Lately we hear so much about this that it's easy to think that if we're feeling depressed there is something wrong with us. While it's true that God doesn't want us to live this way, it's also true that depression is NOT a sin. Of course, we may have made some bad decisions in the past that led us away from God, the results of which we're still feeling and experiencing today, but this doesn't mean we are far away from Him now.
For me it was being with an abusive ex then working in the porn and Tarot industries. While these were dumb decisions on my part, I know for a fact God has forgiven me. This doesn't mean that I'm not feeling depressed now though. In fact, I am. I haven't asked to be this way and I have asked God for His healing, but sometimes we must understand that the way God works is not the way we expect Him to work. I believe that sometimes God chooses to bring us through a season in our lives to help us grow in Him.
What do I mean by this?
Well, what you choose to do when you're feeling depressed often dictates its outcome. Now I'm not saying that you shouldn't get extra rest and just practice stillness. What I am saying is that also during that time you need to pray and read your Bible more even though you might not feel like doing so.
These are words that I'm preaching to myself right now. I'm hoping that by sharing these things with you I can encourage us both to hang in there. Obviously there's a lot of craziness in our world today. It's bound to effect each and every one of us and it's bound to do so differently since no two people are the same. However, we must trust a few things:
- God is there for us.
- God will bring us triumphantly through to the other side.
- God will grow us in Him as we go through this process.
So, we just need to hang in there and keep the faith. Don't let anyone tell you that because you're feeling depressed or anxious you're straying away from God. Instead, stay the course, stay strong and watch as God brings you through this into a deeper relationship with Him. This is what I'm trusting for myself today and I pray that you'll trust it for yourself as well.
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Great post. I too suffer from depression. It took alot of work to get to the faith over fear. I still live with fear that I won't be able to control it and it will come back. But I pray God gives me insight into myself so I can be aware. Great post. Amanda from 10k challenge.
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by Amanda! This faith over fear thing is bombarding us today and while we know that our faith teaches it, sometimes people need to understand that our brains are different and it's not our fault. God bless you in your journey.
DeleteYes, Yes, Yes!!! I love this post. So many people deal with and struggle with depression. For me, it came with a chronic disease. In the beginning it pushed me further away from God, but after months and months of fighting Him, and cursing Him for what I was dealing with; one day I was suddenly struck with an overwhelming comfort that could only have been from God. That one moment changed everything. It changed my perspective. Depression is a symptom of my disease, it literally messes with my neurological functions. I have learned that holding closer to God and trusting Him wholly, will get me through every depression spell I endure, in fact putting my trust in Him pulls me out so much faster.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your testimony. I have so many people try to tell me that depression is wrong/sinful. I can't help that I've been made this way. Paul himself says he had a thorn in his flesh. While he never did say what it was, I have to wonder if it was a mental health issue that he was wrestling with. Stay strong!
DeleteHey its Morgan-Allison from blackgrilnavigating.com as someone who also deals with depression and anxiety while also being a Christian, as thoughts run in my mind I often feel as if God has forsaken me. Which I know is not the case. At all! But I also know how hard it can be to remember that in the midst of a depressed season.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing and diving into transparency!
I was just commenting to my daughter how when you have PTSD, which I do, your brain is "reformatted" so it looks different from other people's brains. Just because I'm unique doesn't mean God loves me any less. In fact, God has made each of us unique. Yes, it's hard to remember God hasn't forsaken you but hang in there sister... He's got you!
DeleteI love this! Nothing makes you feel worse, as a Christian, than being condemned for being depressed. We don't condemn diabetics for having diabetes. And depression is, very much so, a chemical imbalance. Do I believe God can heal us of our depression? Most definitely, he can heal us of anything and everything. However, sometimes the lessons we learn from having to live with whatever mental or physical ailment supersede being "holier" by not being depressed, or by pretending to not be depressed.
ReplyDeleteAdditionally, can we remember Job? Talk about a depressed man! But God loved him and took care of him!
Not only the condemnation of depression but also the condemnation for needing medicine to help you. Even though both diabetes and depression are both chemical imbalances (I have both so I should know lol) some churches are hard on both when in reality you need help not more damage being done to you. Living with these things, we need support. I know I'm learning a lot through my journey and the biggest one you said yourself... "But God!" Thanks for understanding just how real the struggle is!
DeleteBrenda, I agree with you that depression is not a sin. It is a result of how we are struggling over something from our past, present or future. King David dealt with moments of depression but called out to God to help him through it. Occasionally it was a result of sin in his life but often it was from something he had no control over.
ReplyDeleteIt's great to see people in the Bible who've had depression. I always forget about King David but always remember Paul's "thorn in the flesh" lol
DeleteThis is Kathy from Bluestarblogger. My story is one filled with trauma and abuse to the extreme, therefore suffered with depression, alcoholism and most definately PTSD. After a total of living 2 years in a Christian recovery program for women, I was finally able to unlearn all the lies that had been fed into me, relearn who Kathy really was, and accept that I was nothing like what I had been told; I was in fact and amazing woman. When I get flashbacks, I talk myself through them. I describe my "Queen Wave" in my book Dream Big. Thanks for your post inspiring people to keep the faith and not lose sight of God. Without God in my life, I would be dead. I am grateful for everthing and especially this new connection!
ReplyDeleteI'll have to check out your book. In all honesty, it's what you do with your depression that matters. Sometimes it becomes a sin, other times it can become your testimony. I am glad to hear you're doing better and it seems to have become a part of your testimony.
DeleteYou are so right to say depression is not a sin. Depression is the result of biological changes in the brain. Trauma, such as you experienced, can bring on a lot of feelings and thoughts of low esteem. Don't believe them! Satan lies to us all the time but we don't have to listen to him. You are right to keep in the Word and to pray. God is with you.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I wish more churches understood this. It's definitely a real battle, one I'm especially feeling today. Just trying to hold on... Thanks for the encouragement!
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