Q&A Home > S > Service & Depression One of my students in Sunday School has been diagnosed with depression And is now s under the care of a psychiatrist. I can see that one of the factors contributing to the "depression" is friends (especially same age group in the church). What can I do as his Sunday School servant? "I can see that" is an assumption. Is it based on any evidence? Usually depression results from a lifestyle of worry, anxiety and fear. The best cure to depression is the Lord Jesus Christ himself.
The Lord Jesus Christ wants us to take on a spiritually and psychologically healthy lifestyle. "Do not WORRY about your life, what you will eat or drink, nor about your body what you will put on. Is not life more than food and your body more than clothing?" (Matthew 6:25)
He encourages us to avoid a life of anxiety and to live a life of faith. We are to work hard and be steadfast at seeking Him always. "For after all these things the gentiles seek. For your Heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:32-33).
"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble" (Matthew 6:34).
Hardships surface sometimes for the sake of personal growth. At this time we are instructed to not lose heart. "Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not lose heart" (Luke 18:1).
What can you personally do? Encourage him to constantly pray. Prayer leads to a greater faith. Faith is what he needs at this point: Faith, believing that God cares about him very much and is with him in all his hardships. He may have to trust a little deeper and to have more confidence that with God all things are possible particularly during this trial in his life.
What seems uncertain and without understanding can certainly be overcome with faith. One word or one act from you can make a big difference. One candle in the darkness can chase away the dark.
I am also concerned about the friends, his age, in church. We are accountable for "those friends." Youth can often be challenging, but if we turn our best efforts over to God and put our trust in His plan, a lot can be done through the church by being a good example, and also by giving quality advice.
Often youth, at a certain age, think they know it all and therefore look for help in a way that pleases them. If you see such a group at church I suggest you speak to Abouna and start to think of ways of involving them in church activities so as to provide them with opportunities of being in a spiritual environment. Do not label them nor categorize them. Try a one to one method and listen to them quietly. With prayers, God will deal with their hearts and change them.
Reflect upon your days of youth, and see whose words and deeds influenced you most and try to benefit from that in helping those who need your help.
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