Depression and Anxiety in Christians by Dr. Scott Rosenthal - HTML preview

CHAPTER FOUR

THRIVING IN THE MIDST OF LOSS

This week our goal is to help you apply your faith to mental well-being. If you are struggling with illness such as depression or anxiety here are three common (but not obvious) types of losses:

ISSUES PERTAINING TO LOSS

There are three main areas for us to focus on:

• Loss of identity
• Loss of capacities
• Loss of relationship

29. SCQ:

• Are there any others you can list? Such as:

Dealing with chronic illness:

Dealing with grief from your own loss, loss of a loved one, loss of friendships/relationship, loss of job or loss of the environment or routine you have gotten used to.

LOSS EVALUATION ASSESSEMENT

Evaluation 1 to 10 Scale:

Review the following and give each a grade with 10 being the worst. Jot down any notes that surface as you contemplate each one.

1. Meaningful relationships?

Scale:

Note:

1. Reduction in time spent with friends and family?

Scale:

Note:

2. Lost any capacity or interest for leisure, recreation or fun that you miss?

Scale:

Note:

3. Have you had to reduce your work talks in any way?

Scale:

Note:

4. Has your illness led you to question who you are as a person or whether or not you will be?

Scale:

Note:

5. Able to reach the goals that make for a satisfying life?

Scale:

Note:

6. Has your illness let to not being able to participate in social activities you once enjoyed?

What are they?

 Scale:

Note:

7. What are the most important things you have had to give up or curtail as a result of your illness?

 Scale:

Note:

8. Sacred losses: Things we suffer related to our illness, our faith and/or relationship with God. Some feel abandoned by God, abandoned by church friend.

Scale:

Note:

ENCOURAGING SCRIPTURE FOR DEALING WITH LOSS

 "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they prove we may have hope"

(Romans 15:4)

The stories we read about in the Bible are there to encourage us, to provide a model for us to interpret the events in our lives and to create hope in us.

It may be comforting to know that a number of people in the Bible like David suffered. Despite being called "a man after Gods own Heart" David cries to God about his suffering. Even though he was King and had a very close relationship with God that doesn’t make him immune. In fact the disciples suffered great losses for the cause of Christ.

29. SCQ:

• In the losses you have experienced, have you ever experienced the comfort or compassion of Christ? How about the care expressed through others He may motivate or equip to help you?

LOSS:

HELP RECEIVED: 

CONTROL EXERCISE

Some aspects of life are in our control whereas others are uncontrollable. It’s also difficult to let go of longstanding but limiting thoughts, and habits.

We are now going to examine the skills of surrendering to God. This helps us let go. It’s not giving up but more intensified trust in God. Letting go and trusting God actually increases your sense of control, assuming that you have the correct views about God’s nature and character.

Here are some examples:

1. In Personal Control:

• Choosing doctor
• Choosing the amount of time we spend at certain activities, eating, taking meds, exercise and participating in hobbies.
• Yours:

2. Outside of Personal Control

• Course of illness
• Outcomes of treatment
• Yours:

30. SCQ:

• How do you cope with issues that you feel are "under your control" compared with other issues you observe may be out of your control?

Under Control:

31. SCQ:

• What happens when you try to control aspects that you don’t have control over?

Out of Control:

ACTIVE SURRENDER

"Active Surrender"

Active Surrender is a habit that will improve your peace of mind. It involves a decision to let go of something that you have the power to change. Giving God power and releasing your own, helps you manage things that seem improbable, painful or distasteful.

32. SCQ:

• Is there anything that you would like to surrender to God? How do you think this  might help you cope with your illness and losses better? Thank Him for promising in  His Word to "cast your cares upon Him because He cares for you".

(1 PET 5:7) ????????????

PROMISES FROM GOD’S WORD THAT RESULT IN ENCOURAGEMENT

Consider the following passages about how people dealt with loss and suffering in the Bible. Of course the disciples and Jesus suffered greatly as they gave up their lives for the Christian cause. This goes to show us that becoming a devout Christian does not remove one as a candidate for loss/surrender. Rather it’s a fact to be expected and progressively handled better and better as God gives us the grace to manage life.

"In the world you will have trials and distress; but be of good cheer and be courageous  for I have overcome the world."

(John 16:33).

"Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted:"

(Matthew  5:4)

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion  and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort  those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves received from God"

(2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

Perhaps the reason Jesus calls us blessed when we mourn is because we get to be comforted by Jesus Himself, and His comfort and compassion are so great that we are then able to comfort others that are facing troubles.