In matters of theology and science, I often consider myself “the dumb it down expert.” Give me something complex, and I’ll try to make it easy for you to understand. It’s National Mental Health Awareness Month, and so I want to bring this “expertise” to bear on a complicated concept that straddles both theology and science: depression.
I can’t offer an exhaustive explanation of depression or a full analysis of the church’s view of it. But I can speak into the shame that many in the church would feel regarding depression and antidepressants. Through thoughtless (and often uninformed) comments, people place judgment on others struggling with depression and also their choice of treatment for it. I’m not an expert, but I’ve been walking with Jesus for over 40 years and have spent the last 10 years as a licensed professional counselor of mental health.
“Christians shouldn’t feel depressed.”
“If you just trust God, you wouldn’t feel depressed.”
“If God were enough in your life, you wouldn’t need medication.”
These are some of the harmful things that you may hear about depression -- but they’re not true.
I often tell my clients that there are essentially two types of depression. First, there is the depression caused by circumstance. For example, a depression caused by the loss of a loved one, or death of a dream, or possibly being trapped in an abusive relationship. This type of depression seems appropriate to me -- a valid response to a hard or demoralizing circumstance. Depression is not the same as grieving or sadness, but they can sometimes lead to depression. In most cases, this depression will eventually resolve itself. Time does in fact heal. During these times, I recommend that a person lean into God, enjoy the support of those around you, and recognize that suffering is part of the human condition. I would also recommend therapy if you can’t resolve these feelings and live a satisfying life.
The other type of depression, to put it in its simplest terms, is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain and sometimes the structure of the brain itself. In addition, depression (and which treatment is successful) is heavily influenced by one’s genetics.
This depression is like a hum of sadness in the background of your mind no matter what is going on around you. This is the sadness that sits behind everything, even when you “should” feel happy. So, for example, you are at your birthday party with friends and family gathered around, and you still feel sad on the inside. My clients often say that they wish people understood that their outside and their inside don’t match. Just because they are laughing at your joke, doesn’t mean they aren’t sad inside. This is not something that one should work harder to get rid of, or have more faith to heal; this type of depression is one that you just can’t talk away.
Medications affect the function of the brain and improve the brain’s ability to regulate mood. For those who are against medication for treating depression, I'd encourage them to look into the science. (There’s a lot of great research and articles on this, if you want to take the time to be informed.) I find it so interesting that a person will condemn someone for taking an antidepressant but think nothing of a diabetic taking insulin, or someone taking a high blood pressure medicine. Few of us would say that if you just trust God more, you wouldn’t have an underactive thyroid. It is hypocritical to indiscriminately decide which medications are appropriate for which part of the body. Either we believe in medication or we do not.
I think many people with chronic depression are treading water in life, meaning they are working hard to keep from drowning. With the help of an antidepressant, they can put their feet on solid ground SO THAT therapy can help them to make lasting change. Once they are not fighting for their life (literally and figuratively), once they are NOT working so hard to survive, then they can begin to examine their distorted ways of thinking; they can begin to make necessary changes.
Now rest assured, I believe that God can heal all things. He is all-powerful and all knowing. He created us and He has the ability to fix whatever is wrong within our mind and bodies. He knows our every thought, He knows how many hairs on our heads, He can heal us if in His infinite mercy He chooses to. So if we or someone we love suffers with depression, we should ask God to remove that veil from their life. Whether or not someone’s depression is lifted, whether or not He removes the thorns, we must remember God is faithful.
Ultimately, even with medication and intervention, God is the Great Physician. He decides who is and isn’t healed. He may have a plan for your illness that you don’t understand. It is the Lord’s plan that prevails. Perhaps your journey may look like the apostle Paul’s:
7 … a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.
Although this is not what the Psalmist originally intended, I often think of this passage from Psalm 40 when working with someone with depression;
I waited patiently for the Lord;
he inclined to me and heard my cry.
2 He drew me up from the pit of destruction,
out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
making my steps secure.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
and put their trust in the Lord.
4 Blessed is the man who makes
the Lord his trust,
who does not turn to the proud,
to those who go astray after a lie!
To God be all glory!
If you are struggling with depression, there is hope. God is a God of hope and new beginnings. Reach out to a Christian counselor and begin a journey toward healing.
ABOUT THE BLOGGER
Bonnie Kotler loves to laugh and considers laughter as the best medicine. (Psalm 126:2) She is a licensed professional counselor at The Peacemaker Center and has her own private practice, True North Counseling. Bonnie and her husband, Mitch, have two daughters, three sons, five grandchildren, one large mastiff and three grand-puppies.
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