The stigma of Depression
The stigma of Depression
People aren't perfect
Sometimes Depression needs medication (Disclaimer)
It isn't your fault !
There IS hope
Don't beat yourself up
1: Realize that by ourselves, we humans can do nothing apart from God.
"Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God" 2 Corinthians 3:5
2: Because of the blood shed by His Son, Jesus Christ, we can receive the gift of eternal life.
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade - kept in heaven for you" 1 Pet 1:3,4
People aren't perfect
"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23
"He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy" Proverbs 28:13
1: Antidepressant medications are not the same thing as tranquilizers.
2: You cannot become addicted or "hooked" on antidepressants.
If you have Depression, and you need to take medication in order to function...IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT ! No one is immune from illness and disease. As long as we live on this earth, our bodies will continue to age and be suseptible to sickness. It is only through the blood of Jesus Christ that we can look forward to a day where our bodies and minds will be whole and perfect the way God originally designed them to be.
But in the meantime we are able to take advantage of the miracles of medicine that God has given us. He has given man the wisdom to invent treatments and cures for thousands of physical ailments. We would never think of someone with pneumoia as being less of a christian for taking antibiotics. Or condemn a person with cancer for not being strong enough in their faith to pray away their tumor. It is no different for a person with Clinical Depression.
God loves you. He has created you and redeemed you in Christ so that you can live a full and meaningfull life. Unless God chooses to heal you of Depression you need not suffer in vain.
Fortunately, medication has caused those days to be a thing of the past. Every so often I sink back into the depths of Depression, but it is always due to some sort of alterations with my meds or because I've wanted to see if I could do without them. During these times, I now try to be honest about my situation. Surprisingly, because of this honesty, I have met many people who admit to having the same problem. Because of this we are able to support one another which is much better than suffering alone. The apostle Paul wrote:
Don't beat yourself up
Unfounded guilt is one of the symptoms of Depression. Don't pile more guilt onto yourself by wondering if a lack of faith is the cause of your illness. And don't burden yourself with needless shame for fear of what others might think of you. We need to come out of the closet, so to speak, and stop hiding our illness.
Sometimes Depression needs medication
It isn't your fault ! "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Revelation 21:4
"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed;...perplexed, but not in despair;...struck down, but not destroyed." 2 Cor 4:8-9
There IS hope "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all of our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." 2 Cor 1:3-4
"Don't be afraid of people. I am with you, and I will rescue you," declares the Lord. Jeremiah 1:8