How does one become depressed?  Does it happen as quickly as one catching a cold (waking up not feeling well and by the end of the day coughing with a fever?) or is it a process?

Depression creeps up on us and we continue to spiral down – it is a process and must  be patiently reversed as a process.

Attitudes:  We must control our attitudes toward life: Starts in our mind. To get out from the stubborn darkness one must focus energy on Attitudes and Actions!  One must think right and do right to fight and dig out from the pit of depression.

Proverbs 23:7 states that,

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.

Or in other words, as a man thinks that is what he becomes.

How can the attributes of God help control my attitude?

God is …

• Ever present
• Ever in control
• Ever fully aware
• Ever wants to help
• Ever there to comfort

One must control his attitudes by looking at and focusing on the positives!

• Jesus loves me
• Heaven is better than this
• Jesus is here with me ready to help me
• Living in America versus living somewhere else:
  • health care is better
  • governmental help is available
  • we enjoy freedoms other countries do not
  • standard of living is higher

Controlling our thoughts

One must control the thoughts because Proverbs 4:23 teaches,

“ Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.”

and

“Much unhappiness in life is due to us listening to ourselves, rather than talking to ourselves” Martin Lloyd Jones

The most influential person who will talk to you all day long is you. So you should be very careful what you say to youself.

“He will be blessed in his doing”  James 1:25

“If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”  John 13:17

Actions: Keep busy to fight back and dig out from depression

• Read one Psalm daily and list five applications or more. Psalm 42 teaches the importance of self- talk!
• Daily encourage others.

I will encourage my Family Member _________________ by _______________

I will encourage my Friend ________________________ by ________________

I will encourage one person a day for at least 4 days.

• Write out your purpose for living.

I believe my God-given purpose for living today is __________________________

__________________________________________________________________

• Create a list of 50 or more things/people for which you are thankful.

List 5 right now

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*

*

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• Be a student of suffering.

From James 1 and 1 Peter 1 what is the purpose of suffering?

What help is there knowing that Jesus suffered?

Hebrew 4:14

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. (ESV)

Learn from contemporary inspiring people.  So many are living with great adversityyet are living triumphantly!

• Listen to encouraging, uplifting music – Do not underestimate the power of music.

What music do I have that encourages me?

• Stay away from negative people and media.
• Be an active participant here at your local church
• Develop your personal support group – Who do you have to help you to hold you accountable? I have _________________________________
• Journal to reflect on what works and what does not work for tools to fight depression.
• Identify and seek to remove causes of depression – where possible
  1. Do I need to ask God for Forgiveness?
  2. Do I need to ask family/friend for forgiveness?
  3. Do I need to forgive anyone – stop holding grudges!
  4. Do I need to exercise? How and when will I start?_________________________
  5. Do I need some accountability to eat a more healthy diet? If yes Who?
  6. Get help with getting on top of cleaning, dishes, laundry, etc. I will call _______

Oxford Valley Chapel Counseling Center

Dr. Dan Skogen, and Robin Skogen, are Biblical Counselors.

To schedule an appointment, ask a question, or just find out more information about our counseling program, call our church office at (215) 946-3946 or send us an email.