Dealing with depression

TRUTH FOR TODAY

Jun Malazo

Depression dominates the lives of many people.  Regardless of cultural background, social status, or age group, depression is a real battle that many of us will face in our lives.  Everyone gets disappointed or discouraged at some point.  We’ve all faced rejection, fear, and loss.  While these contribute to it, depression runs far deeper.

No one escapes difficulties.  We even read throughout the pages of Scripture about people who struggled with overwhelming despair.  Elijah was a great prophet in Israel that God used mightily, and yet, he had seasons of despondency that caused him to think that his life was not worth living (1 Kings 19).  John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, also suffered despair while in prison.  He sent a message questioning the Lord in Mathew 11:3, “And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?”  One sure thing that depression does is that it distorts our view of God.

Perhaps one of the greatest examples of someone suffering from depression in the Bible is a man by the name of Asaph.  We do not know much about Asaph except that he authored some of the Psalms.  Psalm 77 is a particular one that depicted his desperation. 

"I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah. Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak. I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times. I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search. Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more? Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore? Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah."  (Psalms 77:3-9, KJV)

As you read the passage above, you can sense an attitude of hopelessness and complete despair as he thinks that God has forsaken him and that he will never rise above the situation.  We also read that some of the things Asaph experienced are some of the things that we normally experience while going through depression. 

Asaph wrote in verse 4, “…Thou holdest mine eyes waking….”  R.B. Oulette said in his book entitled When You Can’t Just Get Over It, “Depression doesn’t just affect us mentally, it transforms us physically.  In fact, it can become so debilitating that it’s difficult to sleep…At the time when our bodies need to rest the most, our depression won’t let us sleep.” 

Depression also makes it hard to fully explain exactly what is going on in our lives.  Asaph finished the statement in verse 4, “…I am so troubled that I cannot speak.”  People that suffer from depression often have difficulty expressing words to describe their emotions.

As you continue to read Psalm 77 you’ll find that Asaph’s view of life begins to be somewhat distorted.  He continues in verses 5 and 6, “…I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times. I call to remembrance my song in the night…”  Asaph begins to focus on the past.  Depression has a way of distorting our view of the past and convincing us that there is no hope for the future.

Asaph then said in verse 8, “Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore?”  There is no worse feeling for anyone than the feeling of being abandoned.  Depression often makes us feel that God has forsaken us, and this leads to hopelessness and wondering if it will ever end.

Asaph’s statements thus far in these verses describe what we will most likely feel when we are suffering from depression.  Perhaps you can identify with everything that Asaph is saying.  Maybe you are facing something so overwhelming in your life right now that you just cannot see any way out of it.  The feeling of hopelessness has settled in your heart, and you are wondering if there is an end to this vicious cycle of sorrow. 

You may be suffering from a broken relationship or the recent death of someone you love.  You may be suffering from a financial crisis, or you may be trying to get over an unrealized goal in life.  You, or someone you know, may be suffering from a long term illness.  Whether it is rejection, loss, or physical illness, I would like to submit to you that there is hope.  And that hope is found only in Jesus Christ.  Corrie Ten Boon suffered years of physical suffering and emotional trauma while a prisoner in one of the worst concentration camps during Nazi Germany and yet, she said, “…there is no pit so deep that He is not deeper still….”  Are you in a pit that you feel you cannot escape?  There is hope!  The hope begins with identifying what depression is and what causes it to happen.

What exactly is depression?  Dr. Bud Calvert said the following in his book, Emotional Victory:

“Depression is a spirit of heaviness or gloom that lingers on and on, hovering like a dark cloud.  People who give in to these feelings are consistently despondent because they believe they have lost control in a number of areas in their lives, not only in one.  Eventually, those feelings of gloom do affect every area of life, making the depressed person dysfunctional at home, at the office, or in the community.”

What causes depression?  Some say that it is caused by some tragic event which devastates our lives without any warning at all.  While it is true that depression could have a physical aspect that must be carefully dealt with by a professional physician, it is important to realize that ongoing depression has a spiritual root.  Jay Adams explained in his book, Christian Counselor’s Manual, “Depression is not caused by the event but by the person’s interpretation of and response to the event.  Cultivating a biblical attitude is the key.”

One cause of depression is a distorted view of God.  Having a biblical mindset is a step towards victory over depression.  Asaph’s response to his situation was questioning God’s goodness in his life.  R.B. Oullette said, “When depression grips our minds, our view of God easily transforms from the kind, loving Father that He is to a judgmental, uncaring God.  In fact, we begin to blame God for our problems.” 

Bitterness towards God is also one of the causes of depression.  We become bitter when God won’t respond how we think He should respond to our situation.  One final cause of depression is doubting God.  In just 3 verses (verses 7-9), Asaph questioned about the goodness, mercy, promises and grace of God.  Instead of trusting, He doubted God.

So how do we rise above depression?  Rising above depression requires a change of perspective.  Starting from verse 10 Asaph had a change of perspective of God and his situation.  He said in verse 10, "And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High."  The “right hand” speaks of the hand of power, deliverance, blessing, strength, and salvation of God.  Asaph realized that he should look at God as a God of strength and ability and not of sorrow.  As we deal with depression, we need to focus on how God has wonderfully sustained and cared for us throughout our lives. 

The Bible is filled with the promises of God.  When we think about the good things God has done instead of thinking about our problems, we are recognizing His power and ability to help us in time of need.  When we remember all the good He has done in our lives, it transforms our spirit. 

Finally, we must choose to rejoice in the Lord always.  No matter how dire our situation may seem, we must take time to rejoice in the Lord.  Paul said, “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice."  (Philippians 4:4).  But what if God seems silent?  We need to realize that, though we may not see or feel His working, it doesn’t mean that God is not in control of our lives.  God is at work even when it seems that He is silent.  Hebrews 13:5 says, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."  

As I conclude this article, I would like our readers to know that depression is a very complex issue.  My intention in writing this article is not to oversimplify the issue or make light of your particular situation.  For some depression is something that they will struggle with in their entire lives.  My intended purpose is to give you a glimmer of hope.  Remember that, “…with God nothing is impossible.”  If you are suffering from a lasting depression, I would urge you to seek help from biblical counsellors that can point you in the right direction.  There is a better life, and that life is only found in Jesus Christ.