Depression and Faith?

Question

I had an interesting experience last night...I've been struggling with depression - really struggling. I feel a deep, physical, inconsolable heartache. Last night I went to the bookstore, and I bought The Message along with a 365 day King James devotional Bible. Immediately, and for the first time in years, I felt some relief, the beginning of the loosening despair. That saying "let go and let God" - perhaps there's something to it..... My husband's reaction, laden with fear of fundamentalism, tempered my hope.

I long ago gave up my connection to God because the organized religion to which I've always belonged is so disappointing. The words "being fed with spiritual food" meant nothing because the food was illusory and had little nutritional value. But the hunger has remained and the pain of separation has grown. Are there others out there who can laugh and love and have faith without dogma? Is there is hope for salvation even in the Bible Belt?!

What experiences can you share?

Thanks for all the responses so far. Btw, I am in counseling and working with a doctor for medication; it's time for a med change, so the pain has returned full force. It is chronic and clinical, and I address it on a daily basis so it doesn't run me over or run me irretrievably down. If I can't summon the strenght to address it for myself, I do it for my husband and my child, whom I love as best I can through the pain. It's a big burden to shoulder alone. The "aha!" was that perhaps I don't have to do it alone......

Answer 1

The message is always available for all of us, however, I can't relate to your experience with respect to depression. I do think that depression can be rooted in many things. Some of them have nothing to do with God and many of them are rooted in the poor nutrition and the quality of food that we eat within North America.

If you have found God in this way and that is good.

Answer 2

I am replying your post at the risk of you not reading the response, but 'something' asked me to respond. I do hope you find some benefit therein.

I have been an MD for some thirty years, so I have an idea what you are going through. However, I suggest that you check out the link below; many have found a lot more than an ordinary cure there. And the good thing is that you will not have to change your belief system. The spiritual exercises there work regardless of faith or religion.

While warning you not to expect an instantaneous cure, I wish you a speedy recovery.

Answer 3

Your not alone. In fact, I'm told that a great deal of christian women suffer from depression. To make matters worse, many women attend church seeking medicine.

Let me explain, when I'm sad or feeling blue and I can't pinpoint why I'm feeling this way. I want something quick that can make me "happy go lucky," usually this results in a piece of chocolate.

Fortunately, as I mature in the word of God, He's revealing to me that "depression is an emotion." More importantly, as I talk to God regularly, not only when I'm sick and need an immediate cure, my daily mood swings are somewhat bearable, I'm not barking at my telephone for ringing while I'm trying to type an email.

Now I'm quiet aware that for some people, depression is a reality and medicine is definitely needed. Please see a professional. This email is not direct to you. Then there's others who occasionally battle with depression, and if they just "had a little talk with Jesus and tell him all about our troubles. He would hear our faith and cries......" you know the song......

In short, if you are a woman struggling with depression don't make going to church medicine instead consider attending church as a "daily vitamin." I'm told that vitamin B is really good for mood swings. With that said, good nite all, I need a shot of Vitamin B now because I feel a mood swing coming on.

Answer 4

I've had serious struggles with depression as well, and with despair. Prayer, reading the Bible, and ESPECIALLY worship times have broken that depressive "cloud" more times than I could begin to count.. Slowly over the years, I've learned how to get out of depression and it doesn't affect me very often anymore.

Despair is another issue, and is difficult. You may want to try reading Isaiah 61, and saying in prayer (to God) that you believe the promises he's made in that passage. And ask for his spirit in your life. Look at Luke 11:11-13 - the Holy Spirit is promised to those who ask for His presence. When the Holy Spirit shows up, depression and despair is almost impossible!

True freedom and victory in Christ is NOT like religious dogma, because much of that is dead because it is man-made and is for social control, not for serving God. God DOES hold us to standards of morality, devotion, and justice, but does not imprison or lay heavy burdens on people. That is not God, it's man's oppression. God's Word is living and active!

Answer 5

How wonderful that you were able to find some comfort in God's word.

As a life-long christian, I can honestly tell you that religion will not necessarily cure / fix depression. It won't necessarily eliminate the reasons for your depression, including a possible chemical imbalance which is easily treatable.

What you experienced was the hope that God's word brings because it allows you to look beyond your present circumstances. Please don't give up on your relationship with God. The fact that your RELIGION has disappoitned you has nothing to do with him, to be fair. Many many horrible things have been done in his name, many lies are still being told/taught in his name. That doesn't mean he isn't there or that there is no hope. James 4:8 says "draw close to God and he will draw close to you". Pray to Him, using his name Jehovah, and ask him to guide you in your search.

Answer 6

ONE OF THE BEST THINGS I EVER DISCOVERED WAS THAT YOU CAN HAVE FAITH WITHOUT THE TRAPPINGS OF ORGANIZED RELIGION! GOD IS EVERY WHERE, NOT JUST IN THOSE BIG OLD BUILDINGS FULL OF PEOPLE WHO ARE NICE ON SUNDAY BUT WOULD STAB YOU IN THE BACK FOR A BUCK AS SOON AS THEY LEAVE THE CHURCH GROUNDS. PREACHERS WHO DO NOT PRACTICE WHAT THEY PREACH, LIKE THE CHILD MOLESTING PRIESTS OR ADULTEROUS PREACHERS. THERE ARE SO MANY BOOKS THAT MAKE GOD'S WORD SO MUCH MORE UNDERSTANDABLE THAN THE BIBLE ITSELF.
THAT SAYING, "LET GO, LET GOD" HAS SAVED ME FROM ALOT. IT HELPED ME DEAL WITH MY HUSBAND'S CANCER. I PUT LITTLE SIGNS ALL OVER THE HOUSE. BY THE WAY, HE IS 5 1/2 YEARS PAST STAGE IV LYMPHOMA! READ A LITTLE. BELIEVE ALOT. BE HAPPY! LOVE YOUR FAMILY, LIFE AND GOD!!! AND SING! JUST ANYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND ALOT!!!!!!!

Answer 7

Well first of all you have got to walk by faith, not by Sight. God has always promised that if you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good of the land. Understand though, that being willing means more than just saying, well Lord, if you want me to prosper,I'll prosper. Being willing means that you apply the force of your will and determine to receive by faith what God has promised, no matter how impossible the circumstances may seem to be. There is hope for salvation any were you are.

Answer 8

Church and religion can be nice and have valid points however you do not have to go to church or be associated to any religion to experience God. I feel that I am a more spiritual person than religious, though many things I focus on and say may sound like they come from religion.

The key is to follow your heart, it will always guide you in the right direction, regardless of what others may say.

Love God, Love Others, Love Yourself

Answer 9

The Bible tells us to be filled with joy and praise (Philippians 4:4; Romans 15:11), so God apparently intends for us all to live joyful lives. This is not easy for someone suffering from situational depression, but it can be remedied through God's gifts of prayer, Bible study and application, support groups, home groups, fellowship among believers, confession, forgiveness, and counseling. We must make the conscious effort to not be absorbed in ourselves, but rather to turn our efforts outward. Feelings of depression can often be solved when the sufferer takes the focus off himself and puts it on Christ and others.

Answer 10

Keep up your hope. Your husband knows you and loves you. Faith should not be fundamental. Faith should BLOSSOM!

Give him one of those bibles. Have him read Song of Songs. It's a beautiful book. It might help him be less worried.

The Church is my mother. What child doesn't disagree with their parent time and time again?

We are each, alone, responsible for our spiritual growth. Those who think they can be spiritually fed by Sunday meetings alone are selling themselves short. Those who blame lack of being spiritually fed by Sunday meetings alone are blaming the wrong person...

Just like people want to blame their parent or parents for "messing them up" - everything they have done in their lives is their choice.

When we stand before God - we will not be able to say "he made me do this" or "she made me go there."

Adam and Eve got kicked out of Eden for refusing to take responsibility for their own actions. Eve blamed the snake. Adam blamed Eve. How different would things be today if they'd thrown themselves on God's mercy and cried "mea culpa!" (my fault)

We shouldn't abandon our parents (the church) because they let us down. We should stay involved. Make things better.