- Original picture by K. Mitch Hodge from Unsplash
The challenge of Depression
"The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
The purpose of this article is to consider depression in the context of
Bible teaching, and the conflicts that might arise in the mind of anyone
who is trying to follow Christ and who struggles with depression. All
Bible quotations are taken from the New International Version except
where noted in the text.
I am aware that suffering from depression is an individual experience,
and this is very much an overview of this difficult and
debilitating illness, and cannot fully explore all the intricacies and
personal experiences that the readers may have had or may continue to live with.
Are we meant to be happy?
Are we as human beings meant to be happy?
How do we know we are happy?
Is the desire to be happy like a hunger that can never be satisfied?
It is something that our human nature continually strives after isn't it −
happiness and fulfilment in our lives?
Is it achievable? Does God want us to be happy? The Psalms and the Book
of Proverbs are full of encouragement to serve God and be happy. Here is
one example:
"Happy is that people, whose God is the LORD."
That is happiness connected to
serving God, but what of a life
without God?
We perhaps think of Solomon's life, and his evaluation of striving after
happiness recorded in the book of Ecclesiastes. He was a man that had
been given everything this world could offer, but still his human
nature was not satisfied. He realised that without God in your life everything
is ultimately meaningless.
But is depression just a state of not being happy? We can all, I would
suggest, experience times in our lives when we might describe ourselves as
feeling low in mood or sad. Maybe this is related to a recent bereavement
or difficult life event, or even listening to the news of another
problem in the world. But these things are different for the person
who suffers from depression. It goes beyond what could be seen as a
natural sadness or response; feelings of being low can become more
entrenched, more out of control and difficult to overcome. They can
become a long-term state of being, and are not always caused or
triggered by an obvious event, which makes it even harder for others to
understand.
The reasons for depression As science, and in particular
Psychiatry, has advanced, chemical deficiencies such as the reduced
levels of Serotonin (a chemical within the brain affecting and moderating
the mood – see below) have been highlighted as biological causes of
depression. Therefore what might have been perceived as a weakness of
character, is now seen as a medical condition. In other words it is not a
choice, it's an illness.
Recent statistics in England (MIND - Mental Health Charity 2020) show
that in any given week, one in six people will be experiencing symptoms
of depression and/or anxiety.
Living in this world is tough going for many. Depression affects all ages and
can lead to many problems such as lack of sleep, reduced appetite and
weight loss, no motivation, lack of self-confidence and lack of enjoyment
of events. This can lead to social isolation, no sense of a positive
future and, sadly, in extreme cases, dwelling and acting on suicidal thoughts.
Depression then is an illness, invisible to the eye, but can be as
debilitating as any physical illness. Depression can affect the sufferer in
many ways and is not easy for others to understand. Statements such as
"pull yourself together", "just cheer up", "what have you got to be sad
about?" are some of the misguided comments made.
Depression is not a new phenomenon related to twenty-first century life. In
Bible times there were many who struggled with depression and all
that goes with it. The word depression is not specifically used in the
Bible, but we can find many examples of individuals experiencing symptoms
that psychiatry today would say indicate a depressed state of mind.
Some Bible scholars suggest that Solomon, at the end of his days, had
become depressed at the realisation that all was meaningless. This comes
across in the writings and reflections recorded in the Book of Ecclesiastes
of a life without hope. The Proverbs of Solomon also describe the experience
of a depressed state of mind:
"A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken."
We think of David and his poetic expressions recorded in the Psalms; a
window into his state of mind during periods in his life when he was in despair:
"My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, 'Where is your God?' Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Saviour and my God."
We also think of Job, who endured great losses and hardships, perhaps
more than most people could bear. This is how he described his state of mind:
"Why is light given to those in misery, and life to the bitter of soul, to those who long for death that does not come, who search for it more than for hidden treasure ... I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil."
Should a Christian be depressed?
If we as Christians struggle with depression, does that mean our faith
is weak? Believers are not immune to the illnesses in the world, for we
know that from the beginning of time, mankind (because of sin) was
warned that life would be difficult, full of hardships and pain, with a
bleak future without the intervention of God and the redemptive work of
His Son Jesus.
For a believer in God to admit that they are depressed may worsen their
feelings of not being good enough. They may fear they will be viewed as
having a weak faith, not being able to hold on to the hope of the Bible. They
may feel that they have let God down and all is lost. Maybe they feel their
sins are too great, and become so focussed on their deficits that they
can't hear the message of God's Word, that of forgiveness and grace.
And what of those who look upon the depressed person and see it as
perhaps attention seeking − "what have they got to be depressed about?"
- words that we might expect from the harsh world in which we live, but
not we would hope from the lips of someone who is trying to follow in
the footsteps of Jesus. His example teaches us to come alongside those
who are struggling and offer comfort, strength and support.
Relief, support and comfort
The world's doctors offer medications in an attempt to relieve the
symptoms of depression. Therapists offer talking therapies to listen and
interpret and to try and understand the complexities of human life,
relationships and disappointments that can lead to a despondent state.
- The great fortress of Aleppo in Syria
- Picture from Tunart/istock
Self-help books line the shelves of book shops and, for many, these
supports and treatments are helpful. More importantly, the Bible tells us
that we can turn to God to help us, to endure and manage our suffering.
God's care for His people is demonstrated in these words of the Old
Testament Prophet Isaiah:
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
In the New Testament, the Apostle
Paul wrote to the believers at
Corinth:
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God."
The English word "comfort" in this passage is derived from the Latin
word "fortis" (as in fort or fortress – see below) meaning to strengthen or
make strong. Therefore, the comfort we can receive from God can give us
courage to face the trials of this life. The Prophet Isaiah foretold hundreds
of years earlier, that Jesus was "a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering"
not only through what he experienced but also we are told:
"... he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows"
Therefore he understands the mind and the thought processes that go with being
depressed. So although the sufferer may feel alone, they can have Jesus
beside them. True believers can be assured by his words:
"I have told you these things, so that you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
The teaching of Jesus tells us "do not worry", and we can read his words in
the Sermon on the Mount, where he encourages us to seek God and His
coming kingdom, rather than get caught up in the worries of this life
which can lead to depression (read Matthew 6:25-34).
This is a challenge for us and not easy to achieve, but we are encouraged to
come to God through prayer and read His Word to help put our lives in
perspective. We are reassured that at the darkest times in our lives God is
ready to offer us repose:
"God is light; and in him there is no darkness at all"
Depression as a trial − to make your faith stronger or weaker?
The Bible tells us that God sends us trials to shape our characters, to
change us, to steer us on another route, but never to break us:
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance."
And if we can persevere despite our trials, James tells us:
"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."
The certainty of God in an uncertain world
Therefore, in our darkest times, we have to try harder to remember this
and to come closer to God, for we are told that if we come close to God, he
will come close to us (James 4:8).
Paul encouraged the believers at Philippi, who were suffering
persecution for their faith, to pray to God:
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
We may be enduring many hardships as the world spirals downwards into
one crisis after another. There is no perfect happiness to be found in this
current world, but we are encouraged to put our faith and hope in God and
the certainty of His promises. We read in Isaiah:
"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD for ever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal"
We have the example of His Son Jesus to follow, and to place our hope in the
promise of his return:
"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure ..."
A world without depression
The true followers of Jesus can look forward to a time and place promised
in the Bible, where we are told that ultimately there will be no illness
either physical or mental. This is the real message of the Bible, the goal of
every true believer, not the hopeless future that this world offers. The
Apostle John received visions and a message from Jesus, and recorded in
the last book of the Bible what he saw and heard:
"And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away"
The Bible message gives us good reason to respond to Christ, to
become associated with him, and the salvation made possible by his death
and resurrection, and by our faithful answer to the call to be baptised into
his saving name.
Author Richard West
Country Norfolk, UK
Source Light on a New World reprint from Volume 32.1
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