One of the Bible’s most descriptive stories of how God deals with depression is evidenced in the life of Elijah. This man, a prophet of God, was not immune to depression. We see his suicidal ideation in the 19th chapter of 1 Kings. This passage explains that Elijah “Came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. ‘I have had enough, Lord,’ he said. ‘Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” Elijah’s mood is so low that he has a desire to die.
God deals with Elijah in the Physical dimension first by giving him a restful sleep. “Then he lay down under a tree and fell asleep.” (1 Kings 19:5, NIV) Elijah had to be very exhausted from all the activity of dealing with the prophets of Baal. Physical fatigue and the lack of rest can eventually result in depression. It is the ‘organic brain’ staging a strike on the level of activity.
A second way that God deals with Elijah in the physical realm is by providing Proper Nourishment and Nutrition.
“All at once an angel touched him and said, ‘get up and eat.’ He looked around, and there by his head was a cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.” (1 Kings 19:5-6, NIV)
The food and drink we consume contribute significantly to our mood. Over-consumption of sugars, gluten-based foods and stimulants will temporarily manipulate our mood but usually has a residual effect that results in depletion of our various energies. Research would suggest that a poor diet often correlates with poor mood. Also, we would want to add that skipping meals has a negative impact on our mood.
Stewardship of our physical body contributes significantly to our overall vitality. There are supplements that contribute to our well-being as it relates to mood health.
Research in the past several decades has linked a significant number of biomedical conditions to depression. For instance, low thyroid, testosterone or Vitamin D contributes significantly to depression. Diabetes, seizure conditions and Parkinson disease are also major contributors to depression. In fact, for some individuals, a depression is the first symptom of these serious medical conditions.
It might be good for us to expand on a few facts concerning nutrition as it pertains to brain balance and emotional health. We are fortunate to live at a time that nutrition supplements can contribute significantly to our quality of life including emotional vitality. Unfortunately, most people overlook this entire aspect of personal vitality. But for those with some curiosity here are a few tips on nutritional supplements as they relate to a more positive mental-emotional vitality.
Supplements can be very helpful in the treatment of mild and moderate depression such as the herbal remedy St. John’s Wort, vitamin D, testosterone and the amino acid 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP).
St. John’s Wort is the most studied herb of all time with more than two-dozen double-blind studies around the world. The active ingredient is Hypericum Perforatum (which means ‘above the ghost’). Hundreds of years ago this flower was used to supposedly ward off an evil spirit. What it was actually doing was acting on the brain and the body to help digestion, act as an antiviral, anti-inflammatory and support thyroid function.
Vitamin D is useful in the treatment of mild and moderate depression. Most people who live in areas of the world that have seasons likely have low levels of vitamin D due to the lack of natural sunlight on the skin. This increases the potential for endogenous depression that some refer to as the ‘winter blues’ or the expression ‘cabin fever’.
Testosterone supplementation can be very helpful for aging men if the male hormone levels are found to be low. This has to be done by a physician. Low Testosterone is a major contributor to male depression, fatigue, and irritability.
5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is an amino acid found in low amounts in foods like turkey and bananas. 5-HTP is the molecule the body uses to make serotonin, a molecule that helps elevate mood by giving the body more of the raw materials it needs to make more serotonin. You can’t get 5-HTP from food. 5-HTP is best used with a person who is experiencing both depression and anxiety. It is also effective in helping those who suffer from insomnia based depression and anxiety.
Anti-inflammatory foods and supplements: In recent years research have indicated that some depressions may be connected with inflammation of the brain. Our bodies, including our brain tissues, experience inflammation. This is similar to the same inflammation we experience when we get a wood splinter in our skin. In just a few hours it becomes inflamed.
There are indications that the organic brain can experience inflammation influenced by a wide range of factors. The main inflammatory of the brain is in our diets such as gluten, sugars, and yeasts. In fact, gluten is terrible for the brain even if a person is not sensitive to gluten.
There are anti-inflammatory foods you may enjoy that have an anti-inflammatory effect. Omega-3 fish oils are among the best. You can find them as a supplement to foods or consume them directly. There are some available these days that do not have the fishy aftertaste.
When encountering depression, as we all do, use God’s Antidepressants as the strategic plan that can lead you toward the vitality essential for a life of ministry.
How is your stewardship of the Physical Domain as it pertains to nutrition?