Are you feeling depressed? Has someone close to you struggled with depression? Many of us have been touched by depression at some point in our lives. And I have to believe that depression has been on the rise with all that is going on in our world!
So, what exactly is depression? It is a mood disorder that results in a persistent feeling of sadness and a general loss of interest. It affects how you feel, think, and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems as well as trouble doing normal day-to-day activities. Certainly, many of life’s circumstances can lead us to feel sad, lonely, and scared. In the case of people who are depressed, the manifestations of the low mood are much more severe and they tend to persist.
Depression is often stigmatized, particularly for Christians, sometimes being seen as a lack of faith. Christians may erroneously believe that if a person is walking closely with God, he or she should not be depressed but should trust God whatever the circumstances. A few other misconceptions about depression are: Depression is a sin. Depression is self-pity. And the worst – depression is not real.
The Bible gives many examples of people experiencing depression who cried out to God through their darkness. Here are a few:
- Jeremiah – “O Lord, You have deceived me, and I was deceived.” (Jeremiah 20:7)
- Elijah – “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life.” (1 Kings 19:4)
- David – “I say to God, my rock: ‘Why have You forgotten me?’” (Psalm 42:9-10)
God isn’t angered by honest words. He deems them holy and wants our relationships with Him to be authentic. Don’t hesitate to turn to Him. His mercy reigns even in our brokenness.
If you’re in the thick of the dark and lonely place that is depression, please consider making an appointment to see your doctor or a counselor as soon as you can. While God is capable of divinely healing mental illness, He doesn’t always intervene in that way. God gave doctors and mental health professionals the understanding, knowledge, and skills to help those who are suffering.
If you are depressed, remember that God is always with you.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:18
If a loved one or friend is depressed, be there for them, pray for them and encourage them to seek help.
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:11
