Continuing my exploration of ministry and mental illness, I now turn to a hopeful word for the depressed person. Depression has infiltrated millions of lives in our nation and world and has led many to despair and question the goodness of God. For me, when I was in high school and had a mental breakdown, I questioned where God was in my struggle. “Why do I feel like this? Are you still there Lord? Am I sinning in some way?” These questions plagued my mind as I wrestled for hope and meaning. Depression is a thief. It steals your joy, hope and peace. It robs you of vibrant faith and mental tranquility. If it is a medical case, it will last for days, months, even years without relenting.
Biblical Hope for Sufferers
Where does the sufferer turn for hope? Psalm 13 gives us a clear answer. King David of the Old Testament bears his soul in the opening verse: “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?” David doesn’t mix up his words. He was in pain. He knew right where to go-in prayer to the Lord. For cases of spiritual depression prayer, reading the Bible, listening to worship music and gathering with other believers can help alleviate the agony. Also, confession of sin can help align the heart and mind to God again.
Medical Help to Aid
For the stubborn medical case, medication can help alongside seeing a trusted doctor. For me it was a combination of both medical and spiritual approaches. When I prayed it felt like heaven closed it’s doors and God was distant. I felt so lost, hopeless and dark thoughts dominated my mind. Was I sinning? Did I deserve this? Was God punishing me? I’m convinced that the answer was no. But he was testing me. He was getting me to realize I couldn’t resolve the issue on my own strength. Only by the strength of God could I survive. In his common grace, God allowed me to take medication that helped my mind get back into working order. A broken down car needs a mechanic. A truly depressed person needs the Lord always, and sometimes medication.
A Balanced Approach to Care
My prayer is that the sufferer would end up in the same place as David in Psalm 13. He declared, “But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me” (vv. 5-6). Even when you are trusting in the Lord, sometimes he doesn’t relieve the darkness. This is not an opportunity to heap shame on the sufferer. Sometimes medication can help fix a broken down brain so that it can cling to hope again. It’s about time we point sufferers to what can aid to heal them. First, to the Lord and when they can’t shake the darkness, to medical help as well.
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