Balanced
This title/topic, could be applied to just about any illness, and yes, depression is an illness. There are some, I know, who would say, “Oh, just get over it. Read your Bible and pray.” Well if it were that easy, depression wouldn’t affect as many people as it does. Depression is not completely and adequately being dealt with at times by people who experience it because it, depression, carries this negative connotation attached to it. A person doesn’t want to be dubbed crazy, mental, or a basket case. But understand, depression is a physical condition that affects, and one can even say attacks, a person’s body. Truth be told, just about anyone and everyone can or has experienced depression at some time in their life. Let me also say, just because a person battles with depression, that doesn’t make him or her any less spiritual than anyone else. It does, however, make that person more vulnerable and depending on where that person is spiritually, it will determine the “fight” that will ensue. Yes, your level of spirituality will make the difference as to whether or not you are overcome or are an overcomer. And just like with any other battle, you need people who will pray with you and for you, and not talk about you. But even if they talk, deal with it and handle your business.
For a moment, let us examine the medical side of depression. Understand, I am not a doctor and am in no way diagnosing or prescribing any condition or treatment. What is being shared comes from research available on the web.
Medically, what is depression? “Depression may be described as feeling sad, blue, unhappy, miserable, or down in the dumps. Most of us feel this way at one time or another for short periods.
True clinical depression is a mood disorder in which feelings of sadness, loss, anger, or frustration interfere with everyday life for weeks or longer.”1
Depression is a chemical imbalance which interferes with your life. If left unchecked, it can render a person helpless, and that is just what the enemy wants; especially if the person has a special anointing and call on their life.
There are different types of depression. Below is a list of a few of them. Keep in mind, it is not a conclusive list and is not given to diagnose any symptoms one may be experiencing but is given as a guide.
Postpartum—affects new mothers
Major depression—characterized by inability to enjoy life and experience pleasure
Dysthymia—recurrent, mild, chronic “low grade” depression
Seasonal affective disorder—depression in the fall or winter when there are frequent overcast or rainy days, stormy weather, and sunlight is limited.
Situational depression—due to stressful situations and circumstances that arise in life such as death of a loved one, loss of job or income, a new marriage, moving to a new location, etc.
Bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression)—characterized by cycling mood changes
*If any of the above types of depression affect you, please first of all, pray about everything, then consult your pastor and/or doctor for additional guidance.*
For some types of depression, medication may be the answer. There are also natural remedies that can help. Remember, before we experienced the advancement of medicine, many things were healed naturally. The Bible tells us that there is nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiates 1:9). Everything that is made is made from something that already exists. Explore the options and alternatives to medication, many of which has worse side affects than the actual illness. But whatever you do, get some help. You don’t have to face this alone. Often times, the enemy wants you to stay to yourself and keep all those negative feelings bottled up inside. Well, what happens when you bottle something up but on the inside that stuff keeps growing and multiplying? Eventually it bursts open, explode; that’s what can happen to a person who keeps these emotions stopped up. The end result is not good. Either the person hurts someone else, themselves, or commits suicide. Please know, there is help available!
So, what causes depression anyway? Again, this is not all inclusive and is not to be interpreted as a diagnosis but understand there are several factors to consider. The following list is taken from WebMD2.
Abuse. Past physical, sexual, or emotional abuse can cause depression later in life.
Certain medications. For example, some drugs used to treat high blood pressure, such as beta-blockers or reserpine, can increase your risk of depression.
Conflict. Depression may result from personal conflicts or disputes with family members or friends.
Death or a loss. Sadness or grief from the death or loss of a loved one, though natural, can also increase the risk of depression.
Genetics. A family history of depression may increase the risk. It’s thought that depression is passed genetically from one generation to the next. The exact way this happens, though, is not known.
Major events. Even good events such as starting a new job, graduating, or getting married can lead to depression. So can moving, losing a job or income, getting divorced, or retiring.
Other personal problems. Problems such as social isolation due to other mental illnesses or being cast out of a family or social group can lead to depression.
Serious illnesses. Sometimes depression co-exists with a major illness or is a reaction to the illness.
Substance abuse. Nearly 30% of people with substance abuse problems also have major or clinical depression.
OK, so many factors can contribute to depression. No one is immune to it, I mean after all, we are only human, mere mortals made of dirt with flesh and blood. But, and I cannot stress this enough, if any of these things apply to you, pray about it and get help on your side. Talk to someone about what you are feeling. DO NOT keep it bottled up inside.
Do you know depression hurts? Yes, it does. “Depression is a disorder of the body as much as of the mind. Increasingly, there is evidence that depression involves multiple body systems.”3 Depression can cause headaches, stomach problems, muscle and joint pain, increase risk of heart disease, and so much more. Pain in your body can be a sign of depression. Don’t ignore it, don’t overlook it. Not all pain is imaginary. It could be the sign to alert you to what is going on with you and depression.
See, God designed our bodies to work in perfect harmony. When something is off, when something is wrong, signals are sent out. Many times if we pay attention to our bodies we can avoid major medical conditions later on. God can keep all things in balance. If He can keep the Universe in order, how hard would it be for Him to keep our bodies in order, the very ones He fashioned with His own hands? We are complex beings but God knows the intricate, minutest workings of our make-up. He programmed our genetic code and therefore, He knows us better than we know ourselves. He knew some of us would suffer from this thing called depression. But He also knew we could overcome it.
I hear people saying, “Get over it,” like it’s something you can shed like a piece of outer clothing. Some people look down on you if you say you experience depression. Still others would claim that you are not “spiritual” enough because it affects you. Nothing could be farther from the truth. In fact, there were people in the Bible who experienced depression and we quote them on a regular basis. Let us now examine the pages of the Bible and see who these people were and what we can gleam from them.
We’ll start with the most obvious ones, and know that this too is not an all inclusive list.
Job. This man had some serious issues going on. Not only did he lose his income (oxen, sheep, and camels) but he suffered loss of his servants and children. Then his own health began to deteriorate. By the third chapter, Job was done. He cursed the day he was born and wanted to die. But in the end, he trusted in God and was rewarded with double of all he had.
Elijah. A great prophet, a great man of God. After the miraculous showdown on Mount Carmel resulting in the slaughter of 450 prophets of Baal, because of the word of a woman, Jezebel, Elijah fled for his life. Coming to the wilderness outside Beersheba, he too wanted his life to come to an end. He did not eat of his own accord because we are told that three times an angel came to him and told him to rise and eat (cf. 1 Kings 18, 19). But Elijah trusted in God and in the end was taken up to heaven is a fiery chariot.
Judas Iscariot. The betrayal of Jesus was too great for this man, so much so until he took his own life. This is one of the negative examples we don’t want to follow. Nothing comes of suicide except more grief. Trust in Jesus and give Him all your problems.
Jesus makes the difference in your life. With Him, though depression may come upon you, you do not have to stay in that state, you do not have to bear it alone. Below are two others who, though they were very vocal in the Bible, you will have to really take note to their words and actions to even know they too dealt with depression. These next two, many will probably contest that they dealt with depression but let me present my case, then you be the judge.
Paul. Writer of most of the New Testament, this man endured trials and suffering. Yes, he was on a mission and that, along with the grace and strength of God is probably what kept him strong and sane. Paul is a man who having been there, done that, he wrote the book. He tells us, “in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me,” Philippians 4: 11-13. Paul learned to get to this point where when trouble comes, give it to Jesus. I’m sure depression tried to set in on him but once he recognized what it was, he did not stay in that state. This too, is what we must do when depression tries to attack us.
Jesus. WAIT, hold on! I know many will say here no way Jesus suffered from depression. Uh huh, on most accounts, I agree. I do believe though that what He experienced was an expedited form of depression. My evidence is presented as such…
Hebrews 4:15 says, “For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning” (Amplified version—italics mine). Jesus, though God, yet a man, experienced what we experience. To be sure, He was under great stress as He was facing eminent death. Yes, that is what He came for but the human side of Him was going through, so much so to the point where He cried, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt,” (Matthew 26:39). And
Though we did not discuss the many symptoms of depression, we do know that stressful situations are often a contributing factor. One thing that happened to Jesus which let’s us know that He was suffering extreme stress is recorded in Luke 22:44. When He was in the garden praying, Luke tells us, “And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” This is an actual condition known as hematidrosis. “Around the sweat glands, there are multiple blood vessels in a net-like form.” Under the pressure of great stress the vessels constrict. Then as the anxiety passes “the blood vessels dilate to the point of rupture. The blood goes into the sweat glands.” As the sweat glands are producing a lot of sweat, it pushes the blood to the surface coming out as droplets of blood mixed with sweat.”4
OK, so did Jesus experience an expedited form of depression or no? You be the judge. Bottom line is, no one living on this planet is immune from depression. Many are not predisposed to it but if it has touched your life, understand that even the best of ‘em have had to deal with it, and you can too! We need to abolish the stigma attached to depression so that people can get the help they need. Do not be a victim; that’s what the enemy wants. Instead, be a victor; that’s what God wants and has designed us to be. In every sense of the Word, you are victorious, you are an overcomer! If you, or someone you know, is experiencing depression, don’t give in to it, turn it over to Jesus.
Pray, seek help, and live a prosperous, productive life through Jesus!
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001941/
http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/causes-depression
http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200308/when-depression-hurts
http://www.christiananswers.net/q-eden/edn-t018.html
