This post is about diving deeper into Christian depression.
Can Christians have depression? Many people have debated this for a long time. Many church goers and believers stand on the notion that if you are truly saved and redeemed in Christ, you shouldn’t be suffering mentally. Some believe that because Jesus gives us all peace, comfort, and joy, we should never be chronically sad or have mental issues.
In this post, we will dive into what the Bible says regarding Christian depression.
Does “Christian Depression” exist?
Firstly, let’s start with what the Bible says. My favorite story in the Bible that involves intense sadness and grief (can be seen as depression) is from the book of 1 Kings 19. This chapter follows the story of Elijah, a great prophet of God. I encourage you to read through this chapter for yourself. As he was going along his journey, an evil queen threatened to take away his life, and he immediately became distressed. Elijah was overwhelmed, scared, and alone. We can see in the previous chapter just before this, he had just called down fire from heaven to prove God to his enemies!
Elijah was a mighty and powerful man of God, and yet, he still had his weaknesses. Just moments after performing this miracle, he told God he had enough and asked him to take his life! He ran away into the wilderness for days, all by himself, and didn’t want to talk to anyone, see anyone, or do anything. And what was God’s response to this? Was it like other’s you have heard? “Get over it!” “You shouldn’t want to die, that is disrespectful and ungrateful to God!” “Life isn’t that bad.” “You can’t be sad when you have God.”
No, God did not say any of that to him at all.
God did not tell him to get over it…
God sent an angel to first make sure he is taking care of himself. He sent food, made sure he drank some water, and got some rest (isn’t God so kind and sweet?). God allowed him to sit in those feelings and did not rush him through it. God did not condemn him for feeling this way. Instead, God asked him what was wrong, and wanted to know how he was feeling. He cared about him. When Elijah told him all of his grief and pain, God understood and let him rest. God did not rebuke Elijah. After Elijah had rested, God showed him a few signs. He did a few miracles of natural occurrences (like fire, an earthquake, and a mighty wind) but showed Elijah he wasn’t in those things. God was in the soft, still voice.
By doing this, God showed Elijah that he wasn’t just a great and powerful God that performs great wonders like he did when he sent fire from heaven. God was also a caring, gentle God who was present in calm moments. He showed Elijah that he doesn’t always have to be performing to be close to him or to serve him. God is in the rest too. This helped Elijah to understand that he didn’t have to continue feeling overworked as a prophet anymore. And then God told him that he wasn’t alone. There were many others just like him who were saved and redeemed and told Elijah that he doesn’t have to continue on feeling alone. And soon after, God gave Elijah a friend! Someone to walk with him alongside his journey, all the way until he died. Any guesses? It was a man just like him named Elisha.
God listened to Elijah’s grief and pain and comforted him. He did not reject him or force him to go back to work for him while he was in pain. God allowed him to feel his emotions, gave him comfort and supplied his needs all around- mentally, emotionally, physically, and socially! What a wonderful God he is.
Don’t listen to others…
A common confusion that many people have is that Christians cannot be overly sad or consistently grievous because God is our peace and joy. They argue, if God supplies us with joy unspeakable and full of glory, then you shouldn’t be sad all the time! Many will use this argument to look down on us and say we must not be saved after all! Several will claim that God should make us happy, and if we are not happy, we do not have God. How awful is that?
I have heard this so many times in my life, and it is sad. People who say these things are not only being hurtful, but also judgmental and condemning you without even understanding the situation. In addition to this, they aren’t being helpful or supportive of you like we are supposed to be of our brethren in Christ. I can’t tell you how many times I have cried and felt alone because of the shame I felt with having depression and being ostracized by my church and community. The good news is, I didn’t listen to them. I listened to what God says about me.
What does the Bible say about Christian depression?
Ironically, the bible is full of stories of great and powerful men of God that were prophets and apostles and kings who were chronically sad and alone. David is one of them that stands out the most! Many of the chapters in the book of Psalms were written by him, and if you have ever read that book, it is an emotional rollercoaster to say the least!! David went through the worst of times. Many times, he was hopeless, friendless, and full of non-stop tears and grief! He even had to encourage himself because he had no one else to. I will place a few of his most heart-wrenching verses here:
Psalms 6:6 “I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears.”
Psalms 102: 3-9 “My heart is smitten and withered like grass; So that I forget to eat my bread. By reason of the voice of my groaning My bones cleave to my skin. I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert. I watch and am as a sparrow Alone upon the house top. Mine enemies reproach me all the day; And they that are mad against me are sworn against me. For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping,”
Psalms 42:3 “My tears have been my meat day and nght, while they continually say unto me, where is they God?”
Psalms 88 (various verses) “For my soul is full of troubles: and my life draws nigh unto the grave” “Mine eyes mourns by reason of affliction: Lord, I have called daily upon thee, I have stretched out my hands unto thee.” “I am afflicted and ready to die from my youth up”
Psalms 69: 3 “I am weary of my crying; my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God.”
Psalms 88:1 “O Lord God, I have cried day and night before you”
Certainly, Christian depression is not uncommon, and you are not alone.
Grief can coexist with joy.
Clearly, David was continuously distressed. But God loved David. All throughout the scripture, we read that God was with David, and David was with God. David was a man after God’s own heart! And God promised David that from his lineage, a savior would be born, Jesus Christ. But David spent many of his days running, hiding in caves, being judged and laughed at by his own kingdom, family, and even friends from church! (Psalms 42:4) This is just one example of several men of God that went through immense pain and depression in the Bible. Overall, as Christians, we can have salvation, but experience a life on earth that is so grievous that we are overwhelmed. This is why we run to God!
Undoubtedly, David ran to God and prayed to him, and God delivered him from all his troubles. God gave him rest. God provided for David. There are many psalms of singing and praising God. There are many where David is overly joyous and completely satisfied with God’s love. This doesn’t mean he wasn’t depressed. Many scriptures he wrote, he praised God in the storm of depression (Psalms 42:5). As Christians, and faithful people of God, both can coexist. We can praise and live a holy, righteous life for God, and we can experience chronic grief/depression.
If you have depression, here’s what to do…
In conclusion, to answer the question, yes! Christians can have depression! Our faith and love in Christ do not make us immune to the hardship and pressures of life. Every person has something they are struggling with, whether it is lack of faith, lying, stealing, covetousness, forgiveness, etc. We all fall short of the glory of God. This is why we continuously go to him in prayer and supplication. This is why we die daily. Our flesh may be weak and fail us, but God is our strength, and helps us overcome it all.
Overall, if you are struggling with your mental health, whether it be anxiety, depression, or any other mental illness/disorder, there is nothing wrong with you! You are still loved and saved by God. You are not any less of a Christian than anybody else. Don’t listen to anyone who tries to make you feel small or ashamed for struggling. We all have our share of things to work on, and this is yours! Own it. Embrace it. Anyone who is pointing a finger down at you also has something that can be pointed at as well. Christian depression is not a sin. Stay in Christ, look to him only, and keep moving forward in grace. He will guide you and help you through this! Don’t lose hope. You are worth fighting for (that’s why Jesus did for you).
This post was all about diving deeper into Christian depression.
