Depression is linked to emotions of hopelessness, despair, heaviness, disappointment, grief, emptiness, unmet expectations, loneliness, helplessness, isolations, losses by abandonment and failure in many ways.

Internal Conflict

If there is great internal conflict between how our world actually is compared to how we want it to be, all kinds of negative emotions can dominate one’s life.  Our expectations may not be realistic, but that doesn’t stop us from feeling disappointed.  

Other aspects include insecurity, lack of purpose or fulfillment, hopelessness, irritability, fatigue, eating disorders, sleep disorders, thoughts of suicide, difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions; feelings of guilt, worthlessness, sadness, and pessimism can all be tied to depression.  Heaviness is mentioned in the Bible and points to depression.  People die or abandon us, but for many, grief stays with us.  If we retreat within, we can be lonely or isolated even with people around us.

Depression Is More Than How We Feel

Medical researchers now link depression to cardiovascular disease and mortality.  American children are currently experiencing pessimism, sadness and depression at alarming rates.  (Selyman, Rervich, Jaycox, & Gillham, 1995)  Worry and hopelessness when conditioned in test animals cause them to give up. Physical brain damage can be found in these animals, as well.  Studies show that an overload of stress can result in depression.  The Hostage Brain, by Bruce S. McEwen and Harold M. Schmeck, Jr., page 80-83.

Helplessness and Hopelessness

Perception of having no control in one’s life may lead to helplessness.  Children who were the victims of recurring bad behavior or neglect by adults develop a belief of hopelessness because it is out of their power and control to affect the events.  Emotions of fear, anger, and guilt may also be connected to these memories, which become a permanent part of their life.  

While not usually consciously, current events are filtered through these memories resulting in unwarranted painful emotions, damaged relationships, bad life decisions, and a permanent source of stress that will damage our physical body, leading to all kinds of diseases and premature death.  Remember, our source of hope is God and prayer is the fuel for things hoped for.

Erroneous Beliefs

When present failures, obstacles, and losses evoke deeply embedded erroneous beliefs formed in our past, life can seem hopeless.  We ourselves can be a huge obstacle by being consumed with fear of failure making it hopeless to try to change our circumstances.

Managing and Coping With Depression

The medical answer to depression is cognitive therapy and medications for helping people manage and cope with the negative feelings, and drugs for relieving the symptoms of depression.  Stress control activities, such as exercise, benefit also.  Self-medicating methods to cover feelings and stress, such as alcohol, illegal drugs, promiscuous sex, pornography, and food abuse may lead to all kinds of long term social and physical problems (addictions).

Be Transformed

God’s answer is healing.  We will be transformed by his truth. Psalms 34:18 (NIV) “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

2 Corinthians 4:8 (NLT) “ We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed and broken. We are perplexed, but we don't give up and quit.”

Romans 15:13 (NIV) “ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
God’s Truth

We don’t have to live believing we are hopeless, consumed by feelings of despair.  Our ministry can help you replace the lies connected to depression with God’s truth and forgiveness.  Take the ministry benefit test.

Further Information:

The Hopelessness Theory of Depression
http://www.findarticles.com