Thoughts on Depression
Depression is a word that is thrown around a lot in today’s world. There are many people who claim to struggle with depression. Over 280 million people suffer from depression and it is the number one cause globally for disability in the workforce. Those numbers are probably even larger when you take into account that these are just the numbers that are reported. It is also important to understand that depression has quite the range of severity. There are those who suffer from what people could call the blues, ie. feelings of unhappiness, to severe depression that leaves the sufferer unable to get out of bed and lack of interest in everything.
Thus it is difficult to give an answer for every situation that one might face when it comes to depressed thoughts. But it is important for us to open up the lines of communication so that people feel they have the opportunity to share. As is this case with anxiety and other mental health concerns, as a church we need to avoid the temptation to give pat answers or question their faith in God when they are having bouts with depression. Depression can come on as a result of a variety of reasons and cannot always be helped without intervention from medication and therapy. One would not question a person’s faith when they struggle with diabetes or cancer. Why then would we question what could happen in the most complicated computer in the world—the brain?
There are actually a few stories in the scriptures where God shows himself to be the great Counselor to those who are struggling. What did He do?
1. He didn’t abandon them in their isolation. It is not uncommon in depression to feel the need to isolate oneself. The problem is that isolation is not beneficial in the longterm. You may feel the desire to be alone but you were not designed by the Master Creator to be alone. When you are alone, you end up going deeper into your thoughts, which often involve thoughts that make the depression worse. God designs us to be communal creatures and gave us a church to have family. God didn’t abandon Elijah in his pain on Mt Horeb (1 Kings 19). He didn’t abandon Jonah to his angry depression after Nineveh repented (Jonah 4). He didn’t abandon Job in his grief. The list of those who experience “God with us” throughout Scripture is actually quite long.
2. He listened. Whether you are talking about Elijah, Jonah, or Job, God was willing to hear the concerns of the one who was struggling. He asked Elijah very plainly, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” Then he listened (1 Kings 19:9, 13). With Jonah he asked questions about his anger-turned-depression and then awaited an answer. He “sat” with Jonah in his struggle. He didn’t abandon Jonah even though Jonah was angry with God. With Job, God did a lot of listening. He listened to his friends—including their wrong answers. He listened to Job’s struggle with the questions of life as well. Listening was key. You can’t know how to help if you don’t hear the problem.
3. He encouraged them to be active. Elijah was told to rise and eat a couple of different times. Pay attention to physical health which included eating and sleeping (1 Kings 19:6-8). But he also appointed Elijah to “go” and anoint certain people as leaders of the land. One such person, Elisha, would quite literally take up the mantle of Elijah’s work but also provide companionship to the struggling prophet. Once again, he pushed them to be with people rather than isolated.
I am fully aware that these things cannot cure all depression or depressed thoughts but they are certainly a place to start. People who are depressed don’t need to be left alone. They need to be heard. They need to do what they can to be active. It is hard, but it is helpful. If you struggle with depression see your doctor or visit a counselor. Prayer and the scripture are certainly helpful, but if it doesn’t go away when you do those things please know it is not a lack of faith, but the God who provided prayer and scripture has also provided ingredients for medicine and techniques for counselors that will help you find relief. If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts with your depression call or text 988 for the suicide hotline or visit the emergency room.
Ben