According to the website GotQuestions.org: “Depression is a widespread condition, affecting millions of people, Christians and non-Christians alike. Those suffering from depression can experience intense feelings of sadness, anger, hopelessness, fatigue, and a variety of other symptoms. They may begin to feel useless and even suicidal, losing interest in things and people that they once enjoyed. Depression is often triggered by life circumstances, such as a loss of job, death of a loved one, divorce, or psychological problems such as abuse or low self-esteem.”1
The above description of depression is often termed situational depression. This type of depression is different from clinical depression which is a physical condition which must be diagnosed by a doctor; and often needs medication to alleviate its symptoms. In this devotion we will first address situational depression and then clinical depression.
Situational Depression
Sadly, in our American society today, tens of millions suffer from this type of depression and even worse millions of these individuals take powerful antidepressant medications to try to cure their condition. Medications for those suffering from situational depression may offer some help but the real cure is found in our old friend the Bible. (Philippians 4:4) is the finest medicine for a depressed spirit: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice!” This coupled with the advice found in (Isaiah 61:3) where we are told to put on: “…the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness…” can do wonders for those suffering with situational depression.
Rejoicing in God’s goodness and praising God in all circumstances is so powerful because it takes the focus off ourselves and our feelings of depression and places our attention on Jesus who is our great burden bearer. While this isn’t easy for someone going through depression if, however, we stay absorbed in ourselves we will never defeat our depression. While having a joyful heart and a praising attitude won’t lift depression instantly, when we cast our burdens on Jesus and focus on Him we can be confident He will help us defeat this debilitating condition. Just listen to these words of ultimate comfort from our Savior: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30).
Our fallen sin nature is flawed in so many ways that to attempt to defeat depression with our flesh is indeed a daunting task. But letting Jesus come along side of us will make a world of difference. Add to this Bible reading, prayer, Christian fellowship, and godly counsel and watch your depression fade away. (Psalm 42:11) tells those who suffer from situational depression that God has your back: “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”
Clinical Depression
This type of depression is a physical condition that needs to be treated with medication in most cases. I know about clinical depression because back in 2004 I was diagnosed with it. I had all the classic signs (couldn’t sleep, couldn’t concentrate, extreme lack of appetite and weight loss, and total lack of interest in almost everything) and no matter how I tried I couldn’t change my situation. I prayed, read my Bible (although I had no desire to read it) but to no avail. I finally agreed to take medication but it took almost 15 months and seven or eight different regiments of medications before I finally found the right combination that totally lifted my depression. I have been depression free for almost 14 years now thanks to a combination of an antidepressant and a mood stabilizer that I take once a day.
When I asked my doctor why I couldn’t solve my depression problem on my own he told me that I had a chemical imbalance in my brain that will power and even prayer in most cases can’t cure. The role of the medication, he said, was to help restore my brain chemistry back to normal. I thank God for these medications for without them I don’t know what would have happened to me.
As Christians we must be careful to distinguish between these two types of depression since the cures are often different. When the depression is clinical prayer and Bible reading are in order, just like with situational depression, but medication in most cases is also needed.
While some Christians frown on taking medication for depression they forget that medication is from the Lord and is one of four ways that God heals. These four ways include natural healing, psychosomatic healing, medical healing, and miraculous healing. Natural healing is when you get a cut and your body forms a clot, without you having to do anything. God builds this wonderful healing provision into our bodies. Psychosomatic healing is when you think the right way. Correct thinking can heal a lot of physical conditions that stress and negative emotions can cause. Right thinking can reverse many of these aliments. Medical healing is when God gives special wisdom to doctors to use medicines and surgeries to help us overcome many sicknesses. And then of course there is miraculous healing when God does a medical miracle. But the exciting thing about these four types of healing is that they are all from the Lord.
In conclusion thanks to the wisdom found in God’s word most depression, which is situational in nature, can be cured by following the timeless advice found in the Scriptures. For those cases of depression, that are clinical in nature, getting the right medications, which are ultimately from the Lord, can also prove very effective. And remember in both types of depression you should always seek godly counsel along with medical advice.
1 What does the Bible say about depression? How can a Christian overcome depression? | GotQuestions.org