Have you ever had your faith destroyed by depression?

Question

I'm experiencing this right now and I want to know how to get through it.

Answer 1

Oh sister, I think most all of us have been through times like this. I know I have. May I make a few suggestions?

First, and I don't mean to Romans 8:28 you when times are hard. I know that can be a punch in the face at times, and I weep *with* you while you are weeping. I'm not going to tell you "Cheer up!" If that were easily possible, you'd be cheered up already, no? BUT! Remember that even your depression works for your own good --- God is sovereign and has allowed this in your life --- ALL things work for your good. So thank God even for this. Thank God for all parts of this! I think you will notice a change in attitude that will help stem the depression when you start thanking Him for even the horrid things in your life, since you know that they are from His hand and that He works it FOR YOUR GOOD. Not to imply that God is in any way the AUTHOR of evil. But that He allows evil in your life FOR your good.

Secondly, PREACH to yourself. Stand on the promises of God. When your mind (or forces outside of your mind) are telling you things contrary to what you know to be true from scripture, remind yourself of those wonderful promises.

Thirdly, the poster above me (or maybe a few above at this point) who said that the devil is trying to get you down because he knows that God will work mighty works for His glory THROUGH you is absolutely right. I think it is a comfort to know that the worse the attack, the bigger things God has planned.

Here is my verse that I have been meditating on lately --- "It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn thy statutes." Remember that Jesus, our savior, is the Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, and that He only allows trouble in your life that His own name and glory might be lifted up through your becoming His very image.

Again, I hope that none of this seems glib or hurtful. If it does, I am so, so sorry. If you would like to email me, please do. I am praying for you.

Answer 2

Winning the Fight Against Depression

“BY SKILLFUL direction you will carry on your war,” states Proverbs 24:6. Skill, not just good intentions, is needed to win a battle. Certainly, if depressed, you do not want inadvertently to cause yourself to feel worse. For instance, a 1984 study of depressed persons found that some tried to cope with their depression by ‘taking anger out on other people, reducing tension by drinking more, eating more, and taking more tranquilizing drugs.’ The result: “more depression and physical symptoms.”

Some depressed persons fail to seek skillful direction because of their fear of being viewed as mentally weak. Yet, major depression is a sign neither of mental weakness nor of spiritual failure. Research indicates that this severe disorder may exist when there is a certain chemical malfunction in the brain. Since a physical illness may cause this, if you have been severely depressed for longer than two weeks, a medical examination may be advisable. If no physical illness is found to be contributing to the problem, often the disorder can be improved by adjusting the thinking pattern along with some help from appropriate medication or nutrients. Winning the fight against depression does not mean that you will never have a depressed mood again. Sadness is a part of life. Yet, skillfully directing your blows will help you deal with depression better.

A doctor will often prescribe antidepressants. These are drugs designed to clear up the chemical imbalance. Elizabeth, mentioned earlier, used these, and within weeks her mood began to improve. “Still, I had to cultivate a positive attitude to work along with the drugs,” she said. “With the ‘push’ from the medicine, I was determined to get well. I also maintained a daily exercise program.”

However, the use of antidepressants is not always successful. There are also troublesome side effects for some. And even if the chemical malfunction is corrected, unless one’s thinking is corrected, the depression may return. Much relief, however, can come by being willing to . . .

Answer 3

I've certainly had my faith assaulted by depression.
How do you get through it?
Perhaps it will help to know that some great saints experienced this. In spiritual terms it is often referred to as a "dry time" or "dark night of the soul." It is a stage in the growth of faith. It has recently been revealed that Mother Theresa experienced an especially lengthy "dark night of the soul," in which she did not feel God's presence. In her prayers before this happened, she had expressed her willingness to suffer anything for God's kingdom, and this appears to have been an answer to this prayer. She remained faithful, to act in faith, even when she did not feel it. Another Therese, Therese of the Little Flower, during her dark night, said to God; "If this is how you treat your friends, it's no wonder you have so few of them."
It is widely considered that the dark night of the soul is a stage in spiritual growth, not to be rejected but to be worked through.
For me, it was important to remember that I do not know more than a tiny fraction of God's plans; that whatever God does is bound to come out well; and that suffering is universal in this world. I also had a determination not to multiply the evil in the world by doing something irrevocable. I made this determination when a friend killed himself; I was so devastated, I felt like doing the same. Logic told me that if his death did this to me, my death could do as much to others; so, I resisted that temptation.
At some point it came to me that I am not entitled to anything in particular, so any good thing that comes along is a gift. And there are a lot of good things in the world! The plants and birds in my neighborhood always remind me of this; no doubt there are other gifts that will move you the same way if you think of them.
Keep the faith.

Answer 4

About ten years ago I was having stress and asthma on my job. I went to the doctor and he gave me Prozac. when I started taking that it changed my whole brain. I was out of it and did not even have the power to know I was. I stopped praying and started thinking weirdly. It was the beginning of a downward spiral that in some ways I am still recovering from. Be careful about losing faith. Losing faith mean losing period. keep some faith and turn to God. He is there and He loves you and He will help you even though you may not feel He does in this dark time. Remember the light is at the end of the tunnel even if you cannot see it yet. God bless you.

Answer 5

I have suffered from depression several times. I am really suffering right now because my son died this year. Sometimes I have been so bad I have thought long and hard about suicide. The only thing that has kept me going from one day to the next is the love of my heavenly Father. I have cried to him, I have ranted and raved at him, I have begged him to stop the world and let me get off, and, when Iv'e done all that I have prayed for 'peace of God that excels all thought and guards my heart and mental powers by means of Jesus Christ' (Phillipians 4:7). I know that only God is strong enough to bear my burden and I feel free to take my troubles to him. I have done that today, this morning I just wept and wept and placed all my pain upon him, after it I got up, dusted myself off and got on with the day. My pain hadn't gone away, but it was more bearable. Always know that you may lose your faith in God, but God never loses faith in you. My thought and prayers are with you.

Answer 6

Depression or the blues have not destroyed, but have at times tested my faith. Life gets really difficult sometimes. Sometimes there are more questions than answers, like when my wife was diagnosed with cancer, that was tough, and I had to be strong to support her. (She had her operation and is fine so far.....3 more years of quarterly followups).

When it happens, I have to focus on what I know to be true. Talking to God through prayer helps, sometimes talking to a friend helps, always having my wife to talk to helps (Although I tend to hide those episodes from her, she has only seen the more severe ones). Several times I had to start all over and prove everything about God's truth from the foundation up. I know without a doubt that these bouts come from Satan and it is part of his attempt to destroy the Elect.

Everyone's answer to your question and your own personal one will be different, of course. The only advice I can really give you is don't give up.

Answer 7

The answer (bottom line) is always find your eternal healing in God. Now some are not ready yet to move quickly here and so they need to do what they feel is what they need. s
Some need medication for now, and that is OK.
Never let a sense of any discord turn your thought away from believing, for the doubt and fear will take over, and the battle will just continue. A clearer spiritual sense will remove the effects of seeming doubt. Remember, evil can never destroy faith.

Answer 8

Oh, goodness--this is truly an easy question.

First of all, my heart goes out to you. Depression is horrible. It runs on my father's side, and I've seen many relatives go through it, and have battled it myself. It's truly awful.

Here's the answer: Go to a doctor. You may very well have an actual physical problem, and if you do, you owe it to yourself to get help. I know that people feel shame over this, but you shouldn't. People who suffer from a chemical imbalance DO have a physical problem. As my doctor said, "You wouldn't hesitate to get a broken leg fixed, and you wouldn't feel ashamed to. This is no different."

If you go to a knowledgeable doctor, s/he can talk to you, get a feel for what the problem is, and suggest alternatives. There are very good medicines out there--not drugs that cover up your problems, but ones that put you back on an even playing field.

There's no reason to loose your faith. There's no reason to suffer. Take care of yourself; I really believe it's what G-d would expect you to do.

Answer 9

Hell yeah! But what doesnt kill you only makes you stronger! There are times when I have HUGE doubts because of it! But then I remeber that the best men and woman in the bible went through things like this. It is okay to question things

The biggest things that helped was an associate Pastor who just listened and loved me for who I am not my doubts! She used to take me for Ice cream. Find a friend that will listen to you and spoil you rotten! Email me if you like Reachout dont just suffer alone. Remember David, Job and Jesus.

There are several sites that helped me too like: www.reachout.com.au and
www.beyondblue.org.au

Good luck I will be praying

And please dont listen to anyone on here that says God does not exist or words to that effect. You are proof that he does.

Answer 10

Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. While our faith is on different levels,as a people the Word of God is not and it stand true and last forever. Read the Word and stand on it,as Paul said having done all to stand,STAND!
On the Word of Our Lord.For He is the living Word! And are prayer's are with you as well.