This is the eighth in a nine part series entitled “Overcoming Depression-Anxiety: A Responsibility Paradigm.” For the various counseling options available from this material visit www.summitrdu.com/counseling.
The complementing studies are also available in a video and podcast formats at the links below:
- “Overcoming Depression-Anxiety: A Responsibility Paradigm”// video and podcast
- “Overcoming Depression-Anxiety: A Suffering Paradigm” // video and podcast
- “Towards a Christian Perspective of Mental Illness” // video and podcast
“Living in the Anti-Climax of Change”
PERSEVERE in the new life and identity to which God has called me.
“I can see God’s faithfulness over the last [time since beginning this material]. As I have experienced victory, my temptation has changed [describe] and my ability to focus on God in non-crisis times has been stretched [examples]. I have come to realize that ‘healthy’ means more than the absence of depression-anxiety. God has an entirely different agenda for my life [explain] than what I knew. I am learning to enjoy it and be comfortable in it.”
Memorize: James 1:12-13 (ESV), “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.’” As you memorize this passage reflect upon these key points:
- “Blessed” – The place where we experience the fullness of God’s blessing is with God more than outside trials.
- “Remains steadfast” – We do not have to “overcome” or “conquer.” We are merely called to remain faithful.
- “Under trial” – The temptations that accompany depression-anxiety would be one of these trials.
- “Crown of life” – The “life” promised by the desires that drive our depression-anxiety are offered to us in Christ.
- “Let no one say” – If our depression-anxiety convinces us to turn on God, it separates us from our source of hope.
Teaching Notes
“In the same way our physical workouts need to be varied if we want maximum results, we need to learn additional ways to incorporate gratitude into our lives in order to reap the maximum rewards (p. 217).” Leslie Vernick in Lord, I Just Want to Be Happy
“When the Spirit changes you, there usually aren’t bombs going off, and you have as many bad days as you have good. But you notice that you are turning to Jesus more. Then, as Jesus gets bigger in your eyes, the opinions of other people simply become… The opinions of other people and not the piercing gaze of giants (p. 145).” Ed Welch in What Do You Think of Me? Why Do I Care?
“Anxiety cannot survive in an environment of praise to God (p. 59).” John MacArthur, Jr. in Anxiety Attacked
“Joy is not the opposite of depression. It is deeper than depression. Therefore, you can experience both (p. 140).” Ed Welch in Depression, A Stubborn Darkness
“As toddlers, we intuitively know that falling down is part of learning to walk. In the same way, as adults, we need to realize that failure teaches us many lessons we need in order to succeed (p. 148).” Leslie Vernick in Lord, I Just Want to Be Happy
Other podcasts on emotions are available at:
SUBSCRIBE
