Religion and Depression?

Question

I'm not religious. I'm asking this question for a better general knowledge, not to be critical.

When someone on Y!A asks a question, for example... "I'm feeling really depressed lately" or a question about suicide, they seem to get many answers telling the to turn to God.

I want to understand how someone could possibly think that God could heal their depression?

How though?

Jen M- I am in no way judging anyone. I'm doing to opposite. Those who are judgemental are those who unknowledgeable. I'm trying to gain knowledge so I wont judge and I'll understand.

Answer 1

I think that people who have such faith in God find such comfort in their faith that it helps in all aspects of their lives. I think they find relief in feeling that all the things that are happening to them are out of their control, that it's nothing to do with them doing something wrong, that there's some higher power controlling their lives for a reason and if they just keep being good little boys and girls, God will reward them. I'm glad for those people that it makes them happy to have that belief, but I think that if you don't have that belief in God to start with, suddenly turning to it when things are going wrong isn't really going to help. Believing that bad things happen to good people sometimes, I can understand. Realising that some things are out of our control due to no fault of our own, fair enough. But God reaching down to turn our frowns upside-down, I don't know!
Whatever works for them, I suppose!

Answer 2

God does not do His work by Himself.God reaches us through the people who surround us each day.God has given us the ability to think,to reason and to make decisions.When we need help with issues such as depression those who believe in God and have faith will not only seek professional help but will also turn to prayer as a source of strength and support.Those people of faith know they do not go through life's trials alone,that even in the darkest of times, we are not alone.Faith is believing in what you cannot see.I don't know if this helps at all

Answer 3

When I am depressed, God talks to me in my heart gving me reasons to live, to be happy. I am not speaking for everyone, just myself.

How? When I pray I ask God to help me get through whatever it is I am going through. Then I begin seeing images of what I am here for, all the reasons I have to be happy. Usually I cannot do this without having said a prayer. Non believers may say it is all psychological. But what difference does it really make if it makes me feel better?

Answer 4

Maybe they have experienced that type of healing from God. If you don't believe in that type of thing or the power God has, there's not much I can do to convince you, but for people who do believe and trust in God they've experienced all sorts of renewals from all types of problems. God made many promises in his Word and to those who believe, their faith as made them well. I do believe God can heal people from depression and many other sicknesses, the Bible says he bore all our sicknesses and diseases when he died on the cross. I understand that you probably don't believe in all this, but for those who do, it will be done for them. The only thing that hinders healing is the person's own unbelief. To summarize, they believe differently than you. God has made many promises to those who put their trust in Him and follow his Word. I understand you don't believe the same way, but please don't try to discourage or ridicule anyone from this belief, you don't know how important it is to them and don't want to contribute to their difficulties.

Answer 5

There are many ways God can take their depression away and give them great joy unspeakable.

Answer 6

I think it's kinda like a placebo effect.