What is depression? Depression is an emotional state of feeling sad and dejected and “down and out.” There are many emotional symptoms that characterize a depressed state. They include a loss of affection for others, withdrawal from people and activities, preoccupation with self, uncontrollable crying, hostility, fear, worry, hopelessness and sometimes even a desire to die. These emotional reactions in a depressed person often result in physical symptoms such as self-abasing behavior, erratic sleep, loss of appetite, apathy, fatigue and actual illness.

All depression begins in the mind with improper thinking patterns. Our thinking patterns are simply how we view life and the various circumstances that come our way. Improper thinking patterns are contrary to Biblical truth and can be divided into two categories: unrealistic expectations and misplaced dependencies. Living with unrealistic expectations and misplaced dependencies will guarantee a person constant disappointments.

Unrealistic expectations occur when a person simply does not face life as it really is but looks at life and people as he thinks they should be. It is expecting perfection from ourselves and others.

Misplaced dependencies occur when a person depends on someone or something other than God for his happiness, self-worth, meaning and purpose to life, etc.

It is important to realize that God made man as a dependent creature not independent. The essence of sin is the human drive to be independent and self-sufficient apart from God; to be one’s own god, in fact. However, Satan’s promise to Eve, “You will be like God”(Genesis 3:5), was a lie, and man has been enslaved ever since to a mad search for identity, significance, and security apart from his Creator.

We have several resources that address this issue in more detail, including:
Victory Over Depression Book
Victory Over Depression CD