“I’m a Christian and I wrestle with depression, is something wrong with me?”
If you or someone you know resonates with this question, I encourage you to take five minutes and read on.
What is depression?
Depression is a complex and pervasive mental health condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It can range from a general feeling of sadness or temporary unhappiness to more complicated symptoms that significantly impact daily life, relationships, and overall well-being. Depression can occur at any age, but often manifests during late adolescence to mid-adulthood, and women are twice as likely to experience depression as men.1
When a Christian suffers depression, they might experience guilt or shame thinking that the pain they are experiencing would not occur if they were just more spiritual or prayed more. However, even genuine Christians can get depressed!
Throughout history, many giants of the Christian faith have dealt with depression. The great Puritan pastor, Richard Baxter, the “Prince of Preachers,” Charles Spurgeon, the medical doctor and pastor, Martyn Lloyd-Jones, and even the great literary scholar and Christian apologist, C.S. Lewis, all dealt with depression. We also have several examples in the Bible of people who battled seasons of depression and despondency that we will look at in a moment.
Clinical depression is more than just the occasional “blues” or melancholy moodiness. Major depressive disorder (MDD) or simply depression, is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and disinterest in activities that were once enjoyed. It affects how a person thinks, feels, and handles daily activities, often disrupting work, school, and relationships. A person struggling with depression might also experience changes in appetite and weight, fatigue or loss of energy, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, sleep disturbances (insomnia or oversleeping), feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt, and even thoughts of death or suicide.
Why do I feel depressed?
The exact cause of depression is not fully understood, but it is believed to result from a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors. A family history of depression can increase susceptibility. Imbalances in neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine may contribute, although recent studies have called this conventional thinking into question, suggesting that antidepressants have greatly been overprescribed.2
Traumatic events such as loss of a loved one, financial difficulties, or chronic stress can contribute to depression. Certain personality traits, such as low self-esteem or pessimism, can predispose individuals to depression. Finally, chronic illness, hormonal imbalances, and certain medications can also trigger depressive episodes.
Will I always feel depressed?
Depression is a treatable condition, and early intervention can significantly improve outcomes. If occasions of sadness and despondency persist, take practical steps to address the depression. First, engaging with supportive friends, family, or support groups can provide emotional assistance and reduce feelings of isolation. Isolating yourself will only reinforce thoughts of hopelessness and unhealthy introspection. Secondly, have a medical checkup and seek the counsel of a doctor to rule out any physical or hormonal issues. Thirdly, maintain a healthy diet and get plenty of sleep and exercise. Eat less sugar and don’t drink too much coffee, especially at night. Finally, seek the help of a professional or biblical counselor.
Don’t neglect the spiritual source of healing—God. Prayer and reading God’s word can bring clarity and hope in life. The Bible tells us that the renewal of our minds is a spiritual essential (Romans 12:2). Learning from the saints of old who experienced depression in the Bible can bring encouragement to a believer by being reminded that others faced depression and overcame it by seeking God.
Job suffered greatly and lost his children, his wealth, and his health. He felt abandoned and alone in his misery and grief and he poured out his heart to God (Job 30:16-20). But God had never abandoned him and eventually restored all that Job had lost and comforted him.
Elijah had seen God do an amazing thing by bringing fire out of heaven to consume a water-drenched sacrifice and altar to prove that he was the one true God. However, as soon as Elijah was threatened by the evil queen Jezebel, he ran for the hills and hid in a cave and became deeply depressed. So much so that he said that he didn’t even want to live anymore (1 Kings 19:4). But the Lord came to Elijah, spoke truth to him, and led him out of his depression.
David was overcome with sorrow and cried out to the Lord saying, “I am worn out from my groaning. All night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears. My eyes grow weak with sorrow; they fail because of all my foes” (Psalm 6:6-7). But rather than running away from God out of disappointment or anger, he learned to turn to God in faith and trust. On a later occasion he said, “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Psalm 42:5).
Humans are complex beings created in the image of God. Like God, we are created with intellect and emotions, both of which come into play in response to life’s events, both happy and sad, peaceful and stressful, and test our faith and resolve. But a battle with depression does not have to be fought alone. There is hope to be found in God, his word, and his people.
Helpful Resources:
Anderson, Neil, and Joanne Anderson. Overcoming Depression. Regal Books, 2004.
Minirth, Frank, and Paul Meier. Happiness Is a Choice: The Symptoms, Causes, and Cures of Depression. Baker Books, 2007.
Murray, David P. Christians Get Depressed Too. Reformation Heritage Books, 2010.
Tan, Siang-Yang, and John Ortberg. Coping with Depression. Baker Books, 2004.
