FAITH and DEPRESSION—0428/19

PACIFIC CROSSROADS CHURCH

Campus Pastor Matt Trexler—Psalms 42

I. INTRODUCTION
A. VERY hard sermon…..need to comfort those afflicted
1. Mental health is hardly EVER taught in the church
2. Nearly all of us are affected by mental health
3. Scripture has a lot of hope to offer us
a. “poor is spirit…..brokenhearted”
B. Not about to say “just pray it away”….
1. Brain is NOT a different part of the human body
2. We don’t treat cancer, heart issues, etc. this way

II. PSALM 42(Tears, Trust, Task of Psalmist)

A. TEARS of the PSALMIST
1. Depression-what comes to mind
a. There is a social stigma in our culture; not in Bible
b. Matt is pro-medicine; he took some anti-depressants
2. Psalm 42:3—“things that I enjoyed I can no longer enjoy”
3. It is NOT a sin to be depressed
4. Bible is a REAL STORY….remember “Jesus wept”
5. There is “circumstantial depression”—
a. Loss of loved one, tragedy, etc.
6. There is “genetic depression”—we live in a fallen world
a. Disease of the body and soul—can be experienced
B. TRUST of the PSALMIST
1. :8—“By day the Lord directs His love, and by night His song is
with me”—crying out in FAITH to a God who doesn’t ALWAYS
seem to be there.
2. The feelings of not being useful to God(or others)
3. Matt 12:20—“a bruised reed He will not break; a dimly burning
wick He will not quench”…….gentle with those who stuggle.
4. :10—the taunt of “where is your God”?....where/who are
those voices and where do they come from?
a. From SATAN alone in the pit….not from God
5. John 6—I will NOT cast anyone away(who need HIS MERCY)
6. :9—“God my Rock”

C. TASK of the PSALMIST

1. To those who are in Depression
a. Look outside of yourself for HOPE
b. Talk to a doctor, a counselor, a pastor---a wholistic problem
1. Should be no stigma to medicines
c. We need to make space for them (self and church)
d. Listen to your soul and speak to your soul…see Psalm 42
1. Jesus on the Cross takes our problems; takes them on.
2.To us so we can help those in Depression
a. Be present and presence(not words)—we tend to withdraw
1. “I will never leave you or forsake you”
b. NEVER compare pain…don’t try to fix them
c. The HOPE of the Resurrection---remember that Jesus was in
a dark tomb……and He was raised into the light…glorious light
1. Depression darkness is NOT the end of the story
2. It does not get the final say over your life…
3. There is a RESURRECTION for all who hopes in Him