Depression

I struggle with serious depression. It got to be the worst it's ever been the week before last. I came here shortly after that. Some of the posts have discouraged me, mainly the ones that say that I don't have enough faith or I would be healed. Yesterday, though, in a Bible study, some friends reminded me that David had some pretty depressing psalms. He obviously knew how I've felt. I've been encouraged by the psalms in the past in how he'll be very depressed, but he'll always start with thanking God for getting him through in the past and end with thanking God for how He'll get him through this time, too. There's probably a thread for this already in the forums, but I just wanted to start something for anyone who's struggling to say you're not alone. We'll get through this. God's carried us through this far, and He won't let us down now. God bless!

Now, my late second wife was a woman of great faith. She was also in a lot of pain and agony from crippling psoriatic arthritis and other serious medical issues which eventually ended her life prematurely.

A few of her siblings thought of themselves as ministers, Nazarene ministers to be exact, ministers without any real training or college level courses. They always questioned her faith. They said that if she had faith she would be healed.

Yes, God does heal, but he does so at the time of his choosing and the level of healing.

Her brothers were ignorant to say the least. I made known to them that they were doing a great disservice to their sister. She was suffering enough without the spiritual anxiety they caused by their insensitive treatment.

I'm sorry that you are suffering from this serious depression. I will also pray for you. What I will not do is to question your faith. Yes, I believe that David suffered from depression too yet at the same time he was a man of great faith.

I suffer from depression too, as do many others on this site. As you have so eloquently stated, we are not alone in this.

Thank you so much for sharing. I also have chronic pain and other problems leftover from my accident many years ago. Actually, that's when my depression started. I had brain trauma. I felt so worthless when I came home. I couldn't walk, so I squirmed around one day on my belly cleaning the floors and doing what I could figure out how to do. When my husband came home, i told him that i felt so bad for all the slack he was having to pick up for me and that i had done everything i could that day. He told me i was worthless. That's when my suicidal thoughts started, and that's when I went to the doctor and got medicated. It took about ten years from that point for me to finally have this epiphany that i wasn't trusting that God had a plan for my life to consider suicide. Jeremiah 29:11 has been my life verse since that day. Some people say that promise wasn't for everyone, but just the captives for whom it was written, but it's not the only place where God promised us He has plans for us and will take care of us. Recently even that strength was tested when I started thinking maybe the great plan God has for me isn't worth the pain I'm in now. But I'm diving into scripture and keeping my mind busy with the forums here. I'm also reading A. W. Tozer's The Pursuit of God. Anyhow, God gives us tools to get through these things, and when all else fails, He just picks us up and carries us, like the Footprints poem. God bless!

both The Bible and meds help me with my mental illness.

I am glad that this has helped you.

God does indeed have a plan for your life. What a horrible thing for a husband to say to a wife. I have taken comfort in Jeremiah 29:11 also. I have chronic pain too, but it is not debilitating. What you have described does seem to be an epiphany. Diving into scripture is always a good thing because it is chock full of goodness. I like the Footprints poem. God does carry us. God bless you too as well.

The alternative to saying you lack faith, is saying that you have enough faith, but God isn't healing you. I was going through an issue and wanted healing, and I had people who had no knowledge of my spiritual life telling me I lack faith. I think sometimes it is easier for people to say that you lack faith (put the blame on you), rather than saying God has decided not to heal you (for whatever reason) as that could somehow be putting the focus on God. That is not their view of God, and they may find it contradictory to Scripture. We all know the story of Joni Tada, based on what I've read about her I believe no one could have more faith or prayed more than she had, however she is still not healed physically. My personal view is that God may not heal us all in this life despite faith (for whatever reason), but He has promised to make us whole in the next life.

you can have faith the size of a mustard seed and it will grow

Rememeber when Jesus said 'oh ye of little faith'. Doesnt mean his disciples didnt have ANY its just that it was at the time small. He then went on to build that faith up.

when you in the valley sometimes it just seems endless and dark, but this is the time to refresh and renew because climbing that mountain will take a lot out of you. Then one day, the clouds will lift, the sun will shine again...you'll see.

In my personal interpretation, I don't know if there's any scripture and perhaps I'm presuming a lot so take this with a pinch of salt, but I think God seeks to challenge our resolve and faith in him. I believe depression is such a challenge offered by God so that you may struggle to find a better tomorrow. It could be with any difficulty we face in this life, they are all tests from God in order to put our trust in him.

Not as easy as I make it sound though, depression is a heavy burden but hopefully you can overcome this challenge and find a new meaning to your life.

If you look Here, there are a couple of audio sermons that should be of help to you:

1) 27. the causes and cure of depression 1:03:18

2) 22 Inner-Healing 1:13:22

For many decades whenever anyone was spoken of as being severly depressed to the point of it being debilitating, I kind of scratched my head wondering how this could be possible.

Since that time, I had an experience, don't ask me which, I do not know, but I did experience a kind of depression which made me sick, so I know it is a real problem for any who suffer this.

For me, because it was a one time only experience, I taook it as a blessing to understand others who have this on a longer term. It is real and it is v ery seriour.

All who suffer this have myu prayers to oercome, or for the Lord to overcome it for them. I pray you be taken care of by Him personally. Always in Jesus, Yeshua, amen.

Thank you. I will check those out.

Also, do remember that our dear Lord Jesus also suffered what you are suffering, indeed worse, and He is with you in your suffering and interceding for you every second of every day! Hebrews 2v17,18, 4v15, 7v25, Isaiah 63v9.

Prayers for you Sister........

I've been feeling unlovable, unworthy, ill, in pain, and alone for so long...so caught up in my own grief and depression that I haven't been able to sense Him. I just picked up my guitar and started singing the 23rd Psalm. You know when it rains almost like a fine mist? Part-way through the song, His presence fell on me like that. I'm going to be okay. You are right Karyn, we can count on Him.
"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." - Psalm 23:4 ESV

Three different types of depression.

One is situational depression...
The other is hormonal depression...
Third is clinical/mental health issue depression.

Everyone gets depressed from time to time.
Especially lately with all the Covid deaths. Lots of people we know have been permanently harmed by the virus, lost jobs, and facing early retirement.

Diabetics routinely suffer from endocrine system induced depression. (Sugar blues from when sugar levels begin falling back down to normal levels)

Then there's the clinical depression from mental health disorders. (Bipolar and many others)


We are able to overcome all of these. But you have to want to.
All of these have a way of magnifying small routine issues into huge mountainous issues inducing more depression.
Capturing these thoughts and not letting them control you is a major part of self discipline needed to overcome. You have to be the jailor and not the prisoner. Kinda like playing cat and mouse...it's better to be the cat every time. Don't be the mouse.

Recognizing that you are depressed and then taking positive steps to getting past the depression... whatever that means for you. From taking proscribed medicines to controlling your diet to doing regular chores on a schedule to some exercise to going to see friends.
These things do wonders for depression.
Unfortunately we usually try self medicating with isolation, sloth, recreational drugs (including alcohol) and empty distractions like television and internet surfing.
(Seeing the tendencies?)

You own your attitudes. You may not own much but your attitudes...but you definitely own them.

Tell you what, John. When I want your opinion, I'll ask for it. Until then, keep it to yourself, okay?

"Because you shove with flank and shoulder, butting all the weak sheep with your horns until you have driven them away," - Ezekiel 34:21

I have dealt with depression a lot myself. When I get that way, I tend to want to just hide away from everyone. I have been dealing with huge negativity for almost 3 years now. It has a way to break someone, trust me on that. I used to love to write almost everyday. Now, that I deal with the dramas of life, I write on occasion.

That can cause some of my depression. Even when I am not aloud to think for myself, but have to think for another person as well. (In my daily life. Someone who is older than I am, but that is a story for a whole other day.)

I still write of course, I just haft to do it when I am very alone. The situation I am in is devastating to me to where I feel like I want to give up a lot of the times.

However, when I get to where I am going I will be a lot happier. It just takes some time.

I pray, and hope your situation does get a lot better.

I hope that you stay strong in everything, I will try to do the same as well.

There was definitely a "worthless" individual in this scenario but it sure wasn't you. I put worthless in quotes because I don't believe people are ENTIRELY worthless, but he pushing it.

So how are you doing now? Id like to think you have gained some victory over depression but im sure there's some things that still get you down. If you don't mind me asking what are they? Maybe I can help with an encouraging word. Message me if you don't want to put it out, or don't answer at all if im going to far.

The Pursuit of God is a great book. I'd also recommend his books on the Attributes of God.

Have you ever heard of Joni Eareckson Tada? She could be very inspirational to you. Look her up. Here's a short version of her testimony.