Christian + Depression = ?

Today we will be talking about Christians and depression. Depression is a prevalent topic in today’s culture, and it’s super important we understand what it is, how to “deal” with it, how to help others that have it, and what professionals say about it. While we will be touching on that, I want to focus on the combination of Christians/depression. Is it allowed? Can you be a Christian and depressed? Let’s see.

Before I get into this, I want to put this out. I apologize if I offend anyone throughout this post. It’s not what I want, (to offend), but it may happen. If it does, please be understanding. Realize I know it’s my job to put my beliefs on you, this is a discussion. Not a lecture.

So, let’s get into this topic. First, the basics.

What is Depression? (Sad or Depressed?)

Here’s the thing. A lot of people say they are depressed. However, not as many actually are. Why? Because they think they are. Some even convince themselves of it and soon become depressed. Please do not project upon yourself. If you’re (truly) depressed, the first step is to know that you are, but you don’t want to project that on yourself before you actually have it, if you ever will.

I don’t believe you have to go to the Doctor and get drugs to prove you are. If you feel down in the gutter, increasingly bad about yourself, and you feel like you’re in a pit, you may be depressed. You have to feel like this for more than a day. ‘Cuz the thing is, everyone has bad days. If it’s been going on for months; which it sometimes does, you may have a problem. I would suggest researching more about it to see if you have many of the symptoms. (This could be a type of research). I’m getting this from my Introduction to Psychology class at LeTourneau University; which is a full-on college class. And my own research. I did a four-page paper on depression.

The thing is, there are two types of depression. There is emotional depression, (this comes from traumatic accidents, grief, and it’s emotional, etc.) the other is truly a problem with the brain. It is a lack of serotonin.

What are the two types of depression? (Deeper)

We’re going to focus on brain-depression. Lots of emotionally depressed people are out there, and usually, they don’t need drugs. Why? They don’t have chemicals to balance. They need time, a support group, and again…time. If you don’t have chemicals to balance, I don’t think you should lean on drugs to help you. However, that is my opinion. Some Christians say that you should lean on God and not drugs. However, I understand if you need them for a time, (especially with a lack of serotonin or other certain chemicals that affect your daily life). I don’t know if you should live on drugs your entire life, to me, that’s saddening. But if you need them, you need them. And maybe you can get off of them at some point; which if so, good. for. you.

Now. What is serotonin? Serotonin is important in brain function. It helps you feel happy and has other psychological functions. If you don’t have serotonin, you may have increasingly serious depression. The brain is complex and we still do not know everything about it. But we do know that serotonin helps with your happiness level and fights depression. If you’re happy, you’re happy. Your body uses that serotonin, it’s not an emergency chemical because you’re feeling depressed. It is supposed to stop it.

What Do Depressed People Think About Themselves?

This is one thing I said in my paper:

This {depression} can be seen in low-self-esteem teenagers who grew to have emotional depression; which can make their already low self-esteem lower, their thoughts harsher, and their reality darker.

Depressed people sometimes even have anger. Sometimes this “mask” covers it up. Sometimes depression comes from a bad home life, bullies, a parent/best friend dying, or a combination of small things and it becomes a straw that broke the camels back situation. Self-esteem is practically gone in some cases. I have extremely low self-esteem, for example. Sometimes I am on top of the world, but then certain things happen. (Someone makes fun of me, then a bad grade comes in when I was sure I was going to get an ‘A,’ and then a friend cancels our visit, etc.) These things have happened to me, and sometimes if this keeps on and on, and then suddenly you have this sinking feeling it will never get better. You feel broken and you feel like you will never be whole again. Many people have this feeling. If it lasts and lasts, you need to get up and figure out some things.

Why are you depressed?

Is there someone you can talk to?

How can you fix it? (Support group? Mentor? Reading the Bible?)

Fixing it will definitely be the hardest out of these. I want to make sure you know I realize that. It’s not a snap of the fingers. Sometimes you can be depressed for years and it takes another year to fully get happy again. And that doesn’t mean you  won’t have bad days. It means you can get over that hill with a look of triumph on your voice. And you won’t feel bad you had that hill in the first place. Because if you do, you will slide back down that hill.

What Do We Do About this Thought Structure of a Depressed Person?

I wouldn’t stereotype, laugh, or deem it stupid. Depression is real. Depression is serious. Depression is prevalent. But it shouldn’t be normal. I don’t want this world to be comfortable to the idea that there are three million cases per year in the USA.

Why?

Do we all have a lack of serotonin? Do we all have horrible lives? Do we all have no one to lean on?

No. No. No. If you are emotionally depressed, you need to know you are emotionally depressed. If you can fix it by yourself (without drugs) you should try. If you can’t, get the help you need. There is no shame is needing help. Just have courage.

And a part of courage is realizing you are scared sometimes, and going through the fight pushing back the fear. So says the great Aristotle. Bravery, without fear, is not courage. So says me. 😂 (Sorry, it was getting dense). Courage is not the absence of fear, it’s letting what you need/want to do, others’ needs, and putting them above that fear.

To the Big Question. Can Christians have Depression?

“Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” ~Nehemiah 8:10.

Well, great. Are you not a Christian? Before you throw your hands up, close your laptop, or pull your hair out…give me one second.

Firstly, it was mistranslated. It actually says (in Hebrew) “Do not grieve, for the Lord’s joy is your strength.” Different, isn’t it? But, that’s really a side note. 😛 Had to put that in there. If I’m going to use it, I want to make sure it’s right.

The answer is yes. You can be a Christian and be depressed. Now, some cynical people still don’t believe me. I mean, it’s true. You can’t believe it just because I said it. (I will be giving my resources at the end if you’re super untrusting. XD). God doesn’t drive us off if we are depressed. It doesn’t mean that we’re horrible people if we’re depressed. It doesn’t mean we can’t help people to Christ, God doesn’t love us, or something like that.

God wants us to get better, He wants us to become more like Him. But He also knows where we are and won’t give it all up when we start crying in the middle of the night for no reason at all. He loves you and He loves me. 

Is it weird I’m quoting my paper? Haha. 😛 It was four pages, okay? I said a lot! XD

An adolescent needs to be careful before they speak over themselves a serious disorder, that is depression. And when it is concluded a teenager is in fact depressed, help should be given, not scorn. Anything is possible with God, even depression. However, depression does not make you less worthy as a Christian. In fact, Jeremiah was “depressed” and that is one thing he is even known for. And Jeremiah is (also) deemed one of the best prophets in spite of his depression. 

No way! Jeremiah. A major prophet. God talked to Him. He was doing His God-given job. And he was depressed? Yes. Was he stupid? No. He was intelligent. Was he awful? No. He was not. Was he any less worthy? No. No. And no. He was doing more for God than most of us in spite of his depression.

And I think that should be us. We should do things ‘in spite of’ sometimes, not ‘because.’ Just because you’re depressed doesn’t mean you can’t be used by God.

When You’re a Christian, Does That Mean the Thought Cycle (Explained Above) Changes?

Not really. You may have Bible verses in your head and things like that. In a way, it’s easier because you had God by your side. However, at the same time it may be harder. Since you are a Christian, you may have ‘I’m a Christian, I have God, but I’m still facing this…’ and ‘Why am I reading my Bible, and nothing is happening?’ etc. The thought cycle, of depressed people, does not really change much, it may even be worse; which in a way, makes absolute sense. I think you should take it one step at a time, even if that means it takes a long time. You want to heal, you don’t want to cover it under the rug. As a Christian, it’s our “commission” to give testimony and make discplies. You can be a prophet, even depressed, you can be an inspiration, even depressed. But don’t wear yourself out, still work on you. Even if it takes longer. Be your best.

Getting More Personal

My personal experience with depression…it was (or is) hard. I’m getting better, but like I said, it’s not a snap of the fingers. But that doesn’t mean I can’t write about God. People, in some of my darkest moments, have said I was inspirational and easy to talk to.

What just happened? I’m over here so, so angry and depressed. But they walked away happier.

It’s not about me solely. It’s about God using me and me not fighting it. You can’t fight God’s hand. It’s not only not right to you, to Him, but also to the people you can help.

Don’t, because of your bad self-image, rip away the world’s chance to see the real you. The one that can help and serve, depression or not.

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I want to know your thoughts! What do you think about depression? Do you know anyone that has depression?

I will say, please be nice. If you disagree with someone, you can discuss and debate, but please don’t judge or be negative. Everyone has a right to their own opinion! 😀

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What do y’all think?