Depression

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aspen

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i deal with anxiety and major depression - i have dealt with the symptoms my whole life. Christians have a bad track record of recognizing the existence of mental illness in faithful Christians - as if a real relationship with Christ washes away all dispair. All i can say is, ‘it would sure be nice if that was the case. Not sure why some people acknowledge that God chooses not to cure Autism or spinal cord injuries, but must legitimize the relationship by wiping away all mental issues.

Anyone deal with clinic depression? Have you ever been told to pray harder?
 

Helen

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i deal with anxiety and major depression - i have dealt with the symptoms my whole life. Christians have a bad track record of recognizing the existence of mental illness in faithful Christians - as if a real relationship with Christ washes away all dispair. All i can say is, ‘it would sure be nice if that was the case. Not sure why some people acknowledge that God chooses not to cure Autism or spinal cord injuries, but must legitimize the relationship by wiping away all mental issues.

Anyone deal with clinic depression? Have you ever been told to pray harder?

I have never had the depression that you fight against...but back in my early 40 I used to be hit with it like big black waves flooding over me.
I have to say that I cut out sugar ( or down on sugar) it it helped a lot.

In dealing with people from time to time with 'real' deep depression..we never ever told them that depression goes by praying it away...the devil goes by kicking not praying.

True or not, I once read the Martin Luther had heavy black periods of depression...he would look up and and tell the devil to Go Away in Jesus Name.

It is a fight. A friend of mine had a sister who was often heavily depress /oppressed by a devil...so she would say out loud .." Well tough for you, if you are going to stay around here bothering my sister, then you are darn well going to be driven mad by listening praise and worship. " ( cassette tapes back then)

She did this every time her sister started to get depressed.
It took a couple of months...then the sister was not bothered any more. She presumed that devil moved on to bother someone else.

If I am correct both @Mayflower and @VictoryinJesus have had similar battles in this same area.

Bless you my brother...you are a winner in Christ.
Being a winner is mostly not a "feels like" but it is a fact and act of faith. Which sadly often does not get accompanied with feelings of.
 

Episkopos

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i deal with anxiety and major depression - i have dealt with the symptoms my whole life. Christians have a bad track record of recognizing the existence of mental illness in faithful Christians - as if a real relationship with Christ washes away all dispair. All i can say is, ‘it would sure be nice if that was the case. Not sure why some people acknowledge that God chooses not to cure Autism or spinal cord injuries, but must legitimize the relationship by wiping away all mental issues.

Anyone deal with clinic depression? Have you ever been told to pray harder?


Rejoice in the lord always. Do it as warfare....do it by faith. And the presence of God will come near.
 

aspen

“"The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few
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I have never had the depression that you fight against...but back in my early 40 I used to be hit with it like big black waves flooding over me.
I have to say that I cut out sugar ( or down on sugar) it it helped a lot.

In dealing with people from time to time with 'real' deep depression..we never ever told them that depression goes by praying it away...the devil goes by kicking not praying.

True or not, I once read the Martin Luther had heavy black periods of depression...he would look up and and tell the devil to Go Away in Jesus Name.

It is a fight. A friend of mine had a sister who was often heavily depress /oppressed by a devil...so she would say out loud .." Well tough for you, if you are going to stay around here bothering my sister, then you are darn well going to be driven mad by listening praise and worship. " ( cassette tapes back then)

She did this every time her sister started to get depressed.
It took a couple of months...then the sister was not bothered any more. She presumed that devil moved on to bother someone else.

If I am correct both @Mayflower and @VictoryinJesus have had similar battles in this same area.

Bless you my brother...you are a winner in Christ.
Being a winner is mostly not a "feels like" but it is a fact and act of faith. Which sadly often does not get accompanied with feelings of.

Yeah, ive heard that cutting out sugar does really help. I am diabetic so sugar is not a big part of my diet. I think you are right about the Devil and kicking and screaming - lol. It has been my experience. All i can do is just keep going and know that depression is just a chemical thing, not a God thing. Thanks for the kind words!
 

aspen

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Yeah, faith is a big part of dealing with depression....that is for sure. For me, faith is acknowing depression, but refusing to accept a verdict so to speak. It means living in the moment, not dwelling on the past and leaning on God and friends.
 

Helen

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Yeah, ive heard that cutting out sugar does really help. I am diabetic so sugar is not a big part of my diet. I think you are right about the Devil and kicking and screaming - lol. It has been my experience. All i can do is just keep going and know that depression is just a chemical thing, not a God thing. Thanks for the kind words!

I'll add this issue to our prayer list ... ❤️
 

Enoch111

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Christians have a bad track record of recognizing the existence of mental illness in faithful Christians - as if a real relationship with Christ washes away all despair.
Christians can only go by what is revealed in the Word of God. And yes, a real relationship with Christ should wash away all despair. That is what we find in Scripture.

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair (2 Cor 4:8 KJB)

How could Paul say this in the context of 2 Cor 4:8-12? The answer is here: For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Tim 1:7)

Christians should always keep in mind that those who attempt to address mental health issues generally (1) ignore Scripture and (2) ignore spiritual issues. Therefore this article from Got Questions should be very helpful. https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-despair.html
 
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Nancy

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This is something I have struggled with since a teenager. It is a chemical balance issue with those "clinically depressed". One of my brothers also deals with it. When he asked his doctor to try medication, she (being a Christian) said, " You don't need pills, where's your faith?" Would she have said that to him if his thyroid was out of whack? Diabetes? We live in a fallen world, a broken-everything!! Disease, sickness, violence, etc... and we are all subject to these things, mental and physical. My Christianity says that God takes us THROUGH our trials, infirmities...His grace extends forever. Do I take medication? Yes. If I didn't, that would force everybody around me to take meds just to deal with me! LOL...nobody who has not experienced the despair of depression does not and can never understand it.
God Bless you @aspen and, you are in my prayers because, I know just how dark everything can seem. Glory to God, He is with us every moment, carrying us in our worst hours. ♥
 
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Stranger

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This is something I have struggled since a teenager. It is a chemical balance issue with those "clinically depressed". One of my brothers also deals with it. When he asked his doctor to try medication, she (being a Christian) said, " You don't need pills, where's your faith?" Would she have said that to him if his thyroid was out of whack? Diabetes? We live in a fallen world, a broken-everything!! Disease, sickness, violence, etc... and we are all subject to these things, mental and physical. My Christianity says that God takes us THROUGH our trials, infirmities...His grace extends forever. Do I take medication? Yes. If I didn't, that would force everybody around me to take meds just to deal with me! LOL...nobody who has not experienced the despair of depression does not and can never understand it.
God Bless you @aspen and, you are in my prayers because, I know just how dark everything can seem. Glory to God, He is with us every moment, carrying us in our worst hours. ♥

Did you ever think that aspen is in the dark...because he is in the dark? What good is your advice in that case?

Stranger
 

Enoch111

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Can’t imagine admitting I struggle with depression and then the immediate response is criticism. That is what bullies do in elementary school.
This is hardly the response that should come after seeing Scriptures which deal which this issue. There is nothing personal here, but if Christians consistently walk by faith, then Christians need not despair or be depressed.

ROMANS 8
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can beagainst us?

32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

As a rule, I do not disclose my trials and tribulations publicly. But if anyone has reason to despair or be depressed, it is this poster. But God has NOT given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Therefore I neither despair nor allow depression (which is Satanic oppression) to dominate me. And I have never taken any medication in this respect either, since it is a spiritual issue, which can only resolved by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.
 

VictoryinJesus

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This is hardly the response that should come after seeing Scriptures which deal which this issue. There is nothing personal here, but if Christians consistently walk by faith, then Christians need not despair or be depressed.

ROMANS 8
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can beagainst us?

32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

As a rule, I do not disclose my trials and tribulations publicly. But if anyone has reason to despair or be depressed, it is this poster. But God has NOT given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Therefore I neither despair nor allow depression (which is Satanic oppression) to dominate me. And I have never taken any medication in this respect either, since it is a spiritual issue, which can only resolved by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.

You are right. It is a great testimony that you are joyful in the Lord always and do not despair. Agree Christian’s need not despair...but that doesn’t mean some of us don’t sometimes. We all walk different paths of growth. There are scriptures that speak specifically to brokenness:

Psalm 34:18-20
[18] The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. [19] Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all. [20] He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.

Psalm 51:17
[17] The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

Matthew 5:3-4
[3] Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. [4] Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

2 Corinthians 7:6-7
[6] Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus; [7] And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.

James 4:8-11
[8] Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. [9] Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. [10] Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. [11] Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.

And there is also: Ephesians 4:30
[30] And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
 
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Mayflower

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i deal with anxiety and major depression - i have dealt with the symptoms my whole life. Christians have a bad track record of recognizing the existence of mental illness in faithful Christians - as if a real relationship with Christ washes away all dispair. All i can say is, ‘it would sure be nice if that was the case. Not sure why some people acknowledge that God chooses not to cure Autism or spinal cord injuries, but must legitimize the relationship by wiping away all mental issues.

Anyone deal with clinic depression? Have you ever been told to pray harder?

I have major depression and anxiety. I have struggled quite a bit again honestly, but God has always got me through these times, and my faith is strengthened because of it. Prayer is the best weapon for sure, but medicine does help a lot...

I think lately it has been post partum, since my daughter is starting to wean. And thinking on things too much instead of dwelling on God's Word...But I have really good support and know a lot better how to handle these issues then I have in the past. I haven't self injured at all in over two years now. And no major slip backs in several years. God has really done a work in my life and helped me reach out to help others as well.

It is tiring to fight at times like this, but like any other medical issue, God strengthens my faith through it.
 
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VictoryinJesus

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i deal with anxiety and major depression - i have dealt with the symptoms my whole life. Christians have a bad track record of recognizing the existence of mental illness in faithful Christians - as if a real relationship with Christ washes away all dispair. All i can say is, ‘it would sure be nice if that was the case. Not sure why some people acknowledge that God chooses not to cure Autism or spinal cord injuries, but must legitimize the relationship by wiping away all mental issues.

Anyone deal with clinic depression? Have you ever been told to pray harder?

Aspen, can you relate to either of these passages?

Isaiah 59:4-8
[4] None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity. [5] They hatch cockatrice' eggs, and weave the spider's web: he that eateth of their eggs dieth, and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper. [6] Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works: their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands. [7] Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths. [8] The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.

Proverbs 6:16-19
[16] These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: [17] A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, [18] An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, [19] A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

?
 

bbyrd009

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depression is a great indicator that some change is needed, being linked more to gut and vagus nerve every day i guess. Depressed ppl always have Candida infections. always.
 
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