In the past few years I have become aware that many Christians have problems with depression. It is often found to be related to some malfunction within the body. In such cases, a Physician should be consulted in order that the proper medication, or remedy might be found.(Matt. 9:1212But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. (Matthew 9:12)) The purpose of my writing this paper is to seek to be of help in those cases where it is not due to a malfunction of our body, but due rather to other difficulties we may have.
Depression can be a difficult thing to dispel. It is not something to be ashamed of, and it is helpful to see our Lord Jesus Christ, "began to be sorrowful and deeply depressed."(Matt. 26:3737And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. (Matthew 26:37) J.N.D.tr.) With our Lord, it was caused by His knowing that He was about to go to the cross. He was to be forsaken by His God for our sins and to be "made sin for us" (2nd Cor. 521) The anticipation of the cross, and what was to take place there, caused the Lord Jesus much sorrow...and depression. He was to do with God about the question of sin and our sins. "Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree,.."
What carried our Lord through this deep depression was the fact that He knew the Father's will had brought Him into these circumstances. This too, can help us should we come into times of depression in our lives. The great difference between the experiences we may have of depression, and what caused the Lord's is that His was in the doing of His Father's will, and ours can often come from our not doing His will. But, even in our circumstances we can know that while the Father did not lead us into these circumstances, He did allow that we be found there. We can profit from them, if we see His purpose for us in it all.(Heb. 12:1111Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. (Hebrews 12:11)) I desire to look at some in the Word who had circumstances in their lives that caused sorrow and depression.
Some of them could not prevent the circumstance, some who could have, and some who entered into the circumstance of others, and suffered because of it.
The Innocent
Man, being fallen, and a servant of sin, often takes advantage of those who are weaker, and causes shame and hurt in the lives of their victims. When this happens the weaker one is often scarred for life. Sometimes this leads to periods of deep depression. I think of dear Tamar and what happened to her with Amnon.(2nd Sam.13) How devastating this was to Tamar. "And Tamar...rent her garment of divers colors that was on her...and went on crying". Her life had been violated by a force she had not power over. Sometimes things happen to children, or to other weaker vessels, where the stronger inflict scars and destroy, as it were, the beautiful garments of purity or innocence and this can affect us for life. These tragic events can lead to deep depression in the victim. How can we overcome such circumstances? I think of dear Timothy. of whom it says "..his father was a Greek." He had not been circumcised in childhood, & was probably rejected by his mothers family, she being a Jewess. Perhaps even the Greeks looked down on him. Timothy had no control over the circumstances of his family life. As we look beyond the evident circumstances of our life, and seek to discern the purpose of God for us, in allowing such circumstances, He can bring our souls to rest. Timothy was to eventually live his life as a man of God, following with Paul who was rejected, and having his lot cast in a time when Christianity would be looked at as like "..a great house" a house of mixtures, much like the house he grew up in. A house which would cause dear Timothy to determine which vessels he was going to follow on with. He had done this in his own house, following the path his dear grandmother, and mother had walked. The confusion of his childhood, would be helpful for him in the ministry the Lord would later call him to. If we are exercised as to the sovereign will of God in our lives, even when we did not yet know Him as our Father, we can see His preparing influences in our lives for the fulfilling of His purposes for us. This will help us to accept those things that have happened to us. These instances are the result of other people doing things that affect us, sometimes even sins against us and we will have to learn to forgive such,.. from our hearts.(Matt. 18:3535So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. (Matthew 18:35)) When we can do this, instead of depressing us, circumstances can actually become means by which we learn those great principles of Christianity, God's sovereignty, and forgiveness. Oh may we find grace from Him to learn these things in our lives.
When We Are to Blame
But there are the more common causes of depression, our sins, and our failures. These are even more difficult to overcome. I think of Peter. What were his thoughts when he went out and "wept bitterly"? (Matt. 26:7575And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly. (Matthew 26:75)) But here again, the sovereignty, and forgiveness of God, must be considered. The Lord was to use this dear man to pen these words. "For ye were as sheep (not dogs)going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd.." And then "Whom having not seen ye love.." (1St.Peter 1&2) By means of this fall, Peter learned practically about the need of "returning" also he learned he did not love the Lord more than others, as he had thought before his fall. He would learn from his fall the important lesson of restoration and humility of mind. Oh beloved, though the Lord does not, cannot, cause, or tempt us to sin, yet when we do, it is important to go to Him, accepting His forgiveness, not now, for others, but for ourselves. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Cleansing removes the sense of guilt. The Lord prayed that Peter's" faith fail not:" and when restored, to "...strengthen thy brethren."(Luke 22:3232But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. (Luke 22:32))
When our faith fails we lose confidence in our Father. The "..fiery darts of the wicked (one)." are not "quenched". The shield of faith, is missing.(Eph. 6) Overcome by our sins, Satan accuses, and we lose faith in our God. Oh to believe the Word of God. He is not only a forgiving God, but a forgiving Father as well. How important it is to accept His forgiveness of ourselves, and to learn what He would have us to learn from these falls. Do not be indifferent to sin, but see, He has something for us to learn, and that it has been allowed for our good. May we see His purposes for us in all of these things, and accept His forgiveness, this will help us overcome depression when we are to blame for its cause.
When Others Are the Cause
Sometimes we become depressed because of others. One may leave us that we love, a spouse, a fiancée, a wayward child. Sickness or death of loved one, things of this nature are out of our control, and so painful. I think of Joseph who suffered so much in things of this nature. It even appeared that the Lord had forgotten him. "Whose feet they hurt with fetters; he was laid in iron;...the Word of the Lord tried him."(Psa. 105) Yet he could say, "But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good ... "Do we not see a great factor in over- coming depression is to bring the Lord into our thoughts, and learn His thoughts and ways in it all. Once our hearts trust Him, & see Him as having allowed these things, the peace of God can be known. "..in everything by prayer..let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God...shall keep your hearts and minds. through Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4) God must be a living reality in our lives, if not...surely we will be often depressed. "Depressed" in the Scriptures means, “to be in distress of mind”. "Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind,.."(1 Peter 1)
H. Short
710 Ash Street
Carlisle, Iowa 50047