Depression

If you, are someone you love struggles with depression, you know that it is not an easy problem to solve or overcome. Is the Bible a trustworthy resource for helping with this problem? Well meaning people have frequently offended the depressed with advice along the lines of "sing a few songs" or "read a few Bible verses." However, I do believe the Bible is the ultimate resource for life, even for a problem as complex as depression. The Bible gives us an understanding of the human being that helps us make sense of depression, gives us strategies for alleviating depression, and gives us a context for understanding the pain caused by depression.

1. The Bible gives us an understanding of the human being that provides the proper framework for dealing with depression.
Outside of the Bible, a popular view today is that depression is purely a physical problem, that it is a matter of chemical imbalance in the brain. Therefore, the answer must be a physical one, usually medication. This is based on the assumption that man is purely physical, there is nothing more to us than the molecules that make up our body.

The Bible presents a more complex view of man. There is a physical and spiritual component. Yes, problems can originate with the physical, and doctors can treat the physical body. In Luke 5:31, Jesus says, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick." So, the Bible recognizes an important role for doctors. As far as they have advanced in treating physical conditions, they are a useful resource. However, doctors are limited in their abilities. The Bible also tells us of a woman who was "subject to bleeding for twelve years," and that, "She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse" (Mark 5:25-26). Doctors do not always have the answers.

In relation depression, there are still many more questions than answers when it comes to a medical understanding of depression. In a small percentage of cases, there are medical conditions that cause the symptoms associated with depression. In many cases, there may be some physical illness that is not yet understood. There can also be physical factors that contribute to depression that are not necessarily illnesses, such as lack of sleep, diet, and exercise. Frequently, medication can help alleviate the symptoms of depression, but often it does not, and can cause other unwanted side effects. Anyone who struggles with depression should see a doctor. Exploring medications may be an option as part of treatment. If medication has been successful for you, praise God that he has led you to something that has helped! However, one should also not neglect the spiritual component that may contribute to depression.

2. The Bible gives us strategies to help with the spiritual component of depression.

Sometimes depression is entirely a physical problem. Sometimes it is entirely a spiritual problem. It may also be a combination of the physical and spiritual. Coming up with a plan for treating depression should never consider only one aspect. The Bible gives us strategies for addressing the spiritual components.

First, the Bible examines possible causes. We see anger as the underlying cause of Esau having a "downcast face" in Genesis 4. Fear underlies Elijah's depression in 1 Kings 19. David struggles with fear, frustration, and anger throughout the Psalms, leading him to question, "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me?" (Psalm 42:5).

The Bible shows us that not all cases of depression are the same. But the Bible does tell us to examine the desires of the heart. "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart" (Psalm 37:4). Just like Jesus teaches about worry (see, "Do not worry"), depressed people need to examine the desires of their heart, then their thinking (what do you really believe about God- his goodness and sovereignty?), and finally their faith. Feelings of fear, anger, and excessive sorrow may contribute to depression if they are caused by, or combined with a weakness in one of these three areas (heart, thinking, and faith). This is not to say that all depression is caused by sin, but in some cases it may be. Or, the symptoms may be greater because of sin. The Bible helps us see sin in our lives, not to make us feel guilty, but to help free us from burdens. Jesus says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).

Interestingly, God gives Elijah a specific list of assignments that help pull him out of a depressed state in 1 Kings 19. Indeed, depression can reinforce itself when we do not respond in the right way. It is easy to withdraw from responsibilities and focus inward, on ourselves. This usually leads to a deepening depression. By making the hard choices to start doing tasks for God and others, depression may start to lift.

3. The Bible gives us a context for understanding the pain caused by depression.

So far, we have looked at several possible solutions to overcome the terrible feelings that depression brings. Examine possible medical causes. Consider your sleep, diet, and exercise. Examine the spiritual aspects. Even after doing all this, depression may not completely go away, or it may not go away at all (however, in most cases it will significantly improve). So what then? The Bible helps us to understand why we have trouble, and that we have reason to hope in spite of our trouble. Depression certainly makes life difficult. However, many people have difficult conditions and circumstances that make life hard.  The Bible tells us why we can find hope in God even in the midst of great difficulties. See, "What does the Bible say about pain and suffering?"

The Bible does not offer a simple solution that will immediately make us feel good. However, the Bible does offer us with the information we need to know how to think about depression, gives strategies for those who are depressed to consider, and offers hope even to those who feel oppressed by depression.

Trust the Bible's purpose is to grow your confidence that the Bible is true and the ultimate resource for life." You can join the Facebook group by clicking here.Trust the Bible is a weekday radio program that begins at about 8:10 each morning on WDOG 93.5 in Allendale, SC. You can listen to previous programs online here: http://www.fairfaxfbc.org/trust-the-bible.html