The first time I remember feeling depressed was when I was playing in a high school basketball game and I looked into the stands only to discover a girl I was dating was with another guy. I didn't have a very good game that night for some reason!
The last time I remember feeling depressed was about a month ago when my youngest son was dismissed from his Christian university because he was convinced God had led him to "sacrifice" his brilliant intellectual ability by not studying. Yea, I know that sounds strange to many people but it's a long story for another time.
Depression is something everyone experiences at some point in their lives. Did you know that many of the great characters in the Bible experienced depression? Here are a few; The Prophet Elijah, Hannah, King David and the Apostle Paul. There are also some other well-known people who struggled with severe depressions such as; Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther, James Taylor and Charles Spurgeon.
Sadly, most Christians don't want to talk about depression because they believe that if they trusted God enough, they would not be depressed. That is not necessarily true in all situations.
If you identify with a majority of these symptoms, you are experiencing depression.
1. Ongoing feelings of sadness or irritability.
2. Loss of interest or pleasure in activities.
3. Changes in weight or appetite.
4. Changes in sleeping patterns.
5. Feeling guilty or worthless.
6. Inability to concentrate, remember things or make decisions.
7. Fatigue or loss of energy.
8. Restlessness or sluggishness.
9. Thoughts of suicide.
10. Unexplained or heightened physical pains.
11. Intermittent or prolonged anxiety.
I have at some point in my life experienced the different types of depression that I am about to list. Maybe you have too or you know someone who has. 1. Non-biological. 2. Biological.
Non-biological depression can be caused for a number of reasons such as difficult circumstances like a surprising illness, performing to measure up instead of resting in your righteousness in Christ, rejection, unforgiveness, unyielded rights, not understanding the gospel of grace, spiritual oppressions, prolonged disappointment, failure and more. At Grace Life International, God works through us each week to provide live and Skype counseling for people who are depressed. For more info, visit our web site at www.GraceLifeInternational.com or call us for a FREE consultation at 704-522-9026.
How can you deal with non-biological depression? The best thing you can do is to resolve the spiritual conflicts within you - most often with good grace-based Biblical counseling.
Biological depression is such that counseling, prayer or setting your mind on Biblical truth will not alleviate it. As a doctor friend once told me, "You can't think you way out of this kind of depression." Some of the reasons for biological depression include illness which changes the body chemistry such as a stroke, some medications, drug or alcohol abuse, extreme fatigue, hormone imbalance, and heredity.
What can help with biological depression? Thank God that we live in a time when there are both natural and traditional medications that can help people who have this kind of depression. See your doctor to discuss your options for this kind of treatment. And listen Christian - there is no need to feel guilty or ashamed if you need to take a natural or prescription medication for depression. Would you feel this way if you had to take thyroid medication? Of course not. So why feel guilty or ashamed about taking medication for biological depression?
Most of all, pray for God to heal your depression and to guide you to the best counseling or treatment for you. 2 Corinthians 7:6 says, "But God, who comforts the depressed, comforted us in the coming of Titus." NASB
Live Free In Christ,
Mark Maulding, President and Founder
www.GraceLifeInternational.com
All Content Copyright © 2013 Mark Maulding
