Depression: Biblical views and healing:I need some help to understand, I have it

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Permalink Reply by Bob B on June 22, 2008 at 5:08am

I sometimes take the thing off during my sleep and it makes me a little nervious. We got to always believe and trust God for healing. This very act of hoping I believe strengthens our bodies, as well as our souls.

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Permalink Reply by Ramon on February 11, 2008 at 6:45pm

I am not an expert on depression but have been afflicted with it myself. And I would just want to share my experience and the way I understand it.

My depression was stress related (this was the doctor's diagnosis). However I believe that it was the final draw on several traumas that piled on one on top of the other. Illness and subsequent death of my mother, business failure resulting to severe financial crisis and the struggle to comprehend what was going on. I did try to be strong and kept my faith that those trials would be overcome. About 3 years on, as I was dealing with an extremely physically demanding project which did not allow me to get enough rest, I body responded with aches and pains. Also, I felt inexplicable fear of being alone. At times I wept for no reason. To top it all, I literally felt the walls of my home office closing in on me. At this point, I felt I needed professional help.

I went to my cardiologist, who is also a believer, and after an emotional session she recommended I see a psychiatrist. Luckily, I had a Christian friend who was. She however assured me that there was nothing severely wrong wrong with me that would require her professional help. Instead, she just prescribed some medication (zoloft) and regular excersize and counselling. The counselling sessions was where I realized that depression was a 'ghost' that haunted only my mind. All the routine that I was asked to do I did and with God's help, I was relieved of the affliction.

At this point, I am of the belief, that indeed our body is the temple of the Spirit. And if not taken cared of and be watchfull of its well being, it becomes susceptible to this 'ghost' which is of our own making. I also realize that depression cannot amply be explained to someone who has never gone thru it and that it differs from one person to the other.

Today, by the grace of God, I am able to recognize its onset and am able to manage it mainly thru prayer imploring the Lord Almighty to grant me His strenght to ward it off.

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Permalink Reply by Rachel on March 24, 2008 at 7:54pm

wow, I'm really amazed that someone else has stated this the same way I would have. I have dealt with levels of depression that I felt were consuming my spirit to such a degree that I felt hopeless. I never wanted to end my life, I always knew that God was holding me in His hands, but sometimes I had felt that He was allowing me to be exposed to hurtful things. It turns out, what I saw as depression was really a place that God allowed me to endure to show me what He could do when I came to the place where I could not. Now I recognize the "onset" of this and I immediately begin to step out in prayer, as you said, emploring God to hold me. In the middle of it, it seems that you can't press through, but keep calling out to Christ and He will carry you through. It seems so hard to bear while you are in it, like you want to tell yourself that you won't make it, but deep within, you feel His presence quieting your heart. God's word is true, He says He will never leave you, He's always near, reach for Him.

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Permalink Reply by Barbara on February 28, 2008 at 1:00pm

PAIGE YOU ARE NOT ALONE. MANY PEOPLE INCLUDING MYSELF SUFFER FROM DEPRESSION.. I USED TO HAVE DISABLING PANIC ATTACKS AND COULDNT DRIVE MY CAR AND GO IN CROWDS.. GOD HEALED ME OF THEM BUT I STILL SUFFER FROM ANXETY AND DEPESSION.. MAY GOD DELIVER YOU FROM THIS TERRIBLE AFFLICTION...

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Permalink Reply by Scribe D'Nucov on March 1, 2008 at 12:18pm

Paige, this is a great question. There are many things we struggle with, which are difficult, but are not necessarily anything "unusual". Some have health issues, some have mental health issues.

"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man." [1 Cor 10:13]

James makes it clear that the relationship between faith and works is that God allows his people to endure challenges so that we can also learn to work the works of mercy, faith, endurance and so on.

If no one ever suffered, how would we learn to exercise mercy? If no one ever feared, where would we exercise courage? If no one ever experienced the darkness of depression, how would we learn to endure, encourage and exhort?

I have had health problems most of my life. Last fall, I endured a great painful struggle once again, just trying to keep functioning. There is temptation to take drugs and to give up at times. But, God calls me to endure and to strive to overcome.

In my early walk as a Christian I prayed for healing many times. He did heal me miraculaously from one matter; but not the one that I have dealt with all these years.

I have begun to learn to thank God for my weaknesses. His grace is sufficient for me. I have learned to endure it without pain killers most of the time. I have begun to learn how to manage my diet to help improve it. I have also been learning - much more importantly - to be merciful to others. As I have learned to thank him and to praise him not just through the suffering, but to also praise him for it, I have been growing as a Christian.

Many people would like to tell you there are easy answers for everything. I do believe in miraculous healing. I have experienced it, my wife has experienced it and so have many of my friends. I know God CAN heal. We don't always experience his healing.

I think sometimes, he allows suffering for a season to grow us. I think other times, he wants us to learn to humble ourselves and receive his healing. Still other times, he wants us to humble ourselves more and learn to walk through our pain with joy and thanksgiving. That is a greater miracle, I believe.

Sometimes, we can find we become healed unexpectedly when we we learn to accept what God has given. I have known some people who simply accepted suffering, acknowledged that God was going to allow them to die or live in pain, and made the decision to pray and ask God to make them fruitful ANYWAY. In chosing that, they became healed, once they committed to do God's will first.

Hope that helps sister.

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Permalink Reply by Mandy on March 1, 2008 at 5:37pm

Dear Scribe; you said it the best; when I have tried to tell people; especially dealing with patients who are critically ill or even hours from death. I try to gently explain this to family members. Most of the time I recieve back "no way, God is going to make my family member get up and walk out of here" when in fact it would be a miracle from God to do so. Many times I have witnessed family members, being totaly confused with God for allowing there loved one to die. When I worked the night shift, most of the time it was us, "the nurses" who had to give the bad news. We take the full brunt.
Me myself I do suffer from depression as well; I believe what you say about those who suffer illnesses. Whether it is heart, lung or any other illness. Your words are appreciated. mandy

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Permalink Reply by Paige Robertson on March 4, 2008 at 11:35am

Thank you.
Your words have put a smile on my face(OOh it hurts Ha Ha.)
I think you are right. I have to just remember it all. I love the scriptur that points out that all man have experienced the same afflictions or struggles. I almost died if it wasnt for God, and I need to remember that. I was a person that no one thought Id ever get better, let alone ever come to Christ. I was sick and blind. I wanted to please the world while destroying myself. I didnt know God and couldve cared less. I was my own God. I always suffered depression but when it got really bad and I didnt care if I died or hurt others, that was when I hit bottom. I have a long history of self imposed problems which have affected me physically for the rest of my life. But God did heal me miraculously from some things, yet didnt with others. I hate this depression, but I now am saved and have God to help me.
I appreciate you taking the time to help. U r awesome!!!
Paige

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Permalink Reply by Bob B on March 8, 2008 at 4:03pm

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Permalink Reply by Bob B on March 24, 2008 at 9:57am

One thing I have seen many times happen is sincere believers stop taking medication because they think they are not walking in faith.
The truth is that faith is not telling God He has to heal us because we are not going to take our medication any more.
Faith is trusting God moment by moment with our lives.
Up until 2 years ago I never used medication except Tylenol for a head ache. Due to multiple physical problems that I have developed, I have to take all kinds of medication. Does this mean I am walking in unbelief?
I find relief from my issues with medication. If I stopped taking the medications I would not be able to cope with out them.
To me it is faith to trust my doctors and submit to their wisdom. That does not mean I have given up on God. A friend of mine said to me recently; we a prisoner of hope.
No one should ever tell another not to take medication that is prescribed by a Doctor. You could endanger their life or others by this kind of action.
Your job as brothers and sisters in Christ is to support others by prayer, and practical help, not to cause them more problems and more pain.

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Permalink Reply by Donna Hardigree on March 27, 2008 at 11:24am

DEAR PAIGE.
I REALLY DO UNDERSTAND ABOUT DEPRESSION. I USE TO BE SO DEPRESSED THAT I WOULD ATEMPTED SUICIDE EVERY MONTH. THAT WAS A LONG TIME AGO.
MEDICATION AND GOOD CONSELING OR VERY INPORTANT. I STILL GO TO A PSYCHITRIST ONCE A MONTH AND I TAKE SOME MEDS AND I HAVE BEEN FINE FOR SEVERAL YEARS. I DON'T SAY I NEVER GET DEPRESSED BECAUSE I DO. BUT I DON'T GET AS SEVERE. THE LORD HAS HELPED ME THE MEDS HAVE HELPED ME. MAKE SURE THAT U GET LOTS OF SUPPORT.HELPED AND YES MY CAT HAS BEEN A GREAT SUPPORT. SHE LOVES ME NO MATTER HOW I AM.

IN CHRIST LOVE

DONNA HARDIGREE

SOMETIMES A CHANGE OF ENVIORMENT CAN HELP.

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Permalink Reply by Bob Bennett on March 27, 2008 at 7:32pm

Hi Paige! God bless you.

This is my first comment on this forum.

Whenever I hear a Christian dealing with depression, my heart always goes out. I can relate so well. I am 51 and most of my life struggled with this topic. Fortunately, for the last 12 years, Jesus healed me and grew me threw it. The symptoms are there to go back into depression, but I choose not to. The reality of the healing was knowing CHRIST IN ME, literally. I rather choose Jesus daily and grow in my relationship with Him. CHRIST IN ME is the greatest joy to experience everyday. CHRIST IN YOU is YOUR VICTORY over this.

If you wish, you can read further my experience at my website: www.LifeUnderGrace.com

The Lord is now raising me into a ministry for hurting and depressed Christians. The only focus is to point them to JESUS, their solution. And He has been doing this through writing spiritual growth books. Praise His Glorious Name!!!

Paige, your questions are very good ones. In many ways, as long as one's heart is first to love the Lord, He will work all those answers and issues out in His time. It is a growth process that we must grow through. It is more about what Jesus is doing in you, than what you are doing for Jesus. I am sure you can see the importance that FIRST Jesus must heal your broken heart.

God bless you and take care.
Bob

PS: Remember CHRIST IN YOU

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Permalink Reply by Cate on April 13, 2008 at 9:04am

My husband suffers from depression, he managed to get off the medication he was on ut had to go back on them just before Christmas. I believe that God is with us during tough times. I also believe that part of depression is due to chemical inbalance in the brain and that is when medication is needed. Counselling can help. The only counselling my husband has had is with the counselling service which the church we go to has. Our church is a non denominational cross community church in Northern Ireland and it's like one big family. When anyone is going through a tough time, there's plenty of support for them. A good support network is crucial to anyone going through depression. I've found it hard at times when my husband has been down.

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