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DISCLAIMER: IF YOU SUFFER FROM DEPRESSION, SEEK TREATMENT BY A QUALIFIED HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL (PREFERABLY ONE WHO PRACTICES BY BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES)

THERE ARE 2 FORMS OF DEPRESSION: (1) REACTIVE DEPRESSION (2) CLINICAL DEPRESSION.

HOW COMMON IS CLINICAL DEPRESSION? National Institute of Mental Health: 7% of Americans have had at least one major depressive episode.

CAUSES OF DEPRESSION INCLUDE PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, AND SPIRITUAL ISSUES.

REGARDLESS OF THE CAUSE OF OUR DEPRESSION, GOD STILL EXPECTS CHRISTIANS TO OBEY SCRIPTURE IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES REGARDLESS OF HOW WE FEEL.

CLINICAL DEPRESSION IS BEST DIAGNOSED AND TREATED BY TRAINED PROFESSIONALS WHO CAN ASSESS THE RISK FOR SUICIDE. LOOK FOR A TRAINED PROFESSIONAL WHO PRACTICES CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES. DISCUSS YOUR DEPRESSION WITH YOUR PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN.

SO WHAT? FOUR “P’S” FOR DEALING WITH DEPRESSION: (1) PRAYER, (2) PARTNERS, (3) PUT-ONS, (4) PLAN.

1. PRAYER: CULTIVATES INTIMACY WITH GOD (Ps. 34:18)

2. PARTNERS: WE NEED COMMUNITY AND PARTNERS WHEN WE’RE STRUGGLING (Gal. 6:2)

3. “PUT-ON’S” (Eph. 4:21-24): A DISCIPLINED MIND. TRIAL AS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH (JAS 1:2-4) AND OUR GOOD (ROM. 8:28-29)

4. PLAN: HAVE A CONTINGENCY PLAN IN PLACE.

WHAT IS YOUR NEXT STEP? 1. REACH OUT TO SOMEONE. 2. GET A PARTNER.

Thank you and wrap up