Depression - spiritual, physical, or both?

Depression – Is it spiritual, physical or both? The answer is it can be either or both. Certainly sin can be a cause of depression, when a person is under great conviction. As Christians though I think we can be too dismissive of people who struggle with depression, simply chalking it up as the person not spending enough time with the Lord and in His Word. I have heard well-meaning Christians, who really have no clue because they have never experienced depression, tell other believers that very thing; they just aren’t walking with God like they should or they wouldn’t be feeling the way they are. If you are someone who has felt that way, had those thoughts, or actually told someone that, please read the rest of this blog.

Were there characters in the bible that battled depression?

§  Elijah – After a great spiritual victory over the prophets of Baal, Elijah said in 1 Kings 19:4 “I have had enough Lord, he said. Take my life, I am not better than my ancestors.”

§  Job – He seemed to have continual struggles with depression. “Why did I not perish at birth, and die as I came from the womb?” Job 3:11. “I have no peace, no quietness, I have no rest, but only turmoil.” Job 3:26. “I loathe my very life, therefore I will give free rein to my complaint and speak out in the bitterness of my soul.” Job 10:1

§  Jeremiah – The ‘weeping prophet’ often struggled with depression. “Cursed be the day I was born…why did I ever come out of the womb to see trouble and sorrow and to end my days in shame?” Jeremiah 20:14; 18

What about other godly people? Are there examples of their being depressed? Charles Spurgeon is known as the ‘prince of preachers’ and is one of the greatest preachers of the gospel this world has ever known. In 1858 at the age of 24 he had his first episode of depression. He later said, “My spirits were sunken so low that I could weep by the hour like a child, and yet I knew not what I wept for.” His depression was so severe, on occasions he would be out of his pulpit weeks at a time. Read his description of this debilitating disease: “Causeless depression cannot be reasoned with, nor can David’s harp charm it away by sweet discoursing’s. As well fight with the mist as with this shapeless, indefinable, yet all-beclouding hopelessness ... The iron bolt which so mysteriously fastens the door of hope and holds our spirits in gloomy prison, needs a heavenly hand to push it back.”

If depression were solely a spiritual battle surely men like Elijah, Jeremiah, or Spurgeon would have known to just “get right with God” and all would be better. It’s true that through the years I have battled depression myself but this article is not about me and I’m not currently going through a bout of depression. This blog is about helping Christians understand that sometimes the things they say to the depressed do more harm than they do good.

Here are just a few things that those who have depression with those who didn’t understood about the illness.

1. Depression isn’t the same as being sad. “We’ve all been sad. But feeling sad is usually a temporary state. Depression is long-lasting,” says Tina Walch, MD, a psychiatrist and chief medical director of South Oaks Hospital in Amityville, NY. In fact, you may not even feel sad when you’re depressed; you may simply be disengaged or disinterested.  
2. You can’t just wish or pray it away. “People think that you can just control depression,” says Ashley Valencia, a 30-year-old printing professional in Dallas. “But trying to help someone with depression by saying 'pray,' 'try to get over it,' or 'just try this or that' isn’t actually helpful.” What does help? “Be loving and kind and understanding,” Valencia says. “Instead of trying [to 'fix' me], let me work with my doctor to find real solutions.”
3. It’s a real disease. “Too many people still believe it’s not a real medical disease. But research shows that it is,” Dr. Walch says. Experts believe it’s caused by a combination of things. Depression is an illness, not a choice!
4. Depression medication does not turn you into a zombie. Not all people with depression need to take medication. But for those who do, there are many good medication options available that can help them feel better. (Talk therapy, lifestyle changes, and brain stimulation therapy are also good ways to treat depression.)
5. A few other things worth mentioning that your friends with depression wish those without it understood:
• “Reminding me that the circumstances of my life really aren't that bad doesn't make me feel any better.”
• “Don't talk about depression like it's something I can ‘beat.’”
• “If things are really bad and you reach out, I might not respond; don’t take it personal.”
• “We all have different coping mechanisms, so don’t compare me to your other depressed friends.”
• “Don't judge me for taking medication.”

Many of my thoughts above came from an article at https://www.webmd.com/depression/features/people-depression-wish-you-knew

If you are battling depression know you are not alone; please reach out and get help. If you have never battled depression and you don’t understand those who do, thank your God you have never faced it and pray that you never do.