In the context of the Bible, "depressions" can refer to both physical and emotional states of lowliness or despair. While the term "depression" as understood in modern psychological terms is not explicitly mentioned in the Scriptures, the Bible does address feelings and situations that align with what we now recognize as depression. Various biblical figures experienced profound sorrow, despair, and emotional turmoil, offering insight into how believers might understand and respond to such experiences.

Biblical Figures and Experiences of Depression

1. David: King David, a man after God's own heart, often expressed deep emotional distress in the Psalms. In Psalm 42:11 , he writes, "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God." This verse reflects David's internal struggle and his reliance on God for hope and restoration.

2. Elijah: The prophet Elijah experienced a significant low point after his victory over the prophets of Baal. In 1 Kings 19:4 , Elijah, overwhelmed and fearing for his life, "went a day's journey into the wilderness. He sat down under a broom tree and prayed that he might die. 'I have had enough, LORD,' he said. 'Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers.'" Elijah's despair was met with God's provision and encouragement, demonstrating divine care in times of deep distress.

3. Job: The account of Job is a profound exploration of suffering and despair. Job experienced immense loss and physical affliction, leading him to lament his birth and existence. In Job 3:11 , he cries, "Why did I not perish at birth; why did I not die as I came from the womb?" Despite his anguish, Job's account ultimately reveals a journey of faith and restoration.

4. Jeremiah: Known as the "weeping prophet," Jeremiah often expressed sorrow over the state of Israel and his own personal suffering. In Jeremiah 20:14 , he laments, "Cursed be the day I was born! May the day my mother bore me never be blessed!" Jeremiah's honest expressions of grief highlight the reality of emotional pain in the life of a believer.

Biblical Responses to Depression

1. Prayer and Lament: The Bible encourages believers to bring their sorrows and burdens to God in prayer. The Psalms, in particular, provide a model for lament, where individuals can express their deepest emotions while still affirming their trust in God.

2. Community and Support: Scripture emphasizes the importance of community and bearing one another's burdens. Galatians 6:2 instructs, "Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." The support of fellow believers can be a source of comfort and strength.

3. Hope in God: Throughout the Bible, there is a consistent call to place hope in God, even amidst despair. Romans 15:13 offers a prayer for believers: "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

4. Renewal of Mind: The New Testament encourages believers to renew their minds and focus on what is true and praiseworthy. Philippians 4:8 advises, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things."

Conclusion

While the Bible does not use the term "depression" as it is understood today, it provides a rich tapestry of narratives and teachings that address the human experience of deep emotional distress. Through the examples of biblical figures and the teachings of Scripture, believers are offered a framework for understanding and navigating the challenges of depression with faith, hope, and community.8258. sheqaarurah -- depression, hollow
... 8257, 8258. sheqaarurah. 8259 . depression, hollow. Transliteration: sheqaarurah
Phonetic Spelling: (shek-ah-roo-raw') Short Definition: depressions. ...
/hebrew/8258.htm - 6k

Self-Humbling and Self-Searching
... Aches and pains, joys and rejoicings' depressions and exultations, have alternated
in the living; but in the cold marble there has been no such change. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/self-humbling and self-searching.htm

The Memphite Empire
... In a few moments streams of muddy water rushing down the ravines, through the gulleys
and along the slightest depressions, hurry to the low grounds, and ...
/.../chapter iithe memphite empire.htm

Beyond Cincinnati
... Even during depressions, Christ Church never lowered its missionary giving of
[USD]24,000, and one year voted [USD]3000.00 from its parish budget to make up a ...
/.../herrick/frank h nelson of cincinnati/beyond cincinnati.htm

The Northern Mountains
... raged for some time past between those who attribute all lakes to the scooping action
of glaciers and those who attribute them to original depressions in the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter xi the northern mountains.htm

Darkness Before the Dawn
... which influence us in another way. Terrible depressions come over us; we
walk in darkness, and see no light. I should not like to ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 42 1896/darkness before the dawn.htm

Worry Versus Peace
... causes. Inflamed nerves, mental depressions, or hysterical fears, are, in
many instances, quite beyond the control of the sufferer. ...
/.../howard/standards of life and service/xix worry versus peace.htm

Third Day. Devotedness to God.
... With us, the magnet of the soul, even when truest, is ever subject to partial
oscillations and depressions, trembling at times away from its great attraction ...
/.../macduff/the mind of jesus/third day devotedness to god.htm

The Sculptor's Work
... aimless fashion. At length he began to cut depressions into the stone here
and there. A long time I watched him, still wondering. At ...
//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk fifty the sculptors work.htm

Of the Great Desolation Usually Following an Intellectual Passive ...
... so she will find herself strangely deceived; for as the whole course of a spiritual
life consists of perpetual changes, of elevations and depressions, and an ...
/.../chapter v of the great.htm

The Passing and the Permanent
... where rears the cliff there rolled the sea,' that through the cycles of the shifting
history of the world there have been elevations and depressions so that ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the passing and the permanent.htm

Depressions (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Depressions (1 Occurrence). Leviticus 14:37 He
shall examine the plague; and behold, if the plague is in ...
/d/depressions.htm - 6k

Depression (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (n.) A falling in of the surface; a sinking below its true place; a cavity or
hollow; as, roughness consists in little protuberances and depressions. ...
/d/depression.htm - 7k

Deprive (17 Occurrences)

/d/deprive.htm - 11k

Valley (187 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The space enclosed between ranges of hills or mountains; the strip of land
at the bottom of the depressions intersecting a country, including usually ...
/v/valley.htm - 75k

Flat (33 Occurrences)
... 1. (superl.) Having an even and horizontal surface, or nearly so, without
prominences or depressions; level without inclination; plane. ...
/f/flat.htm - 21k

Reservoir (1 Occurrence)
... spring may support much vegetation.) 'Agham does not seem to be used of artificial
pools, but rather of natural or accidental depressions containing water, as ...
/r/reservoir.htm - 12k

Pond (2 Occurrences)
... spring may support much vegetation.) 'Agham does not seem to be used of artificial
pools, but rather of natural or accidental depressions containing water, as ...
/p/pond.htm - 12k

Plane (5 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) Any tree of the genus Platanus. 2. (a.) Without elevations or depressions;
even; level; flat; lying in, or constituting, a plane; as, a plane surface. ...
/p/plane.htm - 10k

Plain (113 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To lament; to mourn over; as, to plain a loss. 3. (superl.) Without
elevations or depressions; flat; level; smooth; even. See Plane. ...
/p/plain.htm - 71k

Hollow (35 Occurrences)
... the walls of the house with hollow strakes," so the English Revised Version, the
American Standard Revised Version "hollow streaks," depressions); of koilotes ...
/h/hollow.htm - 20k

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