I don’t think I’ve ever experienced an alter call like this week’s response to our teaching on anxiety and depression. During our one on one’s with students, this is a common topic that comes up with students. Students are challenged with the demands of life. Getting good grades, preparing for the SATs, after-school jobs, sports, arts, chores, relationships, and so many other things pulling at their time. Statistically, one in four teenagers have some sort of clinically diagnosed anxiety and I would venture further to say the percentage is higher because so many students go undiagnosed and untreated.
Unfortunately, the percentage of students dealing with clinically diagnosed depression is still overwhelming with 12.5% of students dealing with ongoing depression. This is serious. This is real. And we have to come alongside these students help them plant a firm foundation to handle the very real challenges of life.
A few months ago, I preached at Remnant on fear and anxiety. I used the analogy of quicksand. How it’s impossible to save yourself from quicksand alone and how in most instances, someone who is sinking, in their final moments, reaches out their hand as the last piece of their body hoping for someone to grab their hand and pull them out.
Last night demonstrating just how real this topic is. Students reached out their hand in an attempt for someone to grab it. At the end of our lesson, we asked students to pray for deliverance for themselves, for their friends, or family. Out of the 32 students, we had an attendance, 27 students responded which led to youth group going an hour longer, worshipping and praying. We had a student commit her heart to the Lord. We had students leave refreshed and renewed. We left exhausted but yet renewed for what God had us experience.
Utilizing the story of Job (Job 19: 13-24), we discussed Job’s struggles with depression after enduring some serious challenges. We referenced the importance of friends being there for one another and the importance of simply being present. We discussed the serious importance of getting adults involved when appropriate and we discussed how God doesn’t call us to live in anxiety, depression, and fear. (Psalms 77:4, Psalms 42:5, Psalms 34:17, 1 Peter 5:7, Philippians 4:6)
If you have a student that demonstrates characteristics of anxiety and depression, be present. We’ve seen these very serious conditions lead to contemplating suicide or self-harm. It’s essential we come along these students, support them, and simply be present.
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