NYM Ministries: Bible People Who God Depressed (from Today's Native Father #120)

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PRODUCT/RESOURCES INDEX Today's Native Father Archive of Articles Free booklets Marriage/Parenting Tip Calendar of workshops E-mail questions or comments	This article is from Today's Native Father, issue #120, January/February, 2002. Related articles from this issue: Bible People Who Got Depressed When Should Parents Seek Help? Hope Fills in the Missing Pieces
	Bible People Who Got Depressed by David Hertzler
	Depression has a long history, as the following case studies show. These Bible characters went through times of depression or suicidal tendencies. But God showed them ways to deal with their depression. A Descendant of Korah Read Psalm 42. Find the verse that shows each of these signs of depression. Write the verse number in the blank. _____Crying, mourning. _____Feeling persecuted or oppressed. _____Overwhelmed, unable to "keep his head above water." _____An agitated, disturbed spirit. _____Deep, persistent sadness. In his self-talk, what does the poet tell himself to do to break the grip of his depression? David Read Psalm 69. David makes several guesses at the cause of his depression. Find a verse that shows each of these guesses. _____I have been foolish and sinful. _____I have been rejected by my family. ____I have been too serious about my religion. _____I have taken personally the slanderous things people say about God. _____People expect more of me than is fair. Verses 16-18. What four things does David ask God to do for him? Elijah Read 1 Kings 19 How can you tell that Elijah was depressed (verse 4)? What two things can you see in verses 1-3 that may have brought on his depression? What three things did God give him to lift his depression (verses 6, 15-18)? Jonah Read Jonah 4 How can you tell that Jonah was depressed (verses 3, 8)? In His replies to Jonah, what cause of depression did God name (verses 4, 9)? How did God provide for Jonah's physical needs (verse 6)? Did this kindness lift Jonah?'s depression? In Jonah's prayer (verse 2), he names three things that might have helped to prevent his depression. What are they? *Not his real name.