Depression and Christianity

A while ago, I was asked to write on the topic of Depression and Christianity. The reasoning behind it was the fact that people are making statements that Christians can’t be depressed or shouldn’t be depressed. So here is my best shot.

Depression is an issue that has been swept under the rug by many members of the Christian faith simply due to the uneasy feeling it brings. We do not talk about suicide behind the pulpits because it is a sensitive topic. We do not think that counselors are important anymore. All you need is to have faith and you will be fine. The issue with saying “have more faith” to someone who is clinically and chronically depressed is the same issue that we see with telling it to someone who is suffering with terminal cancer; “I am in constant torment due to my lack of trust in God, but why would God torture me?” A faith crisis will happen to someone who believes that they are being tormented by God because they do not have enough faith. If they are being tormented by God, then God is not a just and righteous God. So, we must identify where depression comes from and then follow through with how we should handle it.

Romans 5:12 (KJV) “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by win; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.”

James 5:14-16 (KJV) “Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

As seen in these two passages, sin and health are connected. Due to the Fall of Humanity and the entering of sin into the world, illness entered as well. It is not because I did something bad that I got sick, it is rather because sin exist so does disease. As members of faith, we are constantly looking towards the redemption of our bodies in its entirety and until that day we will still have illness. We are going to be plagued with it, and maybe even more so compared to non-believers simply due to the fact that we are in a spiritual war and our enemy will use whatever tools they have to hurt us. Yes, we are to take this as a faith base and call out for healing from God in all occasions, but we have to realize the tools used to heal and the perfect plan of God.

I hear believers say this all the time and for some reason it only applies to medical doctors: “God gave that person the skills to heal my sickness in my time of need.” We never make this direct correlation to mental health professionals. There is still a stigma of these faithful workers being voodoo witch doctors or some person overly interested in inappropriate topics. We need to realize that these people who work in the mental health profession are just like those who are in the medical health profession; not only are they alike, they tend to work together. I believe that they can be used as tools for the healing God has for you.

God can do miraculous healing in your life at any moment and that should be praised. God could also heal you by sending you on a path that would give you tools to better the kingdom as well. When we tackle the concept of the perfect will of God, we will run down rabbit trails and theological arguments that may or may not apply to this topic at all. My thoughts are simply this, God’s perfect plan for my life is never given in a full picture. I do not know the end of the story or how God will use the things I have been through in the end. The biggest thing that we have to remember is that God has a plan for us.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

We see this verse put on everything Christian for our high school and college graduates. We constantly forget that this was told to the nation of Israel in the midst of being conquered and exiled from their promised nation. God’s plan may not look like it is happening now, but God has promised good to us.

Church, we need to give up this stigma against mental health. We need to stop calling suicide the “s word” and own up to the reality of this sickness. We need to tell the world that this is happening every day to millions of people in our congregations and offer the help they need. If we can stop saying it is a bad thing and start calling for healing like we do for cancer or even a common cold, then we will see a world turned upside for the better of the Kingdom of God.

It is a sad day when we see pastors taking their own lives. Maybe the stigma is so heavily placed in the community of believers that pastors are afraid of looking for help and risking their jobs. Maybe it is seen as a weakness too often, and the pastor sees it as a hinderance to their ministry. They do not take care of it, and much like any illness left unchecked the depression grows and takes over. We need to change the conversation in churches everywhere in hope of a better future.

If you are dealing with depression or other mental health needs, please reach out to someone. I am a proponent for biblical/Christian counselors, because how can you get healing if you do not go to the Almighty. However, my preference should not define your choice. Reach out to a professional that will listen and help you find the root of the problem. Find someone who will work alongside you and come up with a solution that will help you.

If you are contemplating taking your own life, please reach out. The national hotline is 1-800-273-8255 or text HOME to 741-741. If you want to chat online go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org and they will have more information for you. Please reach out.