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 Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2004 10:12 am
yes... i am one of those christians, i was depressed for awhile, but then jesus helped me get out of it. even though i had known about god and jesus my whole life, i never knew jesus. the christians who are depressed don't have a close relationship with jesus or god. that is how you can be a christian and still be depressed.
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Posted: Sat Aug 21, 2004 11:03 pm
Oh i definitely believe that depression can happen to great christians even. it happend to my best friend, and she was close to god. it can be a physical thing too, like with your brain or soemthing. it runs in my family. but she had just had some crazy things happend to her all at once, and she was having a really hard time dealing with them. she's better now, but she's a christian for sure, and she was loving God all the way
~Lilly
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Posted: Sun Aug 22, 2004 4:22 pm
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Posted: Mon Aug 23, 2004 10:52 pm
I believe that Christian depression is simply the devil working his way into your heart. All you have to do is guard against him with God's word and lots of heartfealt prayer.
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Posted: Wed Aug 25, 2004 8:37 pm
This topic hits quite close to home. I am a clinically depressed and suicidal Christian. It doesn't mean I have any less faith in God, it just means I suffer from chemical imbalances and mistreatment my entire life. While part of me knows I am not worthless in the eyes of Christ, another part feels worthless because the world told me I was worthless when I was young. I mean very young. Seven or eight young. Your mind is very moldable then.
Since I've mentioned suicide, another thing to note is 90% of suicidals don't want to die, we just don't understand the emotions we feel and are searching for an outlet. Obviously killing ourselves is not the way to go, and all but a few realize this. But we cannot help these thoughts.
There seams to be a misconception that Christians will not have any trouble befall upon them. That is most certain not true. We can, and will be, taunted, tempted, hurt, and stressed like non-Christians. The difference is the fact that we turn our troubles over to God and he helps us to heal. Depression is a very serious mental condition and is not due to a lack of faith. God eases our troubles as well, but sometimes we need more, which is why God has guided humans in the development of medications to help ease our unnecessary agony.
Two-thirds of teenagers will undergo some form of depression in their life. Most will have minor cases and be fine in a few weeks, or months. Others, like myself, will have major depression that will last for years on end. In fact, a break in my depression brought me far closer to God then I had been previously. God had sent me my first friend ever at the age of 13 and showed me I didn't have to live a life of saddness. I believe he was using her to help show how much better my life would be if I allowed Jesus to live within my heart daily, not when I felt like it.
As one who likes to consider themself close to God, it pains me to hear people say that depressed people trust Jesus any less, or that the only tool you need against depression is prayer. Don't make such bold accusations unless you have been in our shoes. You can't help your feelings or emotions, regardless of what you may know in your heart, and while you can eventually change them somewhat, it is a very long and difficult process. We face enough judgment from the world, we really would appreciate not to hear it from you too. Thank you and God bless. heart
~Megan
The Christian Gay Rights Activist, Suicidal, Depressed, Harry Potter Fan 3nodding
Quote: Feelings aren’t ‘wrong’ or ‘right,’ ‘bad’ or ‘good.’ Feelings just are.” –Gershen Kaufman and Lev Raphael
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Posted: Thu Nov 18, 2004 7:29 pm
Airtia As a general rule I tend to not believe in depression especially among those who say that they are Christians. Once you have excepted Christ you are suppose to have the joy of the Lord in your heart and be joyful. Yet, I have come across many people who are Christians and yet they hold on to misery like it is their life-line. They simply refuse to get happy.
I understand that we are not 'happy-go-lucky" all the time, for everyone gets sad now and then, but depressed? Can you really be a Christian and yet suffer from Depression?
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Posted: Fri Nov 19, 2004 6:55 pm
as has been mentioned before, yes, even Christains get depressed. I prefer to call teh main period in the persons life where they went downhill their 'Dark Saga'. Everyone will have one, plain an simple.
I went through mine for two years, and am still recovering. I have trouble keeping my thoughts positive and could slip into depression in a second (no, i don't take pride in this stare ..). I went through mine before my friends, and, i too, was suicidal. i kept a steak knife under my bed. I kept trying to find something, something worth living for. I've only had two boyfriends, which both ended in disaster (so i have since swore off guys until God thinks i'm ready). I couldn't find love anywhere, not even in my family. So my friends became my family, but even they could not help me 24/7. So, i found my Father. I still have trouble though, (if anyone is willing to give it a try an get through to me, i'm not stopping you, heh. sweatdrop ) but i can also come out of depression in a second now too. It still worries me though, because even some of my very strong Christain friends are hitting their dark saga rite now. All i can do is do what mine did for me, be with them as much as possible, try to stay positive, try to keep their thoughts positive, and most of all: pray.
in an answer, yes, Christain depression is not uncommon.
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Posted: Mon Nov 22, 2004 6:59 pm
some people get depressed hwen they think that they aren't pleasing God enough!
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Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 11:05 am
well... i have been thinking on this... and how can we know real happiness had we not felt the pain of sadness? and how can we know the pleasure of a full belly, had we not felt the sting of hunger in our stomach? and how can we appreciate how much we have, had we never gone without?
proverbs says humility is before honor.. and also.. maybe Jesus uses the things in our life to allow us to be brought down low as an assistance to help us be more humble... because humility and meekness is the only way to go anywhere with him. If we feed our proud, it makes the flesh more powerful over the spirit...
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Posted: Fri Dec 17, 2004 4:17 am
Shinja_Odoriko This topic hits quite close to home. I am a clinically depressed and suicidal Christian. It doesn't mean I have any less faith in God, it just means I suffer from chemical imbalances and mistreatment my entire life. While part of me knows I am not worthless in the eyes of Christ, another part feels worthless because the world told me I was worthless when I was young. I mean very young. Seven or eight young. Your mind is very moldable then.
Since I've mentioned suicide, another thing to note is 90% of suicidals don't want to die, we just don't understand the emotions we feel and are searching for an outlet. Obviously killing ourselves is not the way to go, and all but a few realize this. But we cannot help these thoughts.
There seams to be a misconception that Christians will not have any trouble befall upon them. That is most certain not true. We can, and will be, taunted, tempted, hurt, and stressed like non-Christians. The difference is the fact that we turn our troubles over to God and he helps us to heal. Depression is a very serious mental condition and is not due to a lack of faith. God eases our troubles as well, but sometimes we need more, which is why God has guided humans in the development of medications to help ease our unnecessary agony.
Two-thirds of teenagers will undergo some form of depression in their life. Most will have minor cases and be fine in a few weeks, or months. Others, like myself, will have major depression that will last for years on end. In fact, a break in my depression brought me far closer to God then I had been previously. God had sent me my first friend ever at the age of 13 and showed me I didn't have to live a life of saddness. I believe he was using her to help show how much better my life would be if I allowed Jesus to live within my heart daily, not when I felt like it.
As one who likes to consider themself close to God, it pains me to hear people say that depressed people trust Jesus any less, or that the only tool you need against depression is prayer. Don't make such bold accusations unless you have been in our shoes. You can't help your feelings or emotions, regardless of what you may know in your heart, and while you can eventually change them somewhat, it is a very long and difficult process. We face enough judgment from the world, we really would appreciate not to hear it from you too. Thank you and God bless.
If I may I would like to speak on this topic.
I too have depression, I am a christian, this dosen't mean I am any less closer to God, In fact at the times that I have felt the most sadness and pain I have been closest to my father in heaven, at the times that I have been tempted to hurt myself I have felt his love.
depression is a chemical imbalance in the brain as she said. this is not some sort of spritual affair. usually the reasons for someone to be depressed are: a dissapointment in a realationship, a loss of a loved one, perhaps they didn't get what they wanted for christmas, or they dont like something about themselves, I personally don't like how short I am, a 'normal' person might feel dissapointed that they aren't tall, maybe wish they were taller, but someone like me will hate themselves, feel a loss of self-esteem, lose interest in friendships and extra-curricular activities, they could become paraniod. what people that don't have depression don't realize is that these problems are real... they're just blown out of preportion by this sickness we have. Many will say "you can be happy if you want to," "you choose to be sad," I've even had someone go as far as to tell me to 'walk it off.'
the truth is that God gave everyone diffrent trials for our lives. Some may have very few, some may have to go through; devorce, homelessness, AIDS, cancers, mental disorders, and many others. Mine is Depression and it's a hard one, I am no different than others but my mind is under fire. God gave me this for a reason and I'll deal with it best I can... smile
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Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 6:49 pm
Oh my! This frustrates me ... I have depression, too, but that has little to do with my relationship with God. Before I get into my whole spiel, nobody feel offended, I'm just saying my opinions and experience. wink
Here's what I've seen to cause depression (in no particular order).
1) Chemical imbalance.
2) Low self-esteem/self-image.
3) Lack of social interaction.
4) Sin one is not willing to let go of, i.e. a hidden relationship.
5) Unneccessary guilt, i.e. taking the blame for something you think you could've prevented and letting that tear you down.
6) Guilt from a past action, i.e. an abortion.
7) Postpartum depression.
cool Traumatic event, i.e. death in the family.
9) Overmedication.
10) Genetics.
11) PMS. J/k. wink
12) Rejection by other people/ bad home life.
13) Disappointment.
There's many other triggers, but those are the big ones. Any number of those can mess with you , especially if you've got the right chemical setup.
Depression is where you feel extremely sad, worthless, hopeless, guilty, etc. You can't enjoy your hobbies and other stuff. Loss of energy, concentration, inability to make decisions, loss of sex drive for some people. One can't focus, learn, remember... it's bad.
Rats, I'm like out of time. Go to http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/depression.cfm#ptdep1 if you want, i can describe it in less detail later. smile
Love in Christ,
- Meike biggrin heart heart
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Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2004 10:20 am
Okay. Part two. lol!
There's three basic types of depression:
Dysthymia-- general long-term (often years- eek!) depression. It's not as bad as major depression, but it does interfere with your ability to enjoy stuff and be happy.
Major depression-- this is dysthymia times a LOT. No fun, this is the one where people are sometimes suicidal, and you are REALLY DOWN; it usually lasts for a few weeks to year(s).
Bipolar disorder-- eek! this isn't good. It usually involves a state of depression followed by a state of mania, which is where you are evergetic, talk too much, need little sleep, feel invincible, laugh a lot, and are basically way too happy. This can be mild or severe in its ups and downs.
Oh yeah you can also get depressed in the winter from the lack of light. But that's SADD. Another topic.
Ummmmmmm yes. That's basically it. You can treat it with meds, psychotherapy (psychologists/counselors), this electrocunvulsive therapy thing which is kinda freaky, lol, but it works, light therapy, and so forth.
Why go through all this malarkey? Um it's b/c I want to show you what it's like, why we can't just POOF decide to feel better. To some extent you can control it, but that's only a small extent.
One last thing. David in the Bible had manic-depression. O.o Hm.
Love in Christ, and I hope I didn't make anyone mad or offended or anything,
Meike heart heart heart
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Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2005 10:17 pm
I'll make a short post tonight, but maybe I'll add on to it later.
Christian depression - COMPLETELY NORMAL. Just because you have Jesus in your life, it doesn't mean that everything's going to be "all good". In fact, as a Christian - you're going to experience more persecution and more seclusion because you're not like everyone else [be in the world, but not of it], unless you're falling away from God. As Christians, we're going to face trials and tribulations - and there will be times that we wish we weren't even born. Just look at Job for example! Look at how he reacted to God's testing! He was a godly man, righteous...even he got severly depressed - he even said, "Curse the day I was born".
However, we must stand strong and remember that God will pull us through. 3nodding
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Posted: Wed Feb 09, 2005 1:55 pm
Japi Yes. You can... Christian Depression starts when you begin to fall out of love with Christ. Something else takes His place in your life. Self pity is the most common. I was depressed for a while, for that very reason, but I was able to re-accept Christ in my life with a little help from Him through my boyfriend and a few other concerned friends. If one of your friends is feeling that way, just be as supportive as you can and Christ will work through you to bring your friend back to Him. I agree with Japi, I was depreesed for a while and I know that it was because I was dealing with self-pity and feeling sorry for myself. The bible says to put the kingdom of God first and all else would be added, if a person trusts in God and sincerly leaves their cares and the cross believeing God will take care they will find that they can step out of depression.
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Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 9:14 pm
rockmanx Airtia As a general rule I tend to not believe in depression especially among those who say that they are Christians. Once you have excepted Christ you are suppose to have the joy of the Lord in your heart and be joyful. Yet, I have come across many people who are Christians and yet they hold on to misery like it is their life-line. They simply refuse to get happy.
I understand that we are not 'happy-go-lucky" all the time, for everyone gets sad now and then, but depressed? Can you really be a Christian and yet suffer from Depression?
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