Dejection
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Dejection, a state of melancholy or depression, is a condition that is not unfamiliar to the human experience as depicted in the Bible. Throughout Scripture, various figures encounter moments of deep sorrow and despair, yet these moments often serve as pivotal points for spiritual growth and divine intervention.

Biblical Instances of Dejection

1. Elijah: One of the most notable instances of dejection is found in the life of the prophet Elijah. After his triumph over the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, Elijah flees from Queen Jezebel's wrath and finds himself in a state of deep despair. In 1 Kings 19:4, Elijah sits under a broom tree and prays, "It is enough, now, O LORD, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers." Despite his dejection, God provides for Elijah, sending an angel to minister to him, demonstrating that divine care accompanies human frailty.

2. David: King David, a man after God's own heart, frequently experienced dejection, as evidenced in the Psalms. In Psalm 42:5, David writes, "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him for the salvation of His presence." David's psalms often reflect a journey from despair to hope, illustrating the transformative power of faith and trust in God.

3. Job: The account of Job is a profound exploration of human suffering and dejection. After losing his wealth, children, and health, Job laments his birth and questions the purpose of his suffering. In Job 3:11, he cries, "Why did I not perish at birth; why did I not die as I came from the womb?" Despite his intense dejection, Job's account ultimately reveals the sovereignty of God and the restoration that follows steadfast faith.

4. Jeremiah: Known as the "weeping prophet," Jeremiah experienced profound dejection as he witnessed the destruction of Jerusalem and the suffering of his people. In Lamentations 3:19-20, he writes, "Remember my affliction and wandering, the wormwood and the gall. Surely my soul remembers and is bowed down within me." Yet, even in his lament, Jeremiah finds hope in God's unfailing love and mercy.

Theological Insights

Dejection in the Bible is often portrayed as a natural human response to overwhelming circumstances. However, it is also depicted as an opportunity for individuals to draw closer to God. The Scriptures consistently encourage believers to turn to God in times of dejection, trusting in His promises and finding solace in His presence.

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ offers comfort to those who are weary and burdened. In Matthew 11:28, He invites, "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." This invitation underscores the Christian belief that true relief from dejection is found in a relationship with Christ.

Practical Application

For believers, the biblical accounts of dejection serve as reminders that God is present in times of sorrow and that He provides strength and hope. Christians are encouraged to seek God through prayer, Scripture, and fellowship with other believers when facing dejection. The community of faith plays a vital role in supporting and uplifting those who are struggling, reflecting the love and compassion of Christ.

In summary, while dejection is a common human experience, the Bible offers a pathway to hope and restoration through faith in God. The accounts of biblical figures who faced dejection remind believers of God's faithfulness and the promise of His enduring presence.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (n.) The state of being melancholy, depressed, in low spirits.

2. (n.) The act of humbling or abasing one's self.

3. (n.) Lowness of spirits occasioned by grief or misfortune; mental depression; melancholy.

4. (n.) A low condition; weakness; inability.

5. (n.) The discharge of excrement.

6. (n.) Feces; excrement.

Greek
2726. katepheia -- dejection
... dejection. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: katepheia Phonetic Spelling:
(kat-ay'-fi-ah) Short Definition: a downcast countenance, gloom ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2726.htm - 6k
Library

Book ix. Of the Spirit of Dejection.
... Prolegomena. Book IX. Of the Spirit of Dejection. Of the Spirit of Dejection. ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /book ix of the spirit.htm

Dejection of the Apostles Immediately after Christ's Death. ...
... Dejection of the Apostles immediately after Christ's Death."Their Joy and Activity
at a later Period."The Reappearance of Christ necessary to explain the ...
/.../section 295 dejection of the.htm

Of Another Sort of Dejection which Produces Despair of Salvation.
... Prolegomena. Chapter IX. Of another sort of dejection which produces despair
of salvation. There is, too, another still more objectionable ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter ix of another sort.htm

Whence and in what Way Dejection Arises.
... Prolegomena. Chapter IV. Whence and in what way dejection arises. But
sometimes it is found to result from the fault of previous ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter iv whence and in.htm

How Dejection and Accidie Generally Arise Without any External ...
... II. Second Conference of Abbot Moses. Chapter IX. How dejection and accidie generally
arise without any external provocation, as in the case of other faults. ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter ix how dejection and.htm

That Except that Wholesome Sorrow, which Springs up in Three Ways ...
... Prolegomena. Chapter XII. That except that wholesome sorrow, which springs up in
three ways, all sorrow and dejection should be resisted as hurtful. ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xii that except that.htm

To what the Soul May be Compared which is a Prey to the Attacks of ...
... Prolegomena. Chapter III. To what the soul may be compared which is a
prey to the attacks of dejection. For the garment that is ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter iii to what the.htm

How Our Fifth Combat is against the Spirit of Dejection, and of ...
... Prolegomena. Chapter I. How our fifth combat is against the spirit of
dejection, and of the harm which it inflicts upon the soul. ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter i how our fifth.htm

The Means by which we Can Root Out Dejection from Our Hearts.
... Prolegomena. Chapter XIII. The means by which we can root out dejection
from our hearts. We should then be able to expel this most ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xiii the means by.htm

Of the Only Thing in which Dejection is Useful to Us.
... Prolegomena. Chapter X. Of the only thing in which dejection is useful
to us. And so we must see that dejection is only useful to ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter x of the only.htm

Thesaurus
Dejection (1 Occurrence)
... 5. (n.) The discharge of excrement. 6. (n.) Feces; excrement. Multi-Version Concordance
Dejection (1 Occurrence). James 4:9 Lament, mourn, and weep. ...
/d/dejection.htm - 7k

Lightly (31 Occurrences)
... 7. (adv.) Commonly; usually. 8. (adv.) Without dejection; cheerfully. 9.
(adv.) Without heed or care; with levity; gayly; airily. 10. ...
/l/lightly.htm - 16k

Faint (76 Occurrences)
... See Fainting, n. 7. (n.) To sink into dejection; to lose courage or spirit; to become
depressed or despondent. 8. (n.) To decay; to disappear; to vanish. ...
/f/faint.htm - 38k

Faintness (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (n.) Feebleness, as of color or light; lack of distinctness; as, faintness of
description. 4. (n.) Faint-heartedness; timorousness; dejection. ...
/f/faintness.htm - 7k

Dung-hill (3 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary To sit on a, was a sign of the deepest dejection (1 Samuel
2:8; Psalm 113:7; Lamentations 4:5). Multi-Version Concordance ...
/d/dung-hill.htm - 7k

Despondency (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The state of desponding; loss of hope and cessation
of effort; discouragement; depression or dejection of the mind. ...
/d/despondency.htm - 6k

Dunghill (8 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary To sit on a, was a sign of the deepest dejection (1 Samuel
2:8; Psalm 113:7; Lamentations 4:5). Noah Webster's Dictionary. ...
/d/dunghill.htm - 10k

Discomfiture (6 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The act of discomfiting, or the state of being
discomfited; rout; overthrow; defeat; frustration; confusion and dejection. Int. ...
/d/discomfiture.htm - 101k

Damp (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Moisture; humidity; fog; fogginess; vapor.
2. (n.) Dejection; depression; cloud of the mind. 3 ...
/d/damp.htm - 7k

Downcast (11 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Cast downward; directed to the ground, from
bashfulness, modesty, dejection, or guilt. 2. (n.) Downcast or melancholy look. ...
/d/downcast.htm - 9k

Resources
What are capital sins? | GotQuestions.org

How can I heal from the hurt of a broken relationship? | GotQuestions.org

Dejection: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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