For Christians Battling Depression
Depression is a common thing in the world today. It can manifest as sadness, anger, low energy, having negative thoughts or feelings, hormonal imbalances, or a combination of these things.
Being depressed is not sinful and is not always be caused by sin. We live in a sinful world and there are many things that can cause depression. Some forms of depression can be short-lived and can be addressed through lifestyle changes and self-care. While other times, it needs to be taken care of by medication and counselling. Either way, depression is serious and shouldn't be taken lightly.
How Christians can fight depression
Prayer
Prayer can help us remember that God is still there with us in the midst of our pain and suffering. Depression can make you run from prayer, but you have the power, in Christ, to do what God wills. You can say no to your emotions and yes to communion with God during these times. It’s important to remember that happiness is an emotion, and emotions are fleeting. Joy, however, is something that comes from God and can be experienced, even in the midst of our struggles (see Acts 5: 41).
Reading the word
Knowing God's word can also help in dealing with depression. The book of Psalms can be a good place to start in helping you fight off depression. If you struggle with reading your bible because you find it complex, you could always opt for an easier-to-understand translation such as NLT or NIV. You could also choose a bible plan that breaks the bible down into smaller, bite-size pieces to help you start reading more frequently.
Seek Medical Help
At times, depression doesn't go away and we may need to seek medical help. That doesn't mean that God can't or won't heal us. It just means that maybe God wants to use a physician to help heal us. Even Jesus said, " Those who well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick do." (Matthew 9: 12).
Speak to friends and family
We can also seek help by reaching out to friends and family so that we can remember that we are not alone. As we fight depression, we need to know that we can not do it in our own strength. We need God's help. And we may even need other people's help too. Don't be afraid to ask for help. God doesn't want us to feel discouraged or depressed. And we need to remember that God is there to help us.
Examples of depression in the bible
You are not alone in your depression. Even though the word "depression" is not mentioned in the bible, there are many examples of people who knew the Lord, yet experienced it:
Paul - In 2 Corinthians 1:8, it says that Paul felt crushed and overwhelmed beyond his ability to endure. And he thought he wouldn't live through it.
Elijah - 1 Kings 19: 4 tells us after travelling all day, Elijah sat down under a tree and prayed that he might die. He told the Lord that he had had enough.
Job - In Job 6: 9, Job wished God would just crush and kill him.
Jonah - In Jonah 4: 3, Jonah prayed to the Lord to kill him. He would rather be dead than alive.
The Bible is not full of men and women who are immune to sorrow and pain. God included and made sure that these true stories were included in the Bible, partly so that you would know you’re not alone. Depression can happen to anyone.
God understands. He is merciful, gracious, and empathizes with what you're going through (Hebrews 4:14-16). Even in depression, Jesus can be your hope in the darkness. Hold on to that hope. And keep fighting depression with the help of God's Spirit, his people, his word, and medical intervention.
A prayer for those who are depressed
“Heavenly Father, I come to you with a heavy heart. I know I am a child of God and that you love me but I don't feel loved. Show me that you love me and help me to understand how much you do love me. There are so many emotions that I am feeling right now. But I only want to feel one emotion and that is Joy. A joy that only you can give me. You are a good God. You are good to me and you are good at being God. Thank you that I am not alone and that you will never leave me. Please release me from this depressive state I am in and fill me with your joy. In Jesus' name, Amen.”
Guest Blogger:
Blog by Cori: Cori is a woman on a mission. A mission to show the world her love for Christ and to share with the world all that the Lord has shown her over the past 20 years. She has always kept a journal for as long as she can remember, and now she uses those journal entries to write on her website Today’s Godly Wisdom. You can find her either journaling, drinking coffee, travelling with her husband, or out in her flower garden.
Find out more about Cori on her website.
Disclaimer: It’s important to understand that depression is an illness, not a sin or a sign of weakness. While it’s normal for everyone to feel sad or upset from time to time, if these feelings are intense or are affecting your quality of life, you may be suffering with depression. However, expert depression treatment is available and it’s important to get the support you need. If you are based in the UK and need mental health support, you can get help from NHS 111 online or call 111.