I have decided to write a series of articles regarding one of the biggest issues we face today, depression. I have seen it soak into the souls of the most vibrant people and seen how it steals joy. It is time to face this issue head on and see about reclaiming our joy!
I personally know a few people who have been hospitalized due to depression. All were given medication, and none of them were given healing. This picture scares me. The issues that lead to the depression are still present; therefore these people are medicated just so they won’t feel the sadness. What happens when the prescriptions are done? If the issues are not dealt with these people will sink right back into their depression, possibly even deeper than before, because the ‘medication’ didn’t help. (This does not mean that those who are suffering with the medical condition of depression should not take medication, I am speaking to the cases that do not have a medical cause.)
Why is it that all of these psychiatrists and psychologists medicate? I believe many of them don’t know how to deal with this issue. I am not bashing these professionals at all; this is not an easy issue to address. Depression is a symptom of other issues that are present that has made it so that the person no longer feels joy. These issues vary from person to person, so it is very difficult for a medical professional to find a solution. It is not like a disease where there is one medication that will work for everyone. Also, if one treats only the depression and not the underlying issue than it is like treating the headache for someone with a brain tumour but leaving the tumour untreated.
Now that I have expressed my feelings on the matter of medicating, here are some of the words God has given to us regarding this issue.
“He will give light to those who live in the dark and in death’s shadow. He will guide us into the way of peace.” (Luke 1:79, God’s Word Translation)
“At the same time the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, because we don’t know how to pray for what we need. But the Spirit intercedes along with our groans that cannot be expressed in words. The one who searches our hearts knows what the Spirit has in mind. The Spirit intercedes for God’s people the way God wants him to.” (Romans 8:26-27, God’s Word Translation)
No matter what you face, God will give light to you and show you the way to having peace. He will also provide help in your times of weakness. The next time you feel weak or feel your peace slip away you can rest in this knowledge and reach out to God. He will reach right back. It is also in these moments that we need to rest in God's presence and let his love and joy fill us.
Do I believe then, that if you are depressed it means you are not close to God? Not at all, however I do believe that God will help us in the midst of these dark times. I also believe that God wants us to rest in his presence so he can revive us and heal us in our times of weakness, and in our times of pain. Psalm 147:3 says that he binds up the brokenhearted, proclaims freedom for captives and sets prisoners free from darkness. Spending more time with God will not only help you make it through this hard time, but it may just set you free.
Why is it that all of these psychiatrists and psychologists medicate? I believe many of them don’t know how to deal with this issue. I am not bashing these professionals at all; this is not an easy issue to address. Depression is a symptom of other issues that are present that has made it so that the person no longer feels joy. These issues vary from person to person, so it is very difficult for a medical professional to find a solution. It is not like a disease where there is one medication that will work for everyone. Also, if one treats only the depression and not the underlying issue than it is like treating the headache for someone with a brain tumour but leaving the tumour untreated.
Now that I have expressed my feelings on the matter of medicating, here are some of the words God has given to us regarding this issue.
“He will give light to those who live in the dark and in death’s shadow. He will guide us into the way of peace.” (Luke 1:79, God’s Word Translation)
“At the same time the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, because we don’t know how to pray for what we need. But the Spirit intercedes along with our groans that cannot be expressed in words. The one who searches our hearts knows what the Spirit has in mind. The Spirit intercedes for God’s people the way God wants him to.” (Romans 8:26-27, God’s Word Translation)
No matter what you face, God will give light to you and show you the way to having peace. He will also provide help in your times of weakness. The next time you feel weak or feel your peace slip away you can rest in this knowledge and reach out to God. He will reach right back. It is also in these moments that we need to rest in God's presence and let his love and joy fill us.
Do I believe then, that if you are depressed it means you are not close to God? Not at all, however I do believe that God will help us in the midst of these dark times. I also believe that God wants us to rest in his presence so he can revive us and heal us in our times of weakness, and in our times of pain. Psalm 147:3 says that he binds up the brokenhearted, proclaims freedom for captives and sets prisoners free from darkness. Spending more time with God will not only help you make it through this hard time, but it may just set you free.