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Posted by on Aug 6, 2013 in Life | 3 comments

Are you in sin if you are depressed?

Are you in sin if you are depressed?

I am not an expert in psychiatry or psychology – not even close.  But I have lived with someone who suffered deeply from psychiatric issues.  My dad was diagnosed as a “bi-polar, manic-depressive, paranoid schizophrenic.” The last 30-plus years of his life were marked by his mental illness.  He lost his family, his ministry, and many of his friends.  I am certainly not a professional in the mental health field, but I have a deep personal interest in this subject.

I narrow the focus of this article to the issue of depression.  What is its cause?  I approach this question from the perspective of one hurt by its devastating effects on the family as well as one who is firmly committed to the promises of God’s word.  I have walked a long, personal road trying to discern the answer to the question of the cause of depression.  It is exceedingly personal to me. After all, am I destined to be like my dad if my chemical makeup is deficient?  Conversely, does God’s word promise me that by walking in the Spirit I won’t suffer under the blanket of depression?  After all, the fruit of the Spirit is joy, among other things, right?  It is my contention that there are at least three categories of depression.  But first, some points of clarification are in order and are as follows:

  • My interests are personal, pastoral, and Scriptural.
  • My illustrations are anecdotal – not tested in a professional, therapeutic setting.
  • My journey on this issue has been motivated by my personal need to be assured that it is not inevitable that I become like my dad.
  • I wish to offend NO ONE who suffers from the smothering effects of depression.
  • My perspective may be wrong on one or more points related to this subject.

I will state each category of depression below, offer a description and then suggest options for treatment.

 

Category 1: Clinical Depression – chronic experience of depression.  Treatments may include medicine as well as therapeutic counseling.

A friend of mine, Carisa Wilsie, PhD., a professional in the field of psychology, offers the following short description of clinical depression:

“Clinical depression is a mood disorder in which feelings of sadness, loss, anger or frustration interfere with everyday life for weeks or longer. The exact cause of clinical depression is not known, but many researchers believe it is caused by chemical changes in the brain.”

All creation has been deeply affected by the fall.  Humans suffer physically (illness, disease and death) as well as spiritually.  But that’s not all.  We are also susceptible to illness emotionally.  Modern advancements in medicine allow us to medically treat all sorts of physical illnesses and diseases that in the past would not have been treated appropriately.  Should we not take advantage of advancements in treating clinical depression when the case warrants it?  One more note on this category – I personally believe that one may be predisposed to certain maladies of the body or mind (emotions), perhaps even actions, but not necessarily have to experience them.  Could it be that multiple factors contribute to triggering the chemical changes in a person resulting in clinical depression?  This one reality, in my understanding, provides the open door on this issue for my understanding of the promises of God’s word to enter in.  In other words, yes, I may be predisposed to clinical depression.  I may even have an environment with stresses that might typically trigger this malady in me; however, could it equally be true that based on how I respond to these stresses is a determining factor, or at least aids in NOT actually getting clinically depressed.  What if I continue to spiritually battle the negativity and stresses pressed upon my life with the truth of God’s Promises?  Could it be that a laser focus on passages such as Isaiah 26:3-4, 2 Timothy 1:7, and Philippians 4:4-9 might actually beat back the onset of clinical depression?  I think so – at least for me.

 

Category 2: Idolatrous Depression – something we idolize is being threatened or removed from our lives leaving us with a deep feeling of depression, treated with repentance and realignment of priorities and passions. 

My pastor, Dr. Rick Thompson, recently said, “We are constantly putting things at the center of our hearts that are not God … Anything that we put at the center of our hearts that is not God will condemn us.”  For example, if we have the idol of vocational success, then if that success does not happen as we hoped it would, then we are depressed.  I am reminded of the rich young ruler who asked Jesus about what it took to gain eternal life (Matthew 19:16).  He had put the idol of possessions and wealth at the center of his value system so that when Jesus told him to go sell all he had and give it to others the young man “went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions” (v.22).  Notice how when the removal of his idol was threatened, he was deeply and emotionally affected.  We might even say that he walked away depressed, if that is not too much of a stretch.

We could use any myriad of examples here (idols of our children, serenity, ease, pleasures, etc. – See http://vimeo.com/70732978 for fuller explanation – starting at the 14 minute mark).

I certainly have experienced this type of depression.  Time and again, I have had things that I have elevated as a priority over my valuing of God.  It seems to happen so easily and many times imperceptibly – until what I want doesn’t happen, and I find myself depressed.  Upon evaluation, I realize that I have actually looked to something or someone for fulfillment instead of looking to the Lover of my soul, the Lord Jesus.  Instead, I need to change my focus to line up with Scripture. 

Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you” (Psalm 73:25, ESV).

But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ” (Philippians 3:7, ESV).

 

Category 3: Reactive Depression – a depression that is a reaction to life’s challenges or pressures treated with the ministry of the Holy Spirit through the word of God, treated through the encouragement of the saints and prayer, treated by a deep meditation on the person and work of Christ and the reality that there is a better day coming (Revelation 21:1-5), treated through therapeutic counseling.

To quote Carisa again, “The reaction to pressures we label diagnostically as adjustment disorder, a much less serious diagnosis where mood is temporary due to a life circumstance.”

I like to think of this as an entering into the universal groaning of the world (Romans 8:20-23) due to death of a loved one, personal pain and suffering, opposition from wicked people, pressures of ministry and life, etc.  Biblical examples of this might be seen in the following passages:

  • 1 Kings 19:1-4 – Elijah was depressed after the drama on Mt. Carmel and subsequent threats on his life.
  • Job 6:8-9 & 7:1-11 – Job suffered greatly and was in deep distress, yet Scripture tells us that in all this he did not sin.
  • Lamentations 1:16 – Jeremiah (?) writing soon after the destruction of Jerusalem.
  • Mark 14:32-36 – Jesus in the Garden on the eve of His crucifixion.
  • 2 Corinthians 1:8 & 2 Corinthians 11:28 – Paul describing his experiences as an evangelist and servant of Christ.

I have experienced this type of temporary depression – a kind that comes and goes periodically due to the pressures and stresses of life.  When my dad was still alive, there were times that I would be depressed simply dealing with the verbal abuse and ongoing challenges he brought into my life.  When I was the sole individual (in concert with my wife) making end-of-life decisions for my dad, coordinating the funeral, co-preaching the funeral and singing…I suffered bouts of depression.  I was not clinically depressed, nor was I depressed because an idol was being removed from my life; rather, I was groaning inwardly because of the immediate expressions of brokenness that were being perpetrated upon me.  I have felt depression after ministering to others who are deeply grieving the loss of a child or a spouse.  The weight of the sorrows of others taps into the deep wounds of my own history, and I grieve and sometimes experience a short time of depression.  Often on Mondays, I experience the “pastoral Monday blues.”  This is more common than one might imagine among those who are serving Christ’s church.  All these experiences of mine – these bouts of depression – are temporary.  My only saving graces are the reminders of God’s promises, the comfort of the Holy Spirit, the re-orientation of my focus onto Jesus, and the encouragement of the saints.  Oh, and sometimes getting out and enjoying nature along with my family helps. 

 

Conclusion: So, are you in sin if you are depressed?  Perhaps – perhaps not.  Is it inevitable that someone will suffer from clinical depression due to the genetic makeup of the individual?  Not so sure.  All I know is, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Psalm 73:26, ESV).

About The Author

James Hunt

James serves as the Senior Pastor of First Southern Baptist Church in Guthrie, OK. He loves serving Jesus by serving God's people. He also enjoys spending time with his wife of over 20 years as well as his four children. You'll find him just as comfortable in the office deep in thought as he is at a rodeo. He likes boots, jeans, and state park trips with the family. His dream car is actually a 1968 truck. His favorite bicycle is one with a big motor. Of course, he has neither a motorcycle nor an old truck. But a guy can dream, right?

James Hunt has blogged 53 posts at wordslingersok.com

3 responses to “Are you in sin if you are depressed?”

  1. Anon says:

    A few thoughts ~ First, I have OFTEN wondered this same thing (your title question). I have often asked (well, “asked” would not be the correct word – I would say OBSESS… Why do I obsess over this question? Because I SO want to please God, making sure that I am in His Will and obeying what He is asking me to do. What He asks us to do is ‘simply’ trust. Him. I SO WANT to conquer my anxiety and/or depression because I know that it is NOT of God. He does not desire us to live with depression.) I have often wondered if I am just not having enough quiet time, prayer with God, maybe I just don’t believe His promises enough. After all, EVERY Christian song you hear on the radio seems to be about EVERYONE’S questions and doubt, not trusting, etc. – so I’m normal, right?

    ~ I have been in denial the past 6 or 7 years about my struggle with anxiety. I walk into a public place, specifically stores like Walmart : ) and feel suddenly like I can’t breathe. I also feel like I can hide it pretty well, but I have trouble talking with people one-on-one, or even in small groups. I am glad that I haven’t taken medicine that has been recommended to me by my general physician and counselor but in talking with my sister who suffered worse anxiety than I even do, she says she is glad she is on Zoloft now because it has helped her marriage and she said “I don’t have to battle it everyday anymore. I can just live a normal life.” It has even helped her to trust God MORE because she doesn’t have to constantly deal with the guilt she put on herself for not trusting God more, or wondering always “What’s wrong with me?” When she explained it to me in those words, I finally understood. I used to look down on her, honestly, because her anxiety was the type where she felt like she was going to fall when walking on concrete. I thought, “Really? That’s weird…” but now she doesn’t have to battle that anymore. I do have that feeling of “Am I going to pass out? Just breathe…” all. the. time. but since I have NOT taken medicines, I’ve learned other coping skills on my own and also with the help of my counselor. I used to hate admitting these issues because they seem so silly, like “Just get over it” and I put A LOT of pressure on myself to just “suck it up” and “Don’t worry about it,” and even others have told me, “Just relax.” It’s not that easy. Personality might have a lot to do with it too – Some are just more high strung than others. We all have to learn with our personality weaknesses. BUT I feel that if I took medicine, maybe I wouldn’t have to battle as hard anymore and I can just “live life.” My General Physician is a Christian and goes to my church and I fully trust him. Each winter he has noticed that I come in feeling down, pointing to Seasonal Affective Disorder. Each winter for 3 years he has recommended Zoloft to me but I just keep resisting because I’m an “all-natural” type person. 🙂 But my issues have gotten in the way of my marriage and parenting. So I am willing to try it because I trust these experts. Both my doctor and counselor are strong Christians that I look up to and trust. They have said that I have a chemical imbalance where my brain isn’t producing enough serotonin. I also have digestive issues (nothing major but VERY subtle – that maybe a lot of people struggle with and don’t know it). Well, over 90% of our body’s serotonin is produced in the gut. So that might explain something. Diet and exercise definitely can help most people. For me, I am active and healthy and young. I’ve tried every diet I can think of (anti-inflammatory, Celiac, etc…) My mood does improve but I still struggle with my main issues.

    ~My mom seemed to me to be manic-depressive when my sisters and I were growing up. We walked on egg shells around her constantly, never knowing when she picked us up from school if she would be in a good mood or in a bad mood/annoyed with us. She gave the silent treatment. She also yelled. Just depended on the day. Would lock herself in her room for hours, sometimes days. She is on Zoloft now that we are adults and she is a totally different person! Sometimes I don’t know if she passed things along to me and my sisters, and/or if the way she was around us growing up is what has impacted/caused us to be the same way. Maybe she’s just a lot less stressed now that she is not raising children and THAT’S why she is SO nice now. Who knows? But all I know is she is completely different and is pleasant to be around now.

    ~ My doctors and counselors just keep telling me over and over that it’s time for me to stop having to fight so hard. They also said that a lot of people only need the medicine for a little while and then their bodies take over and produce/balance out the hormones needed. Of course they also said the counseling combined with medicine is the main thing that shows the most success rates, but for at least 5 years I have already been doing the counseling/coping methods. Yes, there has been progress but obviously something more is going on.

    First, though, yes, the Christian MUST make sure they are putting God first in their lives and holding onto His promises. If you are not doing that, it’s no wonder depression can enter in.

    Just some random thoughts that I might not have explained very clearly but I tried 🙂

    • Anon says:

      Oh, also – I have asked myself over and over if I am just not grateful for the things God HAS given me. So that is something Christians need to make sure of…that we are content where God has us, even if our circumstances are rough at the time.

      Sometimes you can tell if you are depressed if everything in your life is going fine but you still feel down. That is how I know that something more is going on with me.

      My counselor even made me realize that there are different types of depression. She said that sometimes people go through circumstantial depression – where we are sad because of our life circumstances. I’m not sure what the other types are…

      Even though I am “depressed,” as a Christian, I still have the hope and peace and joy of Jesus. It’s a very strange feeling (and constant tension) to know this hope AND still struggle with the condition. It’s a very frustrating place to be.

    • James Hunt says:

      Thanks for the comments, “Anon.” It is my opinion that just as you should not feel guilty for taking medication were you to have a heart issue even so you should not feel guilty if the need arises to take a medicine like Zoloft. It may be the key to help you get to the emotional place where you can actually have the capacity to rest more in the presence of Christ.