Can a Christian be Depressed?

            When I became a Christian at 19, I had already dealt with depression for 8 years.  I thought
by becoming a Christian that God would take away the depression.  However, just like when the
apostle Paul prayed that God would remove his “thorn in the flesh,” (2Co12:7-9), God has refused to
take away the depression. I have belonged to God for over 25 years now, and I still face depression. 
God has taught me much through His Word and through life experiences, so that the depression
doesn’t affect me so profoundly as it once did.

            I have had many well-meaning people say some very painful things to me regarding depression.

“Your depression proves that you really don’t love God.”

“Stop being a baby and grow up.”

“If you just take control of your life, then there will no longer be any depression.”

“Just get out of your pity-party.”

“You obviously lack faith, because God promises to answer our prayers for healing.”

“Stop trying to get attention.”

“Depression is sin – repent or you might as well leave the church.”

“Just read the Bible more and God will take away the depression.”

None of these comments had any positive impact on my healing.  Why?  Because all of these comments come out of the belief that depression is a problem with my motivation or my willpower, that depression is a mark of personal failure. They also look at it as a spiritual problem that needs repentance, rather than compassion. Fortunately, God has always provided someone who could speak healing truth into my life.

            Here is an excerpt from a pamphlet on depression that I found very helpful.

What is depression?

A common myth is that depression affects only those who can’t manage life’s ups and downs due to some personal weakness or failure of willpower.

This is untrue.  Depression is a medical illness not unlike diabetes or high blood pressure.  A person with depression can’t change his or her mood any more than diabetics can use will power to change their sugar level. 

The causes of depression are many, but in recent years it has become clear that all depressions involve a chemical imbalance in the areas of the brain that regulate mood and emotion.  Just as diabetics need regular treatment with insulin or other therapies, people with depression often require medications or therapy to restore mood and help them feel better.[1]

            Depression is an ILLNESS!  Please stop treating it as sin and failure!  Christians can be depressed, yet it is so difficult for them to get help, because there is such a stigma against depression!

            What does the Bible say about depression?  Did you know that the great prophet Elijah faced depression?

Elijah was afraid and ran for his life.  When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the desert.  He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die.  “I have had enough, Lord,” he said.  “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.”  Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep.”

All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.”  (1Ki 19:3-5)

The prophet Elijah ends up so depressed he wants to die.  What does God do?  He sends an angel to give him food and encouragement.  After two visits from an angel and some angelic food, Elijah makes a 40 day journey to meet with God. 

     Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

     He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty.  The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword.  I am the only one left and they are trying to kill me, too.”

     The Lord said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the desert of Damascus.  When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram.  Also anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet.  Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu.  Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel – all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.”  (1 Ki 19:13b-18)

            Elijah tells God his depressing “poor me” story.  God responds to Elijah by giving him a responsibility, and then very briefly corrects Elijah’s misconception that fueled his depression.  God didn’t treat it as sin.  He didn’t demand right away that Elijah grow up and get back to being His prophet. If God doesn’t treat depression as sin – then who are we to ever tell (or behave like) someone else who is facing depression that they just need to repent.

            There are thousands of Christians dealing with depression.  Many of them are trying desperately to hide it, because it is just not accepted in Christian circles. A pastor friend of mine shared that in one of his postings, the official above him demanded that he never share from the pulpit that he was depressed or dealing with any sin.  That is tragic!!  How can anyone find healing if you are too afraid to share what is in your life because “Christians are supposed to have it all together!”  

            King David who was called “a man after God’s own heart,” frequently expressed sentiments of depression within the Psalms!  He wasn’t trying to present an image of perfection or self-righteousness.  He knew his help would come from the Lord – but he knew he had to ask for that help. Listen to King David’s wise words from Psalm 51.  “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” If God does not despise the brokenness that defines depression, why do we?

Let’s give people a safe place to be broken and find compassion, help, and healing!

Please leave me a comment to let me know if you would like to hear more about depression within Biblical Christianity.

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[1] Your Mental Health Matters:  Getting help for Depression, Panic Disorder and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder,  The Medicine Group Ltd., Mississauga, 1998, p. 2.