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NASB | 1 Kings 19:4 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree; and he requested for himself that he might die, and said, "It is enough; now, O LORD, take my life, for I am not better than my fathers." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Kings 19:4 But he himself traveled a day's journey into the wilderness, and he came and sat down under a juniper tree and asked [God] that he might die. He said, "It is enough; now, O LORD, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers." |
Bible Question:
I have been depressed off and on for the last few months and lately been thinking of killing myself, even though I won't do it. I know it would displease the Lord and that I need to stay here to for my children and husband. But I really don't want to go on living sometimes. To find Elijah feeling the same way is something of a comfort to me. Reading this chapter encouraged me. What I was wondering about this specific verse is, does Elijah say he is no better than his fathers because he recogizes that his depression does not please the Lord, that it shows his lack of faith? Is he filled with shame and self loathing? I think he might be, since it is just like our enemy, the accuser of the brethren, to tepmt us and then accuse us and tell us how unworthy of God's love we are when we fall. Tell me what you think. |
Bible Answer: Causes of Depression For many years, mental health professionals have researched the causes of depression and its effects on people’s health. Why did some people have the ability to bounce back from life’s problems, while others spent weeks or months hidden under the covers, unable to work, eat, or talk to anyone? If everybody faces hard times, why isn’t everyone depressed? Is it biological? Both genes and biochemistry play roles in its onset. However, most people overestimate the biological contributions when the evidence is stronger for depression having its origins in the way people think about and respond to life experiences. Is it psychological? Sometimes, a painful life event can trigger a depressive episode. The loss of a loved one, or financial problems, for example, can contribute to a feeling of hopelessness or guilt. Depression is most frequently a product of how one interprets life events as opposed to the events themselves. There are psychological skills people can learn that are known to not only reduce depression, but even prevent recurrences. Is it sociological? In the industrialized world today, the dissolution of the nuclear family, the emphasis on material gain over close relationships, social isolation due to geographic mobility and the pace of life getting exhaustingly ever faster all combine to provide a backdrop primed for depressed people. In fact, depression is far more common in people born after 1945 than before that year. Evidence strongly supports the fact that the recent rapid changes in Western society directly affect people’s abilities to cope with the stresses of everyday life. Depression involves all of these and many other factors, it is a “biopsychosocial” condition. The most important thing to remember is that depression is manageable and recovery is highly likely if approached sensibly and skillfully. If you feel like you may be depressed, the best thing you can do for yourself is to recognize you have to do something different if you want to escape its hold on you. There are a lot of treatments that can help you--but not if you don’t help yourself first by getting information and using it. Be assured the success rate in treatment is very high. The mental health profession has developed very effective treatments, some with and without drugs, depending on your needs and preferences. This site is especially dedicated to non-drug approaches to recovery. (www.managing-depression-intelligently.com/html/causes.html) |