christians and antidepressants

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Permalink Reply by Janet on February 13, 2008 at 12:28pm

hello again Moomnis. I just came across this ....


"And when He had called unto Him His twelve disciples,
He gave them power against unclean spirits,
to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of diseases."
Matthew 10:1

I am still doing some research on this.. thank you.

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Permalink Reply by Lynnie on February 13, 2008 at 5:52pm

Janet I know what is going on Jesus is Lord over anything that we as Christians go through. I know what you mean when you say it is'nt demons.
The christiAN has a 3 part being, spirit, soul, and body... spirit is your heart.... soul is your mind will and emotions.
The serotonin is something your body is lacking. The system of how our minds and life coexist with God and the devil is a truth but the devil has no power in a Christian's salvation. Paul said he is convinced that niether Life , nor death, powers or principalities or dominions , and man cant seperate us from the love of the father. Deppression is a very hard thing to deal with and I recomend regular church attendence and finding local friends to talk to " Christians" that can help you.
I also have to say that America is one of the biggest places that have all kinds of answers some that may not be worth finding especially in TV. We as Christians have a tendency to know the differnce sometimes.
Imagin what the people in Africa do if they have no pills to take cause thier extreme deppression without food and and bodily needs.
Really, I dont mean to sound like a mom saying eat what is on your plate but it is true. They probably hallucinate and see big pieces of food and it isnt there.
But that is a different story. To look for freedom from every day turmoils in life can come from medication It helped me extremely but I wanted free so bad cause I had peoplekeep telling me I could do it. and nobody has the right to tell you to quit taking those medicinc. Especially if your doctor told you to. Take car and I hope you have a lovely evening. God Loves you. If you are born again you are saved so rejoice!
God loves the ones he calls his and noone is able to snatch them out of his hands. Yes He plays big plans more then our simple eyes can see and alot more then our bruised hearts can feel.

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Permalink Reply by Moomins on April 27, 2008 at 5:10am

Brad, with all due respect, there are ways of determining whether or not someone has a mental illness and drugs are not being used like candy. Patients are given drugs and therapy to aid their recoveries, the drugs are used over a longer period of time to help prevent relapse.
I have difficulty in understanding Christians' attitude towards anti-depressant medication, an awful lot of Christians think depression is some kind of demon, just because its a disease of the mind and is not visable like a broken leg or an open wound. Depression, like any other ailment can be treated and controlled with the correct medication, God gave us the gift of medicine, we can be healed through Him, through medicine and through love.

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Permalink Reply by Janet on February 12, 2008 at 7:15pm

Depression .. can be so debiliatating .. but I have found that through Jesus there is healing. I myself don't believe in drugs.. cause that only covers it.. Jesus needs to get to the root. Just my personal opinion. The spirit of depression can also be linked to the spirit of murder or suicide. Yes I believe that depression is a demon.

Hope noone takes offense to this.

God bless you all in Jesus.

Janet

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Permalink Reply by Dave on February 18, 2008 at 6:45pm

I also believe that their is devine healing in the hands of the Lord.... BUT as we are all sinners and allow sin to come into our lives, he will hold back some of his mercy and grace. He will not allow sin to come into his presence.
The only way out is to turn away from sin, repent, and forgive yourself of it all... and he will heal us!
Until we do that completely, we must rely on the other forms of blessings that God has placed in this world. Advancements in medications to deal with the depression is one of those things. If it where not for my regular taking of these medications i would not be alive today. So I thank GOD that he has placed the knowledge upon mankind to create chemicals which allow a true illness to be treated, until we find the ultimate cure in him.
Just as when I dislocated my sholder, and tore things in there away from the bone, which required surgery. I believe that God blessed the surgon, to have the knowledge to reattach these things to the bone, leaving what are now three almost invisible scars. He blessed the Physical therapy workers who helped me recover so much of my movement and strength in that arm, that they kicked me out of therapy.
So until we are pure of heart enough, God may hold back some blessing. He does not allow sin in his presence, but he allows the Holy spirit to still guide us. Until the devine healing, we MUST make use of the other things he placed here for us!

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Permalink Reply by Erin K on April 25, 2008 at 11:00pm

No. Absolutely NOT.
Depression is a medical disease, a chemical imbalance. It does not stem from a lack of faith. Otherwise, society would be pretty gloomy in this day and age, wouldn't it? I have suffered from severe depression and suicidal thoughts for a while now. I'm getting help, and am not ashamed for taking antidepressants. As a matter of fact, I'm proud that I managed to speak up and get the treatment I need to be healthy again.
Do what YOU feel is best, not what others think. This is your life, and God will help you through it, I'm sure, no matter which way you go. Good luck!

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Permalink Reply by Mandy on April 26, 2008 at 12:17pm

Jack thank you for leading us to Jesus. You truly love your Christian Brothers and Sisters. I am so rejoiceful that the Lord helped you through your hard times of suffering. I pray that the others will begin the slow process of healing. If you are deficient in a neurotransmitter that play a key part in depression; then yes the Lore blessed the medical profession with the ability to make these in the form of anti-depressants. Many people can come to a better understanding through counseling and working through their issues. I pray for all who suffer this. It is very emotionally painful. as well as for your family and friends to watch you suffer in this way. Most people want to tell you the right words; but don't know. Then they feel uncomfortable and don't know what to say and avoid the whole issue. Which just causes things to manifest. It is never wrong to seek medical advice and treatment. It may not be what works for everyone; but it could be something that works for some. May God Bless all of his children who suffer from any illness. May you know he walks with you through this time. And know that he loves you so. Never give up or turn away from the Lord; even if it seems to being taking a long time to recovery. God Bless in Jesus Christ.

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Permalink Reply by angie on April 26, 2008 at 12:25pm

My Dear brother in Christ, I thank you first for your response to my question. I believe you write it in sincere love and it is well appreciated. Secondly I had a chance to read all of your posts in the the forum "God has gone to cape town" , and your post about the times you experienced depression. I praise God for healing you of this terrible affliction. Thirdly as I read this post my spirit is grieved at your statement that I take medicine to "cover up" my problems or to "mask" them. I in no way depend on anything but the Lord My God for my healing whether or not that comes from the use of antidepressants or high blood pressure pills. There is such a stigma in the Christian community as to which ones are acceptable and which one are not. Who are we as mere humans able to make that assumption? I know that alot of my depression stems from past hurts and also the sin that I had in my life before I came to Christ. God has healed my heart of so many things and I am grateful for the love He has shown me. I do not believe that my faith is lacking because I choose to take medicine for a particular reason. Would you tell someone not to take a Tylenol if they had a headache? O would you tell a burn victim not to accept the pain medicine for their severe pain? I believe that there is no difference between the two. It is God who choses who and how He will heal. I believe healing is happening in me. Maybe not the way some define healing but the way God choses to heal me. Job suffered many terrible things and God did not choose to heal him immediately from the things he endured. Why? God had his reasons with Job and He has His reasons with me. I know one day I will be healed whether its on this earth or in Heaven I do not know . But one thing I do know that I will serve Him regardless. The depression that I suffer actually keeps me in "check" if you can understand what I mean by that. It keeps me humble before God and reminds me of whom I depend on everyday of my life. Now I dont want you to think that I sit around depressed all the the time taking my pill and thats it. Most days I do not have the lows because I spend time with God. In His word and singing praises to Him. But on the days when I do I continue praising Him and remember "this too shall pass". And it always does. I give all credit where credit is due, My God ,My Savior,My Jesus. If He told me "Angie I want you to stop taking the medicine" I would do it no questions asked. I believe that He has supplied me with the help that I need and I accept it. In reponse to you addendum the medicine that you are referring to that cure some diseases as to what Bob takes . I believe he takes pain medicine which in no way cures any disease it only helps to deal with it. I hope I have expressed myself and did not cause any discord between us because that is not my intentions. I only want to share my understanding as well as try to understand yours.
In Christian Love angie

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Permalink Reply by Jen on April 26, 2008 at 10:06pm

Angie, I appreciate you asking this question. It is so very true that there is a stigma attached to depression. I have learned to not worry about what others think of my illness. I do believe depression is an illness. I also believe that God works with in each of us to heal our bodies, minds and souls. He had a plan for each of us. I also believe we all endure things in our lives for a reason. Somethings happen because we made bad choices and we were not following God's word. I pray every day that I will not have to remain on medication for the rest of my life. But if that is what it takes to keep me well....then that is what God has planned for me. I admit there are times when my depression is at is worst and I struggle with my faith. I am continuing everyday to work on that. I remind myself that in those times I need to draw closer and not pull away. As it was mentioned in another post that God blessed the surgeon who did surgery. I believe God has blessed the people working on medications to improve our health. I know there are alot of people out there who abuse medication. God will deal with them in his own way. But those of us who truly need medication and we are not abusing it but using it as it was ment to be used are not sinning. We are improving our lives. This may upset some people and step on toes. But people who should take medication to improve there health and don't could be seen as going against God's will. If God didn't want medication in our lives he would find a way to prevent it. God know what each of us need in our lives. God makes sure we have what that it. If it is help with a situation, friend to keep us from being lonely or medication to keep us well. This is my opinion. It may not be right it may not be wrong but it is what I think. I respect everyone elses opinion even if I don't always agree. I know God will continue to work in my life and he will guide me in the direction I need to go. I hope each of you see that as well. I am praying for all of you that God heal each of you in the way you need healed. In Christian Love -- Jen

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Permalink Reply by Jen on April 26, 2008 at 10:17pm

On additional thought -- Something Jack said "God who has brought us freedom from all affliction through the death of His son Jesus. let us not diminish that by living a life less than that." If we choose to not take the needed medication for what ever the medical aliment we suffer -- Are we not choosing to live a life less then what God wants for us.

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Permalink Reply by Jen on April 27, 2008 at 9:52pm

Jack -- Thank you very much for your comments. You are correct -- I do believe that God is the ulimate healer. I know in God's own time I shall be healed. Maybe it won't be as quickly as I would prefer but I know that he will. I do agree with you regarding some people make the medication a way of life. They are not praying to be healed or asking for God's help. They may feel their only hope is the medication. I think people with addictions to drugs and alcohal think that is what it takes to live a happy or complete life. But it isn't Does that mean that anyone who has to take any type of medication to make it through each day is depending on it? I guess that answer would depend on whether they are asking for God to heal them and if they are keeping God first and foremost in their minds. I also agree with GREED being an issue from the development of medications to help people with their afflictions. But unfortunately we need the medication they have developed until we are healed and company's realize this and take advantage of the situation. That is not Godly. I'm not exactly sure what your meaning is behind individuals proclaiming their affliction rather then the solution. I personally talk about my feelings because it helps me tremendously. Especially to be able to talk with others who have experienced or they are experiencing the same. It helps so much to know your not alone especially when you are feeling so very alone. Every day I think this could be the day that I am healed. Should it not be so .... then I pray to God that he heal me. Only God can heal me not the medication. But until that happens the medication allows me to not have to live a diminished life. Jack, everyone has such different opinions regarding this topic. It has created several intense discussion all over the place. Though no matter what I always respect everyone's opinion whether I agree or not. I know not everyone feels the way I do. God created each of us in our own special way. We were not created to think exactly alike. But I believe God wants us to respect others thoughts and opinions. I guess its the old "Agree to Disagree" thing. Thank you for your prayers for all of us. I appreciate your thoughts. In Christian Love -- Jen

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Permalink Reply by Madhavi on May 14, 2008 at 7:27pm

I was a Christian and on anti-depressants for 11 years. Recently God convicted me and told me " I don't need that stuff." I go to a church with the 5-fold ministry and through word of knowledge God spoke.
Madhavi

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