Common Misconceptions About Depression in Christians

Are you a Christian who struggles with depression and feels confused as to why this is so? Do you have find it confusing to be a follower of Christ and still experience feelings of melancholy and hopelessness? If so, read on. This article on depression in Christians may contain a word of hope for you.

Common Misconceptions About Depression in Christians

I have struggled with depression off and on since I was fourteen years old. When I became a Christian, there were times I thought my depression was a solely a spiritual attack. But depression is complex and involves interconnected physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects.

There are many misconceptions and stigmas associated with depression in Christians, especially in Christian communities, which may make it difficult to seek the help you need. This, coupled with the fact that depression tends to distort your perception of reality and cause you to doubt your judgment, makes it crucial to know what is true and what is not.

The following are some of the most common myths about depression in Christians you should be aware of.

Depression is not real The belief that depression is not real is a dangerous misconception that can prevent you from getting the help you need and result in needless suffering. Depression is a diagnosable mental health illness that is real, and that can impact your brain’s ability to function the way it should.

Feeling depressed indicates a lack of faith Feeling depressed does not mean that you lack faith or that you do not trust God. All it means is that you are human. Depression can affect anyone regardless of his or her faith or spiritual strength. Even some of the greatest men of God, such as the prophet Elijah, experienced depression. Strong faith does not provide immunity from mental health issues.

Real Christians do not get depressed Having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and putting your hope and faith in Him does not mean that all your struggles will go away. No one is immune to depression – Christian or otherwise.

The Bible acknowledges the reality of mental anguish. When Elijah, for instance, experienced a time of depression so severe he wished he could die, God did not rebuke him for feeling this way. Rather, He sent an angel to provide for Elijah’s physical needs and help restore him (1 Kings 19:3-8).

Feeling depressed means that you are not praying enough While prayer is vital and can provide comfort and peace, depression often requires more than that. God does not always choose to heal physical or mental illness through divine intervention alone.

Sometimes He uses other means, such as through a doctor or a mental health professional. Seeking the help of a Christian counselor can be beneficial in helping you process your symptoms, identify your stressors, and learn how best to cope with them.

Christians should not seek therapy for depression Depression is not something you can just snap out of or that you can overcome with willpower. It is a mental health condition that affects the way you think and feel. There is no shame in needing professional help if you are a Christian. Nor is seeking therapy for your depression about choosing between relying on God or pursuing treatment for your symptoms.

The myth that it is an either/or choice is a false dichotomy. You can still depend on God while seeking therapy. Though healing ultimately comes from God, therapy may be the tool He uses to bring it about, just as He may choose to use medicine to heal a physical injury or illness.

Depression can be cured by faith alone While faith is a significant source of encouragement and hope, it is not always enough to fully address depression. In many cases, healing comes through a combination of faith, therapy, and the support of family and friends.

Feeling depressed is the result of sin Depression is a mental illness, not a sin. Whereas sin can contribute to depression, it is not always necessarily the cause of it. Job, for instance, was a blameless, upright man who feared God and shunned evil (Job 1:1), and yet he experienced dejection too.

Feeling depressed means you are self-absorbed Depression is a struggle that can impair your ability to look past your own emotional distress and feelings of hopelessness and make it difficult for you to accomplish your day-to-day functions. It is a real issue that requires support and the right treatment.

Christians should always be joyful The belief that Christians should always be joyful is an unrealistic expectation. All humans face times of hardship and challenges that can lead to feeling depressed. There are times you may wake up feeling blue and you can remind yourself, “The joy of the Lord is my strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).

However, there are times or situations where the blues have gone on for days and weeks. This is when you have to be aware that depression is real and it might take more than faith and prayer to overcome it. Having joy in Christ and experiencing depression are not mutually exclusive.

Finding Encouragement and Guidance Through God’s Word

God’s Word (the Bible) contains an illustrated roadmap of the path to follow and the pitfalls to avoid as we travel through a fallen world on this journey called life. In it you can find scenarios that parallel any issue you may be grappling with – including depression.

Examples of people who knew and loved God, but still wrestled with depression and suicidal thoughts, not only serve as reminders that you are not alone in your struggle but can also provide valuable insights on how to deal with and respond to it.

Put your feelings into words The first step to being healed from depression is to recognize how it is affecting your thoughts and emotions and put your feelings into words. Sharing your feelings openly and honestly gets them out into the open so you can deal with them and helps your brain to cope.

God, who is omniscient, already knows what they are and is not angered by your honest words. You can reach out to a faith friend, mentor, pastor, spouse and ultimately seek counseling.

Get perspective through the Word of God Depression tends to create a distorted perception of reality that can play tricks with your thoughts and emotions, give rise to false fears, and get you to question God or feel distant from Him. Your feelings are imperfect guides that can lead you astray, but God’s Word never will.

It exhorts you to renew your mind by filling it with Scripture and using the Word as a framework to guide and strengthen you (Romans 12:2). Test every thought against it and counter every lie and irrational belief with God’s words of truth and hope.

Take care of your physical body Self-care is essential to your well-being. We all need sleep, rest, exercise, and nourishing food, as well as time off to recharge our batteries and avoid burnout. When Elijah fell into depression and an exhausted sleep following one of his greatest triumphs, the Lord’s response was to let him sleep and to send an angel to minister to him and help restore his strength by giving him food to eat and water to drink (1 Kings 19:1-10).

Connect with others Do not isolate or give in to the lies that your life is hopeless or that no one cares about you. The Bible speaks about the importance of fellowship with others (Hebrews 10:25) and exhorts believers to encourage, comfort, and support one another in their struggles (Galatians 6:2, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

Bring your depression to God in prayer Talk to God about how you feel and ask for His help (Matthew 11:28-30). Even if you cannot put your prayers into coherent words, God hears the cries of your heart (Romans 8:26).

Seek professional help It is as okay for a Christian feeling depressed to seek professional help as it is for one who feels physically unwell to visit a doctor. It does not mean you are a bad Christian or that you lack faith.

Christian counseling for depression in Christians integrates faith — Christian beliefs, values, principles along with learned psychological techniques. Thus, you are incorporating Christian beliefs and values into the treatment process.

It can help you develop a deeper relationship with God that you can turn to for strength and spiritual and emotional support in times of trouble.

It can help identify and counter the lies that are distorting your perception of reality, provide you with a sense of hope and purpose, and equip you with faith-based coping strategies that enable you to manage your symptoms.

If you would like to set up an appointment to meet with me or one of the other faith-based counselors at our office, please give us a call.