it was interesting some of the emails i received about monday’s post on depression.? it made me realize a lot of people have some misunderstandings about what depression is and why some people battle it.
now, let me preface this by saying i am not a doctor or a psychologist (although i’ve been to more than my fair share of both) :-)? however, here are some common myths about depression i thought we’d remove so that everyone can have a better understanding.
why are you depressed?? i thought you loved your new job and it seems like stuff is going well for you.
you’re right.? i love my new job and things are going great.? for the first time, i’m not financially stressed out, the relationships i have are incredible and i have never felt more at home than i do in nashville.? all of my external circumstances are awesome!? too bad depression isn’t caused by any of them.? sure, environments can influence ups and downs, but a lingering bit of sadness or feelings of low self worth means it’s probably something more.
to further prove this point, last year at this time i was going through probably one of the toughest times in my life.? i had an awful, no good, very bad situation i was walking through over the course of late fall and early winter.? on top of that, i was also weaning off of anxiety medication (stressful!), writing a book (stressful!), and getting ready to move from dallas to oklahoma city (stressful!)
but you know what? i had absolutely no symptoms of depression at all.? nada.
don’t worry.? if you trust god more, he’ll bring you through.
thanks for the kind and faithful words. and i don’t doubt that.? but depression generally has little to do with someone’s relationship with god.?? if that were the case, every person without faith would be miserable and every person with faith would be happy all the time.?? can i afford to spend more time with god? absolutely. depression isn’t caused by a bad relationship with god or healed by a good one.? if anything, i have to lean even more into that relationship (and the relationships with my friends) to get the strength i need during the seasons of depression.
so, you wrote this book on burnout and you talk about being emotionally healthy.? your past struggles with this and your current struggle doesn’t really give the best example.? what gives you the right to write about this?
i won’t lie. that email hurt (and that is just a small snippet of it).? and the thoughts of my own human inadequacies haunt me all the time when i ask myself, “really, what authority do i have to speak into this topic? i’m struggling right there!” fortunately, i got another email after this one that said this.
Listen, your struggle doesn’t mean you are broken as a person, and it doesn’t make you less spiritual. ?The devil is going to lie to you and say you have no business writing about Mad Church Disease with this going on. ?Don’t give in to that lie! ?Your experience and even your struggles uniquely qualify you to speak authoritatively on this subject. ?God uses our weaknesses to demonstrate His strength in us. ?I believe our precious Lord wants to take what the enemy meant to destroy you and use it to bring glory to Jesus.
that answer was for both the person who wrote the first email, and the demons that walk around in my brain.? but i know that question is something probably a lot of us wrestle with: what qualifies us to do the work we do when we screw up all the time?
grace.
so there you have it.? depression has little to do with your environment, relationship with god, and capacity to be used in this world.? it has much to do with our bodies’ brokenness, chemical imbalances, and the hand we’re dealt.? we honestly have very little control over it.
what we do have control over is how we manage it if we have it, or how we treat others who are struggling.
both require a little patience, a little wisdom, and a lot of love.
Comments
53 responses to “dispelling some myths about depression”
Amen, sister. Thanks for being vulnerable.
“Life Is Change, Growth Is Optional, Choose Wisely.” Karen Kaiser
The last email quoted is spot on.
In times like these when you might wonder ‘why did I post that?’ you must remember this:
Your transparency /is/ ministering to thousands of others who never write you a comment. And it’s helping to straighten their own paths.
Thank you for that transparency – it’s beautiful.
I’m curious about the statement “has little to do with god…”
Not too long ago (and still now at times) I struggled with an anxiety issue when it came to eating food in public restaurants. An incident about 4 years ago caused this weird anxiety to happen everytime I ate out. it was this fear of throwing up or something to that effect.
Now, I told myself over and over that this was a MIKE issue, no one could help me and I just had to get over it. It was in my head and nothing God could do would be able to help me because it was just this “chemical” or whatever type of reaction: I sit down to eat in a restaurant, I get anxious and can’t finish eating.
One day my wife and I were talking about faith and I told her that I’d always felt like I had this insane amount of faith, that it came easy to me. And she says “Well, you say that, but then you have no faith that God can help you through this problem.”
Wham, hit me with a ton of bricks.
From that moment on, I prayed everyday for God to help…that I had no way to help myself, it was out of my hands, I was broken and only HE could step in and end my problem.
It only took a few weeks, but suddenly the issues just slowly disappeared…and today, I’m almost completely okay.
I just wanted to point that out…I’m not disagreeing with you, but because of what I went through, I might tell someone to ask God to help them, because nothing is too big for God.
Anne I think it’s awesome that you wrote about your struggles. So often there seems to be this pressure on Christians to always be so fine. The problem with that is that if we’re all acting like we’re fine then no one that isn’t fine will feel like they can come hang around us. The biggest problem I ever had with Christians was that they all seemed to be shiny happy perfect people and I was so not one of those people. I didn’t think I could belong, I didn’t think I would be accepted. It wasn’t until someone showed me the imperfection in them that I realized God loved me no matter the cracks in my facade or the deep pits in my heart.
Grace doesn’t need our facades or our “I’m fines”. If we’re called to live out the grace that was selflessly extended to us then why do we require that everything’s ok facade from others before we extend grace?
I’m going to address Mike O’s comment above – I have struggled with times of great darkness in the past two years that did NOT come because I was in a bad place with God. It did not come because I was sinning. It was precipitated because of the actions of others but God used it in my life in a mighty way. In the same way, depression is physiological in nature for those who are clinically depressed. My depression was situational in nature, but the vast majority of people suffer from an imbalance of those really good chemicals being released in the brain that may have nothing to do with their circumstances. There is no doubt that depression can be an opportunity for us to draw near to God and grow in our faith. It is just not caused by our failure to do so…….Anne may have more to offer on this but this is my personal take. God can certainly teach us and refine us as we walk through the darkness, just as He can in all other difficult moments of our life. Anne’s point, I believe, is that depression is not spiritual in nature.
Anne, I am sorry people emailed you things that were less than helpful. I am sorry that this morning you hurt. You have the authority to write Mad Church Disease because you have walked it and lived it in an honest manner, not because you are completely whole or have “Arrived” at some nebulous state of perfection. Who among us has???? No one. When you wrote this book you told more than your own story, you told my story and the story of a thousand other pastors crying out for help. You became our mouthpiece and for that I am grateful. God does not use us because we are perfect, He uses us despite, or perhaps even because of, our imperfections and places of deep brokenness.
Praying for you my friend.
Wow.
I thought I was sympathetic to depression until I was actually diagnosed with it. I never wanted to admit it although I knew it was there for years. Being placed on medication and seeing a therapist was imperative to my recovery. I did used to think about it being a by product of a failed relationship with God–which may be a contributing factor or just a worsening factor I don’t know. After getting educated about depression, I see it has run rampant through my family. My mom(which I knew), my sister, my niece. We just have dopamine issues! God has never promised to heal everyone but has promised to be there walking with us through the process. I’d love to be completely healed someday. It may come or not. Until then, I will do my part to live a great life.
Why do some Christians insist on acting like utter douchebags?
Sorry somebody was stupid, Anne.
I recently heard a wonderfully engaging interview with New York photographer, Vivian Cherry. When asked why she preferred black and white photography to color, she said, “I think black and white has as many colors as color photography with all its shades of gray.” I paraphrase, but that was the essence.
There are as many shades of depression as there are people. Each of us experience it with slightly different shades of gray. Those who are closest to me are surprised when I say that depression was a relief for me. It took the edge off…for a while. Certainly, this isn’t the case for others.
I think it’s important that we don’t project our own experiences onto others. That our solutions and answers (or the illusions of such) are custom fitted for us. The best way to help a struggling friend is to “sit” with them (to borrow Stephen Curtis Chapman’s response on Larry King when asked how to “help” a friend who’s lost a child.) Don’t try to fix someone. Just be with them. Help with the heavy lifting, so to speak, if and when they ask.
As a fellow “NF” (Myers Briggs), I admire your courage. Why not put your headphones on and hike Percy Warner Park? That’ll fix everything, right? (just kidding – that was my pathetic attempt at a solution when I lived in Nashville)
Anne:
I appreciate your frankness, honesty and mostly your willingness to share your journey. It takes a lot of courage to be as transparent as you continually are, with all of us.
At any rate, the one comment stating, “so, you wrote this book on burnout and you talk about being emotionally healthy. your past struggles with this and your current struggle doesn?t really give the best example. what gives you the right to write about this?” All I have to say is, “WOW!” Good thing the Apostle Paul didn’t read that when he helped to write part of the N.T. One would think that even as he is penning the words to “be anxious for nothing,” that he may have had moments, even after writing those words, to be anxious.
I think some people get confused…just b/c one believes in being “emotionally healthy” doesn’t mean that they sometimes don’t have times of angst and slumps in their life. Also, just because someone believes, writes about, and teaches on “trusting God” doesn’t mean they don’t have moments where trusting God seems like the hardest thing in the world.
In any case, keep sharing your heart and helping to those in your sphere of influence. Ignore the naysayers.
Anne, Thank you so much for being transparent about such a tough, touchy topic. I wouldn’t even begin to presume that I knew the first thing about depression, nor would I criticize or offer advice to people struggling with it unless I had been down that path myself. I can’t believe some of the emails you received. That kind of heartless, cruel, snide remarks just tick me off. I’m so sorry you have to get those kind of emails.
Lisa and I are praying for you and the ministry God is building through you. I know that these struggles that you’re dealing with are just one chapter in the story God is writing through you. It helps you stay real and gives you a platform to speak to other people who struggle with the same thing.
We all have our struggles but it is our choice whether or not we allow God to use them to grow us and help other people.
I have had my ups and downs with depression. I don’t know what triggered it, but it was there, and it was real. I don’t understand how people can hate on you for that.
I might stir up some controversy here, but Henri Nouwen wrote a book called, “The Wounded Healer”, and that book changed my entire life.
I guess I write all of this to say, keep it up Anne. The cover of your book says “Overcoming the Burnout Epidemic” It doesn’t say, “Overcame”.
“what we do have control over is how we manage it if we have it, or how we treat others who are struggling.” Perfect. I really didn’t even have to comment after reading that.
Praying for you and your Husband.
– Andy
Thanks everyone, and Andy, that book rocked my world as well.
I’ve enjoyed your blog and look forward to reading your book. I’ve pastored for over 25 years. I have had plenty of reasons to drift into depression (church will do that to you!!!) but I’ve not really experienced any sort of anxiety or depression. I am confident this is not attributed to my walk with God, though at one time I believed that crap.
I simply felt led not to try and answer the question about why depression happens, but simply to point those who may struggle with it to David’s Psalm 42 & 43. This is a man after God’s own heart who, who struggled with depression and journaled about it in these songs. It is the classic “as the deer pants” psalm and yet in the middle he has a little soul talk, or self talk. “Why are you downcast, O my soul?” That is a great question that I think may lie at the core of a solution to depression even if only temporary. Sometimes we need friends to help us draw out the source of our depression and sometimes we have to “flesh it out” on our own. I believe that once we know the source of our anxiety, bring it out in the open (Satan loves the darkness) and let our minds reprogram or rethink that issue we will find a measure of freedom.
Thanks for letting me wander on your blog, and I enjoy your twitter comments! My son attends Crosspoint and I hope to visit soon.
Blessings,
Randy
I agree that people need to stop looking at depression as a “spiritual problem”. I have encountered this alot in my journey with depression. I had someone explain it to me this way one time. Our brain is an organ just like anything else in our body and when it is not working properly, it will cause problems. I think that Christian people have made the brain a spiritual organ. I know when I am in one of my cycles that everything in my life is affected by it but that doesn’t mean that I don’t have faith or I don’t try to work through it. If it takes medication then so be it. Sometimes our brain just can’t do it on it’s own!
good post. quite necessary. real life is scary for people who live in bubbles.
I can’t believe that people would think that you can’t right a book on burnout because you struggle with depression! Do they think that you can only write a book if you never struggle? Having walked through depression I have a great respect for your openness. I also think that your personal experiences make you the best person to write about burnout. Who wants to read a book about burnout from someone who’s never been there?
Thanks for your honesty Anne! It is your honesty in this issue that gives you the credibility to write about it. I don’t want to learn from someone who has it all together – I can’t relate to them. I want to learn from someone who is battling with the same struggles that I am. We are going to have UPS and DOWNS in our journey and we need to be open and honest about them – this is how we learn and how we can teach others.
thank you, thank you, thank you for posting this!
anne – you’re wrong. you have no right to write a book like this and here’s exactly why…
it’s the same reasoning as this: why in the world do we think as Christians that we have the right to share the story (fact) of salvation/forgiveness to anyone – and expect them to actually believe it or believe in it? we’re not Christ, so we should keep our mouth shut and let the Holy Spirit take care of all of that stuff – we should just sit back, relax, enjoy life and let those who choose to just burn I guess.
p.s. – this is sarcasm, sarcasm, sarcasm – and all other types of disclaimers
Anne…..I just love you! I am learning so much about myself just reading your blog and twitter…. God is doing an amazing healing in my life through some unconventional ways. I am thankful for that…bc that is just what I am…unconventional. and I am realizing I am not alone.
Connection, Self Reflection , and Redemption…through Depression…whodathunk?
Thanks so much for sharing your heart!
As someone who has not personally struggled with depression, but is married to someone who does, I’d love to speak from what I have experience with and encourage anyone who is in close relationship with those who are struggling with depression.
I think part of the reason some of us can so quick to become frustrated with or even judge those dealing with this is a personal feeling of inadequacy when we can’t make our friend or parent or spouse feel ‘happy’. I felt this weight especially when we had our first child. Such temptation to be offended and/or defensive that having a loving wife and a beautiful son isn’t “enough.”
I know the feelings of helplessness and frustration that can come with this and I encourage everyone in this situation to continue to speak life into those around you. Listen to the voice of God about your worth and about your placement in their life and make choices to respond to them as the people they truly are and not just as someone who is having a struggle at this moment. The Lord is truly still working in and using their lives, so let’s choose to recognize that and invite them to recognize it with us. I surely don’t do this all the time and am encouraging myself to respond in this way, too. But wanted to share as I go.
Thanks, Anne for being honest about the ongoing redemptive work of Jesus in this world!
Yes. Perfect. Thank you for the reminders.
Sorry that you received an email like the one you mentioned. Perhaps it will serve as a confirmation of your calling. I don’t think what we (and my wife and myself) are going through makes us unqualified at all. On the contrary, I believe it makes us experts in the field and it makes us totally rely upon God. I am not sure what kind of leader you would be if you were not currently in the fire in some way.
I am honestly not sure I would trust you if you weren’t getting attacked in some way. I think Christianity needs a paradigm shift with regards to our views of what leaders do and do not look like.
You are a leader (an even greater one by your challenges)….. Keep it up!
I really appreciate your honesty about what you deal with when it comes to depression and anxiety. Not only do I think its brave, but I also think that you are helping more people than you can imagine.
Thank YOU Anne. I go to the Dr. on Friday at 3:30. I have needed to go for a while now but I’ve put it off over and over because of the words others have said. I was not where I should be with God….Snap out of it….just get up and get movin and you’ll be fine. I know when I told one lady she told me to take care of it…she didn’t want to hear about any babies being killed in my bath tub!!!! I CANNOT believe Christians.
I went to an Extraordinary Women’s Conference this past weekend and God spoke to me. I cried the whole two days on and off. Chonda Pierce shared about her clinical depression and about how people in church reacted. I thank God she shared! I thank God that you shared right after I got home! I called the dr. on Tuesday. Please pray for me if you would.
Last night to make it all worse my husband nailed a deer and totaled our car on the way to a business trip. He is fine Thank God. It seems life can’t get much worse right now.
Thanks, Jennifer
Thank you, Anne. I’ve been there to the world of clinical depression for a few visits. Today I’m not. Don’t know if I’ll go back.
I’m sorry you were attacked by one who probably claims the title “Christian” — we are so good at shooting our wounded! We probably could use a book about that — oh wait! It’s coming out soon, it’s called Mad Church Disease!
You are awesome, young woman, because you are willing to be open about yourself and willing to be used of God.
“don?t worry. if you trust god more, he?ll bring you through.”
Sounds like the nice people who told my parents that my sister would not have died “if you [my parents] had just had more faith…”
Complete bull$#!%.
Hi Anne,
I realize that having depression does not mean that you are not seeking God or that you are sinning…probably quite the opposite. Unlike Angela, I believe depression is a spiritual attack. I’m sure Satan is pissed that you wrote an amazing book and you are faithfully pursuing God. We can only perfect our faith through times of difficulty. This struggle is helping shape your faith and is building perserverance in you.
However, let’s not forget that Jesus gave us the authority over demonic opression (depression) and all sickness. We have power even over death. It doesn’t mean that we always use our authority, but the Holy Spirit does have the power to heal you. We already have the victory, we just aren’t living in it yet.
I’m confident He will heal you and you will have victory, but in the mean time, I think it is wise to seek medical help.
Tony G – I didn’t see your comment come right before mine. I was not implying that at all. I had some Christian people tell me the same thing about my aunt. It’s complete BS. Sorry for the unfortunate timing!
JudiFree – no worries.
Bad things happen to good people, and good things happen to bad people.
I try not to assign credit or blame to God in either case.
In my limited experience, assertions that someone is in a bad circumstance due to a lack of faith or a lack of closeness to God tend to come from people who want to feel better about their OWN faith or closeness to God… “I’m not depressed, like you, so I must be closer to God.”
More bull$#!%.
Tony – I agree! I learned this week that bad things do happen to amazing people when we had layoffs. A major growing up time for me.
Anne, I love this. Just this past week a lady e-mailed me and asked if I would post something on Christian Momlogic about depression. My fears were that to write about something I hadn’t experienced might cause more harm than good. This is grace-filled, honest, and perfect. May I share it at Christian Momlogic as a post with a link back to your blog and you? It will be featured on the smaller community, and then twittered by Momlogic (Time Warner) to many. I think it has so much potential to educate and encourage.
T. Suzanne Eller (Suzie)
http://community.momlogic.com/group/christianmomlogic
Thank you for posting this! I too suffer from depression and get all sorts of comments and criticisms about it. I have been feeling like I am not a true Christian or a good Christian because I have suffered from depression and anxiety my whole life and it didn’t go away when I made a personal relationship with Christ. Too many Christians believe that God will just take away all depression and anxiety. God never promised life was going to all flowers and sunshine for Christians.
Yup
Thanks anne for being honest and sharing your life and your thoughts on here…depression, have watched it in my dads life for years, THANKS for sharing
anne,
thanks. I also struggle with depression. Your honesty inspired me.
thanks for educating folks on depression – it is MUCH needed! (as you well know…)
anyway, some folks here might be interested in What to say to those with depression….
http://joylenegreen.blogspot.com/2007/09/what-to-say-to-someone-who-is-depressed.html
OR the flip side –
What NOT to say to someone with depression….
http://www.findingoptimism.com/healthy-mind/depression-what-to-say/
Not to belabor the statement, but thank you for writing about your battle with depression. I actually have wondered for the last several years if I myself am clinically depressed. The reason it’s difficult for me to know is because I don’t necessarily exhibit all of the suggested symptoms (like hopeless, change in eating habits, etc.), but I go through intense periods of apathy. I stop caring about commitments, go through the routine motions of my day, and lose all interest in things I had previously been passionate about. It’s frustrating because I feel like I have no control over it when it happens, changing circumstances aside. I keep telling myself it’s boredom or not spending enough time with God, but I can’t help but think that essentially “checking out” of life is a sign of depression. Anyone out there have similar experiences or any input? Thanks, D.
Anne,
Thank you once again for your vulnerability and your Transparency! You really Encourage me( and i KNOW ALOT of others!). Your Blog posts Never fail to make my Brain go into over time thinking about what you have said, and more than once, Its something that i am Dealing with/ struggling with. So, i Know that is God using you to Minister to me and countless others! God bless you and your Ministry! I am Praying for you!
I struggled with whether to post this or not (like Anne, I am not a doctor or psychologist) but I do know that there are a number of chemical imbalances that cause depression-like symptoms from personal experience. I have an under-active thyroid that was just diagnosed in the past three years. I was not myself for months in the midst of personal struggle and very stressful circumstances but felt closer and more intimate with God than I ever had before. I just knew something was wrong with my body, but did not think I was depressed. The doctor I spoke with diagnosed me with depression but also conceded to do a blood test – wa-la – it was a thyroid problem.
I say all this as an encouragement to those of you that know in your spirit that it is not a problem with your walk with God, but rather something physically impairing your life. Get help! Do some research and find an answer. I will be on medication for the rest of my life to battle the symptoms of thyroid disease, but my walk with Christ has never been stronger. I thank God that He helped me help myself through the difficult process of proper diagnosis.
Anne – you rock, as always!
i totally agree with you. i have people tell me all the time that i am saved and on my way to heaven, what do i have to be depressed about, and these people get frsutrated with me when i have depression and/or anxiety. tell me that i must not be “walking with God like i should” I am diagnosed with bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder. i have all kinds of emotions, thoughts and feelings that surge through my body and mind all the time. i believe in God and heaven and i am strong in my faith, but I.AM.GOING.TO.HAVE.DEPRESSION.AND.ANXIETY.ALL.MY.LIFE whether people “approve” of it or not. that is who God made me. i wish people would be more understanding of that. thanks for a good post!!
I have a friend who was hospitalized because of depression, finally found a Dr who was able to help her and because of some really good meds she leads a normal life.
Had another friend who was Bi-polar and fell into a deep depression and couldn’t shake it and didn’t go the med route till late in the game. She decided to end it all – unfortunate for her and all of her friends.
Had a Dr slap me in the face with his words once about 15 months after my cancer surgery. Told me I was having survivor guilt or something with a silly name. I think that Dr. saved my life & he was a Pain Dr of all things. I was worried about the cancer & this stuff was giving me just as much grief & I had no clue why I was going crazy.
I think the best thing is that Depression is RECOGNIZED & then treatment can be sought. Don’t be afraid of the meds. The first person I mentioned went thru a horrible time getting her meds adjusted over several months but in the end it was all worth it. Even w/ her depression she didn’t give up. She now says that those little pills allow her to have a Life.
Even if the next several months of your life are filled with Dr appts, etc, etc, etc it will all be worth it. You recognize the problem and sound like you are willing to move forward.
And yes – there are alot of DouchBags out there peddling their brand of religion and sometimes I wonder if Jesus doesn’t feel like puking.
Anne,
I appreciate your honesty and transparency. I too hve found that depression doesn’t always revolve around circumstances.
Craig Booker
My pastor had a bout with depression that was brought on by a schedule that was so very way over booked. He loves it that way and it finally brought him down. This is one of the most Godly and knowledgeable people I’ve ever known. He knows more about the bible and the history behind the scripture than anyone I’ve ever talked with. His depression was deep and debilitating and life-changing. He had to whittle his schedule down to about 15% of what it was before the issue. Mostly had to cut out speaking engagements. I struggle with it myself and my wife believes it’s spiritual and that I am too focused on myself and that’s why it happens. I don’t know about that I just know it’s there and I have to deal with it and if this godly pastor of mine can struggle with it, anyone can.
Thank you for your openess and transparency. I have been on meds for about a year. First Lexapro, now Welbutrin. I know that this is not easy. For people who have never struggled with it, they have no idea how it is. How it can sneak up on you some days, and not on others. I first admitted to myself that I was effected by S.A.D. and I finally talked to my Dr about that. He put me on the Lexapro, and I was fully planning on going off in the spring. Only, this spring it did not go away as it had in other years. I am in therapy and my therapist thinks that I have been low level functionally depressed for at least 10 years. I am not sure how this will work out, I am not fond of taking medications long term, but at this point I know I can’t go off them.
Found your blog through Christian Momlogic
Thanks
Everyone’s story is different. I’m not slamming anyone here. I’m relating my journey with anxiety/depression and God.
My problems with depression started with anxiety. I think that was further aggrevated by a low thyroid.
I started out with Celexa, then Zoloft, and finally Cymbalta. I’m a Christian and have been for a long time. My anxiety and depression didn’t have anything to do with my relationship with God.
I lost my mother in 1981at the age of 17. My mother was 40 years old when she died. The closer I got to 40, the worse my symptoms became.
Two years ago, I was listening to Anne Graham Bell on Focus on the Family. It was a presentation she had given about Daniel. One sentence just “slapped me up side the head”. She said (I’m paraphrasing here), “What would Daniel have done if he’d had Prozac?” I didn’t take it as a slam against medication–some people have to take medication. For me, it made me realize that I had not trusted God with my anxiety and depression, nor had I asked for his help. I talked with my doctor about stopping my medication. I got off the Cymbalta — I thought I was going to die during the “detox”. I was exercising a lot during that time, which helped alot.
Today, my relationship with God is closer. I’m not on any medications. I’ve only had 2 or 3 anxiety attacks in the last two years. That, my friends, is a blessing all by itself!
My prayers are with you!
Thanks so much for writing so honestly about depression. One of our girls has it, and I know how hard it is. And some of those statements fellow Christians utter (as you illuminated in your post) are not at all helpful. You go girl. Keep trusting in the Lord, being honest, and hanging on tight to Jesus’ hands.
xo Lidy
AMEN, AMEN, AMEN! It is true!
Way to Go! You are so right that what really counts about depression or any other illness is how you deal with it!!!!
Kuddos to you and the fact that you are dealing with it straight on. It is so easy to pretend it isn’t really there or that everything will get better or that there is nothing you can do so everyone will just have to learn to live with “it”.
It takes so much more faith to step out and say, “My God is great. He is the Lord Who Heals. He loves me. I am going to admit the truth about my life and allow Him to help me. I am going to do whatever it takes for me to be the person God originally created me to be. With His awesome help, I am going to travel the unsure path of dealing with depression (or any other condition) and I am not only doing it for myself but I am doing it for my family and friends. I know with God I can be the best I will ever be. And if taking medication is part of my life, I accept it. I trust God to help me in the way He thinks is best for me.”
Now that is a BIG step of faith. We don’t have to be alone, and we don’t have to be recluses. Most often I find that the most enthusiastic, fervent worshipers and prayer warriors are those who have gone to the plate with God and allowed Him to take control. Our need makes us be totally dependent on HIM, until He teaches us that ultimately what we really ever needed was HIM, not healing, or a job, or a friend, or a whatever-it-might-be. When all we seek is HIM, then we have everything. Our depression just helps to get our attention and points in His direction because we want to be better.
Hope you keep walking in obedience with Him and by the way, enjoy the healing journey. He is with you all of the way, every day.
Lindy
I’m really late in replying, I only just found your blog. I just wanted to say thank you for being so open and honest about depression and your experiences with it. And thank you for highlighting the myths that some people believe, and why they’re so wrong.
I’ve battled with depression and other things for many years. I went to a treatment place that called themselves Christian and said they were counsellors and psychologists. But they weren’t qualified, and their “counselling” involved exorcisms to cast out the “demons” of depression. They said I had allowed the demons inside me because of sin that I had done in my life, or that ancestors had done.
Their “treatment” was really damaging and left me feeling much worse psychologically, and it also made me question my Christian beliefs. The way they talked about people suffering with mental illnesses and the way they treated us, made me think if they were Christian, I wanted nothing to do with Christianity ever again.
I think depression and other mental illnesses need to be properly understood in the community, including Christian circles. People shouldn’t be looked down upon in Christian circles just because they take medication or see a psychologist to help them. Depression is a real illness, and God gave us medication and doctors to help treat us. Depression isn’t a sign of sin or demonic oppression or possession.
So thanks again for highlighting the issue!!
Anne, bless you! I’ve been there. I gave up 10 years of my life to depression. I’m a recovering depressive but with the help of counseling and medication I consider myself a survivor. I agree with your poster that said this uniquely qualifies us!
You go girl!