Follow this link to read Chapter 1 of the upcoming book.


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More Than Conquerors Over Depression
Monte Drenner – Orlando, Florida


Can there be such a thing as a depressed Christian? Is that a contradiction? After all, a fruit of the Sprit is joy and the Bible says that Christians are to “be joyful always.” So then how can a God fearing, Jesus loving, Bible reading, church going Christian get depressed?

Christians can and do at times suffer with symptoms of depression. King David did. In Psalm 6:6 David stated, “I am worn out from groaning, all night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears.” Sure sounds like depression, and he was a man after God’s own heart. Some of the prophets sent by God hit some very low emotional points. Elijah and Jonah for example both prayed that God would take their life, that’s certainly a sign of depression. Ironically both of these men felt this way soon after witnessing miraculous events. How do great men of the Bible go from seeing the miraculous to wanting to die in what appears to be a very short period of time? How do Christians do the same? Sometimes depression just doesn’t make sense.

Sometimes not getting depressed doesn’t make sense.  This is a double negative but it only emphasizes how confusing the topic can be. How does the apostle Paul who had many reasons to be depressed write a book on joy of all things from a Roman prison? How does a man who spent years in prison, who was exposed to death multiple times, flogged five times, beaten with rods, who constantly faced danger, who was stoned (by rocks and not drugs) and left for dead write about joy? Many people who suffer from depression stay stoned (by drugs and not rocks) in order to deal with life. For Paul’s top 10 reasons to be depressed read 2 Corinthians 11.

This is the first in a series of articles with these goals:
•    distinguish between what depression is and what it is not.
•    identify the symptoms of this condition,
•    provide insight into explaining what at times appears to be unexplainable depression
•    help discern what type of help is needed when struggling with these symptoms, and
•    using the Scriptures to provide hope for the many depressed Christians and their loved ones who are confused, angry, and frustrated as a result of their condition in order that they may become “more than conquerors through him who loves us” (Romans 8: 37).  

In order to learn more about depression and how to deal with it in a spiritual manner, three biblical case studies will be presented.  Job was a righteous man who became depressed after tragedy but he allowed his situation to make him bitter rather than better.  Elijah’s desire to have God end his life from one standpoint makes no sense but will be used to help explain what appears to be unexplainable depression. Lastly, the apostle Paul will be used as an example as one who had many reasons to become depressed but who did not. Notice that one of the goals of the series is to not make the reader an expert on the topic or to learn how to make a diagnosis.   Leave that for the trained professionals. However, educating Christians about this condition is crucial because early detection and treatment can save much unneeded suffering for the many struggling with the disorder and perhaps save lives as well.

The first matter to clear up is some of the confusion that exists between the symptoms of what clinicians call major depression, sometimes known as clinical depression, and just normal feelings of sadness or what some call the “blues.” The word depression has become much like the word awesome; they are both seriously over used. If everything is awesome or depressing, then nothing is. Unfortunately there is no blood test, X-ray, or brain scan that can be used to make a definitive diagnosis of depression. Major Depression (sometimes called “clinical depression) is classified as a mood disorder by both the International Classification of Diseases and the American Psychological Association with a set of symptoms that occur over a certain period of time.  Major Depression comes in what is referred to as episodes lasting a minimum of two weeks and can at times mysteriously leave just like it came for no apparent reason. These episodes are classified as mild, moderate, or severe depending on how badly the individual’s life is impaired. According to World Health Organization (WHO) statistics over 121 million people suffer from depression and it is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. The National Institute of Mental Health states that 19 million people in the US suffer from depression each year.  WHO statistics state that less than 25 percent of those struggling with depression receive treatment and in some countries the number receiving treatment is much less, sometime as little as ten percent. The reasons for not getting treatment vary but are often due to a lack of resources, a limited number of qualified providers, and the social stigma associated with mental health disorders. Even the statistics on depression are depressing and countless suffer because they are unaware that there is hope to be victorious over the condition.

There are at times some obvious causes of depression such as prolonged illness, experiencing a natural disaster, or the loss of a loved one. Some types of depression are caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain of the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. These are chemicals in the brain that regulate mood, appetite, pain, and sleep.   Many of the medications that treat depression target one or more of these neurotransmitters in order to restore this chemical imbalance. Major Depression can be manifested by ongoing consistent, and persistent feelings of sadness, irritability, worthlessness, emptiness, hopelessness, despair, and anhedonia, (psychobabble for not experiencing joy from things in life that one would expect to be joyful about). These emotional signs generally occur gradually and may be accompanied by unexplained physical symptoms such as pronounced changes in appetite, sleep, and energy level, or unexplained chronic pain. The person may have difficulty thinking, concentrating, or remembering things. The individual can also be affected spiritually and begin to doubt God and struggle with their faith. This condition, if left untreated, can lead to many damaging spiritual, psychological, and relational problems, and, sadly enough for some, to suicide, an event that takes 850,000 lives each year worldwide.  If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, then please get some help as soon as possible from a professional who is trained in dealing with depression.

The first step to being more than a conqueror over depression is to have hope. Psychological research states that the number one thing that helps those struggling with depression to improve is hope. Regardless of the severity of the symptoms of depression or the degree of suffering, Christians have hope. Psalms 23, 25, 33, 42, 43 and 119 are excellent for providing hope. David states in Psalm 62:5 “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him”. We serve the God of all comfort who comforts us in all of our struggles” (2 Corinthians 1:3).  As the series continues let the struggles and victories of Job, Elijah,  Paul, and others over depression provide the necessary hope needed to as Jesus said, “have life and have it to the full” (John 10:10).



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More Than Conquerors Over Depression Part II

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (Jn 10:10)

Jesus promises a full life; but this full life is not without challenges and comes as a result of making godly and righteous decisions, even in the midst of adversity. There is probably no better Biblical example of the progressive and relentless mission of Satan to steal, kill, and ultimately destroy one of God’s people than the story of Job. The response to these attacks of Satan make all the difference in a Christian’s spiritual and mental health.

Many times episodes of depression can be explained because of great tragedy, or in Job’s situation, tragedies. In one day he lost all 10 children, 11,500 head of livestock, and an unknown number of servants. Who wouldn’t be depressed after a day like that? Who can say that their worst day on the planet compares to this day of Job’s?  The overwhelming grief stemming from these losses could make anyone depressed, even a man like Job who “was totally devoted to God and hated evil with a passion” (MSG, Job1:1). Job’s devotion and passion may have been the reason he was attacked so intensely. David is a great example of how to respond to intense emotional situations. In Psalm 6 David states that his soul was in anguish, he was worn out from groaning, he flooded his bed with weeping, and his eyes were weak with sorrow; yet he worshiped God. One of the sons of Korah in Psalm 42 stated that his tears were his food and that his soul was downcast and disturbed.  He felt forgotten, oppressed, and was in mourning, his bones suffered mortal agony; yet he worshiped God. Amazingly Job did not appear to get depressed after hearing about all his losses. How could he not?  Look at Job’s response to tragedy. “At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised" (Job 1:20-21, NIV). His response to these tragedies was to grieve as demonstrated by tearing his clothes and shaving his head. Grief properly addressed can lead the wounded soul to a closer walk with God and therefore better mental health. Unresolved grief can lead to bitterness and ultimately a depression so deep and dark that death seems welcomed. Such is the case ultimately for Job.

Job’s response to his first trail by Satan is actually a great example for Christians to model. During this period of grief Job decided to continue to do what made him successful: fear God and shun evil (1:1). Job decided that God was in control, and he decided to not sin by charging God with wrong-doing (1:22). Little is mentioned in the text about his wife but worship doesn’t appear to have been her response. Job’s faithful response during the first trial more than likely kept him from loosing his spiritual and mental health which are very closely linked together.  Job was surrendered to the fact that God gives and takes away, a mindset that resulted in peace. Job proved that he could be more than a conqueror over depression, grief, and tragedy through worshiping God which is the one thing a Christian needs to do the most in spite of intense negative feelings. Worshiping God in a time of crisis or tragedy however, is the one thing that many Christians feel least like doing. Part of Job’s theology that surfaces during the conversations with his friends was that his righteous and blameless life would keep him from harm. Job’s theology made him ill prepared for suffering. Christians today fall into the same flawed thinking and are therefore also unprepared for suffering and hardship and can get depressed when bad or unexplainable things happen to them.  Jesus went to a cross, not a couch, so get prepared for suffering or get taken off guard like Job.

 One key to being more than a conqueror over depression is to not let emotions and mood control the response to the event. The sufferer may not “feel” close to God because they may feel robbed or cheated out of something or in Job’s case many valuable things. Worshiping God and dealing with trial and loss in a godly manner kept Satan from destroying Job’s hope and faith. The same holds true for others who make the same decision. Job’s response to his misfortunes is an upward call to Christians today suffering grief and loss of any kind. Unfortunately for Job but fortunately for the millions of others who have suffered intense emotional pain since his time Job made other choices during the next trial. Depression set in and grew rampantly when he made these different choices. Oftentimes depression occurs not as a result of what happens to someone, but how they chose to respond to the event. When a heart hurts deeply a natural instinct can be to pull away from God and others, which is exactly what Satan wants the Christian to do. Notice what happens to Job as he is attacked again by Satan and withdraws from God. Many things are revealed in his heart that had to be addressed before he could regain his spiritual and mental health.  The  same truth holds true for others struggling through similar situations and emotions.

Satan’s second attack on Job was directed at his physical health, a very vulnerable point for many who rely upon their own strength for the successes in their lives. After his strength was gone Job confesses that his hope was in his own strength. "What strength do I have, that I should still hope? ?What prospects, that I should be patient? Do I have any power to help myself, now that success has been driven from me (Job 6:11,13, NIV). When his physical strength left him so did hope. Why? Perhaps Job like many Christians relied primarily upon his own strength rather than God’s. Depression can often occur in those who are “strong” because times will come when they no longer have the strength to face life’s trials. “Strong” Christians are often leaders at some level who are more comfortable giving help than asking for it. “Strong” Christians are the ones family members and others look to for guidance, advice, or to fix problems. Their strength eventually becomes their greatest weakness because eventually they take on too much and collapse under the pressure. The individual may be righteous, blameless, and successful but the underlying strength for the success is often the individual’s intelligence, abilities, or physical and emotional strength. These individuals often have the notion that strong and spiritual people don’t get depressed so the façade of strength continues. Sadly, strong individuals don’t generally realize they rely more upon themselves than God until tragedy occurs and they run out of strength. A spiritually strong person however understands that Jesus has a light and easy yoke (Mt 11:29) and wants Christians to give what is making them weary and burdened to Him. Spiritually strong Christians also understand that being weak is an opportunity for God to work and that God wants the Christian to boast in their weaknesses (II Cor 12:7-12). It is hard to get depressed when Jesus is carrying the load and knowing that even God can be glorified in weaknesses.

To Job’s credit he realized that he needed help and allowed his three friends to come see him. The Bible doesn’t say that Job asked for help but at least he was open to getting help from his friends. Job’s friends however are much like many well meaning Christians today attempting to help someone enduring a difficult time and who are suffering with depression. Their lack of empathy and understanding resulted in even more despair for Job.

"I have heard many things like these; miserable comforters are you all! Will your long-winded speeches never end? What ails you that you keep on arguing? I also could speak like you, if you were in my place; I could make fine speeches against you and shake my head at you. But my mouth would encourage you; comfort from my lips would bring you relief. "Yet if I speak, my pain is not relieved; and if I refrain, it does not go away” (Job 16: 2-6, NIV)
Job’s friends were well meaning, sacrificed time to visit, and attempted to help but actually made things worse for Job. Unfortunately many Christians suffering with depression face the same response. Many Christians today who are depressed for whatever reason feel very guilty and ashamed that they are so low emotionally and find it difficult to ask for help. Often when they do push through to ask for help they find themselves in a similar situation as Job with “miserable comforters”. Sadly I confess that in the past I have been a miserable comforter for those struggling with depression. My response to their pain was often a pat answer like “repent’, “pray about it”, “read your Bible more” or some other deeply satisfying response. It’s depressing personally to think of the damage I did in my insensitivity in the past at times. Sadly few in the ministry receive training in mental health outside of what they seek out on their own. More can and should be done to help Christians and their friends who struggle with depression. More ministers need to receive at least a basic education on mental health issues and support groups could be established in churches in order to help.
Thankfully the story of Job does not end in a depressing manner. God is merciful and loved Job enough to personally intervene; just as He will with anyone.  God helped Job to get His perspective, that God is God and Job was not. Who wouldn’t get depressed trying to do God’s job? But Job gained his mental and spiritual health back when he surrendered his life again to the Almighty who reigns even when we do not acknowledge Him. Job got back to worship and doing the things that made him great in the first place like loving God and hating evil. Job learned to rely more upon God’s strength than his own and reconnected again to our loving God who helps us and sustains us, even in the dark days of depression.  In the end Job ultimately became more than a conqueror over depression.


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More Than Conquerors Over Depression: Elijah
Part III

Sometimes a depressive episode makes sense and there are identifiable triggers that set the episode in motion as discussed in the last previous segment of the series about Job.  There are other times however, when a depressive episode comes as mysteriously as it goes, no obvious triggers, no warning signs, no apparent reasons, it just happens. The prophet Elijah is an example of someone who experienced such a mood swing seemingly for no apparent reason. Mood swings of very high highs followed by times of very low lows can be explained by several conditions such as Premenstrual Syndrome better known as PMS, pregnancy, and menopause to name a few. A mental health condition that can create these types of drastic mood swings is Bipolar Disorder. Formerly known as manic-depression, Bipolar Disorder is a serious condition that affects millions of people worldwide, ten million people in the United States alone. Christians suffering from these mood swings that stem from Bipolar Disorder are often misunderstood by others and many times find it difficult to get help because so few people can relate to their extreme mood changes and some of the behaviors that can be associated with these extreme mood swings.

Symptoms of Mania

This segment of the series is not meant to diagnose Elijah or anyone else with a mental health condition but what this prophet experienced can be used to illustrate the extreme mood swings of Bipolar Disorder. Individuals with this condition in the manic phase generally experience some of the following symtomology: an elated, happy mood or an irritable, angry, unpleasant mood; an increase in physical and mental activity and energy; racing thoughts with rapid speech; grandiose thinking; risk taking and impulsive behaviors such as spending sprees, immorality, and substance abuse; and have decreased sleep without experiencing fatigue. These symptoms can last for days or even weeks and then suddenly go away. Who wouldn’t want to be infused with an elated mood with almost super human energy?  Christians in a manic state can do amazing things for God with all that energy like lead large groups, serve other disciples, be responsible for big events to name a few. They seem tireless and may read their Bible for hours a day, share their faith with the masses, and be an incredible example of zeal. They may become a model to the church of enthusiasm, service, commitment, and productivity. Then suddenly they can burnout, shut down and stop serving God altogether because their super human strength has left them. They are now like other mere mortals and therefore become helpless, hopeless, tired, and depressed with little insight as to why. They may also get very frustrated because they can no longer live their manic lifestyle and receive the praise that goes with it. The untreated Bipolar Christian generally does extremely well or extremely poor spiritually. This is not to say that anyone who is doing very well spiritually is manic. Almost anyone with this condition will not seek help while manic but is more likely to do so when the pendulum swings to depression. Elijah is a great example of how Bipolar Christians operate.  The text for this case study can be found in I Kings 17-19.

Manic Elijah

In I Kings 18: 16 the exciting events of Mt. Carmel begin to unfold.  In an all day meeting Elijah confronts thousands of people of the Israelite nation about their lack of commitment to God (:20,21), challenges 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah to a contest of fire (:22-30), rebuilds the Lord’s alter and digs a trench around it (:32), cuts a bull to pieces and sacrifices it (:33), sees that the 450 prophets of Baal are slaughtered (:40), climbs to the top of Mt. Carmel and prays fervently until it rains (:42), then out runs Ahab’s chariot to Jezreel (:45). What an exhausting day!! You are probably tired just thinking about it. Very soon after these amazing feats he is running away because Queen Jezebel threatens his life. The man who face to face confronts the most wicked king in Israel up that time (16:29) now runs away from a threat from the queen?
Sounds suspicious. How does a mood swing like this happen? In a very short time Elijah goes from superhuman to coward. Any physicist will tell you that what goes up, must come down, moods are no exception.  Moods are controlled by chemicals in the brain that can at times change without warning. Learning to manage these mood swings is crucial for someone to do well in their spiritual and mental health. Although sometimes the individual can do little to prevent such a drastic change there are some things to learn from Elijah about how to mange these swings. Let’s examine the other side of mood spectrum as Elijah swings to depression and gain insight as to why it may have occurred and how to manage mood swings when they occur.

Depressed Elijah

Chapter 19 of I Kings illustrates Elijah’s depression and his Dr. Jeykl/Mr.Hyde mood swing. First and foremost Elijah had to be exhausted spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically. It is very difficult to make good decisions in this state. As a result of exhaustion he gives into fear that only feeds depression and goes to Beersheba (19:3). There he isolates and after a day alone tells God "I have had enough, LORD," he said. "Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors"(19:4).
Hear any pity in that statement, I’m sure God did. After two miraculous feedings by angels he obeys God and travels 40 days by himself to Mount Horeb, the mountain of God (19:8). By now he’s been alone with his thoughts for 40 days. Jesus’ 40 days alone with God in the desert brought him strength to go into the ministry and begin a worldwide movement. Moses’ 40 days alone with God on Mount Sinai equipped him to lead the Israelite nation and to institute God’s covenant. Elijah’s 40 days alone with his thoughts brought about a different result of pity, confusion, and more depression. After the 40 day  trek Elijah arrives at Mount Horeb and holds up in a cave. God asks him “What are you doing here Elijah?” (19:19).  God does not ask questions that He does not know the answer. God knew why Elijah was there and that he had been alone, with his thoughts, and negativity and pity, for the past 40 days. Isolation for someone suffering from depression is like sugar to a diabetic or liquor to an alcoholic, it’s what they want the most and need the least.  Look at Elijah’s response to the question. "I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too"(19:20). Do you get the impression Elijah was stuck in the past? Earlier he makes an obscure reference to his ancestors and now he’s recounting what was true about the past for the Israelites but was it currently true? For example, in 18:39 the Bible states that all the people fall to their knees and declared “The Lord-He is God, the Lord, He is God” after fire from God consumes the water soaked sacrifice of Elijah. Doesn’t sound like rejection anymore. In 18:40 Elijah then tells the people to seize the 450 prophets of Baal. Someone killed all those prophets, it doesn’t appear to have been Elijah. The people had a much different response than what Elijah perceived. Elijah also was operating under other misconceptions. He wasn’t the only prophet left. Obediah told him in 18:13 there were 100 others that he was keeping alive.  In an attempt to bring Elijah back to his senses God shows His power through the wind that “tore mountains apart and broke rocks” (19:11). I’ve been through three hurricanes and not seen any wind like that!! After the wind came the earthquake and then fire. Elijah survives all that and instead of falling to his knees he gives the same answer when God asked him again “What are you doing here?” (19:23). Elijah’s negativity and depression are so thick that he lost sight of the power of God. Do you get the impression that this negative tape (negative “self-talk” in psychobabble terms) ran 24/7 in Elijah’s head with the volume on high? Negative thoughts like this feed depression like oxygen fuels fire, the more there are, the deeper the depression can get and the harder it is to come out of. Thankfully Elijah was able to get reconnected to God and come out of the dark cave of depression.

“Go back the way you came…” The Way to Recovery

Just as God confronts and restores Job, He does so with Elijah who eventually makes his way back to good spiritual and mental health. God told Elijah to “Go back the way you came and go…” (19:15). How did Elijah get there? The way of the miraculous. When we “go back the way we came” we can recount all that God has done for us and get back in touch with His power. Having problems greater than God’s power will make anyone depressed. Focusing on the miracles of God leads us to the full life that Jesus promised (Jn 10:10). Previously Elijah had come the way of truth, miracles, and obedience to God. When he left this path negativity and depression took over.  Elijah stopped focusing on the miracles that God had done in his past and focused on his misconceptions about the truth.  The truth was that Elijah was fed take out by ravens every morning and evening by a brook in the desert for an extended period of time (16:6). That type of delivery service was unusual even in Elijah’s day. I bet it was on time too. Later in the chapter when all the streams were dried up Elijah was cared for by a widow who in spite of a severe drought had an endless supply of water and oil--now that’s a miraculous.  Elijah healed the widow’s son by begging God, another miracle. God was taking care of him the whole time. The water drenched sacrifice consumed by fire on Mount Carmel was a miracle. The path that Elijah took previously was to focus on God and His power rather than himself.  Depressed people often get stuck in a negative view of the past and loose sight of all God has done for them.  When this process occurs they will also loose hope for all that God can still do.

Out of the cave

Elijah is a great illustration of how God can use someone regardless of how low and how long depression goes. God was not done with Elijah just because he got depressed and ran to a cave and God used him in amazing ways. Elijah’s hopelessness and helplessness ends as he gets back to obedience and faith in God  Almighty. In chapter 19 Elijah decides to leave the deep dark cave of depression and goes on to anoint Elisha as prophet who later goes on to do amazing things for God. After his death Elijah’s reputation grew so strong that after 400 years of silence from God the people ask John the Baptist if he was the Elijah to come (John 1:21 ).  Of all the amazing men in the Old Testament that God could have chosen to accompany his Son on the Mount of Transfiguration God chose Elijah to represents the prophets. Jesus’ powerful preaching was compared to that of Elijah (Mt 16:14).  Today living with Bipolar Disorder and especially the depression component is challenging but is treatable with therapy and medication. Do not allow depression to keep you or anyone you know from being close to God and being used powerfully by Him. The darker the cave the brighter is God’s light and the more amazing is His power. Tap into that power so that you too can be more than a conqueror over depression.



More Than Conquerors Over Depression-Paul
Part IV

This is the last segment of a three part series entitled More Than Conquerors Over Depression. The two previous articles can be archived for further study.  The first segment was a general overview of Major Depressive Disorder and looked at it from a symptomatic, medical, social, and spiritual perspective. The second segment used Job as a case study to demonstrate how he worked through tragic events in a healthy manner by worshipping God but was also used to illustrate how self-pity and unresolved anger towards God can lead to major depression. Job’s “miserable comforters” were also used to illustrate the importance of having a spiritually based support group to provide help and hope during the difficult times of a depressive episode. Job’s group provided little support or comfort as is the case for many disciples today seeking help for depression. Very few churches in our movement offer a support group to disciples suffering from a mental health condition or substance abuse. This trend exists for various reasons. The “weaker” members of the body with these conditions are at times not viewed as “indispensibile” but with a stigma. In order to get the help that many in our number desperately need they must often seek out the “wisdom of this world” for help which often times is of little value due to the lack of spiritual guidance provided.

This final segment of the series will use the apostle Paul as a biblical case study as one who was certainly entitled to be depressed due to the extreme number of tragic events that occurred to him. However, instead of becoming depressed Paul  used these situations to “learn the secret of being content in any and every situation” (Phil 4:13). Imagine being content in these situations which Paul records in 2 Corinthians 11:23-28:

 I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.

What sane person could be joyful in any of these situations? Anyone of these events would be a good cause for depression or more likely an anxiety condition called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Most Biblical scholars agree that Paul wrote his treatise of joy (officially called the book of Philippians) after the events recorded in his second letter to the Corinthians. In spite of all these events he writes the declaration of joy from a jail cell, not an all-inclusive tropical resort. How did Paul not get depressed or even suicidal after all that he experienced? He learned to be content which means it did not come naturally. Can you relate?  The Greek word Paul uses for “content” is autarkes which means “independent of external circumstances, contented with one’s lot, with one’s means, though the slenderest.”  Paul didn’t learn the secret from a book with the same name; he learned the secret from Jesus.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Mt 11:28-30).

Look around, the world is full of weary and burdened people. The church also has many weary and burdened people whose joy has been stolen. I have been one of them and was one of them for a long time. The thief (Satan) is not content with just stealing, he is also out to kill and destroy (Jn 10:10).  When joy is stolen from the Christian the rest of the fruits of the Spirit can fall like dominos. Fatigue from carrying heavy burdens breeds depression whereas rest breeds joy. An easy and light burden in this world makes joy easier to obtain and decreases the potential for becoming depressed. Do you find it interesting that the man who was tempted in every way that we are but yet had to be perfect had an easy and light burden? Ours must be very easy and light compared to the burden that Jesus carried.  Christians today can also learn the secret of contentment in any an every situation. Christians today need to learn the secret of being content in any and every situation.

Lordship goes beyond behaving like Jesus; the Christian must also learn to think like Jesus. What better way to be a light to the world than to carry the same burdens as the world but in a way that makes them easier? The Christian who can experience the same difficult situations as the world but who can also be joyful in spite of them is not just a light but a beacon guiding others away from tragedy.  But the burden is not all that’s light for the Christian. The same word that Jesus uses to describe his burden (elaphros) is used by Paul to describe his troubles in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18.
 
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

The verses preceding this passage gives us some insight into what Paul viewed as light and momentary.

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Cor 4:7-9).

Paul viewed being hard pressed, perplexed, persecution, and being struck down as “light and momentary.” Did he not understand how serious these matters were? Why can’t we view situations like Paul? Why don’t we view situations like Paul? Was there some magical mindset that came with being an apostle? Not putting situations in a spiritual perspective can cause the individual to loose heart and therefore become hopeless; a major component of depression. Notice that Paul relied on the “all surpassing power of God” (2 Cor 4:9), unfortunately most Christians tend to rely too much upon themselves. Christians will get the same mindset as Paul as they imitate him as he imitated Christ.

Paul learned the secret of being content by “taking every thought captive for Christ” (2 Corinthians 10: 5). How did he do that?  Look at Paul’s approach to thinking like Jesus.

 
 “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things” (Col 3:1-4).

Different things “set,” Jello for example needs to set before it is served. But no matter how long it sets it wobbles when shaken. Concrete also needs to set. How set are you on things above? I am at times “Jello man” and in that condition very few thoughts are taken captive for Christ. The end result is a very wobbly focus on things above that ends in a very negative way of thinking. In Phil 4:8 Paul paints a vivid picture of what setting our minds on things above looks like.
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

Hard to be depressed with a mindset like that; hard not to be joyful and content with a mindset like that. Thoughts have a direct affect upon emotions. Setting the mind and keeping it set on things above is crucial to the Christian’s spiritual and mental health. Remember the old phrase “you are what you eat?”  The phrase is better stated “you are what you think.” It is difficult to control what thoughts enter the mind but we choose which ones to entertain and nurture. What do you dwell on throughout the day? What are the ensuing emotions? Try a steady diet of Paul’s recipe for good mental health and see if you notice a difference. The power of positive thinking is real, the power of godly thinking is even more effective. 

Paul also had a deep conviction that all of God’s promises were true (2 Corinthians 1:20).
How true are God’s promises for you? How many can you recount? Paul did not believe that all things that happened to him were good but that good could come from them (Romans 8:28). For example, he despaired of life but the situations that he encountered in  first chapter of 2n Corinthians drew him closer to God. Paul was in prison but it helped to advance the gospel (Phil 1:12). Paul knew that everything would work to the conformity of God’s will (Eph 1:11). Hard to get depressed when we see God working in difficult and often depressing situations for our good to the conformity of His will.  Paul got negative situations to work for him rather than against him by seeing how he could use these situations to grow closer to God.

Part of the secret of being content is setting the standard low for contentment. Too many Christians buy into the phrase “I’ll be happy when….” When I graduate, get a job, find a mate, have a family, get a promotion, retire….” you get the picture. Chasing happiness by pursuing the American dream often leads to weary and burdened souls that desperately need rest. The joy of accomplishment is at best fleeting.  In Western culture where rates of depression are higher more and bigger is often viewed as better. Not for Paul. Look at his simple approach to contentment.

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that” (I Tim 6:6-8).

What does it take for you to be content? Keep it Simple Sinner (KISS) and contentment is much more attainable.

There is much more to say about the secret of being content that are beyond the scope of this article. Hopefully now we can see more clearly how Paul could say “rejoice in the Lord always” (Phil 4:4) and not think he was delusional or psychotic. It is easier for the Christian to rejoice always if the burden is viewed as easy and light, that problems are light and momentary, that everything that happens can work for the good and to the conformity of His will, that the all the promises of God are true, and that through the all surpassing power of God the Christian can do all things and ultimately be more than a conqueror over depression.