Depression is Real

As I look back on the people the Bible tells us about, I see depression. Maybe you don’t. I’ve heard Elijah’s time in the desert described as a “pity party.” Certainly my history struggling with my own depression colors how I view certain biblical narratives. I think we could have an honest debate about whether or not people back then would fit modern diagnoses.

That said, please don’t think that we can debate whether or not depression is a real thing. It’s not merely “feeling down” or having a bad day. It’s not an excuse to sit around all day. It’s not just for those who have weak wills.

When I first realized I needed to get help, I feared for my ministry. Was it possible for a man with depression to lead in God’s flock? I didn’t fear my abilities. Nothing in me had changed; I had simply come to the realization I needed help. But there’s a certain stigma about depression. Would my fellow ministers push me out? Would they think I was unreliable? Would I be accused of being too weak? Would someone argue that I just need to “deal with it?” Would congregation members use it as a reason to not listen when I spoke God’s Word?

I am thankful that, in my case, I received nothing but support from the pastors around me. If the brothers thought I wasn’t worthy of the ministry, they kept their thoughts to themselves. In fact, a few even said I was brave to go get help. I don’t think I was brave. I simply admitted I needed help.

But that fear is still there: The thought that someone might think depression isn’t real. I admit that I get defensive about it at times.

Let me say it again: Depression isn’t just feeling sad or an excuse to be lazy. Depression is real. Mayo Clinic defines depression this way:

Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. You may have trouble doing normal day-to-day activities, and sometimes you may feel as if life isn’t worth living.

More than just a bout of the blues, depression isn’t a weakness and you can’t simply “snap out” of it. Depression may require long-term treatment. But don’t get discouraged. Most people with depression feel better with medication, psychotherapy or both.

In my case, it was relatively simple to verify I wasn’t just being lazy or feeling blue. A blood test verified I had next to no vitamin D. Low levels of vitamin D have been linked with depression. What I experienced in my depression was real, caused by a chemical imbalance. No amount of positive thinking or pushing through it would ever balance out the levels of Vitamin D I needed.

Depression is real. It can be debilitating. And no one has really nailed down the causes.

Why am I stressing this?

Perhaps they think that depression isn’t real. It’s something that can be overcome by human effort.

Would that person give such advice to someone with a broken leg or a house that’s on fire? I hope not! “Just trust Jesus, and your house won’t be on fire anymore!” I do trust Jesus, and I trust he’s given us the blessing of the fire department to use in situations like that!

Sin has broken this world and our bodies in any number of ways. That brokenness might show up in a weak heart or a broken leg or a house that’s on fire. It can also show up in a broken mind and broken emotions.

Your depression is real.

No matter what someone else may say to you, you have been really broken by a really broken world, and that brokenness cannot be healed by wishful thinking. The only way to deal with real brokenness is with real healing.

Just as Jesus has blessed us with doctors to help us when our bodies are broken beyond our ability to fix ourselves, he has gifted us with methods to help with depression.

Does that mean I’m suggesting you ignore Jesus?

Not at all!

Jesus came for you to help you with real problems. He really died for your real sins. He really loves you in your real brokenness.

And he also gives you real blessings as you struggle with your real depression. Make use of the real help he gives you in the form of doctors and medication and other methods that might be shown to you. (We’ll talk about doctors and medication in particular in a later post.)

Depression is real.

So is God’s love for you.

Credit: Photo by Robert Nelson