Do Christians get Depressed?

[DELLA CAYWOOD]

Hello Connie, I am 41 years old, and i love the Lord with all of my heart. Yet i have battled with depression for many years. I have tried very hard to give all to God, but i admit, i still get depressed from time to time. Now, i have heard someone say once that if you are a true christian, then you would not get depressed. So what is your opinion on this? And anyone else who would like to express theirs. God Bless!!!!!! della

[Belinda van Rensburg]

Hi Della - I know many Christians who do get depressed (for various reasons). The thing is, although we as Christians have been redeemed and are saved, the sanctification process does take a lifetime. We don't become 'perfect' overnight. Some struggle with smoking, others with laziness or depression etc. We do get delivered from some things sooner and easier than other things - it differs from person to person.

The longer we walk with our Lord, and the more we learn about the character of God, the more 'mature' and stronger we get spiritually. In my case God delivered me from depression immediately, but it took 7 years before I could quit smoking. There are still many other issues I struggle with, and I know that God will help me to overcome these in due time. Have faith in the Lord, and continue to ask and trust Him for your deliverance. He is in control of your life and He can be trusted - He will deliver you from depression - at the right time.

God bless.

[DELLA CAYWOOD]

Thank you Belinda, I beleive that God does help us get thru. Although, i am not where i use to be with dealing with depression, i still am not where i wish could be. God bless, and thanks for your reply. della

[BOB BLACKMAN]

Della, your question is like asking, "Do Christians get colds or the flu?" I suppose there are a few who might say if you had enough faith you would never get sick, but I'm confident we all get sick from time to time. Have no doubt, depression is a sickness that attacks Christians and non-Christians alike. The advantage of Christians is that even in the depths of depression we still have God, through His Holy Spirit assuring us that we will get through it. I am susceptible to Seasonal Affective Disorder aka Winter Depression and have received great relief this past winter by changing the lighting in my office to full spectrum florescent lights. The added brightness has greatly reduced my susceptibility to depression.

[DELLA CAYWOOD]

Thank you, Bob i guess, i never really thought of it quite like that. I like that answer. Thank you, God bless, della

[Connie Arnold]

Yes, I think you can be a true Christian and still get depressed at times. But if you devote yourself to prayer and try to find ways to help someone else, that often helps by getting your mind off of yourself and your problems. I have short periods of depression that quickly leave because I'm a positive and optimistic person by nature and the joy of the Lord flows through me naturally. There are times when a chemical imbalance can be a factor in depression, and that could be very difficult to overcome. Does someone else have more experience with depression that can help Della? I will add you to my prayers for God's help in overcoming your depression, Della. There are many things in the world that can cause us to be depressed, but God is greater than all of them!

[DELLA CAYWOOD]

Thank you Connie, I have learned over the years when i feel like i am slipping into anykind of depression, to fight it. I pray about it, and try very hard to give it to God. I think the key to all things is to walk not by the flesh but the spirit. There are just times, that the flesh gets weary, and there are days when we just don't feel like crucifying the flesh. I think that when Paul says keep the old man down, It's not just pertaining to sins, but also depressions and things like that. anything that can come in and interfere with our walk with God. I also know that there are chemical inbalances that can contribute to these things. I was diagnosed many years ago, with manic depressant disorder. So, there are times when the smallest thing can knock me down. However, medication is not something that i choose because i do think that pertaining to this, that praying, is the answer. For God has brought me very very far from where i use to be. I also feel that many christians deal with different thorns in their side, and God will sometimes leave it there, to keep us humble. Thanks so much for your opinion on this. God bless, in Christ always, della

[Christopher Reckin]

"heard someone say once that if you are a true christian, then you would not get depressed"

Well if that is right - then there are alot less true christians in this world.
I wrote a poem called Poetic Depression - perhaps I will post it
now that I have read this.
PS
I`m really glad this topic has come up.
(how sad is that! LOL)

[Christopher Reckin]

and heres another apt poem for this topic ...

[DELLA CAYWOOD]

I also like your poem Happy Days!!! Sometimes i wonder where happy days go too. LOL!!!!! Always said what doesn't kill us makes us strong, but you would be surprised what you can live thru. LOL!!!! Blessings!!!! P.s. you remind me of Jack Nicholson, one of my favorite actors!!!! Ha!!! Ha!!!!

[Christopher Reckin]

Thanx. I have no idea why I would remind you of Jack.
I used to have a bit of a thing for Wonder Woman in the 80`s (Linsey Wagner?)

Well as you seem cool wiv all my really sad depressing poetry, I`ll attach a couple
more below.

Get your hanky out and enjoy ... LOL :-)

PS

THE HARDEST BATTLES,
ARE THE ONES FOUGHT ON THE INSIDE.

[DELLA CAYWOOD]

Wow!!! I think i like the Feast the best!!! How beautiful, and sad!!! Thanks for sharing them!!! You know, your right, the hardest battles are the ones fought on the inside. For some of us explode, while others implode. and i guess i am one to fight from the inside lines. LOL!!! By the way, not to contradict you cuz i don't know if you were joking or not, but Wonder woman (Linda Carter) Lindsey wagner was the Bionic woman. LOL!!!! Ha ha.... You still remind of Jack Nicholson, That kind of wittyness, and dry sense of humor. I guess that is why I always liked Frasier so much and House!!!! LOL!!! Blessings>>>>> Della

[Brenda LaVelle]

Dear Della, I just ran across this discussion and must put my two cent's worth in. I have been a Christian since 1986 and a clean and sober recovering alcoholic and drug addict going on 23 years. I am also mentally ill, (on Social Security Disability for it), and now know that I have been since I was about 3 years old. When I became a Christian, God didn't take away my mental illness and depression, but I have gotten much comfort from the Lord within my depression and mental illness and He has even shown me where He "allowed" my mental illness for my own safety and the least amount of pain that I would have to endure as I was growing up. My parents were alcoholic and my mother was addicted to prescription drugs and a rage-a-holic and my father basically disappeared for the most part. I was the oldest of three children and had to protect and almost raise my younger brothers becasue my mother was so mentally and physically ill herself. I learned what I now know to be the unconditional love of God from rare moments with my grandmothers and my pets, who were always there for me.

I have many components to my mental illnesses, including depression, which is getting so much better as I let God minister to me and like Connie said, get out of myself ands help or try to be a blessing to other people. I used to write poems about death and dying because that was the only way I saw out of my misery, and I was one miserable human being! But now I write poems about the glory of God for His honor and glory. In all reality, He "gives" them to me in my morning time with Him in my journal and has been ever since I asked Him to over a year ago.

Could someone mentally ill not be a Christian? No, He loves us just as much as anyone else and as I look back over my life with Him today, He was so kind and loving to me even though I didn't believe in Him then. He knew where He was taking me and where I would end up- being His, lock, stock, and barrel! God bless you Della, and look for the places and times He already has, and you will end up amazed at His love for you!

I'm attaching my testimony, Dear God, and a poem about where my brothers and I came from and where we are now.

With love in Christ,
Brenda LaVelle

Always, in all ways, to God the honor and glory!