LayGuy

Again, I am in debt to my brother Mike for this article he wrote on the nature of depression from a Christian perspective. As a Christian and a practicing psychologist, I value his insight into what the medical community says, will be the biggest killer of mankind by 2020 – depression…..

One of the most misunderstood and misinformed topics among Christians about depression is what causes depression? Please note that in this context I refer to clinical depression which is a serious mental illness requiring both medication, psychological treatment, and of cause spiritual interventions. The following are just a handful of explanations I have heard from those who have experienced the dark hole of depression.

• Is it because I have sinned?
• Am I being punished by God?
• Is it because I don’t have enough faith?
• Do I have a “demon of depression?”
• Is this happening because I am possessed?
• Is this an attack from Satan?

The questions that come to my mind when thinking of the above is, why do we suffer? Why is it that babies are born with deformities, children develop life-changing diseases, and cancer or dementia steals life from so many. I ultimately succumb to accept to the reality that suffering reflects a fallen humanity. Fallen from the perfectly created masterpiece which God intended. The most catastrophic event in all of history, resulted in mankind being vulnerable to the effects of separation from God.

Modern psychology and psychiatry has a bio-psycho-social perspective of depression, and mental illness in general. There are excellent works supported by scientific evidence showing that depression results from a combination of biological causes (brain structure and function, hormonal problems), psychological causes (inaccurate thinking, negative attributions about events) and social causes (homelessness, divorce, unemployment). Whether one is a Christian or not, the above view of depression remains true and consistent with the multidimensional effects of a depraved humanity in all spheres – the disintegration of physical health, mental functioning and social structures.

We return to the original intended question, “Can depression be caused by spiritual factors?”. Recall that the main effect of the fall of man was separation from God, otherwise known as spiritual death. I believe that unless and until one is born again and receives life through Jesus Christ, they will forever live life with an existential vacuum. In my opinion, a life without purpose and without hope is perhaps one of the most obvious spiritual causes for depression.

But what Christians often struggle with are questions as to why they experience depression, even when they have a meaningful life and the hope of salvation. How is it that with all the resources given by God such as the comfort of the Holy Spirit, the guidance of the Word, the presence of God through prayer, and the promises of abundant life, the Christian can become depressed?

The point of repentance and acceptance of Jesus and Lord and Saviour of our lives has unimaginable implications. We are reborn and become spiritually alive and once again united with God through Jesus and are able to partake and enjoy in the many benefits and promises of a life in union with God. Does our physical body change in any way? Do our minds instantly become conformed to that of Christ? Are our societies immediately transformed into harmonious “Pleasantvilles?” So why is it that we as Christians suddenly expect to become immune to the effects of depravity, including depression and other mental illnesses?

Christians are not immune from depression. In fact the Bible records many account of depression including Jeremiah, Job and most descriptively, King David. Their lives illustrate the reality and nature of the suffering of depression. However we return to the questions asked by Christians about depression.

Is God punishing me with depression because I sinned? The story of King David clearly showed that his sin resulted in his depressed state. He was so consumed by guilt that he wept throughout the night and his bones ached. However I would caution against saying that God punished David for his sin. Rather, David’s sin reaped the consequences of his sinful act leading to depression.

Do I get depressed because I don’t have enough faith? Job was perhaps one of the most faithful people of God despite his horrific suffering. Yet he remained faithful, and did not sin against God. What could be the reason he experienced such grief and depressed mood? Perhaps the following questions sheds some light.

Is depression an attack from Satan? Job’s experiences teaches us, the spiritual realm is a reality we far too often overlooked. Our weapons are against the spiritual forces of evil, and we have an enemy who wishes to kill, steal and destroy. The Bible clearly shows that Satan can inflict suffering on Christians which can lead to depression.

Does taking antidepressants mean I don’t have enough faith in God? This can too easily become a controversial topic, however I would like to counter it with another question. Do I lack faith in God if I take aspirin for my heart condition? Or if I take insulin for my diabetes? No one would ever question one’s faith for medications designed for physical ailments. Negative attitudes toward antidepressants by Christians reflects ignorance and only further stigmatizes the suffering.

In summary, I believe that depression has bio-psycho-socio-spiritual causes. However, at the most fundamental level, the causes for depression are due to a deterioration in body, mind and society due to the effects of spiritual death resulting from the fall of man. The questions and confusion from Christians who have suffered depression highlights the lack attention this has received from both Christian professionals and church leaders. As a result, many blame themselves, become weakened in faith, and question God altogether.

If we are to question the nature of depression, then we need to also question the nature and alleviation of other forms of suffering. Clinical depression is an illness. Diabetes is an illness. Cancer is an illness. Dementia is an illness. Rather than add to the divisions, let’s unite in our understanding and treatment for the suffering, and bring hope and peace to the hurting.

Mental Illness, Depression, Christianity, Church