A Prescription for Depression

by Bud Lambert

Elijah was an outstanding servant of God. He was such a valued servant that God took him into heaven by a whirlwind ( 2 Kings 2:1-11). His life stands as a model for all servants of God today.
Elijah also struggled with depression. At one point the stress in his life became so great that he "went a days journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers" ( 1 Kings 19:4). Like so many clinically depressed individuals, Elijah didn't want to go on living.
Christians can experience depression. As evidenced by Elijah, godly people, even mature godly people, are human beings who have a breaking point. We can only deal with so much stress at a time. People who say that real Christians don't experience emotional problems are only declaring their ignorance of the Scriptures.
Christians do, however, have an advantage over non-christians, when it comes to stress and emotions. God has promised us that he will not allow us to be tempted above what we can bear; "but will with the temptation also make a way to escape" ( I Corinthians 10:13). If we choose God's help, we can deal with stress and problems better. We can have confidence that we can overcome our emotional problems. And, even though we will never be omnipotent, we can grow spiritually to where we will be less likely to experience emotional distress in the future. As Peter declares, "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness" ( 2 Peter 1:3).
God prescribed several directives for Elijah that helped him overcome his depression. Read 1 Kings 19:5-18 for yourself and discover a prescription from God for overcoming depression.

April 13, 1997



A Prescription for Depression by Bud Lambert Elijah was an outstanding servant of God. He was such a valued servant that God took him into heaven by a whirlwind ( 2 Kings 2:1-11). His life stands as a model for all servants of God today. Elijah also struggled with depression. At one point the stress in his life became so great that he "went a days journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers" ( 1 Kings 19:4). Like so many clinically depressed individuals, Elijah didn't want to go on living. Christians can experience depression. As evidenced by Elijah, godly people, even mature godly people, are human beings who have a breaking point. We can only deal with so much stress at a time. People who say that real Christians don't experience emotional problems are only declaring their ignorance of the Scriptures. Christians do, however, have an advantage over non-christians, when it comes to stress and emotions. God has promised us that he will not allow us to be tempted above what we can bear; "but will with the temptation also make a way to escape" ( I Corinthians 10:13). If we choose God's help, we can deal with stress and problems better. We can have confidence that we can overcome our emotional problems. And, even though we will never be omnipotent, we can grow spiritually to where we will be less likely to experience emotional distress in the future. As Peter declares, "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness" ( 2 Peter 1:3). God prescribed several directives for Elijah that helped him overcome his depression. Read 1 Kings 19:5-18 for yourself and discover a prescription from God for overcoming depression. April 13, 1997	Mt. Juliet Church of Christ 1940 N. Mt. Juliet Road P.O.Box 248 Mt.Juliet, TN 37122-0248 (615)758-2274 Fax:615-754-2351 Email Worship Services: Sunday Early Worship: 8AM Sunday Bible Study: 9:15AM Sunday Late Worship: 10:15AM Night Worship: 6PM Wednesday Bible Study: 7PM