A couple of different times this week people brought (thanks @justinwise and @witheringfig) this article to my attention, Can ‘Real’ Christians Be Depressed?
And of course, I say EMPHATICALLY YES! (Plus, I’m not really sure what they mean by ‘real’ Christians anyways). By the way, it’s a good article, and I’m glad they wrote it.
If you know me, know my writing, or have seen any of my posts this last week then you know that I think depression is a huge issue, and that it affects all kinds of people, regardless of race, culture, sex, religion, etc. It knows no boundaries and we are all susceptible to it.
It does not matter if one has a strong faith, or a weak faith, depression can strike at anytime. It doesn’t matter if you pray everyday, or pray every once in a while, depression can strike anytime. It doesn’t matter if you go to church, memorize the Bible and do door to door evangelism…yes, depression can strike anytime.
There are plenty of examples in Scripture where God’s people…prophets, kings, disciples were brought to a place of what looks like depression. To places at times where they didn’t even want to go on with life.
I think that we do a disservice to people when we excuse their depression as simply spiritual, or we treat them as if all they need to do is read their Bible more. As I said before, if I have a heart problem, I’m going to go talk with someone who has been trained to know the inner and outer workings of the heart. If I have cancer, I’m going to go see a specialist who knows about cancer. And if I have depression, then I want to talk with someone who takes me seriously and knows how to treat depression.
Does God, the Bible, our spiritual lives, have a role in depression? Sure! They can be all great sources of comfort and encouragement, especially in dark times. And ultimately, if we are Christians, we place our faith, trust and hope in Christ, and that he is the great healer. But I also think God has created us to help one another, and he has gifted many people with certain skills to help people in certain times. So why not in depression then?
Let me get down off my soapbox now and leave you with a quote from the article that I particularly liked.
Depression should be treated and can be put into remission through a course of psychoanalysis, cognitive therapy and/or antidepressant medication, supplemented by healthy doses of prayer within a loving Christian community. It is nonsensical to tell a depressed person that if he only read his Bible more or had better quiet times, his depression would surely be lifted. That would be like telling a diabetic that faith alone will regulate her insulin levels. Faith alone gives eternal salvation, but in the meantime, God has given us resources by which to make our temporal existences more palatable. Depression is certainly healed by the grace of God, sometimes directly and miraculously, but more often through the tools of His servants, like pharmacists, therapists, pastors and friends.
So what do you think?
I agree that just as a body can become sick, so can a soul.
God is glorified when the church helps each other out of difficult times such as depression. One major thing I’ve learned this year is that since the church as the body of Christ, when the church helps each other through rough times, it is in fact God working. I wouldn’t say I was depressed, but could see I was going there. When fellow believers came around me and walked the journey with me, God gave guidance and deliverance.
God is glorified in the redemption of our lives as well as in His gracious power to keep us from landing on hard times.
I agree that just as a body can become sick, so can a soul.
God is glorified when the church helps each other out of difficult times such as depression. One major thing I’ve learned this year is that since the church as the body of Christ, when the church helps each other through rough times, it is in fact God working. I wouldn’t say I was depressed, but could see I was going there. When fellow believers came around me and walked the journey with me, God gave guidance and deliverance.
God is glorified in the redemption of our lives as well as in His gracious power to keep us from landing on hard times.
Sorry, forgot to add great post! Can’t wait to see your next post!
One of the challenges that I think some Christians have with depression is that they view it as a malady of the spirit. It is, in a way, but it is also something that has deep roots in our flesh. That a “spiritual affliction” can be significantly ameliorated with pharmaceuticals just..well..it doesn’t compute for some folks.
Moving away from a dualistic approach to soul and body would help here, but that wholistic vision of our created selves is more than many can embrace.
I think this is a message that so many need to hear. I wonder how many Christians avoid biblical counseling because at their lowest moments, the last thing they want to hear is a professional therapist blaming them for their own feelings of depression or sadness….to have someone add to the burden with “homework”…assignments of more bible reading or more quiet time is something many cannot muster up the energy to even attempt. I can only imagine how discouraging it would be to have someone tell you that you just aren’t trying hard enough or doing the “right” things to be healed. God has gifted so many with the gifts needed to walk alongside those that need help, those that need someone to show them the way to healing and those that need encouragement. I am blessed to be married to one!
Having been through depression and maintaining card carrying status as a “real Christian” (as opposed to an artificial one), I totally affirm you here.
Above, there is a comment that points out that depression is not a fault of a Spirit filled soul, but a consequence of sin present in the world. Granted, those who lived and wrote the Hebrew Testament weren’t “Christians” per se, a quick survey through the Psalms reveals hard times, spiritual struggles, deep depression and strands of faith that weave it all together.