Oct 11, 2019
Episode Summary:
If you or someone you love have ever struggled with depression
and suicidal thoughts and wondered if there is help and hope, this
is the perfect episode for you to listen to, as we explore how
laughter is good medicine.
My guest, Dave Ebert, shares how he grew up under a harsh,
military father who was physically ill after serving in the
military. As an adolescent, Dave became depressed, and then sought
out to release some of that depression by entertaining others
through wrestling. Ultimately, Dave began a career in improv comedy
to help encourage others and give them hope where they are.
Dave offers his hope-filled perspective for dealing with
depression and suicidal thoughts, as well as practical easy tips
that someone can begin to implement today.
Quotables from the episode:
- The enemy will whisper in our ears that we are worthless, but
that’s a lie.
- Too often, we inappropriately assume our value comes from what
we do instead of whose we are.
- We can take comfort by looking at some of the biblical greats
like King David, Elijah, Job, and Paul, who all went through bouts
of depression.
- When a group of strangers laugh together, suddenly they are no
longer strangers because they have all admitted something about
themselves.
- “Laughter is a tangible evidence of hope.” Michael Jr.
- Laughter makes you more open to receiving from someone
else.
- Laughter can also heal.
- As parents, we need to be having conversations with our
children about depression and suicidal thoughts, not only to stave
off their attempts but to also equip them to help friends and
classmates.
- The number of emergency room admissions for suicidal thoughts
and attempts has doubled in our adolescent population from
2015-2019.
- Kids are spending more time online and less time building real
relationships. We’ve got to be monitoring what they are watching
and what is coming into their hearts and minds.
- Social media, such as the Netflix program “13 Reasons Why,” is
glorifying suicide in our children.
- Your hope-filled perspective:
- you are made in God’s image. God created emotions. It’s okay to
feel them. Don’t add to your misery by condemning yourself for the
feelings you have. Be honest with God about them—He knows
everything anyway.
- Be around people, and let people in. It’s important, especially
when you are feeling depressed and suicidal to hear other voices
besides the enemy’s voice in your ear. Be around those who will
support you and love you.
- Get involved in church. Be around other believers who can
encourage you.
- It’s okay to not be okay, but it’s not okay to stay there.
- If Jesus Christ, the son of God, thought you were important
enough to die for, who are you to disagree.
- To make a change today: 1) Don’t stay in the dark physically.
Open the blinds and shutters. 2) Do something. Take a walk around
the block. 3) Be honest with God. Tell Him how you feel.
Scripture References:
- Psalm 27:13, “I would have despaired unless I had believed that
I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the
living.”
- Proverbs 17:22 “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a
crushed spirit dries up the bones.”
- Romans 8:28 God works all things together for good, for those
who love Him and have been called according to His purpose.
- Psalm 34:18, “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves
those who are crushed in spirit.”
- Job 8:21 “He will once again fill your mouth with laughter and
your lips with shouts of joy.”
Recommended Resources:
Social Media Links for Host and Guest:
To connect with Dave Ebert:
Gifts for Glory Ministries – www.facebook.com/giftsforglory
Gifts for Glory Ministries – www.twitter.com/Gifts4Glory
HaHaMen Improv – www.facebook.com/wellversedcmdy
PureFest – www.facebook.com/PureFestChicago
Dave@gifts4glory.com
For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at:
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Radio Show Host: http://graceandtruthradio.world/shows/your-hope-filled-perspective/
Guest: Dave Ebert
Dave Ebert was born in Chicago but grew up in the south in
Virginia and West Virginia. Dave always entertained the people he
was around, but that knack for entertaining went from fun to a
defense mechanism to keep people from seeing his internal war with
depression and suicide. Using entertainment and humor as a way to
keep people away, as well as to try to make sure others didn’t feel
the same as he did, Dave spent many years hiding his depression.
Finally, God reached Dave and Dave set out to pursue God in
earnest. Now, Dave uses the comedy, allowing God to redeem the
scars of depression, to minister to others through improv.