Dealing with Despondency
Dealing With Despondency
Psalm 13:1-6(GNB) 1How much longer will you forget me, LORD? For ever? How much longer will you hide yourself from me? 2How long must I endure trouble? How long will sorrow fill my heart day and night? How long will my enemies triumph over me? 3Look at me, O LORD my God, and answer me. Restore my strength; don’t let me die. 4Don’t let my enemies say, “We have defeated him.” Don’t let them gloat over my downfall. 5I rely on your constant love; I will be glad, because you will rescue me. 6I will sing to you, O LORD, because you have been good to me.
1. Learn to recognize and acknowledge it.
Despondency (def): noun - A sinking or dejection of spirits from loss of hope or courage in affliction or difficulty; deep depression of spirit.
Psalm 73:21-26 (GNB) 21When my thoughts were bitter and my feelings were hurt, 22I was as stupid as an animal; I did not understand you. 23Yet I always stay close to you, and you hold me by the hand. 24You guide me with your instruction and at the end you will receive me with honor. 25What else have I in heaven but you? Since I have you, what else could I want on earth? 26My mind and my body may grow weak, but God is my strength; he is all I ever need.
2. Know there’ll be temptation to yield to it.
Psalm 13:1-4 (GNB) 1How much longer will you forget me, LORD? For ever? How much longer will you hide yourself from me? 2How long must I endure trouble? How long will sorrow fill my heart day and night? How long will my enemies triumph over me? 3Look at me, O LORD my God, and answer me. Restore my strength; don’t let me die. 4Don’t let my enemies say, “We have defeated him.” 4Don’t let them gloat over my downfall.
o Stay connected to the vine that is the word of God.
Psalm 19:7 (NLT) The instructions of the LORD are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
Isaiah 41:13 (GNB) I am the LORD your God; I strengthen you and say, ‘Do not be afraid; I will help you.’
1 Peter 5:8–9 (ESV) Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
o Manage your expectations.
John 16:33b (ESV) “...In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Matthew 26:36-39 (ESV) Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”
o Get the support of others.
Proverbs 17:17 (ESV) A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
2 Corinthians 1:3–5 (ESV) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.
3. Praise God in it until you can praise God for it.
Proverbs 17:17 (ESV) A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
2 Corinthians 1:3–5 (ESV) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.
Growing Deeper Together (Small Group Discussion Questions)
Use these points throughout the week as part of your quiet time, in your small group, or over coffee with a friend to help you apply what you learned in today’s message.
Think of a time when you had become despondent. How did you respond? Considering today’s message how would your response change? What would you like for your reaction to be when you feel despondency trying to take hold?
Read 1 Peter 5:8-9 from your notes. What does it mean for you to be “sober minded – watchful”? What biblical promises will help you resist “your adversary, the devil”?
Take some time to discuss Proverbs 17:17 and share a time when just the right person was in your life at just the right time.
Pastoral study references, attributions, & recommendations: Battling the Unbelief of Despondency by John Piper From Despondency to Ecstasy by Pastor Chuck Swindoll