Question 1

What makes me vulnerable to depression?

Accepted Answer

Psalm 31:9-11Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am in distress. Tears blur my eyes. My body and soul are withering away. I am dying from grief; my years are shortened by sadness. Sin has drained my strength; I am wasting away from within. I am scorned by all my enemies and despised by my neighbors—even my friends are afraid to come near me. When they see me on the street, they run the other way.Hebrews 10:25Let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.Loneliness often leads to depression, and depression often leads to self-isolation, creating a vicious cycle. Without the encouraging presence of friends, family, and fellow believers, we are vulnerable to Satan’s attacks and the dark emotions that follow from them.1 Kings 17:12She [the widow of Zarephath] said, “I swear by the Lord your God that I don’t have a single piece of bread in the house. And I have only a handful of flour left in the jar and a little cooking oil in the bottom of the jug. I was just gathering a few sticks to cook this last meal, and then my son and I will die.”Psalm 42:9“O God my rock,” I cry, “why have you forgotten me? Why must I wander around in grief, oppressed by my enemies?”Jeremiah 15:10, 15Then I [Jeremiah] said, “What sorrow is mine, my mother. Oh, that I had died at birth! I am hated everywhere I go.” . . . Then I said, “Lord, you know what’s happening to me. Please step in and help me. Punish my persecutors! Please give me time; don’t let me die young. It’s for your sake that I am suffering.”Lamentations 3:19-20The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words. I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss.James 2:15-16Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?Lacking basic needs such as food, shelter, and safety can contribute to depression. The widow at Zarephath was deeply depressed. With only enough food for one last meal, she saw no hope for her and her son’s survival. David wrestled with depression as he ran for his life from Saul’s army, hiding in caves for shelter (1 Samuel 24:4). Jeremiah warned God’s people faithfully, yet they ignored him. The kingdom of Judah was conquered, and most of God’s people (including Jeremiah) went into exile—a national period of homelessness. Each of these Bible heroes fought feelings of hopelessness and helplessness that fueled their depression.1 Kings 19:3-4Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there. Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.”Depression can strike even after our major victories. Elijah had just defeated 450 prophets of Baal and had seen God work several mighty miracles, yet he was afraid and depressed. All his efforts had only led to more intense persecution from Queen Jezebel. Between Elijah’s exhaustion and his emotions falling after the high of victory, he was susceptible to depression.Psalm 42:1-5Day and night I have only tears for food, while my enemies continually taunt me, saying, “Where is this God of yours?” My heart is breaking as I remember how it used to be: I walked among the crowds of worshipers, leading a great procession to the house of God, singing for joy and giving thanks amid the sound of a great celebration! Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad?Depression often comes from looking back at what we have lost. Whether through the loss of loved ones, social position, wealth, health, or independence, depression is common when we experience loss.Romans 7:15-24I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. . . . I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?Depression can occur when we realize how wide the gap is between the ideal we strive for and the reality we see within and around us. This can create a devastating experience of frustration and worthlessness.Matthew 26:36-39Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, “Sit here while I go over there to pray.” He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed. He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me.”Jesus may not have had clinical depression, but he faced heavy sorrow and suffering. The Father asked something incredibly difficult of him, and Jesus fully experienced the darkness of betrayal, abandonment, and excruciating pain. In a similar way, we can be susceptible to depression even when we are honoring God. In fact, following God faithfully may prompt attacks of depression from Satan—because Satan is afraid of what God is doing through us.1 Samuel 16:14The Spirit of the Lord had left Saul, and the Lord sent a tormenting spirit that filled him with depression and fear.Ephesians 6:11Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.Saul ignored God’s guidance again and again, refusing to repent. When we reject God’s guidance to the point where he can no longer get our attention, then he may step back from us for a while, and depression can easily move into the vacant room in our hearts. The further we move from God, the more defenseless we become, and the easier it is for Satan to lead us to a place of despair.Psalm 22:1-5, 11My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help? Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer. Every night I lift my voice, but I find no relief. Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. Our ancestors trusted in you, and you rescued them. They cried out to you and were saved. They trusted in you and were never disgraced. . . . Do not stay so far from me, for trouble is near, and no one else can help me.Luke 18:6-8Then the Lord said, “Learn a lesson from this unjust judge. Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?”Romans 12:12Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.Sometimes we call out to God, but he still feels distant and our situation doesn’t seem to change. This does not mean your heavenly Father has abandoned you or that you have committed some unpardonable sin. Even faithful heroes of the faith faced such times of trial. When David faced this kind of situation, he was raw and honest in his prayers to God, acknowledging his feelings of depression and abandonment—yet he didn’t stop praying. Jesus also encouraged us to be persistent in prayer, which he modeled for us during his own darkest hour (Matthew 26:36-46).Job 1:18-19“Your sons and daughters were feasting in their oldest brother’s home. Suddenly, a powerful wind swept in from the wilderness and hit the house on all sides. The house collapsed, and all your children are dead. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”Job 3:1-2At last Job spoke, and he cursed the day of his birth. He said: “Let the day of my birth be erased, and the night I was conceived.”Job 30:16“And now my life seeps away. Depression haunts my days.”A broken heart is susceptible to depression.Psalm 22:1-4My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest. Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. In you our fathers trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them.Psalm 143:4I am losing all hope; I am paralyzed with fear.Proverbs 13:12Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.John 5:6-8When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, “Would you like to get well?” “I can’t, sir,” the sick man said, “for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me.” Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!”Ingratitude and hopelessness lead to depression. Without gratitude, our hope is stifled; without hope, depression is uncontested. The sick man at the pool of Bethesda was so busy complaining about the lack of help he had experienced that he missed the help—Jesus—standing right in front of him. In contrast, when David faced depression and hopelessness, he taught himself to be thankful and hopeful by reminding himself how God had rescued him and God’s people in the past.Ecclesiastes 4:8This is the case of a man who is all alone, without a child or a brother, yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can. But then he asks himself, “Who am I working for? Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?” It is all so meaningless and depressing.Luke 12:20-21“But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’ Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”If we spend our lives pursuing meaningless things, we may become depressed when we recognize that what we are doing has little lasting value or significance.Jeremiah 20:14, 18I curse the day I was born! May no one celebrate the day of my birth. . . . Why was I ever born? My entire life has been filled with trouble, sorrow, and shame.Depression likes to keep company with trouble, sorrow, and shame. In fact, there are many complex pieces of our past and present circumstances that can lead to depression: family history, abuse, conflict, death, genetics, trauma, illness, and more.

Question 2

Does God care when I feel depressed?

Accepted Answer

Psalm 34:18The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.Psalm 147:3He [the Lord] heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.Matthew 5:4“God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”God isn’t disappointed or upset by our depression or emotional struggles. On the contrary, he draws close to his people when they are in distress.John 11:32-35When Mary arrived and saw Jesus, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.” When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled. “Where have you put him?” he asked them. They told him, “Lord, come and see.” Then Jesus wept.Jesus went to the town of Bethany knowing that Lazarus had died and knowing that he would raise Lazarus from the dead that day (John 11:11-15). Mary and Martha knew that Lazarus would be resurrected someday (11:23-24), just as we know that all believers will be given new bodies and live eternally (2 Corinthians 5:1). But Mary and Martha still grieved, and Jesus didn’t criticize them for that. On the contrary, he grieved alongside them, experiencing the full range of anger, anguish, and sorrow that comes from losing a loved one. We worship a God who understands the depths of our emotions—not merely from a distance through his omniscient knowledge, but by experiencing the struggles of life alongside us.Isaiah 53:3-5He [the Messiah] was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care. Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.This prophecy of Isaiah was written 700 years before the birth of Jesus, yet it perfectly describes Jesus the Messiah’s life and love for us. Jesus faced countless depressing situations: the death of Joseph, his earthly father; rejection and even violence from people he was trying to help; skepticism and disbelief from his brothers; the anxious anticipation of a terrible death; betrayal and abandonment by his closest friends; slander and humiliation by his enemies; and physical pain we can only imagine. And the reason he went through all this—the reason all Scripture testifies to—is that he loved us too much to let us suffer on our own.Psalm 22:1-5, 22-23My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help? Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer. . . . Every night I lift my voice, but I find no relief. Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. Our ancestors trusted in you, and you rescued them. They cried out to you and were saved. They trusted in you and were never disgraced.Psalm 139:1-12O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. . . . even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you.God is present with us no matter how deep the emotional depths we descend to. Still, the dark haze of depression can make us feel alone. David felt alone and abandoned in his depression, even though he called to God day after day. Yet he didn’t stop calling out to God. He shared his raw grief, frustration, and fear with God—and he clung to the truth that God was faithful. In the midst of our darkest depression, God is there, and he knows us and loves us through it all.Isaiah 53:3He [the Messiah] was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.John 11:35Then Jesus wept.We can take comfort in the truth that Jesus fully understands the pain of human life. He has suffered everything that we have, and even more.Matthew 11:28-30Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”Jesus cares deeply for those who are weary and provides comfort, love, and rest.Isaiah 54:10“For the mountains may move and the hills disappear, but even then my faithful love for you will remain. My covenant of blessing will never be broken,” says the Lord, who has mercy on you.Romans 8:35, 39Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? . . . No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. Nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.Not even life’s worst depression can separate us from the love Jesus has for us. We must never push him away. He knows everything that has happened to us and all we are going through, and he loves us with a greater love than we could ever imagine.

Question 3

What can I do when I’m depressed? How can I recover?

Accepted Answer

1 Kings 19:5-9Then [Elijah] lay down and slept under the broom tree. But as he was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him, “Get up and eat!” . . . So he ate and drank and lay down again. Then the angel of the Lord came again and touched him and said, “Get up and eat some more, or the journey ahead will be too much for you.” So he got up and ate and drank, and the food gave him enough strength to travel forty days and forty nights to Mount Sinai, the mountain of God. There he came to a cave, where he spent the night.Elijah’s experience illustrates several factors that usually accompany recovery from depression. Begin by caring for your body with good rest and nutrition; then reengage with God. Elijah was first cared for physically; then God gave him a fresh vision with specific direction for his next steps.1 Kings 19:9-18The Lord said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” Elijah replied, . . . “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.” Then the Lord told him, “Go back the same way you came, and travel to the wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive there, anoint Hazael to be king of Aram. . . . I will preserve 7,000 others in Israel who have never bowed down to Baal or kissed him!”Another way God helped lead Elijah out of his depression was by confronting Satan’s lie that Elijah was all alone. Elijah had good reason to believe that lie—he had lost many friends and was himself running for his life in the wilderness. But God promised Elijah that 7,000 Israelites had remained faithful. What is more, God led Elijah to one of those faithful Israelites—Elisha. Perhaps Elijah was skeptical of all this. Perhaps he doubted anyone would want to join him in his difficult ministry as a prophet. But Elijah still followed God’s lead—and sure enough, young Elisha was eager and ready. Now, Elijah would no longer feel so alone and would have a student to carry on his ministry (1 Kings 19:16-21). If God is leading you to seek new places or people during a time of depression, don’t resist his call!Ecclesiastes 4:10, 12If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. . . . A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.Galatians 6:2Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.Hebrews 10:25Let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.When we are depressed, social interactions can be tiring. What’s more, we may distrust others or dislike the idea of being a “burden” by sharing about our struggles. But if we give up on seeking honest and sincere fellowship, we will be cutting ourselves off from one of the most powerful ways God works in our lives—through fellow followers of Jesus. We were made to be part of the body of Christ, to care for one another, not only because we need other Christians, but because other Christians need us. This mutual encouragement is so essential for our spiritual and mental health that God actually commands it!Psalm 13:1-6O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever? How long will you look the other way? How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day? How long will my enemy have the upper hand? Turn and answer me, O Lord my God! Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die. Don’t let my enemies gloat, saying, “We have defeated him!” Don’t let them rejoice at my downfall. But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me.Matthew 26:38-39, 42He [Jesus] told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” . . . Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done.” . . . So he went to pray a third time, saying the same things again.God does not demand false joy from us. Instead, he longs for earnest, candid prayer. There will be times in our lives when we feel frustrated, grief-stricken, and weary—even Jesus faced such a time. Jesus never sinned, yet he asked his heavenly Father if there was a way to avoid the cross. In the same way, we may freely ask God questions about the situations we are in, and we may ask for deliverance and relief. Often, God answers with help. But sometimes, as it was with Jesus and the cross, the trial is necessary to bring about the full fruits of God’s goodness. In such situations, we may not approach our struggles with smiles and laughter, but we can approach them with peace and confidence, trusting that God’s wisdom and goodness will triumph in the end.Isaiah 38:21Isaiah had said to Hezekiah’s servants, “Make an ointment from figs and spread it over the boil, and Hezekiah will recover.”1 Timothy 5:23Don’t drink only water. You ought to drink a little wine for the sake of your stomach because you are sick so often.Medicine like an antidepressant is not unbiblical; in fact, it may enable us to be better stewards of what God has given us. God used the medicine of the day to heal King Hezekiah, and Paul advised Timothy to drink a little wine to improve his stomach health. Perhaps Timothy abstained from wine because he recognized the dangers of drunkenness and addiction—a thoughtful and well-intentioned position. But because of Timothy’s stomach troubles, Paul felt Timothy’s avoidance of wine was causing more harm than good. Wine in moderation would not lead to addiction, and it would strengthen Timothy’s health and allow him to give his best efforts to his ministry. In the same way, when antidepressants are used responsibly, they can be a blessing that God uses to help rewire our brain’s chemistry and equip us to live more fruitful lives for him.Psalm 40:1-3I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God.John 5:6-8When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, “Would you like to get well?” “I can’t, sir,” the sick man said, “for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me.” Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!”Self-pity is the opposite of gratitude—it is a pit that threatens to swallow us. The deeper we fall into it, the harder it is for us to see outside it. The sick man at the pool of Bethesda was mired in self-pity. His thoughts were so fixed on the suffering, loneliness, and frustrations of his past that he nearly missed the opportunity Jesus offered in the present.Psalm 42:3, 6-8Now I am deeply discouraged, but I will remember you—even from distant Mount Hermon, the source of the Jordan, from the land of Mount Mizar. I hear the tumult of the raging seas as your waves and surging tides sweep over me. But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life.Psalm 130:1From the depths of despair, O Lord, I call for your help.Lamentations 3:20-22I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease.Many writers of Bible texts knew depression well, and they were honest about it before God and others—that’s why we have their prayers written in our Bibles. But after acknowledging their depression for what it was, these writers made a choice—they chose to find hope in God’s unchanging goodness. God’s goodness may be harder to see in dark circumstances, but that’s all the more reason to remind ourselves of its truth.Romans 5:3-5We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.James 1:2-4Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.1 Peter 1:6-7So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.Revelation 21:4-5“He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!”Suffering, struggle, and loss are terrible things to face. Why would Scripture call them an opportunity for joy? Just as athletes face physical pain and struggle to become the best players they can be, our earthly struggles train us for eternity—they are opportunities to grow in patience, empathy, endurance, humility, forgiveness, faith, and many other virtues. That may not make the trial any less painful, but it can give us hope that the trial will prepare us for our eternal joy.Romans 7:25–8:2Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin. So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.2 Corinthians 3:18So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.Philippians 1:6I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.Depression can come from regret for our sins. On our own we cannot bridge the gap between the perfection we strive for and the reality of our sins and failures. But Jesus has forgiven our sins and mistakes, and he continues to work in our hearts, shaping us to become all we were meant to be. We may not be perfect yet, but even now, we are fully known and fully loved by God—and we can look forward to a perfect eternity with him.Psalm 42:5-6Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior and my God! Now I am deeply discouraged, but I will remember you.Psalm 92:1It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to the Most High.Acts 16:22-25A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods. They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. . . . Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening.Discouragement often comes by concentrating on unpleasant or overwhelming circumstances, and the thoughts we choose to focus on will either lessen our depression or perpetuate it. When we focus on what we don’t have, that scarcity mindset perpetuates depressive thoughts and feelings. But by praising God, we can produce gratitude and hope. Paul and Silas were in prison. There was nothing about their circumstances that was particularly hopeful. Yet they found reasons to praise God despite their situation, and we can too. Thank God for the basic blessings he has given you, the good things in your life that are easy to take for granted: the sight of a loved one’s smile; the taste of your favorite food; the beauty of new fallen snow; or the fresh smell that lingers after a rainstorm. By training yourself to rejoice in what God has done and what God is doing, you can develop a growth mindset that counters the lies of depression.Proverbs 13:10Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise.Proverbs 20:18Plans succeed through good counsel; don’t go to war without wise advice.Friends and family can be powerful sources of encouragement during depression, but their knowledge is often limited. If a king were preparing for war, he would call on advisors who were knowledgeable about the political situation and experienced in battle tactics. In the same way, professional counselors are knowledgeable about the physical and psychological causes of depression, and they can equip you with a practical “battle plan.” Consider reaching out to a Christian counselor who can come alongside you not only in your fight against depression but in your walk with Christ. Let God use others to help you, just as you would for your physical health.Habakkuk 3:17-19Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.Matthew 6:19-21“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”Philippians 4:12-13I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.Much depression comes from trusting in the things of this world instead of turning to God. We will be disappointed if our happiness is based on financial security, prestige, possessions, popularity, or even our health. These things come and go. Putting our hope in God helps us persevere through the toughest times—because what we value most can never be taken away.John 5:3-7Crowds of sick people—blind, lame, or paralyzed—lay on the porches. One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, “Would you like to get well?” “I can’t, sir,” the sick man said, “for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me.”John 9:2-3, 6-7“Rabbi,” his disciples asked him, “why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?” “It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him. . . . Then he [Jesus] spit on the ground, made mud with the saliva, and spread the mud over the blind man’s eyes. He told him, “Go wash yourself in the pool of Siloam” (Siloam means “sent”). So the man went and washed.Health troubles and disabilities can increase the risk of depression. It’s easy to feel powerless and discouraged when our own bodies betray and limit us. Two men from the Gospel of John illustrate opposite responses to such a situation. Both men had been disabled for decades, and Jesus healed both of their physical ailments, but the mindsets they had cultivated all those years stayed the same. The man at the Pool of Bethesda in John 5 had allowed his disability to lead to bitter hopelessness. Even while Jesus was speaking to him, he began listing reasons why he could never be healed. In contrast, the man born blind in John 9 clung to hope, even when Jesus didn’t heal him instantly. Both were healed, but their responses were radically different.When the first man was interrogated by the Pharisees for breaking their Sabbath rules, he threw Jesus under the bus (John 5:9-15). In contrast, the second man defended his healer against the Pharisees—and for that, he was thrown out of the synagogue (John 9:24-34). When Jesus saw the first man again, he told him, “Now you are well; so stop sinning, or something even worse may happen to you” (John 5:14). In contrast, when Jesus saw the second man again, the man worshiped Jesus joyfully (John 9:35-38). Each of these men faced very similar sufferings and experienced very similar opportunities, but one embraced self-pity and the other embraced hope and gratitude. We cannot control the sufferings that come our way, but we can be intentional about the mindset we choose to foster.John 16:33“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”Romans 8:28We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.2 Corinthians 12:7-10So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.James 1:2-4Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.We don’t know what Paul’s thorn in the flesh was, exactly. It could have been a physical pain or disability; it could have been a temptation; it could even have been a specific persecutor. Whatever it was, Paul thought his life would be better off without it. Yet every time Paul asked for God to take it away, God gave him this answer: “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” Jesus never promised us lives free from hardship—in fact, he promised the opposite. But we are also promised that God will be with us through it all, and God will use that hardship to produce good in the end. That doesn’t mean our hardship is a good thing. Paul’s thorn was “a messenger from Satan” and clearly intended for evil! But God turned that evil attack into an opportunity to strengthen Paul’s character and his faith. The book of James tells us to consider trials a source of joy—not because the trials themselves are joyful experiences, but because through them, we can become more spiritually mature and complete.Psalm 40:1-3I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord.Philippians 1:6I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.Depression can come from feeling stuck, like we’re buried in a deep pit of muck. We feel trapped, helpless, and broken. But even in truly grim circumstances, God has the power to create change. Our trust in him will always pay off in the end.

Question 4

How does God help me when I am depressed?

Accepted Answer

Deuteronomy 33:27“The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you.”Psalm 10:17Lord, you know the hopes of the helpless. Surely you will hear their cries and comfort them.Psalm 23:4Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.Psalm 34:18The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.Psalm 147:3He [the Lord] heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.Matthew 5:4“God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”The power of God’s presence and guidance, coupled with the sensitivity of his listening ear, can bring healing and comfort. This does not discount the power of depression for many of us, but it does call us to turn to God for help and cry out for his help and intervention. Whatever we might feel in a low moment, God truly does care for us.

Question 5

Can any good come out of my depression?

Accepted Answer

Psalm 126:5Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy.2 Corinthians 12:9Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.When we are at our weakest, we are more receptive to the help and strength that God wants to give us. When everything is going our way, it is easy to become blind to our need for God and to overlook his presence in our lives. But as God works through our weaknesses, we learn to depend more on him and recognize and be grateful for the good work that only he can accomplish in us.Romans 8:26-28The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.James 1:2-4When troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.Every time Satan attempts to conquer us, God takes that opportunity to grow and mature us. His Holy Spirit intercedes for us every step of the way, and though the journey may be painful, our destination will be worth it.2 Corinthians 1:3-5All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ.During times of depression, God’s comfort reminds us of his love for us, and that love can inspire us to offer that same comfort to others. Those who have wrestled with depression themselves are often more empathetic and able to comfort others in similar circumstances.

Question 6

How can I help someone who is depressed?

Accepted Answer

Proverbs 25:20Singing cheerful songs to a person with a heavy heart is like taking someone’s coat in cold weather or pouring vinegar in a wound.Romans 12:15Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.2 Corinthians 1:4He [Jesus] comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.The best way to help someone who is depressed is to model the gentle, caring love of Jesus. People dealing with depression need comfort and understanding, not advice, lectures, or clichés. You can help someone who is depressed by offering your quiet presence, your love, and your encouragement. Telling them that you “know what that’s like,” telling them to “snap out of it,” or minimizing their pain by false cheeriness will usually just make them feel worse.Job 2:13They [Job’s friends] sat on the ground with him for seven days and nights. No one said a word to Job, for they saw that his suffering was too great for words.Matthew 26:36-38Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, “Sit here while I go over there to pray.” He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed. He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”When Jesus himself faced grief, anguish, and distress before his crucifixion, he first and foremost sought his Father in prayer, but he also sought the company of his closest friends. Peter, James, and John had no advice that could help Jesus—they didn’t even understand what was happening—but their presence gave Jesus comfort. In the same way, we can be a blessing to those who are suffering depression simply by being present, a visible reminder that they are not alone.

Question 7

Are the feelings associated with depression sin?

Accepted Answer

Isaiah 24:16We hear songs of praise from the ends of the earth, songs that give glory to the Righteous One! But my heart is heavy with grief. Weep for me, for I wither away. Deceit still prevails, and treachery is everywhere.Becoming angry and outraged when we see the sin of a terrible crime can leave us depressed about all the evil in the world. This is not a sin.John 11:33-36When Jesus saw her [Mary] weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled. “Where have you put him?” he asked them. They told him, “Lord, come and see.” Then Jesus wept. The people who were standing nearby said, “See how much he loved him!”John 12:27“Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But this is the very reason I came!”When Jesus saw others grieving about the death of his friend Lazarus, and when he faced the cross, he felt deeply troubled. Since Jesus felt very low at some points but did not sin, feeling low or depressed cannot be a sin. It is natural to feel down as we face troubled times and distressing situations.Romans 12:11Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.1 Corinthians 10:13The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.Philippians 1:6I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.Hebrews 6:11-12Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance.James 4:17Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.Feelings of depression are not a sin, and neither is taking a step back to care for our mental health (see 1 Kings 19). However, depressive thoughts can lead to sin if we let them. Depression isn’t pleasant, but it can sometimes begin to feel comfortable and familiar, leading us into apathy and hopelessness. That apathy can cause us to neglect the gifts and responsibilities God has given us, including our relationships with God and others. We must actively choose to resist such apathy. No matter how often we have failed or how far we have fallen, God loves us, and he isn’t finished with us yet.

Question 8

Does feeling depressed mean something is wrong with my faith?

Accepted Answer

1 Kings 19:3-4Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. . . . He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die.Lamentations 3:20The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words. I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss.Matthew 26:36-38Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, “Sit here while I go over there to pray.” He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed. He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”Even God’s greatest servants faced times of depression, and even Jesus faced great sorrow and anguish when he approached the cross. Sometimes, as with Jeremiah, depression comes from a prolonged period of apparent failure and discouragement. Other times, as with Elijah, the high of a great victory collapses into disillusionment and despair. Still other times, anxiety and depression combine in anticipation of dark times to come. Feeling depressed does not mean something is wrong with your faith. Often, it means something is right with your faith—and Satan sees you as a threat. During such times, cling to prayer, Scripture, and fellowship, just as Jesus did.1 Samuel 15:22-25Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? . . . So because you have rejected the command of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.” Then Saul admitted to Samuel, “Yes, I have sinned. I have disobeyed your instructions and the Lord’s command, for I was afraid of the people and did what they demanded.”1 Kings 11:1-3Now King Solomon loved many foreign women. Besides Pharaoh’s daughter, he married women from Moab, Ammon, Edom, Sidon, and from among the Hittites. The Lord had clearly instructed the people of Israel, “You must not marry them, because they will turn your hearts to their gods.” Yet Solomon insisted on loving them anyway. . . . And in fact, they did turn his heart away from the Lord.1 Timothy 6:9-10People who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.Depression is not a sin, but sometimes, depression can come from seeking happiness and meaning in the wrong things. King Saul made public opinion his god, and this made him anxious, jealous, paranoid, and self-centered. King Solomon surrounded himself with pagan wives who led him into idolatry. The apostle Paul warned Timothy not to seek money because he had seen many led astray by its false promises. Whenever we try to fill our hearts with cheap replacements for God, the hollowness that it creates can manifest as depression.Psalm 35:9I will rejoice in the Lord. I will be glad because he rescues me.Psalm 40:2He [the Lord] lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.Matthew 14:30-31When he [Peter] saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him.God is able to lift us out of the pit of depression and fear, but we must let him. We are only truly in trouble when we convince ourselves that God cannot or does not want to help us.

Question 9

Where can I find inspiration and encouragement in times of depression?

Accepted Answer

Proverbs 16:20Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the Lord will be joyful.John 15:11“I [Jesus] have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!”When we are depressed, the Bible helps us recognize the lies of Satan, the temptations that will come our way, and how the devil fuels our depression by distracting us from God’s promises and power. As these things become clear, our perspective begins to change. Develop the regular habit of seeking God and counting on the truth of his Word, and you will find the encouragement you need.Romans 12:4-5Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.Ephesians 4:2Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.Colossians 3:16Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.1 Thessalonians 5:11So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.Hebrews 10:24-25Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.God gave us the church to be his tangible hands and feet in our lives, a source of love, encouragement, and truth at all times. Yes, the community of believers is imperfect—but so are we. Christ calls us to bear with one another’s burdens, to be his united body here on earth, and to strengthen and encourage one another in ways we wouldn’t be able to on our own.Isaiah 43:1-3“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”Isaiah 61:1-2The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.Lamentations 3:22-23The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.God is with us always—through every trial, through every sorrow. He is with us when we feel like we are drowning and overwhelmed. He is with us when the pressure feels like a fire all around us. He weeps beside us in every tragedy and comforts us with his promise of a joyful future. Just as the sun rises every morning, shining light on our day, God’s presence is a constant source of hope and comfort in our lives.Matthew 11:28Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”God can use our depression to help us slow down and rest long enough to be with him. As we meet with him in prayer and an open Bible, we are welcoming the Holy Spirit to do his work of comfort, transformation, and encouragement—often in ways we cannot understand or explain.Joshua 1:9“This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”Romans 8:31-32If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?Never underestimate God’s willingness to bring peace, hope, and personal victory into your life.