A Serious Question

[Afal]

No it is definitely not a sin in my opinion. It is an illness.

[Northern lass]

I also think it is most unhelpful that Christians who say you should trust more then add guilt to feelings of depression!

[DarkNebulaWelder]

No it is definitely not a sin in my opinion. It is an illness.

So, then, do you think that ALL depression is a result of mental illness?

I think that there are people who are depressed out there for no other reason than circumstances and emotional issues.

I wouldn't really consider this mental illness, as many people could probably be helped by counseling.

I think it can be an illness, or it could be a state of mind

[Eliyahuw]

I went through open heart surgery in 2001. the surgery is so traumatic that it sends the person who recieves it into one of the darkest depressions one can get and become suicidal. i suffered for over 6 months before i found out what was wrong when a pastor recognized my problem and told me to seek medical help.

Notice he advised me to seek medical help, not trust the lord, and all your problems will go away lies that so many christians tell each other.

It took 2 years and some serious dangerous times and a little medication to get me through that valley of death.

[nebula]

I've heard that if you stay depressed, it's because you aren't trusting in the Lord fully, and therefore, it is sin.

Everyone has bouts of depression from time to time.

But if you are speaking of chronic depression? If I would label it as anything, I would call it spiritual bondage. I was bound by this darkness for most of my life. I found my freedom when I was able to - from my heart - thank the Lord for the pain in my life (and I could only do that when He opened my heart and revealed to me that I would not have the relationship I now have with Him if not for the pain I had gone through all my life). It literally felt like heavy chains had been broken off! (Of course, that uncovered other chains I need to be freed from - I'm still praying through the roots of those to be uncovered - but all in His time and my ability to face it all).

Chronic depression usually has roots in some form of self-hatred. In my case it was a defensive reaction - turning my anger inward instead of outward.

Does that help?

[elkieDannsa' Air An Drochaid]

No it is definitely not a sin in my opinion. It is an illness.

So, then, do you think that ALL depression is a result of mental illness?

I think that there are people who are depressed out there for no other reason than circumstances and emotional issues.

I wouldn't really consider this mental illness, as many people could probably be helped by counseling.

I think it can be an illness, or it could be a state of mind

(No, it is not a sin)

I agree with you in this. It is human to feel depressed at times over circumstances or emotional things and it does take time to be fully recovered in some circumstances. Many in the Bible had time of feeling depressed and we are no different than them.

Blessings,

elkie

[MorningGlory]

Is depression a sin?

IMO, no! Depression is an attack on one's mental state which is beyond the individual's control. It's no more a sin than being attacked physically by a mugger on the street. Why would anyone put the blame on the afflicted person?

[patricia1]

Is depression a sin?

IMO, no! Depression is an attack on one's mental state which is beyond the individual's control. It's no more a sin than being attacked physically by a mugger on the street. Why would anyone put the blame on the afflicted person?

[/quo

Let us look at depression.. there are many forms. There is situational depression. Lasts , loss can trigger it,

Phyisical difficulties mentione above, certain diseases, certaind lossed of vitamins and minerals and certain poisons. Our weeping brother Jeremiah would be classified as a depressed person...In the garden of gethsemane ,I don't believe Jesus was filled with joy. It is a state of being. I have suffered depression. All we need to know that it is something that plagues a number of people And Jesus does Heal. The one thing about depression that is important I feel is to look at it as a illness and you are not the illness. Do not let the illness be your primary focus. Let it be what it is. Keep your eyes on the Lord. Do not let any condemnation torment you in thinking otherwise. Get rid of those thoughts by taking everything into captivity and compare it with what Jesus says about you. Not what is in your mind telling you..or even how you feel. Love you much and do not worry Jesus loves you the way you are...If people around you think otherwise that is their problem....

[Guest Biblicist]

I've heard that if you stay depressed, it's because you aren't trusting in the Lord fully, and therefore, it is sin.

For me [for me] depression is a form of selfishness, "Nobody thinks of me the way I think they should." "Things aren't going the way I think they should". Selfishness is a sin.

If I think Biblically about my depression, I get over it. I have NO physical problems, sure there are some mental ones but that is not who I am. I am a Child of the Living God. What do I have to be depressed about?! NOTHING unless I am being childish.

Since I do not know the heart of another, I can not judge where their heart is nor can I know what the Lord is taking them through to help them grow in Him. It is not my place.

[Floatingaxe]

Depression can have medical origins, but it can also have sin as its origin. Sometimes Christians get out of step with God and allow selfishness, bitterness, fear, etc to creep in, not having dealt spiritually correctly with these things, and depression will result.

All is not lost, as God our Healer is always there to lift you up!

I was in bed for 4 years with depression, until I was able to renounce guilt and unforgiveness in a major prayer session with 3 friends, wherein I was instantly released! Hallelujah. That was 5 years ago! I still struggle with one aspect of it, but i have learned the origin of it is Satan himself, telling me lies. I now refuse to believe them. Freedom!