Depression is Real...

This may not be the cause of all of Saul’s depression, but it definitely is the main reason for it. When Saul was disobedient with God, God decided to remove His Spirit from Him. Depression and fear took its place. This may not exactly happen to the believer today, for we have the Holy Spirit that resides in us (thanks to Jesus), but something has to happen in order for the believer to get depressed. It’s easy to diagnose the cause of the non-believer’s depression (no Spirit of God), but for the believer it seems more complicated. I don’t know exactly why this happens, but I do know it’s real and possible. You may be doing everything right, and yet, still go through bouts of depression. I know this because of first-hand experience. I don’t have the answer, but the Bible does give us a way to battle it. Surround yourself with believers. Their presence will definitely help. Why? Because the Holy Sprit is with them, and thus near you. David played music to help Saul cope with his depression. I can’t say it was the actual music, but the fact that God’s Spirit was with David, was the determining factor. This is a real dilemma that needs to be addressed. Ask God to help you in times of stress. He just might send you a believer to play music that soothes your soul.

14 Now the Spirit of the Lord had left Saul, and the Lord sent a tormenting spirit that filled him with depression and fear. 1 Samuel 16:14

23 And whenever the tormenting spirit from God troubled Saul, David would play the harp. Then Saul would feel better, and the tormenting spirit would go away. 1 Samuel 16:23