Depression
Depression is the worst state of mind of person can be in, especially a Christian. I say state of mind because its not really an emotion that comes and goes, when depression hits it tends to hang around for a while, sucking up all the joy in life. When a person is depressed, almost nothing can make them feel joy, and the things that used to bring them joy at one time in their life seem to have lost all the pleasure associated with them. In my own personal experience this can be anything from music and movies, to sports, even spending time with friends can stop being a joyful experience. To summarise, depression is awful, and what makes it worse is that it can be sinful or lead to sin in the life of a Christian.
Out of all people in the world we have the most reason to be constantly full of joy, and the least amount of reason to be depressed. The world should be depressed. It stands in opposition to the King of Kings, it lives in sin, and will one day face the eternal judgement and wrath of God and spend all eternity in the fires of hell. How could someone facing that in their future not be depressed, in fact it would be unreasonable and quite frankly stupid for them to not be depressed. Christians on the other hand, our sins have been forgiven, our unpayable debt paid, and we have an eternity of perfect joy and bliss in the presence of the King to look forward to. We should not be depressed, and yet it has pleased the Lord to try His saints with this great joy killer. Although depression may be a common occurrence, this post is directed to those with a predisposition for depression, those who have been made with a personality that is prone to depression and negative thinking. I am one of those, and I have great sympathy for my fellow citizens of the city of depression. I hope to give you all, and myself, some encouragement and help you realise the Lord’s wonderful work in your sad state.
First of all, you were made to be the way you are by the Sovereign Lord of the universe. There is no accident in who you are, or what temperament you were given. This alone should be encouraging. The Lord made you, knowing that you would suffer with depression, in fact I would go as far as to say that depression was granted to you as your burden to bear. Rejoice in this truth, the great God of the universe knows you, and has a purpose in given you the personality that you have. Why would He do this? For His glory! How? When you are depressed dear friend, what do you do? To whom do you turn? The answer should be the Lord, and if you are reading this, I would assume you have sought Him in your depression, and if you have not, I suggest you do. If somehow you are not a Christian and still reading this, I beg you to turn to the Lord Jesus Christ, because it is only in Him your tears of sadness may be turned into joy. When the Lord’s people cling to Him, when they search for Him with all their heart, when they would not be satisfied apart from Him, this greatly pleases Him. And so, he may send depression our way so that we may seek Him and be blessed in doing so.
How are we blessed by Him during our depression? Charles Spurgeon, the prince of preachers, was a man who struggled with depression throughout his life. Sometimes it would be so severe that he would be bedridden due to his battle with depression. Famously he once said that had “learned to kiss the waves that threw him upon the Rock of Ages.” What he meant by this is that, when the ways of life, not limited to depression, cause us to seek safety and security in Christ, it is a great blessing. How so? Well, being near to Christ is the goal of Christian living. Communion with our Saviour during our life on earth is the best thing for which we could hope. The closer we are to Christ the more righteous we will become, the more righteous we are the less we seen, and the less we sin the more we please and glorify God. And, as the Westminster Confession states, man’s chief purpose in life is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. If depression is how we get there, let us rejoice in this fact.
Whatever the cause of your depression may be, take heart, the Lord knows your struggle and has a plan for you. That does not mean your life will turn out exactly the way you want it to, but it does mean that it will work for your good and, more importantly, the glory of God. Through it He will teach you to cling to Him and to set your heart upon heaven rather than the earth. If I compare the man I am now to who I was before my battle with depression I can honestly say that I am a much better man, and that can be attributed to the work the Lord did in me during those dark days in my life. So, if the Lord has afflicted you with depression, and perhaps you find every day to be a fight and you feel as if you are treading water and are close to drowning, keep going. The Lord will never leave you or forsake you, He will strengthen you, and He will heal you. All you need to do is seek Him. How do you keep going? Start with Psalm 35:3-4, “Trust in Yahweh and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. Delight yourself in Yahweh; and He will give you the desires of your heart.” I hope this may help some you who need it, may the Lord bless you.
