I don't know how much I have to offer this group. I just want to share my experience and be of hope to others, maybe. Depression. I was in my late twenties when I joined the College and Carreers group at the first Christian Church I went to. I was not the chirpiest one going and sufferred from depression. One younger Christian piped up and asked me why are you always depressed? You're going to spend Eternity with God after all. Who knows? Made sense but did not help. I was nearing 40 and after spending Christmas Holidays at a homeless shelter to protect me from ME (I was tempted with suicide for unknown reasons) I went there and gave those in charge most of my meds so I would not overdose by choice. I than went about in peace. Afterwards an eduucator i had suggested I see this neurologist that other epileptics were seeing. I decided "sure". I went and learned I was on medication for tens of years that I ought not to have been on for ten minutes. it was that med that made me suicidal and also it had a side effect of depression. Exclamation marks were suddenly exploding from light bulbs that suddenly shone brightly for the first time. It was not me. It was the medication. He got me off of it and onto another medication that made me much better. Took away suicidal temptations and depression dropped by 85% ! Key is that your depression might not be about you. Might be a side effect of medication. It might also be a symptom of perimenopause if you are that age ladies and andropause, male version of perimenopause in men. I know that first hand and I also had the hot flashes. Equality ROCKS! Depression can also be a concequence of traumas like childhood sexual abuse. I was sexually abused as a child but am lucky to have missed that as a concequence. So if you are depressed, talk to your doctor if on meds or whatever else might be going on. Spiritual counceling for such depresssion caused by above factors won't go away because of a sermon on depression and how to get rid of it. I also do not believe Bible studies covering the topic of how to be a "happy christian" are suitable for individuals prone to depression for reasons outside of their control. Such can lead to needless shame based on self perceptions of a "weak faith" if they remain depressed during and after the Bible study. If depressed talk to your doctor. He probably will know more the cause of depression than a pastor preaching from the pulpit Call your pharmacist to ask if depression is a side effect of whatever pharmaceutical product(s) you are taking. The latter is their specialty. But don't just rely on your Bible. The Bible is for the development of your spiritual dimension of your being. Not so much for your physical wellbeing, and not at all times reliable for your psychological wellbeing. A friend of mine is in this group. That is why I decided to join, if only momentarily to share my experiences with depression. Thanks for reading. :)