Rev. Richard Smith
Psalm 91:2 My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest.
I’m sure you read or heard the sad news this past Sunday that Cheslie Kryst, the 2019 winner of the Miss USA pageant, died of suicide at age 30. According to the police report, she jumped from a Manhattan apartment building. Her family posted this response to the tragic news:
In devastation and great sorrow, we share the passing of our beloved Cheslie. Her great light was one that inspired others around the world with her beauty and strength. We know her impact of loving and serving will live on.
One hasn’t studied the depths of Scripture if we’re unaware that the Bible speaks of the power of depression and how it affects those who emotionally struggle. So, let’s look at some key thoughts we people of faith need to understand.
We Must Really Understand What Depression Is
One of the problems, as I see it, is that far too many persons, well-meaning Christians included, tend to minimize the significance of depression. Too often well-intentioned folks treat those who battle depression as just needing to have more faith or snap out of it by focusing on happy things.
These kinds of perceptions show that so many do not understand the reality and power of clinical depression.
Let me share with you three facts about depression so that we each can better understand both the gravity of the problem and the difficulty for those battling it.
- Depression is not just having a bad day or a bad week or a bad month. It’s a very real physical and mental condition; a disease that can be grounded in chemical imbalance or genetic predisposition or physiological problems or situational circumstances.
- Thus, when real depression sets in, persons cannot just will themselves out of this condition. It is not something from which persons just will themselves by their own willpower.
- Real depression cannot be addressed by the person alone. It requires the assistance of others. Recovery from depression is not something one can do by oneself.
Even People of Faith Get Depressed
This truth goes without saying, I think. Again, the Bible and Christian history are replete with the saints of our faith who have battled depression.
In the 31st Psalm, as one example, we find these words: Help me, LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and body with grief. My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction; my bones grow weak.
And then there are the saints within Christian history who have revealed their struggles with depression: Martin Luther, Abraham Lincoln, Harry Emerson Fosdick, Mother Teresa, etc.By no means are people of faith immune from this dreaded condition. Which leads me to a further insight on this truth –DEPRESSION IS NOT SPIRITUAL FAILURE!
There Is Help Available
As I see it, there are three clear avenues of help available.
First, medication. We need to recognize that there are varied medications available that can be prescribed by professionals in the field of psychiatry.
Secondly, counseling. I believe that God encourages certain people into certain professions for a particular purpose so He can facilitate His will being done. Thus, I believe God has called certain persons into the counseling profession and we should give thanks for this avenue of healing and help.
At the same time, I believe with all my heart that depression needs spiritual attention as well. For over thirty years I’ve seen the difference a deepened relationship with God can make in the lowest and most difficult moments of life. Time spent with God opens us up to the Power and Presence whose healing and loving Presence can empower us toward recovery
Reaching Out Is Essential
For those of us who know persons battling depression, it is absolutely essential that we do our best to reach out to them. We need to do it sensitively, patiently, kindly, lovingly, but we must do it. We must reach out to them in their time of need.
It is also absolutely essential that depressed persons themselves reach out. If you are battling depression, the worst thing you can do is disconnect from those who care, withdraw from the support and love of others who want to help. You need that support more than ever
God Never Gives Up
Finally, recognize that God never gives up on any of us no matter what we face in life nor whether we do our part to reach out to Him. As I’ve already noted depression is not spiritual failure. It’s essential that we all understand that God has deep empathy for those mentally and emotionally struggling. He’s present in these situations to help and empower, not indict.
Our loving God keeps listening, keeps helping, and keeps sustaining no matter our readiness to reach out to Him.
