Out of the Blues Application Questions Chapter 1, Part 2

 What biblical examples were given of the second category of depression?

The second category of depression is categorized as moderate depression. Mack provides biblical examples who fall into this category as a result from a wrong response to mild depression. Rather than acknowledging but not submitting to their feelings, these people submit to their feelings. Their focus becomes their circumstances and feelings and they look inward and horizontally rather than upward toward God. Some biblical examples are:

• Asaph writes in Psalm 73 that he came close to stumbling. He falls into this category because he came close but did not lose hope in the Lord.
• Jeremiah also experienced severe emotions but did not lose hope (Lamentations 3)
• The third example provided by Mack is the Psalmist in Psalms 42 and 43. The Psalmist describes being in despair, disturbed, mourning. However, the Psalmist did not give up entirely. He continued to trust in God.  

What are some symptoms of this type of depression?

Some symptoms of this type of depression are identified in the following quote from Mack:

...these people find that they begin to cry easily, become easily annoyed, experience longer periods of sadness, and have difficulty performing the normal activities of life. Their minds are set on the negative aspects of their life-earthly things-rather than on God's promises, purposes, and power-things above.

Out of the Blues: Application Questions from Chapter 1 Part 1

 After recording my initial thoughts about chapter 1 from Out of the Blues by Wayne Mack, I thought maybe it would be prudent to step back and take some time to carefully consider the application questions. 

1. How common is the problem of depression in society?

The answer to this question really depends on the definition of depression. Certainly, everyone at some point in time experiences feelings of sadness or anxiety or disappointment or difficulty concentrating. These are all symptoms of depression. Probably for many people, this is simply a response to circumstances and likely the majority of people currently being medicated for depression fall into this category. According to Mack's experience as a biblical counselor, depression can affect people of any age, any ethnicity, any economic status, even any educational background. Mack is very careful to point out that he is not addressing depression that is "physically or biologically induced."

2. What is meant by the statement that depression is truly a "democratic" disorder?

This statement indicates that depression affects people of any gender, age, ethnicity, economic status, social status, and educational background.

3. What are the three categories of depression?

The three categories are mild, moderate and severe. 

4. Why is the word "depression" described as a "catchall term"?

The word depression is used to describe a variety of emotional experiences ranging from sadness to utter despair, so depression is really a catchall term. When we say someone is depressed, it's not clear where that person falls along the spectrum of depression. Thus, it is helpful to think of the different categories of depression mentioned above.

5. What biblical examples were given of the first category of depression?

Jesus: Jesus came to earth as both man and God. In His humanity, He experienced feelings of sorrow and sadness. Scripture records times when Jesus experienced these emotions, when He learned of the death of John the Baptist, when followers left Him, when Mary wept at His feet after the death of Lazarus. Although Jesus experienced these feelings and emotions, He was not controlled by His emotions. He always followed the will of His Father in Heaven. Jesus said, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and  I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me. And He who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him." (John 8:28-29)

6. What are some symptoms of this kind of depression?

Some symptoms of this type of depression are discouragement, disappointment, and sadness.

7. What reasons were given to support the idea that there is nothing wrong with a Christian experiencing sorrow?

Mack points out that in Scripture we observe that a person may experience joy and sorrow at the same time. Some examples he provides are:

• Ecclesiastes 3:4: There is "a time to weep and a time to laugh."
• 1 Peter 1:6: "In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials."
• 1 Thessalonians 4:13: "But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope." 

My grief as a Christian should not be like that of the non-Christian. I may experience grief but I should never lose hope. I can always have hope in the coming of Jesus and the promised resurrection while experiencing the downs of life in a sinful world. I can and should always have joy in the midst of sorrow.

Is Depression a Sin Part 2

Wayne Mack in Out of the Blues labels the second form of depression as moderate depression. While mild depression is a sadness or sorrow in response to experiences and is common to all believers, moderate depression is due to a wrong response to mild depression. If a believer experiences mild depression yet does not submit to his feelings, the mild depression will not escalate to moderate depression. However, if a believer experiences mild depression and submits to his feelings, the mild depression will escalate to moderate depression. The person who experiences moderate depression focuses on their circumstances and their feelings rather than on God. Mack says, "People who do this are ruled by their spirits, neglect biblical responsibilities, lose hope, and find that they get less and less satisfaction from spiritual things." This person's mind is focused on the negative feelings and emotions rather than on God and His power and promises and purposes. Examples of this form of depression found in Scripture are Asaph in Psalm 73, Jeremiah in Lamentations, and the Psalmist in Psalms 42 and 43. 

I admit that I am this person. When something that I perceive as "bad" happens, it becomes the focus of my thoughts. Rather than focusing my thoughts upward to the Lord, they are focused on feelings of hurt, loneliness, worthlessness, anger, etc. It is hard to pray; it is hard to read the Bible; it is hard to go to church. I know that I should focus on the Lord, yet there is a such a strong pull to focus on my feelings. 

Some verses that apply here are:

Colossians 3:1-4

Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.

Philippians 4:8-9

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Romans 8:5-6

For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,

Is Depression a Sin

Is depression a sin? This is the question that has been nagging at my heart and mind lately. I intend to use this platform as a means to record personal reflections as I pursue the answer to this question. I am reading through the book Out of the Blues by Wayne Mack.

I believe the first thing to do is to define depression. Depression has a range of symptoms: sadness, anxiety, difficulty thinking clearly, lack of motivation, feelings of worthlessness. Although I became a Christian in 1998, I have struggled with this since a very early age and continue to struggle with this. I began taking antidepressants in 2002 and have been on them on and off since then. 

Dr. Mack begins by breaking depression down into three categories: mild depression, moderate depression and severe depression. Mild depression is sadness or disappointment about something. He even provides an example of Jesus experiencing sadness at the death of John the Baptist and at the grief of Mary and others at the death of Lazarus. This type of depression is a normal response to events that happen in our lives. It is right to grieve over the death of a loved one. Sadness in response to an experience is not wrong or sinful as long as we do not lose the hope we have that Jesus is coming again and we will be with Him forever. Some verses that shed light on this are:

Romans 12:15: Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

Hebrews 12:11: All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

God has created us with emotions, including sadness and disappointment. Therefore, experiencing these feelings is not sinful. Jesus, who lived a perfect life, Himself experienced these feelings.

On Eagles' Wings

This is a late post from my devotional thoughts two weeks ago. Quarantine life can be busy, that's all I can say.

In Exodus 19, God speaks to Moses after having delivered the Israelites from the Egyptians. He instructs Moses to tell the people:

You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings, and brought You to Myself. 

I have read this many times in my Christian life. I have even sung this many times in my Christian life. But, now, for the first time in my life I am wondering why did God choose to reference the eagle in this passage? Every American should be familiar with the bald eagle as an emblem of our country, signifying freedom. If I bring that idea to this text; however, I introduce error by imposing my own culture upon the culture to whom God was speaking through Moses.

I haven't spent too much time thinking about the eagle's characteristics, I guess, because I don't see eagles very often. However, I imagine that the image of an eagle would have been more relevant to the nomadic culture addressed here. What are the notable qualities of the eagle? I can think of three. First, eagles are extremely powerful. Second, they have extraordinary eyesight. Third, they are known to soar higher than any other bird. I think this last quality is where the heart of the meaning of this verse lies. As I read and write, I am picturing an eagle swooping down and then soaring to great heights.

Perhaps God chooses to reference the eagle to illustrate what He has saved the Israelites FROM and TO. He has performed miraculous signs in front of all the Egyptians, displaying His superiority to the gods of the Egyptians. This all culminated with Him leading the Israelites safely across the Red Sea and then drowning the entire Egyptian army. Thus, God delivered the Israelites FROM a state of servitude to men. Not only did He bring them out, but He also brought them TO a place far above this servitude, the very presence of the true and living GOD. There is certainly no higher place.

How blessed we are to have been delivered from the kingdom of darkness and transported into the kingdom of light. Because God the Father planned, because the God the Son carried out, and because God the Holy Spirit applied this salvation to our hearts, we have been set free from our bondage to sin. Now, we are free to worship the true living God and to dwell in His presence forever and ever.

Why Frogs?

Over the course of the past week, I read Exodus 8 through 17. This portion of Scripture is a narrative explaining the many plagues that God brought upon Egypt culminating in the exodus of God's people from Egypt into the wilderness. I was curious about the particular plagues that are recounted in this passage. In particular, why frogs? Personally, I find frogs kinda gross, but not particularly threatening. So, why did God threaten Pharaoh that his land would be filled with frogs if he did not release the Israelites? Egypt was a polytheistic culture with numerous gods. It turns out that one of them was Heqet, a goddess of fertility, who represented in the form of a frog. Thus, through this plague God demonstrates to everyone in Egypt, including the Israelites, that He is more powerful than this god. And so it is with all the plagues. With each plague, God demonstrates that He is the One true Creator, the One true Sustainer, the One true Judge.

This passage really just came alive to me this week and I really heard God speaking: "Worship ME. Honor ME. Serve ME." Some verses that really stood out include:

• Exodus 11:3 Furthermore, the man Moses himself was greatly esteemed in the land of Egypt, both in the sight of Pharaoh's servants and in the sight of the people. 
• Exodus 12:12 Against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments--I am the LORD. 
• Exodus 14:4 The Egyptians will know that I am the LORD. 
• Exodus 14:31 When Israel saw the great power which the LORD had used against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD and in His servant Moses.

This is the purpose of my life. Not money. Not pleasures. Not beauty. Not fame. Not anything this world offers. The goal of my life is simply to reflect. To reflect the might and power and glory of my God so that more and more may see and worship also. 

The Battle

This week I have been reading the beginning of the Exodus. Another familiar story, but God's word is living and active and He speaks through even familiar stories. Moses and Aaron, called by God, approach the Pharaoh of Egypt. They demand that the Hebrew people, who are bound in slavery to the Egyptians, be set free. Of course, the Pharaoh refuses. So, Moses and Aaron request the people be permitted to go into the wilderness to worship the Lord. Not only does the Pharaoh refuse this request. He also punishes the Hebrew slaves even more. While previously they had been provided straw to make a quota of bricks, now they must gather their own straw and still produce the exact same quota. Of course this is impossible and the foremen are beaten for their laziness and inability to perform. This is the part that struck me. What is the response of the Hebrew foremen? They blame Moses and Aaron, saying: " May the Lord look upon you and judge you, for you have made us odious in Pharaoh’s sight and in the sight of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to kill us.” In the midst of their oppression, they see the very ones sent by God to deliver them as their enemy. The reader, however, can see a more accurate picture of what is really happening. We see that Moses and Aaron are being sent by God, the sovereign I AM. They are merely instruments of the faithful God, who made a covenant with the people, who are held in bondage. We also see in Exodus 4:21 the reason for Pharaoh's response: "I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go." This is not a battle between Moses and Aaron and the Hebrews or between Moses and Aaron and the Pharaoh. Of course, it cannot be, for our battle is not against flesh and blood. This is a battle between a good God and the forces of evil. 

In a way, I see similar responses in our current situation. Some blame the federal government. Some blame the health officials. Some blame the scientists. Some blame the local government. Isn't that similar to what the Hebrew slaves did? Is our battle against other people? I answer no. There is a much larger battle going on, between God and the spiritual forces of evil. If that is what I truly believe, then my response to this global pandemic should fall in line. How can I respond to a battle that occurs in the spiritual realm? I must fight this battle with prayer.