Depression

By Wilfredo Hernandez
January 10, 2000

Do people who have Christ in their hearts ever get depressed?

I have been thinking a lot about this lately.

Webster's dictionary defines depression as a state of feeling sad; a psychoneurotic (mental and emotional disorder based on emotional conflict) or psychotic (mental derangement characterized by defective or lost contact with reality) marked esp. by sadness, inactivity, difficulty in thinking and concentration, a significant increase or decrease in appetite and time spent sleeping, feelings of dejection (lowness of spirits) and hopelessness, and sometimes suicidal tendencies. In other words "having the blues".

The Bible often refers to depression as a feeling of despondency (feeling or showing extreme discouragement, dejection or hopelessness), although it is always temporary and never leads to suicide. A cursory look at Scripture will reveal that God's people can suffer temporary periods of
hopelessness (Job 17:13-16) and dejection (Lam. 3:1-21). Even the Lord Jesus who identified himself with extreme sorrow (Isa. 53:3-4, Matt. 26:37-44, Mark 14:34-42 & Luke 22:42-44) shared the sadness of Mary and Martha (John 11:19-35). Therefore, based on what the Bible says, one can conclude that people who have Christ in their hearts can experience temporary periods of depression during their lifetime here on earth. Nevertheless this depression is not the persistent type clinically defined to lead a person to a lifetime of sadness or even suicide. We will learn the following as we grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord:

1. Trials and tribulation will always work together for good to them that love God (Rom. 8:28). God draws us closer to Him through hardships, He has a purpose in allowing us to go through difficulties (2 Cor. 1:3-6). We who have Christ in our hearts will suffer in this present life since we are walking images of Jesus Christ who suffered for us (Rom. 8:29).
2. God always delivers us from depression when we learn to be content through persistent prayer (1 Thes. 5:17-18 & Phil. 4:11). The key to get out of depression is by relinquishing our rights and control of our lives to our Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ (Psa. 23). I admit this is easier to
   say than it is to do, after all we are sinners in the process of sanctification. Nevertheless we would never go wrong if we were more sensitive to the guidance of the Holy Spirit in our lives (Rom. 8:26), always asking deliverance according to the will of God (Rom. 8:27 & 1
   John 5:14).

A lot more can be said about depression but I would not go into further details since I am neither a counselor nor a theologian. The one thing I am sure of, is that God loves us and wants us to be happy. We must learn to be sensitive to other people, saved (through comfort and encouragement) or unsaved (by sharing Christ), who may be suffering a period of depression. We must also learn to ask God for the things we need and not what we want if we ever find ourselves suffering a period of depression. The following verses are God's promises to His people during times of depression. They remind us who He is, who we are and where we are going.

(Neh 8:10 KJV) Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

(Psa 30:5 KJV) For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. 

(Psa 34:17 KJV) The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

(Psa 147:3 KJV) He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.

(Isa 40:31 KJV) But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

(Isa 41:10 KJV) Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

(Isa 43:2 KJV) When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

(Isa 51:11 KJV) Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away. 

(Isa 61:3 KJV) To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

(Luke 18:1 KJV) And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

(Rom 8:38-39 KJV) For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (2 Cor 1:3-4 KJV) Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

(Phil 4:8 KJV) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
(1 Pet 4:12-13 KJV) Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

(1 Pet 5:6-7, 10 KJV) Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you... But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a
while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.