Can I Say I’m a Son or Daughter of Christ and Suffer from Depression?

[phkrause]

In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, we read: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” What if we aren’t glad, we aren’t capable of rejoicing, and even prayer is difficult? What if, instead, everything looks dark, we question God’s compassion, and we want to hide in shame? In other words, what if we are clinically depressed? Can we still call ourselves sons or daughters of Christ?

http://www.beliefnet.com/Health/Can-I-Sa..._term=yahoo.com

[Kevin H]

Of course: There are many different causes of clinical depression. One is the vitamin deficiency. When Jesus fasted 40 days his vitamin deficiency brought him into clinical depression. Mrs. White states that he was in a deep melancholy, which was the term in her day for clinical depression and even indicates suicidal idealization. Satan was taking advantage of this when tempting Jesus to jump off the pinnacle of the temple.

Jesus was still God's son despite being clinically depressed for that time period.

[CoAspen]

Absolutely! Do we forsake our own children when they suffer or feel pain? Do we forget about them in the time of their greatest need? Nope, and neither does God!!

[Gail]

I would say, yes, also. It happens.

[JoeMo]

Hey pk.

I would say we are always God's kids. Negative feelings towards self or God are sometimes lies that satan speaks to us.

When my son and my dad died, I was diagnosed with clinical depression; and my doctor put me on Lexipro (an anti-depressant). Six months later, I slowly weaned myself off of the medication, and I'm "normal" now (whatever normal is). I have had great difficulty sleeping lately; and it was causing me great anxiety (which is a form of depression, so I'm told). I got some blood work done; and I found out I was dangerously low on vitamin D. My doc put me on 10,000 units of D3 per day; and I'm sleeping better; and my anxiety level is way down.

When we are physically sick, we seek medical advice. Shouldn't we do the same if we are suffering mentally or emotionally? We shouldn't ever let anyone (including ourselves) tell us that our negative feelings have anything to do with a lack of faith or spirituality unless they know the source of our feelings are not clinical. It is sad when people from church, who would flock around us when we are physically ill, turn their backs on us when we are suffering mentally or emotionally. When we don't feel like talking to God is the time we need to turn to Him the most - even if it is strictly by force of will. Even when our friends or our church abandon us, God is there. Sometimes we don't hear from Him because He is just there to suffer quietly with us.

You are old enough to know what it feels like to lose loved ones. Nothing anyone says can make us feel better. Personally speaking (having just lost my mom), sometimes anything people tell us just upsets us more; so silence is best. Sometimes God is silent for the same reason. He's with us whether we feel His presence or not. He is just there for us to talk to, while He silently holds us.

You didn't say this was you; but if it is, my prayers are with you. God bless.

[debbym]

Elijah was depressed and suicidal and God helped him through it, angels fed him, he spoke to him in the cave in the still small voice.

He remained God's child, albeit a depressed child of God.

[ClubV12]

A Seventh-day Adventist Pastor recently comitted suicide. The obvious question people asked were, "Is he lost?"

We simply do not know what transpired between him and our Lord in the last hours of his life. He had been battling depression for some time and his family had been urging him to get medical help. He refused. No one can make the call for salvation for another. Nor can we suggest that suicide is OK in any regard. Depression is a very difficult issue to deal with for survivors as well as victims.

[Naomi]

YES!!!

[Gregory Matthews]

Major Depression is a clinical condition that requires immediate intervention.

Christ, Elijah and other Biblical people were depressed under standard definations of depression.

A Christian can become depressed just as one could become diabetic.

Depression can occur from the chemistry in the brain. That is the basis of treatment by the SSRIs.

If you need the medication, take it for the period of time that you need it.

NOTE: I Know a SDA clergyperson who committed suicide after years of struggle with depression. He had sought and received clinical help. It failed and he took his life.

[LifeHiscost]

I would say, yes, also. It happens.

Samson had his eyes gouged out and was made a slave by his enemies. While this wasn't God's plan for him from the beginning, he asked God to give him the strength to take vengeance on his enemies and it was provided him. Despite that these were a result of Samson's own misbehavior, and he knew he was facing death by what he asked, when all that was left for him to do was put his trust in the only God that could deliver him, he's still counted among the giants of the Bible and is numbered among those who had great faith.

I would suggest his faith, a gift of the Spirit, overruled whatever depression he experienced.

"How much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel....Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight." Heb 11:32,34 NLT

God cares!

[Kevin H]

I heard in a lecture once or read in a book (can't remember) that as the church was getting away from the Bible when it came to the state of the dead, members were starting to die of suicide to go to heaven. In response to all these suicides the church said that suicide was sin.

God knows the pain that people go through. What is sad is that depression is treatable. Either with medications, although I am much more impressed with the way Dr. Mark Hyman is using nutrition and how the late Dr. William Glasser used his counseling method. Personally I'd like to see a combination of the two. Although he sadly does not mention Glasser, Dr. Ned Nedley has a fantastic program on dealing with depression, but he does use cognitive psychology and the cognitive psychology school and the William Glasser Institute have been on very good terms and recommend each other. Of course the Cognitive Psychologist Dr. David Burns "Feeling Good" and "Feeling good handbook" are the classic.

Please, get help, preferably with the teachings of Glasser, Nedley, Burns and Hyman rather than meds, but the meds are better than nothing.

Depression is based on the production of different neurotransmitters in the body and what part of the body. Similar to how under production of insulin causes type 1 diabetes, or if these neurotransmitters are effecting the muscles rather than the emotional centers of the body there is RSV and Parkinson's. If someone with diabetes, RSV or Parkinson's can be a child of God so can someone with depression.

[Green Cochoa]

"Now do not worry yourself out of the arms of the dear Saviour, but rest trustingly in faith. He loves you; He cares for you; He is blessing you, and will give you His peace and grace. He is saying to you, "Thy sins be forgiven thee." You may be depressed with bodily infirmities, but that is no evidence that the Lord is not working in your behalf every day. He will pardon you, and that abundantly. Gather to your soul the sweet promises of God. Jesus is our constant, unfailing Friend, and He wants you to trust in Him. . . ." {UL 212.5}

"When you find yourself depressed, and you have a sinking time, pray. Hold on by prayer to that arm that was stretched out to hold up a sinking Peter. It will give you courage, vital energy, and pure, unadulterated wisdom. Our people generally are to understand from whence their strength comes. Our reinforcements come from God. In your weakness, lay hold of infinite strength, and the people will see that you have the solid rock of God's promises beneath your feet. Your heart must turn away from human supports. If your heart goes out to Jesus in living trust, you will be strong. You will say, Brethren, have courage in the Lord. But if the people see that you have a hesitance to venture out and take responsibilities, they will think, Well, he is weak, and cannot advise and counsel us." {TSA 68.2}

Blessings,

Green Cochoa.

[Green Cochoa]

If you struggle with depression, the following health-related activities that most anyone can follow are important. I know, for I have been there. I was clinically depressed for over a decade, undiagnosed, and finally found freedom from it through some of these health measures.

1. Exercise regularly, and especially when under stress.

2. Go to bed early, at least two hours before midnight.

3. Increase your intake of healthful oils, such as olive oil, and cut out margarine, chips, and fries completely.

4. Increase your intake of B-vitamins, including B-12.

5. Get adequate sunshine--if you live in a northern region and are seasonally affected by the reduced sunlight, find a tanning bed, if possible.

6. Drink plenty of water.

7. Help someone else, or volunteer for community service regularly--in short, be of service to others.

8. Read the Bible and keep your eyes fixed on Jesus.

9. Ask God to help you, and praise Him!

10. Focus on the future instead of dwelling on the past--start each day new and clean.

The above habits will do far more than drugs in the majority of cases. I was given some lithium during my depressed years, but found it did not help. I would not have wanted psychiatric drugs. While each of the above points is important, and some of those points will be more important than others, depending on the individual, in my own case, the real biggie was the healthful vs. harmful fats. Giving up margarine completely and substituting olive oil in everything made the turnaround in my case, in addition to getting lots of sunshine. The Bible speaks of the "oil for joy," and I believe having good oils in the diet is very important.

Blessings,

Green Cochoa.

[Gregory Matthews]

Green has made several very useful comments in regard to depression and its treatment.

But, it should be realized that depression exists is several forms. What it a preferred treatment program for one form is not that for another.

E.G. Depression is an aspect of Bipolar Disorder, Major Depression and Dysthymia. The preferred treatment differs for each of these.

In some cases, Cognitive Therapy is an excellent treatment with a high rate of success.

In other cases the SSRIs are a preferred treatment. This is based upon the knowledge of the chemistry of the brain just as a diabetic my need to take insulin. However, a diabetic's need to take insulin may be of limited time and the same may be true for medications.

Lithium is given for depression in some of its forms. It is most effective when the person is contemplating suicide and in the case of someone who is bipolar. It is less commonly given in other cases, but may be given. It is not the most common medication for other cases. The SSRIs are more commonly given.

[Gregory Matthews]

Quote:

Get adequate sunshine--if you live in a northern region and are seasonally affected by the reduced sunlight, find a tanning bed, if possible.

Green references as condition known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). That condition is real is related to depression. He is correct. Reduced sunlight is a factor.

However, I must caution his recommendation to find a tanning bed. Tanning beds are clearly (evidence based) related to an increase in skin cancer.

There is a better solution: There are lights that one can purchase that emit light in a frequency that is evidence based demonstrated to reduce the symptoms of SAD. I will suggest that this is a better treatment as these lights, which do not tan, have not been shown to be related to later skin cancer.

The following has good information on depression, SAD,light treatment and more:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seasonal_affective_disorder

[Kevin H]

Excellent points Green and Gregory

[olger]

Jesus was depressed in the Garden of Gethsemane.

[joeb]

Jesus was depressed in the Garden of Gethsemane.

And very depressed on the cross. His emotional agony was so great that Ellen White said He didn't even feel his physical pain.

What sadder words can be said than when a person asks his father why he's forsaken his only child?

[pierrepaul]

If you struggle with depression, the following health-related activities that most anyone can follow are important. I know, for I have been there. I was clinically depressed for over a decade, undiagnosed, and finally found freedom from it through some of these health measures.

1. Exercise regularly, and especially when under stress.

2. Go to bed early, at least two hours before midnight.

3. Increase your intake of healthful oils, such as olive oil, and cut out margarine, chips, and fries completely.

4. Increase your intake of B-vitamins, including B-12.

5. Get adequate sunshine--if you live in a northern region and are seasonally affected by the reduced sunlight, find a tanning bed, if possible.

6. Drink plenty of water.

7. Help someone else, or volunteer for community service regularly--in short, be of service to others.

8. Read the Bible and keep your eyes fixed on Jesus.

9. Ask God to help you, and praise Him!

10. Focus on the future instead of dwelling on the past--start each day new and clean.

Many of these suggestions have helped me - regular sleep and exercise, sunshine and diet were key.

[Gail]

To add to Green's list, how about the effect of isolation?

I can see those who are bullied, victims of bigotry or disability, friendless, etc as being prone to the blues.

[Neil D]

if you are one of those people who have, 1] depression,or bipolar problems, and you smoke , there is evidence that smoking causes some forms of depressions or bipolar problems....

So, kick the habit and cure the depression....but bipolar isn't able to be cured...but it can ease the mood swings...

Just an FYI from the observations of your government health department....

In fact, did you know that 50% of the current sales of cigarettes are to mental health patients....true fact.

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

did you know that 50% of the current sales of cigarettes are to mental health patients....true fact.

how in the world could that be verified??

**visions of a mandatory survey with each purchase of tobacco**

[phkrause]

how in the world could that be verified??

**visions of a mandatory survey with each purchase of tobacco**

[Kevin H]

Originally Posted By: rudywoofs

how in the world could that be verified??

**visions of a mandatory survey with each purchase of tobacco**

Hey, don't give the government any ideas

[Gregory Matthews]

Quote:

if you are one of those people who have, 1] depression,or bipolar problems, and you smoke , there is evidence that smoking causes some forms of depressions or bipolar problems....

As I understand the research, it is thought that with one specific type of mental illness, the person uses tobacco as a medicine to provide relief.

There is a wealth of material available on the Internet on this subject. The following is one URL that you may find interesting:

http://www.nami.org/Content/NavigationMe...tal_Illness.htm