BACKGROUND MATTERS
- There is a poignant expression in the Scriptures on the pervasive nature of depression: Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
- The New International Version of the Bible substituted the word nations for the heathen.
- With insights from semiotics and the guide by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, there is great wisdom in accessing core concepts of any discourse.
- The core concept in the text before us today is depression with its etymology in Medieval Latin depressionem and which appeared in Old French depression.
- It is a term in astronomy (not astrology), referring to the “angular distance of a star below the horizon.”
- The verbal form, depress, refers to the act of being pressed down.
- Depression connotes a sense of suffering under the weight of a mighty object, even when the weight is not visible, hence the heathen imagines a vain thing.
- In line with the procedure for concept architecture, we can stretch out the synonyms of the word depression to include:
- dejection
- despondency
- dispiritedness
- downheartedness
- gloom
- gloominess
- low spirits
- melancholy
- misery
- sadness
- Sorrow
- unhappiness
- Another critical idea is heathen the meaning of which transcends the strict religious reference to accommodate people who display little wisdom in their daily living.
- This expanded understanding could explain the pervasive nature of depression across generations and demographics.
- Charles M. Schwab, (Chairman of Bethlehem Steel)
- Michael Jackson (famous pop star)
- Andre Agassi (tennis star)
- Diana (Princess of Wales)
- Casey Johnson (Johnson & Johnson Heiress).
- The matter is made more complicated in the age of the millennials and the age of the Z generation who are more prone to depression than most other earlier generations.
- Depression is a malaise not fully understood.
- Many tend to rely on their imperfect knowledge and skills, hence the need for something different and deeper.
- This is the merit of this book: God’s Answer to Depression.
L-R: Chief launcher, Otunba Oleranwaju Adesuyi, Chairman of the occasion, Prof Adeyinka Adekoya, Author Pastor Kule Olusanya, Reviewer, Prof Ogbulogo
- Pastor Adekunle Olusanya, Bible teacher, Counsellor, Leadership and Stress Management Consultant has presented us a multi-pronged treatise on the epidemic of depression.
- He presents deep knowledge and wisdom in the things of the Creator as the panacea.
- He brings to bear his vast experience in spiritual intelligence in confronting the menace of depression.
- The outcome is a 303-page book structured into 14 chapters, with preliminary pages and a robust bibliography.
- The tone of the book is set in the foreword by Reverend Francis Olubambi, President, Vision International Christian Ministries.
- Reverend Olubambi notes with regret that many highly endowed people fail to take their mandates and the calling beyond the nadir on account of depression.
- Many more do not enjoy the good life because of depressive tendencies made manifest in divorce, violence, conflicts and suicide.
- The book presents the phenomenon of depression across physiological, psychological and social domains.
- From the physiological dimension we realize the potential in everybody
- The psychological angle reveals the role emotions play in level.
- Cultural dynamics, including the use of the social media tend to complicate the issue.
- These factors have accentuated issues of mental health.
- These challenges are products of our thoughts, attitudes and behavioural dispositions.
- There are also a wide range of defence mechanisms, including denial, justification, projection, antagonism, manipulation and obsession.
- Yet the answer is not in the arm of the flesh.
- The real wisdom is divine.
- It connects to the source of the truth – the Word of God.
- The doctors of the future would eternalise this fundamental truth hidden all through the ages.
- This wisdom is the strongest weapon to confront the enemy behind the malaise of depression.
- Though the author gave the hint of his predilection for counselling, he demonstrated deep knowledge of the matrix of depression.
- He located the neurological basis of depression within the brain.
- He also analysed the hormonal nexus implicated in the malaise.
- He discussed with dexterity the nuclei which release the hormones that regulate the brain functions.
- Subsequent sections of the book address issues of emotions and depression as well as predisposing factors.
- There is an interesting expose on the toxic-triangle in depression.
- These are binge eating, chemical abuse and despair.
- Binge eating leads to insulin resistance, and which prevents the liver from absorbing insulin for the purpose of mopping up excess sugar.
- Chemical abuse refers to the over-indulgence in alcohol.
- Despair manifests in negative self-talk, wrong thinking, reflecting filtering,
- Others are:
- Global labelling
- Emotional reasoning
- Minimizing
- The blame game
- Personalisation
- Overgeneralisation
- Demandingness
- Magnification
- Control fallacies
- Discounting the positive
- Fortune telling
- Mind-reading
- Undue focus on the negative.
- The author provides guidelines on overcoming depression, including:
- Assertion
- Exercise
- Nutrition
- There are also great insights on the understanding of the purpose of creation for man, how God answers our prayers and the power of prayer in dealing with depression
- We learn from the author that depression is not demographic-sensitive.
- There also timeless and universal therapies.
- The starting point is to think great thoughts about God and our relationship with Him.
- We ned to think good thoughts towards others.
- The author presented his treaties as a teacher.
- He re-emphasised critical points on how to defeat depression.
- These include deep breathing, realism, meditations, faith, fellowship, moderation, understanding, being selective in association, creative relationship and accountability.
- These variables relate to a deep connectivity to wisdom, the principal thing.
- These thought processes connect with the principles of emotional intelligence.
- Apart from a credible bibliography and a judicious use of reference materials, including the scripture, the author drew validation from global personalities.
- This example tells the story:
La Bruyere: …Life is a tragedy for those who feel and a comedy for those who think.
- There are amazing endorsements from experts and leaders on the timeliness and import of this book.
- For a first edition, the quality of packaging and production is very high.
- Future editions would include an index and a glossary as well as an updated section on references.
- The publishers would also pay attention to the binding quality.
- This book satisfies the neds of the professional and the enthusiast in matters of wellness from the Throne of Grace.
- I consider this honour a great privilege to present you God’s Answer to Depression by Pastor Adekunle Olusanya.
