How to get depressed in three easy steps

A Point of Light with Rick Edwards

#1 Find a place by yourself.† In 1 Kings 19, Elijah had just come off this major victory. He was physic a l l y exhausted and emotionally spent. Verse five says that he sat under a juniper tree, an almost lifeless, leafless shrub. So why was Elijah sitting under that tree? I'll tell you the dude wanted to be by himself. "I don't want any people around. People hurt me by what they say and do."

The tragic fact is that depression shuts out the thing we need. We shut out those who love us, who want to support us, and people who can give us a reality check.

#2 Focus on the negative. Everyone faces negative and positive things in life. The way depression works is that you get really focused on the negative.† Before you know it, you take some little thing and make it a big thing.

#3 Forget God's provision. I'm sorry, but is this the same guy who was fed by God for three years from a loaf of bread and a jar of oil? We do the same thing.We forget God's faithful provision and how good He has been to us. We forget who God is and how He never changes and never fails.

Choosing the cure to depression.

1. Let God confront you. In verse 9, Elijah slept in a cave and God came to him and said, Elijah, what are you doing here? Then, in spite of Elijah's lame excuses, the Lord ministered to him. I love that. God wasn't angry or judgmental; He just ministered grace to him.

2. Let God reveal Himself to you.

3. Let God provide for you. After He revealed Himself to Elijah in a small gentle voice, God supernaturally sent food and rest. God will minister to you and heal your depression if you will receive His provisionfrom His Word or from a friend, a piece of wisdom that He brings to your mind, a new direction, a loving embrace. Let God confront you. Let God reveal Himself to you and receive His provision.

4. Immediately do what God says. God gave some specific instructions to Elijah. Get up, man! Get up and go! It is all in verses 15 through 17. What is God saying you need to do? Do it immediately.

5. Get involved with people again. After this, God sent Elijah back to civilization to minister. What is it you need to do today to get back in the game? Ask God to give you the courage to meet Him every day this year.

Peace, Pastor Rick Rick Edwards is pastor of Murphy First Baptist Church.