Depression is personal to me.
That statement introduced one of my most popular blog posts
– “What Christians Tend To Get Wrong About Depression.”
The February 2014 post arose out of a prayer asking God to
infuse my writing with content that mattered. “I need your insight and wisdom
to clearly deliver hope, and especially to Christians struggling with
depression.”
My cousin died by suicide. Her marriage had failed.
Rejected. Despairing. She prayed with no avail from the mental torture. She
succumbed to a silent, suffering in solitary until her pain ended at her own
hand.
Christians
tend to experience the greatest challenge dealing with mental illness because
we believe people of faith can do anything with God’s help.
In
pastoral counselling I encounter many who believe that a one and done kind of
prayer offered in faith should deliver believers from all their afflictions.
When deliverance doesn’t happen, self-condemnation piles on to already troubled
souls.
Job, Elijah, Jeremiah and David are
four well know Bible characters who described their lives using terms
associated with depression.
These
are not “poetic” descriptions of a spiritual condition. These are the desperate
declarations of people at the end of their rope. Instead of a one-and-done
antidote, the Bible starkly shows the dread that accompanies the ill.
I
felt compelled to go out on a limb as a pastor and declare the following about
God’s perspective on depression:
Spirit-filled
Christians can experience depression.
Many
giants of the faith faced prolonged depression.
Depression
is not oppression.
Depression
is not a choice.
Depression
is not a character defect.
Depression
is not a spiritual disorder.
Depression
is not an emotional dysfunction.
Depression
is the only physical illness with spiritual symptoms.
There
is hope for Christians facing depression just like those facing cancer or brokenness.
If you or a loved one suffers from depression,
anxiety, bipolar disorder, or any other mental illness, it’s NOT your fault. You need help – and asking for
help is a sign of strength.
Bob is
a recovering perfectionist, who collects Coca-Cola memorabilia and drinks Iced
Tea. His office walls are adorned with his sons’ framed football jerseys, and
his library shelves, with soul food. He writes to inspire people to be real,
grow an authentic faith in Jesus, enjoy healthy relationships and discover
their life purpose.
Follow his writing at Pointes Of View.
Bob is
a recovering perfectionist, who collects Coca-Cola memorabilia and drinks Iced
Tea. His office walls are adorned with his sons’ framed football jerseys, and
his library shelves, with soul food. He writes to inspire people to be real,
grow an authentic faith in Jesus, enjoy healthy relationships and discover
their life purpose.
Follow his writing at Pointes Of View.
This is a very important message, Bob and as you said, depression is often misunderstood in Christina circles. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI have found as a pastor that mental illness / clinical depression is one of the most common needs of people of faith. Perhaps its because the Church offers hope to those who feel helpless or desperate. There is healing and wholeness in Jesus.
DeleteThank you for speaking truth and hope. Such an important message. As for "one and done," there can be a whole lit of healing and time in the "and."
ReplyDelete"Depression is the only physical illness with spiritual symptoms." We need to remember we are a complete package and treat all aspects of our pain.
Thank you for commenting in an empathetic way, Marnie.
DeleteThis is a fantastic and encouraging post for anyone who is affected by depression in their own lives or the lives of those they love. Thank you Pastor Bob for this important and timely message. I know of what you speak.
ReplyDeleteSharon, those are bright words for anyone facing dark times. Thank you.
Delete"Depression is not a choice." Thank you for sharing that. I didn't realize depression was something that happened to you much like a car accident, not by choice, until it happened to me.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your personal experience. Vulnerability is the open door to encouragement.
DeleteI'm so glad you wrote about this subject. I also was a victim of the charismatic nonsense of faith healing. The idea that nobody should suffer depression is a trick of Satan to ruin the lives of believers. What helped me out of my depression was leaving a cultic house church. It was the leadership of that errant congregation which drove me to the verge of suicide. My eyes never were healed and I always got the blaim for that. Now I know that God is sovereign and HE decides what happens. Now I want to help others deal with those satanic lies.
ReplyDeleteThank you Bruce for sharing some of your story. You will be a good source of truth and hope for believers. God bless you in your writing.
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ReplyDeleteThank you, thank you, thank you, Pastor Bob. In my family there are two people diagnosed with bipolar and one who has depression with panic attacks. In the past Christians have been so quick to point their fingers at the depressed and tell them it is all a spiritual problem and those relying on medication are weak. A book I found especially helpful was Why Do Christians Shoot Their Wounded? by Phil (?) Carlson, published by Inter-Varsity Press. (It may be out of print now.) What the average person feels when they are depressed is just the starting point for those living with a depressive type of illness. It goes much farther down on Dr. Carlson's helpful chart. May we be understanding with brothers and sister who struggle to feel "normal." A person who discounted the reality of depression being a chemical imbalance was Dr. John McArthur who only saw the spiritual component. I don't know if he has changed his opinion over the years.
ReplyDeleteIf Christians who claim to be suffering from depression could be asked the question--How is your personal relationship with God? How often do you seek intimacy with Him? -- I wonder what they would say. Not all Christians who are active in church and ministry actually have a real intimate connection with God and experience His Presence. Maybe we should start looking at how to help others press in to His Presence daily.
ReplyDelete"In His Presence, there is fullness of joy...."
Thank you for the message Bob. I almost kealed over when I read your words about depression. The reason for my reaction is I thought it would be another super spiritualized homily about not having enough faith, blah, blah, blah. As a former pastor and healthcare chaplain I've pretty well had with pastoral messages on depression or mental illnesses. As a survivor of depression I thank you for your grace, vulnerability and honesty.
ReplyDelete