10250 North Freeway @ West Road
Houston, Texas 77037
Tel: (281) 447-8484
Pastor: Dr. Lester Hutson

All of the material listed herein is the property of the Byron McCartney family, and may not be copied without express written authorization.

Let me make it clear right up front that I am not a medical or psychological expert nor do I have any formal training in either area. I have only my own personal experience to go by which also includes what I've observed in those around me, acquired knowledge on the subject and what I know from God's Word.

In September of 1995, at the young age of 43, I was diagnosed with a heart and lung disease known as Primary Pulmonary Hypertension. The cause and cure of this fatal condition remain unknown. Because of its debilitating effects I was forced to go on medical leave from a job I loved (software design) in the spring of the following year.  Since that time my activity level has been curtailed at a steady pace and today I can no longer walk more than a few yards without requiring considerable recovery time. Most of my day is spent in a recliner or in bed.

I have a loving and very supportive family who understand my limitations and know that my condition will only get worse. However, the vacations we used to enjoy together are, like my hobbies, a thing of the past.

I could go on but I think you get the idea: my life has gone from healthy and active to sickly and inactive in a very short period of time. So you will not be surprised when I say that I have faced depression and discouragement head on, right? At first when the symptoms were not so severe I was able to be more active and I managed to keep my head up. But as my condition worsened and more and more activities were stripped from my daily venue I began to get discouraged and as I thought of my limitations and what I had to give up I became depressed.

It was during this time of discouragement that I turned to my Bible and started reading it more closely than I ever had before. I was quickly reminded that nothing surprises God and that what was happening to me did not catch Him off guard. I was encouraged to see from His Word that He would help me get over the depression and be able to enjoy my life again. 

Today I am still faced with discouragement and depression but because of God's Word and my submission to it they no longer have a hold on my life. This is what I would like to share with you in this series. If you are facing discouragement or are depressed I want you to know what I have learned from God's Word so that you too can rid yourself of these joy robbing 'demons'.

From what I have experienced and otherwise learned anyone can become discouraged and or depressed. I became depressed over my poor health. I've known others who have become discouraged and depressed over financial difficulties, family problems, business failures and over relationships. 

If you are discouraged or depressed I would like you to know that Almighty God Himself wants you to have peace and to enjoy life. Did you know that He is personally interested in the physical and emotional wellbeing of each of His children?

God loves each of us so much that He gave His Son to die in our place (John 3:16). Jesus said, 'greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends' (John 15:13). God proved His love for you and me on the cross of Calvary. By believing in Christ and what He did for us on the cross we become children of God (Galatians 3:26). Once we are His children we can avail ourselves of His parental blessings. Just listen to a few of the many things the Bible says God does for His children.

Do you lack peace in your life? The great prophet Isaiah tells us that God gives perfect peace to those who trust in Him; those who live by His standards (Isaiah 26:3). Paul called it a 'peace which passeth all understanding' (Philippians 4:7). God wants His children to have a type of peace that this world cannot give them. Jesus said, 'my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you' (John 14:27). If you lack peace in your life you need to turn to God and appropriate the peace He gives His children.

Money problems got you down? God promises that if you will follow His financial principles He will bless your finances (Malachi 3:10). I know several business men whose companies are very successful because they put God first in their finances. I know several people who although they do not make a large salary consistently have their needs met because they put God first in their finances.

Feel like your problems are too much to handle? God promises to give His children the grace to get through any and all of the tough times in life. The apostle Paul, who suffered terrible persecutions for the cause of Christ, said that God gave him the grace to get through the tough times (2 Corinthians 12:9). Jesus personally promised that He would never 'leave... nor forsake' His own (Hebrews13:5). God will not abandon His children in their time of need. He will not allow them to suffer under a weight of seemingly insurmountable problems.

Depressed because you can't quit a bad habit or can't stop committing the same mistakes? God promises to help His children escape the snares of temptation and entrapment (I Corinthians 10:13). David said, 'Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped. Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth' (Psalms 124:7-8). You too can take advantage of this type of help from God.

Having problems with relationships? Here is yet another area where God helps His children. His Word teaches us that if we will place the needs of others ahead of our own we will receive the same treatment (Matthew 22:39, Luke 6:31).

SUMMARY:

These are just a few of the many verses in God's Word which show that He takes a very personal interest in His children. He is their Heavenly Father and like any loving parent wants the best for His children. He doesn't want His children to suffer a miserable existence here on earth. He doesn't want them to be discouraged and depressed. He wants them to live happy and fulfilling lives and according to His Word He will providentially help them achieve these goals.

However, God does not blindly pour out His help and blessings on everyone of His children. His Word tells us that He cannot bless those who are in rebellion against Him. He cannot bless a child who is living outside His will. He cannot help those who continue to make poor decisions, financial or otherwise. 

NEXT LESSON:

Are you in a position with God to avail yourself of His help to overcome whatever is causing you to be discouraged or depressed? Join me in the next lesson and learn the first step to getting God's help.

"It Does Make a Difference What You Believe"