Day 158, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): 1Kings 11:1-40; Ecclesiastes 1, 2
Searching for Meaning; Depression—Some Causes and Cures
We search for meaning in life. Where can it be found? In the next few Bible studies, we will be discovering answers to this question. When we cannot see meaning, it is depressing. What are some causes and cures for feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and anxiety?
Depression—Some Causes and Cures
Generally speaking, men are achievement-focused—their jobs and what they accomplish mean a great deal to them. Women, however, are more relationship-focused—their family and friendships are most important. When men cannot achieve things, or women have broken relationships, they can become depressed.
At the height of his glory, King Solomon was wise above all others, and he had many servants and more wealth than anyone could count. Solomon completed substantial building projects, including the temple and his palace. The king had expanded the extremity of his borders, his kingdom was at peace with other countries, and he had a vast army with large numbers of chariots and horses.
Solomon also had many wives and a large harem. One of the wives he was particularly fond of was a Lebanese woman, referred to in yesterday’s lesson in the Song of Solomon. She was probably one of the 700 wives (a Sidonian) mentioned in today’s Bible reading.
Even Successful People can Get Depressed
Things were going well, so why did King Solomon get depressed? What happened to him? Solomon got proud, over-confident, and sloppy in leading the nation. He lived a life of pleasure and violated the LORD’s commands. Against God’s will, Solomon accumulated enormous amounts of wealth, horses imported from Egypt, and many foreign wives (Deuteronomy 17:16-17; 1 Kings 10:26-29). His wives influenced him to build altars to false gods and worship them, in addition to his worship of the LORD, the only true God (1Kings 11:1-13).Because King Solomon does not keep the covenant completely, God declares that he will tear Solomon’s kingdom away from him and only leave him one prominent tribe (Judah) for his sons to rule. He will lose almost all that he has built and for which he has worked. Furthermore, God will now work against him and raise adversaries against Israel.
Have we done stupid things that left undesirable results, leaving us feeling depressed? Sin has consequences. The answer to wrongdoing is repentance (changing our mind and confessing our sins to receive forgiveness). If we do that, we may still have to bear some consequences, but God will often be merciful and gracious.
Compromise is Unsatisfying
Solomon pursued knowledge and lived a life of pleasure. He is now bored; there is “nothing new under the sun,” he says. Even the cycle of nature is monotonous to him. There is nothing to be accomplished which has not been achieved already in one form or another. He sees no worthwhile challenges, and the goal of obtaining more wisdom seems like a worthless pursuit.
Solomon views all of life as a profitless, purposeless existence (Ecclesiastes 1:1-2). He tried wine, women, and song—everything!
Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 2:11, NIV)
A Faulty Perspective
Three words describe Solomon’s perspective on life: “Under the sun.” This phrase occurs twenty-nine times in Ecclesiastes. The phrase “I thought in my heart” or “I thought to myself” occurs seven times and shows the limits of his research, i.e., Solomon’s own knowledge of life. King Solomon has an earthly perspective—it is not God’s perspective—Solomon is looking at everything from a humanistic viewpoint.
How do we look at life? Are we taken in by humanistic opinions of our world, or do we try to see life as God sees it? Where do we find his perspective? A Jewish hymn writer says, “The unfolding of [God’s] words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple” (Psalm 119:130, NIV). We find God’s perspective in the Bible.
A Light of Hope
Is there any light of hope in Solomon’s philosophy (Ecclesiastes)? Yes, and we can learn from it. After he despairs over the prospect of toiling hard to accomplish things in this life and then handing them to someone else who will not care for them (a possible reference to his son, Rehoboam), Solomon makes this statement:
A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? [emphasis mine]
To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner [perhaps a reference to himself] he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. (Ecclesiastes 2:24–26, NIV)
Do we have a personal relationship with God? It is only by this relationship that we can find true satisfaction, enjoyment, and his blessings. Jesus said, “I came that they might have life, and might have [it] abundantly” (John 10:10b, NASB). (more...)
Discussion
What are some causes and cures for depression? What caused Solomon to be depressed?
Solomon had a faulty perspective on life. How can wrong views of our life affect us?
Where can we find true satisfaction in life?
Note: Daily prayer and putting up Bible verses and other reminders of God's faithfulness can help us overcome depression.
For answers to severe cases of depression, I recommend the book, Looking Up from the Stubborn Darkness by Edward T. Welch, New Growth Press, Greensboro, NC, ©2011
Focus on the Family has free referrals and one free consultation with a counselor to help you or others who are dealing with depression.
If you think you are depressed, you should see your doctor. He may prescribe some helpful medications to alleviate some of the symptoms.
Depression can be serious. Get help! God loves you, your family and friends love you, and you are important!
Focus Verse
John 10:10b (NASB) Jesus said, “I came that they might have life, and might have [it] abundantly.”
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Please send your comments to mtbiblestudies@gmail.com
Looking Ahead: We all seek for meaning in life, and we all have twenty-four hours in a day. How can we have Spend our Time Well? Find out in our Next Lesson.
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