Week 4 - Facing My Depression

Depression can be a paralyzing emotion as you go through divorce. Even so, it can also be a “healing emotion,” and this video seminar explores constructive responses you can employ to deal with depression.

Week 4: Facing My Depression

It is possible to become so depressed you cannot function. Can you find help in the Bible on how to deal with depression? Does the Bible even talk about depression? Let’s take a look.

Day 1 — Did Jesus get depressed?

The Bible says Jesus was human and experienced the kinds of feelings and temptations you do.

Read Matthew 26:36–39. Jesus knew He would soon be killed, and He went to a place where He could pray. Describe how Jesus was feeling. (verses 37–38)

What did Jesus do in response to those feelings? (verse 39)

Read Isaiah 41:10–13. What is God’s response when you reach out to Him?

If you are experiencing depression and would like daily encouragement, consider signing up for our One Day At A Time Daily emails. These emails coincide with the DivorceCare curriculum and include a series of devotions on how to truly experience God’s comfort and healing through separation and divorce.

Day 2 — Paul’s dark days

The apostle Paul devoted the last years of his life to traveling to tell others about Christ. In that process, he encountered some extremely difficult and depressing circumstances.

Read 2 Corinthians 1:8–11. How would you describe Paul’s emotional condition?

What did Paul learn from these circumstances? (verses 9–11)

What did God do? (verse 10)

Did Paul have any help in getting through these circumstances? (verse 11)

Day 3 — Comfort for depression: Where does it come from?

As much as he was suffering, Paul still understood that God could and would use the depression and difficult circumstances in his life and in the lives of others.

Read 2 Corinthians 1:3–5. Who is the source of all comfort? (verse 3)

What is God’s purpose in comforting you? (verse 4)

What role does Jesus have in your comfort? (verse 5)

Describe a time you have offered God’s comfort to someone else.

Think of someone you can encourage this week.

Day 4 — Adding up my losses

Depression after divorce is a natural and healthy reaction to the losses you have experienced. As you look to God to help you heal, He will help you put your losses in perspective.

Read Luke 12:22–31. What can you accomplish by worrying? (verses 25–26)

What worries are you struggling with today?

How do you know that God is capable of making up for your losses and meeting your needs? (verses 24, 27–28)

What is your responsibility? (verse 31)

Day 5 — What have I really lost?

There is no doubt that the losses of divorce are extremely painful. But no matter how much you’ve lost or have suffered, there is one thing that cannot be taken away from you.

Make a list of some of your losses from the separation or divorce. This list can include possessions, relationships, jobs and responsibilities. (Also, besides losing a mate, you may have lost your primary breadwinner, your cook, your mechanic, your confidant, your dreams for the future, etc.)

Read Philippians 3:7–8. Paul wrote these verses, which describe the losses and gains in his life. What is most important to Paul? (verse 8 )

How does he value everything else? (verses 7–8 )

List some things you place value on in your day-to-day life. (Besides possessions, people and your job, you might also value non-tangible items like working hard, being liked by people, maintaining a happy exterior, having prestige in the workplace.)