said to him, “Arise and eat.”
Elijah is described as a mighty man of God. He did great exploits for the Lord, including praying the powerful prayer where he believed God for the rain, but we need to know that Elijah was as human as all of us.
Elijah received a threat by Jezebel right after a victory. He was terrified and ran for his life. He took a day’s journey into the wilderness and sat under the broom tree. He was very down, had no appetite and asked the Lord to take his life. Elijah actually went into depression after a spiritual triumph, and God had to send an angel to wake him up and tell him to eat! We need to know that it is never God’s plan for anyone to be in depression. He doesn’t want us to be fearful, anxious or panicked. He has given us His peace and His Word.
Depression is no respecter of person, and it can affect the young, the old, the man on the street or the CEO—anyone from all strata of society. It is no stigma but is just another illness or sickness. It is something that just comes upon the person. Therefore, we should not be harsh on those who are going through depression because they are going through the deepest valley in their lives. They cannot just snap out of it even though they want to—there is no quick fix.
Depending on the severity of it because depression has a wide span, they may need professional and clinical help. Therefore, we need to be empathetic, gentle, patient and kind when we are spending time with those who are depressed, such as going for a walk with them or just being a good listener. One of the best things we can do for them is to be present and listen without even giving solutions, deductions or recommendations unless it is being sought by them. We must also remember that the caregiver needs a break too, to refresh and not burn out while caring for those who are depressed.
We should be an expression of God’s grace, assurance, kindness and unconditional love by journeying with those who are going through depression. By journeying with them, we will be able to witness the hands of God upon their lives, and when God finally delivers them, we will be able to rejoice with them.
Sermon Series: Keep Your Peace (Part 2)
忧郁之苦，无人能免—但神必与你同行
列王纪上19:4-5 自己在旷野走了一日的路程，来到一棵罗腾树下；就坐在那里求死说：“耶和华啊，罢了！求你取我的性命，因为我不胜于我的列祖。”他就躺在罗腾树下睡着了。有一个天使拍他说：“起来吃吧！”
以利亚被描述为神的大能者。他为耶和华行大能，包括作了祈求神降下雨那大有能力的祷告，但我们要知道以利亚和我们一样都是人。
以利亚得胜后，受耶洗别的恐吓，他甚惧怕，就逃命去了。他到旷野走了一天的路，坐在罗腾树下。他很沮丧，没有胃口吃东西，请求神夺去他的生命。以利亚在属灵争战中战胜之后就陷入了忧郁，神不得不派一个天使来叫醒他吃东西！我们可能会陷入忧郁，但这绝不是神的计划。祂不希望我们害怕、焦虑或恐慌。神给了我们祂的平安和祂的话语。
抑郁症不分什么人，无论是年轻人、老年人、街上的人还是首席执行官，任何社会阶层的人都有可能受到它的影响。我们不应该引以为耻，这仅仅是一种疾病。会临到人们身上。因此，我们不应该对正经历抑郁的人疾言厉色，因为他正经历人生中最深的低谷。他们想竭力摆脱却无法做到，这并没有速效药。
患者可能需要接受专业和临床帮助，这取决于抑郁症的严重程度，因为抑郁症的范围很广。因此，当和抑郁症患者在一起时，我们需要用同理心、温柔、忍耐和良善来对待他们，比如可以与他们一起散步或专心倾听他们的心声。对于抑郁症患者，最好的帮助是我们的陪伴和倾听，除非对方要求，不要给予解决方案、推论或建议。我们也必须记住，照顾者也需要休息来恢复精力，免得在照顾抑郁症患者时自己也筋疲力尽。
我们与那些正在经历抑郁的人同行时，应该彰显神的恩典、确信、仁慈和无条件的爱。通过与他们同行，我们将会见证神按手在他们的生命中，而当神最终搭救他们时，我们就能够与他们一同喜乐。
讲章系列：保持你的平安 (第二部分)
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