Depression
Depression is defined as a debilitating mood, feeling, or sense of hopelessness which becomes a person’s reason for not handling important issues of life. Since man has been created by God as a unique composition of both body and soul (2 Corinthians 4:16; 5:8), there can be various factors which contribute to one’s experience of depression. In some cases, physical illnesses, certain medications, substance abuse, and even extreme fatigue can contribute to depression (1 Kings 19:1–8). In other instances, depression may be caused by one’s own guilt over sin (Psalm 32), an experience of injustice (Psalm 73:2–14), relational difficulties (Jeremiah 17:5–6), overwhelming circumstances in life (Psalm 42:1–10), or even a combination of several of these factors. Thankfully, the Bible offers help and hope to those who battle depression.
One place to find hope in Scripture during seasons of depression is the book of Psalms. Psalm 42, for instance, provides a helpful example of what it means to find hope in God in the midst of despair. There, the Psalmist experienced such deep sadness that he was able to say, “My tears have been my food day and night” (Psalm 42:3). His soul was truly in despair (Psalm 42:6). Nevertheless, the Psalmist turned to God to quench his spiritual thirst (Psalm 42:1–2). Though he was experiencing deep sadness, he knew that his hope was ultimately in God. He could offer praise to God, even when facing life’s darkest circumstances (Psalm 42:5–8, 11). He depended on God’s lovingkindness to help him endure his trial, and found comfort in the fact that God had saved him (Psalm 42:5, 8, 11). Much hope can be found in the experience of the Psalmists.
Ultimately, it is important to remember the various joy-producing realities of what it means to be saved by God through faith in Jesus Christ when experiencing depression. Like the Apostle Paul, you can find reasons to be thankful, even as you may be tempted to be anxious (Philippians 4:6). You can find grounds for rejoicing, even when the weight of your circumstances tempts you to despair (Philippians 2:18; 4:4; 2 Corinthians 4:16–17; 6:4–10). If you have turned away from your sins and trusted in Jesus Christ, the Bible says that you are now in Christ. And if you are in Him, you can fight depression by focusing on the many joy-producing realities of what this means. Consider these truths. If you are in Christ you have been saved from the punishment your sins deserve (Ephesians 2:1–10), you are declared righteous by God (Romans 5:1), you are adopted into God’s family (Romans 8:14–17), nothing can separate you from the love of God (Romans 8:38–39), you have been freed from enslavement to sin (Romans 6), you are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), you are guaranteed eternal life (John 3:16), you have access to the throne of grace to find help in time of need (Hebrews 4:14–16), you have received the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13–14), your life is in the loving and sovereign care of God (Romans 8:28), and the list could go on and on. So, how is it that you can rejoice even when feeling depressed? One way is to deliberately set your mind on the realities of what it means to be in Christ. Even in difficulty, it is possible to rejoice if you remember who you are in Him. Joy is never out of reach for those who have been saved through faith in Jesus Christ.
For Personal Study:
Trusting God by Jerry Bridges If I’m A Christian, Why Am I Depressed by Robert B. Somerville Spiritual Depression: It’s Causes and Cure by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones