Christians who find themselves having depression can find the unmerited favour of God in His closeness, and in the care of His people, shares a writer.
Wendy Wong
Christians who find themselves having depression can find the unmerited favour of God in His closeness, and in the care of His people, shares a writer.
Wendy Wong
I never thought that I would have depression. It seemed like something only strangers had. Even when a close friend of mine struggled with depression a few years ago, I couldn’t relate to what she was going through. I just thought of it as a really low period some people had and would eventually get out of, if only they tried hard enough.
Depression was a faraway concept, and “depressed” was a word I used casually when I felt particularly sad. I didn’t understand depression—until it happened to me.
There is nothing wrong with what you’re feeling
There is nothing wrong with what you’re feeling
There’s so much stigma surrounding mental disorders that when I first started feeling this way, I felt confused and guilty. Weren’t Christians supposed to be happy all the time? If I had depression, did that mean I was doing something wrong? Was having depression some sort of sin?
An article I came across in Christianity Today said:
“While spiritual problems—like habitual or unconfessed sin, lack of faith, or, in rare cases, demonic attack—certainly can trigger depression, those things are often the result of depression, not the cause.”
Don’t beat yourself up for having depression, because it is not your fault. What you’re going through is a mental illness that could stem from a myriad of potential causes, such as genetic vulnerability, significant life events, personal problems, or illnesses. Just as you wouldn’t blame spiritual problems for a fever or a broken leg, you shouldn’t automatically assume the same for depression or any other mental illness.
In my case, my depression was triggered by a particular experience I had undergone.
However, if you do think that your depression may have spiritual causes, talk to your pastor or Christian counsellor.
Trust that God is always with you and for you
Trust that God is always with you and for you
There were many nights when I felt utterly alone and wretched. There were many occasions when the sadness felt too heavy for my shoulders to bear, and fleeting thoughts of death would cross my mind. I felt like I was wasting away, like my life had been drained of all colour and that there was nothing else for me to cling onto.
Then, one Sunday, the preacher at my church wrapped up his sermon with one sentence which has stuck in my head since, and which has given me much comfort: God is with us and is for us.
Even though you may feel that everything is meaningless right now, remember that God is, has been, and always will be sovereign, omniscient, powerful, gracious, merciful, loving, kind, and good.
Depression cannot separate you from the love of God, even if you feel numb to it (Romans 8:38-39). Though the nights are long and filled with mourning, remember that joy comes with the morning (Psalm 30:5). He is the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction (2 Corinthians 1:3).
He is on your side in this battle. He sustains and strengthens you. All you need to do is to call upon His name and cling onto Him.
And one way of remembering these precious truths of God is by reminding yourself of them daily—and even more so as you battle with thoughts and feelings of depression.
He is on your side in this battle. He sustains and strengthens you. All you need to do is to call upon His name and cling onto Him.
And one way of remembering these precious truths of God is by reminding yourself of them daily—and even more so as you battle with thoughts and feelings of depression.
Turn to Him in prayer, worship, and word
Turn to Him in prayer, worship, and word
It can be difficult to turn to God, especially when the weight of depression weighs so heavily upon you that opening the Bible or even uttering a prayer feels like a chore. I know, because I felt that way—and sometimes still do.
My mistake was to turn to other lesser means of comforting myself, which would only numb me temporarily without actually filling the aching hole in my heart.
Yet God does wonders with us when we choose to turn to Him. His Word has comforted me greatly in this season—especially the Psalms, which I used to find boring.
It can be difficult to turn to God, especially when the weight of depression weighs so heavily upon you that opening the Bible or even uttering a prayer feels like a chore. I know, because I felt that way—and sometimes still do.
My mistake was to turn to other lesser means of comforting myself, which would only numb me temporarily without actually filling the aching hole in my heart.
Yet God does wonders with us when we choose to turn to Him. His Word has comforted me greatly in this season—especially the Psalms, which I used to find boring.
But now, in the midst of my tears, I can finally empathise with the psalmists who wrote them when they were in great anguish and even on the brink of death. There are many psalms which tell of the psalmists’ suffering and hurt, of turning their eyes to God, of remembering His faithfulness and steadfast love, and of being delivered by His mighty Hand (Psalm 23, 30, 31, 62, 143).
I wrote down verses which God used to speak into my heart peace that surpassed all understanding, and would take them out and read them aloud to myself when I felt the shadows of depression looming. I also listened to worship songs which centred on Christ’s character as my cornerstone.
It can take effort to look outwards and upwards at God.
Tell someone who can help
Tell someone who can help
At first I couldn’t articulate exactly what I was feeling or going through. All I knew was that I was inexplicably crying, almost mourning, over a deep sadness that wasn’t going away. I had always been close to my family, especially my parents, but I found that I couldn’t and didn’t know how to tell them what was happening to me.
I reached out and told my close friends, a mentor from church, and my aunt, many of whom prayed along with me. At times when I was taking things badly, God used these sisters to share with me Bible verses, a song, or words of encouragement which I really needed to hear at that time.
Finally, I began to see a Christian counsellor. She helped me to work through issues which may have triggered my depression.
It’s important to reach out to trusted friends and relatives who can support you in your time of need. If necessary, you may also want to consider seeing a Christian counsellor or a doctor if your depression persists. I know how scary it can be to tell your loved ones, and to take that step to speak to a professional, but I’m so grateful that I did. Because without their support, I know that I would still be in a very bad place.
In God’s goodness and faithfulness, He lifted the fog of my depression, little by little.
In this difficult and dark season, He was my light, my strength and my song.
He placed people in my life who showed me the love of Christ through their encouragement, support, and prayers.
In God’s goodness and faithfulness, He lifted the fog of my depression, little by little.
In this difficult and dark season, He was my light, my strength and my song.
He placed people in my life who showed me the love of Christ through their encouragement, support, and prayers.
Most importantly, in the process He gave me a sweeter and deeper appreciation of who He is, and gently reminded me that “in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
For that, I give Him thanks.
I want you to know that you are not and never will be alone. You are loved as a child of God, and your Heavenly Father has been, is, and will be with you always. Rest and be still in His love, dear brother and sister.
Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom;
your right hand will hold me fast.
If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,”
even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
—Psalm 139:7-12
Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom;
your right hand will hold me fast.
If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,”
even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
—Psalm 139:7-12
This article was originally published on ymi.today.
This article was originally published on ymi.today
Wendy is a writer, wife, and mother. She was a TV journalist and radio producer once upon a time, but has since traded in the newsroom for the quiet joys of family life. She hopes to grow as a daughter of God, and to glorify Him through her life and words. Her perfect day includes peanut butter, time with Jesus, and a good cuddle with her family.
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