The Problem: Depression

by Dr. Alan Kitay

Depression is the number one emotional disorder in America. Broken, unhappy homes and waisted lives are many timers the result of unfettered depression. Rising suicide rates, especially among the young, show the final end to which depression takes people. It is a condition marked by extended periods and feelings of dejection, rejection, or unmet expectations. This usually results in despondency, cessation of activity, hopelessness, and apathy. Mood swings are frequent and apathy prevalent. Depression in the Bible: In the Bible there are four causes of depression: rejection, fear, powerlessness, and sin: Let’s look at some examples in the Bible. Rejection (Gen. 4:3-7): 3] And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. [4] And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: [5] But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. [6] And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? [7] If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. Fear (1 Kings 19: 1 Ki: 19:2-4) [Jezebel, enraged that Elijah had ordered the death of her priests of Baal, threatened to put Elijah to death] …Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time. [3] And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beer-sheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there. [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 away my life; for I am not better than my fathers. Powerlessness (Neh. 2:1-5) ) And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that wine was before him: and I took up the wine, and gave it unto the king. Now I had not been beforetime sad in his presence. [2] Wherefore the king said unto me, Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick? this is nothing else but sorrow of heart. Then I was very sore afraid, [3] And said unto the king, Let the king live for ever: why should not my countenance be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ sepulchres, lieth waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire? [4]Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven. [5] And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers’ sepulchres, that I may build it. Sin (Psalm 38:1-4) A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance. O Lord, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure. [2] For thine arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand presseth me sore. [3] There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin. [4] For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me. The Good News: There are many instances where people suffered from depression in the Bible. The scriptures expressing feelings of depression and anxiety contain very important Biblical wisdom, because they help us understand that this problem is not new to mankind. The only

thing new is the means most often used to treat it; pills. The good news in the Bible teaching about depression is that there is hope for those overwhelmed by the issues of life. There is a different way of viewing calamity and/or the problems that sometimes consume us. There is a way out of the dungeon of depression. What to Do: Do not put removal of Depression as your goal…rather make your goal the desire to please God and restore broken relationships. Here are some steps you can take: 1. Identify the real problem and not the symptom 2. Identify when the problem started 3. Identify un-Biblical thoughts, words, or actions 4. Refuse to withdraw into isolation 5. Behave Biblically in spite of feelings 6. Reflect on the events and see them from God’s perspective 7. Pray and Praise God. 8. Avoid self-pity and complaining. 9. Understand your Hope and Standing in Christ 10. Do daily tasks with renewed concentration 11. Work out a specific plan to deal with the problems

And remember, Jesus said, (John 14:18) “ I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. “

Jim Carson, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Greater Cleveland Chamber of Commerce announced he will be retiring in December of 2021. Under Jim’s tenure, and a very engaged, hard working boards of directors over the past six years, the Chamber has become a financially strong organization and a leader in the greater Cleveland area. Jim has held Chamber memberships, committee, and board positions in several Chambers over the years. A native of New Jersey and a veteran of the U.S. Navy, Jim has been married to his wife Christina for over 55 years. He has two married sons and 4 granddaughters. Jim’s diverse business background helped develop his business acumen. Upon leaving the Navy he spent over five years in the Banking industry as Vice President and Branch Manager. Due to health issues of their youngest son, their family relocated to Tucson, Arizona. Jim began his sales career in the telephone-interconnect industry and other direct sales. He spent 25 years int the transportation industry including Armored Car, Courier, Air Freight, Hot Shot, and logistics distribution in positions of General Manager, Director of Safety, VP of Operations and VP of Marketing. He also has executive management, sales and financial experience in property management, computer software development, car washes, assisted living, fitness centers, advertising, food service and other retail. In addition to owning and/or managing several restaurants, Jim has consulted for new start-ups, acquisitions, and financially distressed companies. Although Jim was born in New Jersey, he’s lived in Pennsylvania, New York, Rhode Island, Arizona, California, and Texas. He’s proud to say he’s lived in Texas longer than anywhere else. Even though he’s not a native—he’s not bashful telling folks that “he’s here by choice!”

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