Definitions
Relating to the article on Depression

To give clearness to our discussion on depression and anxiety, we will examine some definitions first. These are taken from Samuel Johnson's Dictionary of the English Language which was first published in England in 1755. Far from being archaic and out of date, these definitions shed more light on the subject. Under the influence of psychology/psychiatry, some of these words have been more muddied than helped in their modern definitions. (Definitions are not in alphabetical order.)

Depress - ...To press down, or thrust down...To let fall; to let down...To humble; to deject; to sink...

Depression - ...The act of pressing down...The sinking or falling in of a surface...The act of humbling; abasement...

Despair - ...Hopelessness; despondence...Loss of confidence in the mercy of God...

Despond - (similar to Despair)

Anxiety - ...Trouble of the mind about some future event...Lowness of spirits, with uneasiness of the stomach...

Anxious - ...Disturbed about some uncertain event...Careful; unquiet...Careful, as of a thing of great importance...

Disconsolate - ...Void of comfort; hopeless; sorrowful; melancholy...

Dismal - ...Sorrowful; dire; horrid; melancholy; uncomfortable; unhappy; dark...

Gloomy - Obscure; imperfectly illuminated; almost dark; dismal for want of light...Sullen; melancholy; cloudy of look; heavy of heart...

Melancholy - ...noun [From Greek]...A disease, supposed to proceed from a redundance of black bile...A kind of madness, in which the mind is always fixed on one object...A gloomy, pensive, discontented temper...

Melancholy - ...adjective...Gloomy; dismal...Diseased with melancholy; fanciful; habitually dejected...

Melancholic - ...Disordered with melancholy...hypochondriacal; gloomy...Unhappy...Dismal

Sullen - ...Solitary...Gloomily angry; sluggishly discontented...

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Now, let's go through these words in more detail and contemplate some of the thoughts behind them.

Depression

Depress - ...To press down, or thrust down...To let fall; to let down...To humble; to deject; to sink...

Depression - ...The act of pressing down...The sinking or falling in of a surface...The act of humbling; abasement...

Those who would question the appropriateness applying the word depressed to Christians need to consider the definition of the word and its implications. Surely we have all been brought low or pressed down at some point in our lives. Some experience a recurring or serious depressing for various reasons.

David said in Psalm 142:6, Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low... To be depressed is to be brought low. Depression, as the word is often used, is a thrusting down, a dejection. Certainly it is a humbling. Job, as we shall see, was greatly humbled and abased by the devil through the permission of the Lord. For him it was a testing.

Three times in Psalm 42 the Psalmist says that he was cast down. Verse 5, Why art thou cast down, O my soul?... 6 O my God, my soul is cast down within me... And again verse 11, Why art thou cast down, O my soul?... It is repeated again at the end of Psalm 43. Here the difficulty seems to be a thirst and desire for God, a longing to be satisfied by Him, while at the same time being cast down in spirit because of the accusations of the enemy from whom he desires to be delivered.

In Psalm 102 (A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed...) the psalmist is in trouble and seems to feel to some extent that he is suffering because of some sin for he writes, Ps. 102:9 For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping, 10 Because of thine indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down.

So, we see a few reasons for being pressed down - depressed. It may be a trial from the Lord, suffering for some sin, trouble, or an attack from the enemy. We will see much more on this as we study the various Bible character.

Despair

Now despair is another matter. We read in Johnson's that it is "...Hopelessness; despondence...Loss of confidence in the mercy of God..." For a Christian, despair should not be an option. This is not to say that we will never fall into it, but we should strive against it and resist it by God's grace. Paul said, We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 2 Corinthians 4:8

To lose confidence in the mercy of God is to deny the scriptures and promises of God. Thus, it is a sin. In this it is not like depression which can easily, and probably often, have causes that are not sin-related. They should be distinguished from one another, though despair may often follow depression, especially when depression is not treated. Those dealing with depression in themselves or others should be conscious of this and work to overcome or avoid it. Jude 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

William Cowper suffered at times from despair in some of the deep depression he went through. He had been influenced by Calvinist doctrine and at some point (maybe several times) he despaired of his salvation because he didn't know if he was one of the "elect." John Newton worked diligently to restore his confidence and encourage him. For this reason we ought to beware of hard line Calvinism. Because of its nature it may cause some depression tormented saints to lose hope and confidence in God's mercy.

The word of God is our greatest defense resisting despair for the Bible says, So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17 A Bible study on the mercy of God and repeated reminders of His mercy would be beneficial to someone in dispair.

Anxiety

Anxiety - ...Trouble of the mind about some future event...Lowness of spirits, with uneasiness of the stomach...

Anxious - ...Disturbed about some uncertain event...Careful; unquiet...Careful, as of a thing of great importance...

In one sense I almost laugh when I read the definition of "anxiety" - but not quite. Having had considerable experience with accute anxiety I know that definition to be so true, especially the "uneasiness of the stomach!" :-) (They told me in a doctor's office that anxiety and nervousness effect the digestive tract first. That's why we say we have "butterflies in our stomach" when we're nervous. Stage fright is a form of anxiety.)

Anxiety does not always accompany depression, nor does depression always accompany anxiety, but they are closely related and can come together. Accute anxiety is probably more likely to generate depression. People who suffer from either one are often similar in their emotional makeup.

Worrying about future events seems to be the most common problem of the anxious. Carefulness is simply being full of care - both for the future, and things that are important, or that we think are important. While "anxiety" in its forms does not appear in the Bible, "careful" does.

The Bible says, Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Our desire should be to trust God with the future events and "important" things. Yet, while we are commanded to be careful for nothing here, there are times when Paul says he was careful. Philippians 2:28 I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice... Philippians 4:10 ...now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful... Titus 3:8 ...that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works... Please note that these references to carefulness are not in worrying about oneself or how "I" will feel or what "I" will do. It is all directed to others or God. Go read the context if you have any question. Perhaps we will study into this further.

Caring for others needs can run away with us though, especially if our care for them reflects back upon us. Martha was upset because Mary wasn't helping her in her service of others. Luke 10:41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. Martha had the anxious, careful spirit. She also had the faith that her brother would rise from the dead, John 11:24. She was not less Jesus' friend because she was anxious. She still had great faith in other areas. However, she did miss out on the blessing of sitting at Jesus' feet and hearing His word because she was Anxious - Careful - about things she thought to be very important. Jesus so kindly put her perspective in order for her and pointed her attention to where it should have been. He will do the same for us if we let Him.

Also note that Martha was troubled about many things. The flooding of the mind with worrisome thoughts is one of the signs of anxiety. I suppose most anyone can suffer from this at times. It is those with accute anxiety that have the most difficulty getting out from under those "many things." But, God is able to deliver. 1Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Disconsolate

Disconsolate - ...Void of comfort; hopeless; sorrowful; melancholy...

This word, as such, does not appear in the King James Bible. However, "consolation" does.

Again we see the hopeless aspect. Having no hope is a description of unbelievers in Ephesians 2:12, That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: However, before anyone assumes they or their suffering loved one is not saved, notice that Job said he was without hope also. Job 7:6 My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent without hope. As we shall see with Naomi and others, though it shouldn't happen, it is possible for a believer to lose hope. As always, the answer is in God's word. Psalm 42 and 43 tell us three times ...hope thou in God... Jeremiah, the weeping prophet, tells us, It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD. Lamentations 3:26

Also, we see that the to be disconsolate is to be void of comfort and sorrowful. A truer description could hardly be made of those suffering from depression and acute anxiety. Anyone who has suffered such, or been close to someone that has, will readily see this.

As children of God through faith in Christ Jesus, we do not have to stay comfortless and hopeless. Through God's grace, we have available to us everlasting consolation and good hope! 2 Thessalonians 2:16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, 17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work. And again, Hebrews 6:18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: 19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; 20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

The Lord Jesus said to the disciples about His return to heaven, I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you...26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things... John 14:18 and 26. Thus we have a double comfort in Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost.

The sorrowful aspect of depression and anxiety is not sinful. Jesus Christ Himself was ...a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief... Isaiah 53:3 In the garden of Gethsemane before His crucifixion we read, Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. Matthew 26:38

We will look into this more later, Lord willing.

Dismal

Next we have "dismal" which is ...Sorrowful; dire; horrid; melancholy; uncomfortable; unhappy; dark...

This is included for the defining words - dire, horrid, uncomfortable, unhappy and dark.

Those who have suffered depression or anxiety will see the implications of dire as the sense of dread that envelops you, usually for no apparent reason. The sense of impending doom, the foreboding or the disheartening dread fall under the idea of "dire."

I have never personally suffered the sever horridness of deep depression, and by the grace and mercy of God hope that I never will. However, I have had some experience with it, and have read and heard others' experiences. The horrid thoughts, dreams, worries and imaginations that often accompany depression are one of the truly awful things about it. William Cowper suffered from these, and perhaps it was these that drove him to insanity and even attempted suicide. David understood this when he wrote in Psalm 55:4-5, My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me. Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me. The horrors that accompany depression (and its relatives) are very real and very overwhelming.

Then there is the uncomfortable feeling. We have already discussed the comfortless factor, but being uncomfortably is slightly different. Who among the depressed and anxious have not felt this discomfort? Here is the nagging, ill-at-ease feeling, the sense that somehow the world is not "right" but the inability to reconcile oneself to it. For some it may be quite extreme.

Of course, the unhappy feeling is easy to see and identify. God tells us, Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. Proverbs 3:13 Also, But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; 1Peter 3:14 Thus if our trouble that brings us sorrow, or depression is for the gospel's sake we have a cause for rejoicing, ...though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 1Peter 1:6

Lastly, we see in the word "dismal" the darkness. How dreadful and real the darkness is! Those who have never felt it cannot completely understand it. Job said, When I looked for good, then evil came unto me: and when I waited for light, there came darkness. Job 30:26 The darkness of depression which settles over the mind, the heart, the body, the spirit and all of life itself is one of its strangest facets. One lady told me that she could literally feel it the first time it settled over her. It is likely that most of the time this darkness is a direct result of an attack by the prince of darkness, our adversary the devil. Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

...the LORD will lighten my darkness. 2 Samuel 22:29

The good news is that Jesus Christ is the light of the world and lighteneth every man (John 1 & 8:12). In the face of Jesus Christ we have light. 2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Through Him we are called out of the darkness. 1Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

For those who may have entered this spiritual darkness by willful disobedience to the word of God we read in Psalm 107:10-14 Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron; 11 Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High: 12 Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help. 13 Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses. 14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder. Thus there is deliverance, even for them, if they will turn to the right source for help, that is the LORD.

Remember also, that darkness is not always evil. In describing God's surroundings we read in Psalm 97:2, Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne. God gives us darkness for a time of rest in Ps. 104:20-22. And, in Psalm 139:12 we read, Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee. These are words of great comfort.

Gloomy

Gloomy - Obscure; imperfectly illuminated; almost dark; dismal for want of light...Sullen; melancholy; cloudy of look; heavy of heart...

"Gloomy" is a good word to describe some personalities that are prone to suffer from depression and anxiety. It also is quite appropriate for some hours, days or weeks or our lives. It may not always fit actual depression, but it certainly applies to those occasional "blues" that harass depression-prone folk. I think that most people do have gloomy days now and then even when they are not inclined to actual depression. Long periods of cloudy weather, hormones, neglecting of spiritual things, unpleasant jobs or obligations, pain, the suffering of a loved one, and more can cause these days or moods. It can also be caused by self-pity.

Obscurity and imperfect illumination speak of times when we just can't figure out what to do or what's going on. It is not actually dark, just almost. We feel like we are in a fog, but it is dismal because the light seems so small. We may be unsure of our immediate future, or something we had worked for may have been snatched away at the last moment. We may be in a bad mood, and/or tend to look only on the dark side of things. Our hearts are heavy and sad, sometimes for no apparent reason. For those of us with a tendency toward depression or anxiety we may get up one morning or sit down one evening and suddenly things that we weren't too worried about yesterday are horrible burdens that we can no longer bear. It may be a quickly passing gloom or it may be the edge of real darkness. Those of you who have experienced this know exactly what I am talking about.

One of the keys to fighting this successfully is to recognize these gloomy times and immediately turn to the source of Light for help. The Lord Jesus is the Light, as we saw from scripture, and He can help us get out of this shadowy area of gloom into His marvelous light. Psalm 34:5 They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.

Just a note in passing to the would-be helpers: Music can be very helpful in dealing with depression and anxiety, but do not force it on anyone that doesn't want it. The Bible says, As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart. Proverbs 25:20 While it is important not to listen to music that dishonors God, yet music does not always help the heavy hearted. Be courteous. I can tell you from my own experience that there are times when music makes my urge to weep more pronounced rather than calming me. At these times quietness will help me move on with life better than anything. Isaiah 30:15 For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel...in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength...

Melancholy

Melancholy - ...noun [From Greek]...A disease, supposed to proceed from a redundance of black bile...A kind of madness, in which the mind is always fixed on one object...A gloomy, pensive, discontented temper...

Melancholy - ...adjective...Gloomy; dismal...Diseased with melancholy; fanciful; habitually dejected...

We see here that melancholy is an old word, older than the psychologists of the modern age or the definitions they have given it. It is, in fact, from the Greek. It apparently was a disease, at one time, and it should be noted here that physical ailments most surely do cause melancholy, depression and anxiety.

There are numerous physical problems that can cause these problems. A lack of serotonin, Vitamin B12 deficiency, diabetes, medication side effects, stress, irritations to the brain, and many more. For some people it is quite literally "in their genes." We knew a man who suffered from schizophrenia in February every year. He had inherited this from his parents, and it was as predictable as clock work. The rest of the year he was generally fine.

Notice the "kind of madness, in which the mind is always fixed on one object." This is where the Obsessive Compulsive Disorder comes in. We are not going to dig deeply into these things (there is plenty of information out there on such matters, but beware when you go looking for it - man's wisdom on such matters is often perilous), but it should be mentioned here as it is most certainly a part of the whole picture of depression and anxiety. Lord willing, we will discuss it in more detail when we look into scrupulosity - a religious form of OCD.

Discontent also enters here. Though it is in not the cause of all depression, it easily can be. This then is a selfishness.

Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Depression and anxiety tend to cause us to focus on ourselves instead of the Lord. Not surprisingly, when we focus on ourselves we become discontent for we, in and of ourselves, are nothing and are therefore very "uncontenting" creatures on which to concentrate. The world is also a wearisome thing to focus upon and will lead us to discontentment as well. Annie Johnson Flint described this very well in her poem When I Think if Thee. As we read in the Bible, But godliness with contentment is great gain. 1Timothy 6:6

Also note the pensiveness and habitual dejection. There is a sense in which some people do allow themselves to remain depressed or anxious because they get some kind of perverse satisfaction out of it, or they enjoy the sympathy. Some actually appear to think that "gloominess is next to godliness" and the truely spiritual should not be cheerful. Nothing could be further from the truth! Proverbs 15:13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

There are several ways in which depression and anxiety can become habits. When we do not seek help from the Lord nor from medical avenues, we allow ourselves to stay in that condition and have made a habit of it. When some continue in sin that they know is causing it, they are making it habitual. When we never try to overcome it, but simply wallow in it and "enjoy" it, we are making it our habit and companion. While it is not always sin that brings depression on for a Christian, it may be sin that they are continuing in it if they know they need help and refuse to seek it. They may be too proud or insist that "Christians don't have depression." James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. Luke 5:31 And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.

I would also mention the fanciful. There are those, who in their depression or the loss of their sanity will sink into living an imaginary life. If you have a saved loved one that seems to live in their own little world and does not care to associate with other Christians, this may be something you need to consider. People who are obsessed with fanciful fiction, science-fiction, role playing games, medieval and other historical enactments; who, in short, prefer a fictitious life to the real world, may be suffering from mental difficulties. Some people with mental disorders will at times actually "change identity" or believe some totally imaginary life they have invented for themselves. (This is the subject of the famous "Yellow Wallpaper" story which caused a controversy and improvements in the 1800s.) In many cases, this may be devil possession. However, there are some few who are suffering from a strange and twisted result of the fall of man which has attacked their brain and left them living in a very strange world. In a sense, it is no different than those who suffer arthritis or gout. It is just more frightening because we don't understand it.

We knew a man who suffered this kind of insanity. He thought that evil people knew which vegetables he would pick up and buy in the store, and had poisoned them to kill him. He told my dad that he "fooled" them by not buying those vegetables. Rather than mock the man or try to explain, which my dad knew was pointless, my dad commented that it was very curious how they could guess which vegetables he would pick up. What if someone else got them? That would be bad. How could they know just exactly which ones to poison? The man thought a moment and agreed that was strange and seemed to slightly grasp the direction my dad was trying to point him. Then he moved on to another subject.

In scripture these people are called "mad." Madness is mentioned in several different ways in the Bible. It was promised to Israel for disobedience to the commandments of the Lord, Deuteronomy 28:28 & 34. David feigned himself to be mad before Achish in order to save his own life, 1Samuel 21:13 And he changed his behaviour before them, and feigned himself mad in their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down upon his beard. Achish said he had no need for mad men. The implication was that they were around and everyone knew their problem. Madness is mentioned a number of times in Ecclesiates. Paul was accused that much learning had made him mad, Acts 26:24. And, those who reject the truth and react violently againts it are said to be mad in a number of places.

Beware how you judge the mad. It may not be their fault that they are that way.

Melancholic - ...Disordered with melancholy...hypochondriacal; gloomy...Unhappy...Dismal.

Lastly, we see the melancholic tendency toward hypochondria; that is to imagine or invent physical illness. The person who suffers from depression and/or anxiety may be inclined to imagine all kinds of things are wrong. This is particularly so if the depression or anxiety has not been diagnosed or the person is in denial. The many physical symptoms that accompany these problems can be confusing and even scary. I know several people, myself included, who have experience chest pains and numbness in the hands and feet. Other heart symptoms are common along with stomach and digestive track problems, and many other things. When you don't know what is going on, or won't admit it, you are inclined to invent reasons for these things.

To complicate matters further, there is the problem of inventing illnesses to gain sympathy. Some may know they aren't sick, but they like the feeling of control they get from causing others to worry or to serve them.

It may be difficult to discern between real sickness and depression (or anxiety) at times. As one sister has pointed out to me, the physical is effected so much by the spiritual and emotional, that we usually cannot sort them out from each other. We must take it to the Lord and ask His wisdom. Sometimes the physical side of depression is so sever that we simply cannot force ourselves to keep going. One lady I know has spent days in bed, unable to function because of the physical effects of depression on her body. Some would accuse us of hypochondria, and at times it is for some, but there is a real sense in which the physical is totally upset and debilitated by the emotional or spiritual strain. There are even times when we actually think we are dying. David understood this. Remember what we read before, Psalms 55:4 My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me. 5 Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me... (Word to the family and friends of the afflicted: It does not help at times of such extreme suffering to be told, "Stop worrying," "Pull yourself together," or "Get up and getting going." Any "pushing" toward recovery must be done with much prayer and seeking of wisdom from the Lord to know how best to help the one with whom you're dealing. What you do in your flesh to "help" often only increases the suffering.)

Thankfully, we can lean upon the Lord and ask His wisdom and counsel in discerning between physical needs and emotional or spiritual needs. If you don't know what is wrong ask the Lord to tell you if you need to get medical attention or not. We will deal more with this in the practical helps section if the Lord permits. Remember, Jesus said, ...They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. Matthew 9:12. There is a time to go to the doctor, but there is a time when it is not useful either.

Sullen

Sullen - ...Solitary...Gloomily angry; sluggishly discontented..

Last of all we have the sullen. Sulleness can often be a willful depression. It perhap more describes those who try to depress or hurt others with their gloominess since we see that it is angry.

Nabal might be a Bible example of this. We read about him that ...he is such a son of Belial, that a man cannot speak to him. (1 Sam. 25:17), and ...Nabal is his name, and folly is with him... (1 Sam. 25:25). Perhaps he was not sullen in a true sense of the definition, but if you have been around someone who maintained such a grumpy spirit that you could not talk with them, you will recognize the similarity here.

We will find that Jonah was quite sullen when we study his case.

Also notice the tendency to be solitary. A person who desires to be alone all of the time may very well be unhealthy mentally. They may be suffering from depression. We read in the beginning, when God made Adam, And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. Genesis 2:18 If God so ordained before man even fell, then certainly this is still true. Solomon confirms this in Ecclesiates 4:9-12 which starts, Two are better than one... Lonliness can tend toward depression and anxiety as we become too focused upon ourselves.

A desire to be alone occasionally is not evil, as the Lord Jesus went into a mountain alone to pray (Matt. 14:23), but a solitary way of life is not healthy. A tendency to avoid contact with people at all is a problem that needs addressing. This is not to say there is no room for those who are not "people oriented." But, they should still have Christian friends and family with whom they spend time on a regular basis. Sadly, in these last days there are times and places where some of God's children find it very difficult to get the fellowship they need. They should be aware that this can lead them to depression and take biblical measures to combat it. There are those among the Lord's people who through circumstances have been forced to spend much time alone. As they sought their solace in Him, God has made Himself very real to them in such a way as to satisfy their souls with Himself.

Ps 9:10 And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

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Having examined these words, their meanings and the thoughts they suggest, we will move on now with our study.

Return to Depression - What Saith the Scriptures?