Video link: BREAKING FREE FROM DEPRESSION - SESSION 2
‘BREAKING FREE FROM DEPRESSION’
SESSION 2: WHEN GREAT PEOPLE REACH THEIR LIMITS
Spiritual giants experienced moments so dark that they wished for death. Ministry does not make a person superhuman!
Today we look at three prominent biblical leaders.
1. MOSES
The deliverer of Israel, who spoke with God face to face, reached a breaking point under the weight of leadership. He told God, *"I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me. If this is how you are going to treat me—please go ahead and kill me"* (Numbers 11:14-15).
Moses carried the responsibility of leading God's people.
Eventually he cried out: “The burden is too heavy for me.”
2. JONAH
After witnessing the largest revival in the Old Testament, Jonah became so angry that he said, *"I have a right to be angry—angry enough to die"* (Jonah 4:9).
Jonah became extremely angry when God showed mercy to Nineveh.
He said: “I do, I have a right to be angry—angry enough to die.” Jonah 4:9.
3. ELIJAH
Fresh from the mountaintop victory at Carmel, where fire fell from heaven and 450 prophets of Baal were defeated, Elijah fled into the wilderness and prayed for death: *"It is enough! Now, O Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers"* (1 Kings 19:4). Depression can strike even after our greatest spiritual triumphs.
Think about that. A great victory was followed by a great emotional crisis.
Even David — The man after God's own heart wrote: *"I am full of heaviness... I looked for someone to take pity, but there was none"* (Psalm 69:20).
4. MINISTRY PEOPLE ALSO NEED MINISTRY
Pastors need encouragement. Preachers need encouragement.
Worship leaders need encouragement. Counselors need someone to talk to.
People who help others also need somebody to help them.
David continued to bring his emotions into God's presence. This is important: David did not pretend that everything was fine. He talked honestly with God.
Faith does not require us to deny our emotions.
Dr Lawi Mshana, +255712924234, Tanzania
