Tip 4: Find hope and contentment within. Depression is not a normal part of growing older, and it should never be taken lightly. But it's encouraging to know that it is possible to overcome depression symptoms and live a happy life. God created a perfect world, but when evil entered, perfection was shattered and the world was never the same. If God Is GodThen Why? - The Foundry Publishing In Psalm 69:1-2, David relates his feelings of despair and distress as being akin to sinking into deep murky waters with no foothold. Give that person a key if you are at the point where you cannot get out of bed. Being able to process trauma and come up with strategies to reduce stressors and cope with difficulties can help people heal from depression. Do you experience low self-worth? But lately it has been such a struggle to even want to get out of bed in the mornings. Depression of some kind darkens the door of most Christians. 2. Seek out people you feel safe with and who can support you without judgment. I just want to testify that much Christian obedience consists in waiting for God to do what we need him to do when the timing seems very slow to us. Help others in their faith journey through discipleship and mentoring. Sorrow. We hope it will remind you that you are not alone as a Christian experiencing depression. Dead, but walking, is one way to describe it. Want to know when we have a new blog post? Write them on a piece of paper. Depression makes it hard to make some of the right Christian choices you might normally. If I Was God - Rotten Tomatoes One thing anyone can do is pray. But if you blame God for not stopping bad things and there is no God in your mind; then you don't believe in Satan's threat to get humans to follow him, nor do you believe in God's final judgment for all who do. My husbands coming home early. When Christians are physically unwell, they visit their doctor. Bringing hope and resources to military families worldwide. All rights reserved. (Avoid emotionally draining movies and music that will feed your negative thoughts.). Weve collected some of our best resources on the topic of depression, as well as a few others from around the web. When my depression tried to tell me I was alone and unloved, there was a physical reminder that that was not true. No one should try to guilt or shame you for not being able to do what you would normally do as your Christian service. God is faithful. Explore resources to help you live out your life and relationships in a way that honors God. Its part of being human. Despite month after month of debilitating depression, William Cowpers poetry reflected the sustaining character of God and led him to worship more deeply. Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.. Depression can make it very difficult to accomplish the tasks of day-to-day life, including ministry. If we were sitting together, Id probably ask you about sleep habits and exercise habits and eating and so on. This is so plain in Hebrews 12:6. If God, Why Evil?: A New Way to Think About the Question This takes omnipotent divine power to sustain Christians through times of testing. Hang in there. When they got home, his mother threw the medication sample in the trash and said that depression was not real. Physical illness is also frequently triggered by stressors and negative environmental factors. Christina Fox has battled depression on and off since adolescence, beginning with one difficult year when her grandmother passed away, she switched schools, and lost several close friendships. Could you imagine walking without any feeling in your legs? I just could not go through the motions anymore. Even in Jesus day, people were eager to ascribe blame for illness and disability, but He challenged their assumptions. Every day, l wait with hopeful expectation for deliverance (Micah 7:7). For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. I felt like I was dying inside. Though depression, like many medical conditions, may be a lifelong struggle, people often learn to cope well with resources like counseling and medication. The Christ who bought you will not abandon you in the dark. Here are a few suggestions of Bible passages you can read. Spiritual depression might also develop when you have less time for God and your usual religious activities, such as prayer, Bible study, or worship and other church participation. Connecting with a healthcare professional is typically the best option when any symptoms, including feelings of depression or concerns about spirituality, begin to affect: Reconnecting with your faith and strengthening your relationship with God may help resolve spiritual unease. 3 Ways to Care for Your Depressed Friend, How Do I Help Others Understand Depression & Anxiety?, Anxiety: Why I Cant Give You Simple Help. difficulty concentrating. Well go over types of depression and how to recognize. Do you struggle with shame? We see this in John 9:1-3 (New Living Translation). Your mind tells you, Everyone will be better off without me. Why must I wander around in grief, oppressed by my enemies? (Psalm 42:9, NLT). If youre experiencing spiritual depression, your religious leader might encourage a similar remedy: prayer or seeking Christ. She came to Him and asked, Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Since then, Ive started to turn my focus away from myself and ask: Is there someone around me with depression whom l can be a testimony and friend to? But its also important to forgive yourself, and learning from your mistake can play a significant role here. We pray they will be Gods means of bringing his light into your darkness, his hope into your despair. - Quora Answer (1 of 13): You cannot expect a being that may or may not exist to be responsible for your mental health Lets say there is a god, (I am not disrespecting your religion, you are entitled to believe) do you expect this god to make every single person on this planet happy and never feel depre. Not only can depression make you question God or feel distant from Him, but it can also make navigating Christian community more difficult. Here are eight questions to ask yourself as you transition home. I mentioned it because Colossians 1:11 has often amazed me. If you get a cold or suffer from back pain or any physical illness, does anyone ever tell you that youre being sinful or failing to trust God because you are in pain? I will never abandon you. (Hebrews 13:5, NLT), I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from Gods love. Jesus is God the Son, and He is certainly loved by his heavenly Father. All the same, you can absolutely work to overcome spiritual depression even when you arent sure of the cause. In this podcast, Russell Moore is joined by the CCEFs David Powlison for a helpful conversation on the subject. As you put one foot in front of the other, dont forget that depression doesnt exempt you from the other problems that plague human beings. Everyone errs, or makes mistakes, on occasion. I have gone through difficult times with my surviving children, grand-children, my family being ripped apart, mean and hateful family members and so-called friends of all beliefs, financial problems, bad health issues, on and on.When Jesus asked the remaining disciples would they leave him like those who had recently walked away, they said, Lord, where else would we go? Until you feel that way about him, you are not yet feeling how much he adores you, and yearns to help you draw closer to him. These can point to anger. https://ymi.today/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/If-God-Is-With-Me-Why-Do-I-Feel-Depressed.jpg, https://ymi.today/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/ymi-logo-black-3.png. Internship opportunities with Cru's ministries. He will glorify Me because it is from Me that He will receive what He will make known to you. They dont put their hope in people or medicine but in the Lord. Yet certain mistakes can linger in your memory even when you try to move forward. This uncertainty, no matter its cause, can leave you feeling distanced from God, even forsaken. God bless you! At that moment, God gave me the assurance that He would still love me and have a purpose for my life. When you see pain and suffering around you, either in your immediate life or other parts of the world, you might begin to question why God puts people through grief, misery, and distress. Sadly, my friend needlessly suffered from depression for years and even despaired of life itself. How long will it take before it is effective? When you or the people around you do not understand the reality of depression, it makes seeking help more difficult. Sadly, Ive had a friend and a teacher who suffered from bipolar disorder die from suicide. This is so discouraging because I moved many miles so that I could come to this school. A good therapist will let you know if they dont think theyre a good fit and they may be able to recommend a colleague who, Talk to your faith leader about depression symptoms. But there are many effective treatments available that can help you manage your symptoms. Spiritual depression generally refers to a loss of spiritual vitality and joy. If you are able, go to places where you can receive support and encouragement, like a church small group or a family gathering. I (Mary) find myself in tears whenever I hear people say they want to kill themselves because Ive been there. It will involve lots of moment by moment choices: 1) take one minute at a time, 2) read one short Bible passage, 3) try to care about someone else, 4) ask someone how they are doing, and so on. Depression helped me understand the value of ministry and of helping people start a relationship with God in a new way. When we add to that the hope, purpose, power, and comfort we find in Christ, depressed people can usually anticipate a ray of hope or a lifting of their spirits. Love, for you, must become an active commitment to patience and kindness. And of course, taking steps to find solutions to your problems is never a bad way forward. So many things about your life are difficult right now. He has blessed me with kind doctors, provided financial provision, and enabled me to write productively, for which l am truly grateful. Depression: God Is Not Silent When We Suffer - FamilyLife It does mean getting the help we need, battling depression rather than giving in to it. But more important than any of that is God himself. How to Pray When You're Feeling Depressed | Crossway Articles Many a night, l have lain awake and cried out to God in distress for healing. Physical pain, you think, would be much betterat least the pain would be localized. When you are guilty you feel dirty because of what you did; but with shame you feel dirty because of what somebody did to you. It would be impossible. October 17, 2017 0 8084 Today, we can often hear people saying: I am depressed, feel stressed and sad. But these are some helpful things to remember if you are a Christian walking through depression or if you know someone who is. How can someone live without feelings? And on the cross, He experienced separation from God in its fullness. Im probably too weak but it is what it is. Some factors that contribute to depression include: Brain chemistry: The "chemistry" of depression is not well understood, but researchers do know that an imbalance of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters can happen in anyone, even in the absence of an obvious "trigger. 2 . When the Darkness Will Not Lift: Doing What We Can While We Wait for God and Joy, Pastor John unfolds hope, security, and satisfaction in Psalm 73, God is there with you in the depression.. Copyright 2010 by the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation. The sermon also draws on Martin Lloyd-Joness classic book by the same title, Spiritual Depression. You might then begin to explore possible ways to address them. God has said, I will never fail you. John Piper is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. Is Laziness a Symptom of Depression? | Psych Central God is a tender Rock! My flesh and my heart may fail, The world has its own visions of manly strength. Id cry. Are there parts of your life you want to avoid? You feel numb. Variation: If you feel depressed, its because you have unconfessed sin. He knew the crisis they were about to go through. You can do this with the Lords help. But no matter what anyone says, having a relationship with God is not about what you can do for God. Depression plays tricks with your thoughts and emotions. WarungSaTeKaMu (Bahasa Indonesia) (Matthew 22:37-39, 1 Corinthians 6:20,2 Corinthians 5:15, Galatians 5:6), Learn about persevering and enduring. Using verbal reminders or a daily journal, you might try: Its not unusual to feel haunted by past mistakes, especially if youve caused someone pain. In this world you will have trouble. Why Am I Always Depressed? How To Be Happy Again Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Whenever l experience mental turmoil, I speak aloud the Bible verses that correspond to my situation: During bouts of fear, l speak Isaiah 41:10; when l am overwhelmed, l speak Isaiah 26:3; and when l feel myself sinking into the murky depths of mental darkness, l recall Psalm 40:1-3. (Psalm 73:26). Most family physicians are qualified to prescribe appropriate medications. Sadly, some Christians can be very judgmental about mental illness, but that is not a biblical response. Though this season is challenging, I believe in the goodness of God and His healing. Use the Psalms to help you find words to talk to God about your heart. View our top Cru resources in more than 20 languages. Radical dependence on God is crucial not only for surviving depression but also for ministry and leadership. This is the first and only book I have read on depression written for Christians. Am I going crazy? Take my life. (1 Kings 19:4, NLT), O God my rock, I cry, Why have You forgotten me? Depression also gave me eternal perspective. God hasnt promised to explain everything about what He does and what He allows. Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Learn more about agitated depression, including its symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and more. That said, depression goes beyond feeling low on occasion. Used by permission. I think I might be having depression myself right now. Mustard Seed (Thai), Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible,New International Version NIV If we know anything about God, we know that He comes close to those who suffer, so keep your eyes open for Him. He wept for us. During my sophomore year of college, I (Elizabeth) met with a group of friends every evening to pray. Use your hobbies and interests to find the best place for you to serve.