I am glad and thankful that my salvation is not based on emotions. For those who know me I’ve made no secret about my struggle with depression. Since 2000, I’ve learned a lot about the causes of depression, some of the causes, and even the various treatments available. I’ve also learned that there are many Christians who struggle with depression; unfortunately, I have also learned there are Christians who do not understand the struggle with depression and use it to question the faith of those who do struggle. Before I go any further, I must add that I am not a trained psychologist nor am I offering psychological advice. I’m sharing my struggle with depression and my faith in Jesus.
The Bible does talk about depression…
As I have shared in the past, I really began to learn about myself and about the Lord in 2006; at that time I was 36 years old and had gone through one of the darkest parts of my life. Shortly after accepting the Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior, I began intently studying the Bible, trying to find answers to why my life had come undone. I found this verse: As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart (Proverbs 25:20). This verse nearly jumped off the page at me – here, in the writings of Solomon, was exactly the way I felt when I was emotionally down. I’d go to church and hear from well-meaning members that all I needed to do was to pray, to fill my heart with song, and be around other Christians and it would be enough to help me overcome the depression. That’s exactly like someone taking away your coat during the winter. What I really wanted to tell those well-meaning Christian brothers and sisters was to go sing their song somewhere else!
It is not the only place where the Lord gives us advice on comforting someone suffering from depression. The apostle Paul wrote, Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep (Romans 12:15). While this verse is talking about sorrow, I do believe it can also be referring to those who suffer from depression. What has always helped me more than anything else is to see genuine concern from by brothers and sisters in Christ, willing to share my burdens and pray for me. Those of us who suffer from depression do not need to feel as if we are being judged by others; we feel enough of that in our own minds. Our emotions – for those who suffer from depression – our feelings are already doing double duty…
David wrote My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word (Psalms 119:25). David, a man after God’s own heart, appears to be struggling with depression. For those who suffer from depression, we know this feeling well. Solomon, his son and the wisest of the ancient kings, wrote: The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear? (Proverbs 18:14). When someone is fighting a round of depression every part of their life is affected – their relationships, their employment, their sleeping and eating habits, and even the relationship they have with the Lord. It takes away enjoyment of life’s simplest pleasures.
Paul also wrote, That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it (1 Corinthians 12:25-26). It’s easy for a congregation to celebrate the birth of a baby to a young family, an upcoming wedding or anniversary, or a promotion or award to another member. These are the good times where we can rejoice and praise the Lord for His goodness and mercies, as we should. However, it is something altogether different to comfort one who is hurting and struggling with depression. I don’t get depressed often, but it has always amazed me when I do, how many brothers or sisters in Christ simply do not have the time to spend in fellowship with another Christian who happens to be hurting.
Depression does not affect our salvation…
If you watch any of the popular television evangelists there is an impression that many lost and many Christians get an idea that Christians are supposedly filled with joy and happiness all the time. Somehow, that simply being a Christian brings such happiness into the heart that Christians cannot help but to feel joy. Back in 2007, I shared my struggle with depression with the pastor of the church I had attended for nearly a year. What he told me truly astounded me: “Brother, your faith simply isn’t where it needs to be. You need to give up this depression and just simply trust in Jesus…” From a scriptural standpoint, our emotions are totally separate from our relationship with the Lord; our salvation does not depend on us being in a constant state of joy.
