Depression

[GymRose]

Every case is as different as the individual so please don't take advice too seriously from strangers who don't know you, ok?

Yod, You said it.

Rafter LISTEN TO YOD here, please. I know it is very strong the way I put that but some of the responses you have had always disturb me when I hear then.

I have been through 4 years of depression and am now on medication after wanting to kill myself in recent months due to circumstances.

It had nothing to do with not being repentant of sin, forgoodness sake, comments like that make me so angry. Especially when the person does not not know you on a very personal level.

You need to be speaking to someone who knows you personally due to the fact they know your moods your life and how you may or may not react to certain comments. Comments that imply lack of repentance for someone on the edge can throw them over the edge, literally, christian or not.

I repent daily and have a relationship with God my depression had nothing to do with it and whats more I prayed for help and found myself speaking with a doctor who is a speciallist in female hormones and such who suggested I needed something to help me. It has litterally been a God send.

Yes the medication I take is man made but who gave those people the ability to make such a medication. God the Creator!

As our Pastor puts it. If your arm is broken and just hanging there you can't walk aroungd saying yep I'm good nothing wrong with me.......... don't need plaster God has healed it............ and the arm is still just hanging there. It ain't healed, it needs plaster. Don't think ya need repentance to get an arm healed. Do you ? Why are emotions or your brain any different. why if something doesn't work within is it a case of you don't need drugs you just need to get your life right with God and repent from your sin?

Give me a break!

Of course sin needs to be an act of asking for fogiveness and repenting. And not everyone needs medication for depression as Yod has so clearly show.

Rafter while it is good to dicuss it here, you need to seek help closer to home to avoid anyone bringing you down further by their "good intentions".

[Guest hummingbird]

Whooa!

I'm with you GymRose!

And it also says, "judge not lest ye be judged" somewhere in there doesn't it? :x:

Drugs help in avoiding the real problem and make one feel better.

I'm so sick of hearing this I could scream! And this:

The true cure is to Repent and surrender yourself to the living God.

If I were one of those people who believe that being "sick" or "disabled" means you have unrepented sin, I'd be running so fast to God's feet begging for His mercy that I would break the sound barrier! Do babies have unrepented sin???They get sick?!?!

I wouldn't wish RA on anybody, but if everyone (who believes this) could have it for just five seconds, BELIEVE me they would instantly have a change of heart! Ask anyone who has it, I guarantee you they will agree!

I sincerely fear for people who believe this...because they will eventually have to learn this lesson the hard the way!

Excuse me, but needing medicine or doctors has NOTHING what-so-ever to do with unrepented sin!

.

[jesussaves]

Hummingbird, you are right, Job's comforters can lay a heavy burden on people who are experiencing depression. (However, we need only to pray for them as Job did) If you hear words from people like, "Christians shouldn't get depressed," don't question your salvation if you are saved, they are totally wrong.

Severe clinical depression, such as those people who sincerely have a chemical imbalance, is usually treated with some kind of drug. There is no sin in taking a prescribed drug if it is needed. (Doctors do have a tendency to pass out those pills too swiftly and it just covers the problem for many people) sounds like it has helped rafter. If you can see a Christian counselor, not a secular counselor who has no knowledge of the Word, you will be led in the right direction for healing, and or deliverence.

I just got EV Hill's book, Victory in Jesus, in the mail today and I haven't been able to put it down for long. I mention this because this godly man has a chapter on depression and it is very good. He points Christians who are not clinically depressed to our Contract, the Bible. We have such wonderful promises from the Lord. Pastor Hill tells of some things that can cause depression, and then how to deal with it if it is not clinical. Very wise stuff. I would be glad to print some of it here if you would like me to.

In the mean time, you are in my prayers. The Lord has good things for you. His thoughts toward you are for good and not evil. His love is mightier than anything on earth and He delights in blessing His children.

If you are having a problem with negetive thinking, replace your thoughts with the promises of God. One of my favorite is, "This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it." Each new day is another day to serve the Lord.

Another favorite is, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." No matter what comes your way, know that the Lord is right there with you and He is more than able to help you thru any problem you may be facing.

God is good!

[rafter]

Thanks one and all for the responses, it gives me much to consider. I am leaning toward walking this out without the drugs. Pray for me if you will as I seek God in this. The side effects of the drug are a little scary to me. Not to mention it makes me wonder how much they affect my thinking. It does make me feel normal, but like I said there are some pyhsical side affects I am not sure I want to deal with.

The problem is the "funk" I get in can last way too long. It makes me feel like I can not be affective in the body of Christ the way I want, because it is like I go real well and then shut down. Maybe these are normal spiritual battles. I am not sure. My main concern with the drugs is that they are a temporary fix and they could put me down a path of no return.

Anyway remember me in your prayers if you will and Thank you everyone, even Yahlover. There is some good in what everyone said so far....... God bless

[nebula]

Blessings to you, Rafter!

One thing to consider - do you know why you are feeling depressed? I can specifically point to circumstances in my past and current life that I fell into depression as a reaction to. I can see that depression has become a mindset in my life (when the going gets tough, I feel hopeless about it automatically).

So, for me, I can definantly say that a chemical imbalance is not the cause - which is another reason I don't want to take meds. I'm sure it could help my slumpiness, but it's not getting at the root.

But that's for me.

Before you make your decision, then, I encourage you to be sure that your depression is not caused by the physical. If you can point to something spiritual or something circumstancial behind your depression, then yes drugs are a cover - although they could help you get over the hump you need to really deal with the problem (that's the problem with depression; the depression immobilizes you from dealing with the problem - like being stuck in the mud). If the drugs will get you out of the mud enough to deal with the problem, then I personally see it as OK. But this is with the mindset that the drugs are a temporary boost - like a crutch is a temporary support.

Whatever you decide, I'm behind you. Only you can be sure of what is best for you in this. You want to talk about what you know about why you have this depression struggle?

Oh - and BTW, get a good supply of praise and worship music CD's. They help!

:t:

[Guest Calamity]

Amen sis, nor do I. I hope that I havent implied this when I was saying that I had asked others to pray for me.

I personally have problems taking asprin, I just dont like taking any medications, but if the headache gets bad enough I take them. There are doctors in the world for a reason.

But still I believe that the best remedy is to have others pray for you as well as pray for yourself, for this glorifies God, and Gods answer very well may be medication.

No, JIG, I don't think you implied that. And, we all need prayer, for sure. It's the blanket statements like "You're depressed because you have unrepentant sin..." or "you need to surrender to God's will...." , etc., that get me. Had a preacher one time that said, "Christians don't worry..... Christians don't fear death.... Christians don't this and don't that...." Anyone listening to him who had fears or worries would automatically doubt their salvation if they took him seriously. All problems and sicknesses are not because of sin.

John.9

[1] And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.

[2] And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?

[3] Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.

We are still in this human body, and as long as we are, we are not going to be perfect. Christians do worry, and Christians do get depressed, and Christians do get sick in other ways. It just tore me up to read that, when rafter was asking for Christian opinions.

[rafter]

Hi everyone, I am determined to walk this out in the Spirit and not take the drugs. Partly because the drugs make me feel sick. Partly because I really want to be delivered once for all and give God all the glory. Not that He does Not make the meds or the drs.

Thanks everyone for your support and prayers.

I am some what suprised about the stygmitism attached to this problem. Even myself, I would have said I was a recovering alcoholic easier than I could admit I was struggling with depression. This is one mountain I would not have picked. But you know when I get a handle on it, I will be able to empathize with others who need a friend and someone to confide in.

Also It comes to me that with the coming days and possible tribulation waiting for us all, whether it affects us directly or just the people we know, we may see depression on the rise. I would hope we would find a way to handle it without the awful side affects of meds......... God bless one and all.........

[GymRose]

Rafter I am so glad to hear that today you have the strength to say, I'm ganna beat this. Take it a day at a time with that attitude and you will have victory.

I'm sorry to hear you became ill from the medication but maybe it wasn't needed in your case.

I still give God the glory for my turn around using medication though because he used a wonderful lady ( my doctor ) who knows exactly how to deal with my situation and knew exactly the right medication straight up with out having to experience negitive side effects. The only effects it has had for my life is possitive because it is hormonal and chemical imbalances that is my problem.

But if you can have victory with out the medication, FANTASTIC.

Just make sure you surround yourself with a good support network of God centred friends that you can call on when needed and never be afraid to ask for help when you need it.

You are an amazing person to take the attitude you have about wanting to get through this to help others. You are the blessing and with an attitude like that will be a blessing for so many more.

[Dad Ernie]

Greetings Rafter,

Thanks one and all for the responses, it gives me much to consider. I am leaning toward walking this out without the drugs. Pray for me if you will as I seek God in this. The side effects of the drug are a little scary to me. Not to mention it makes me wonder how much they affect my thinking. It does make me feel normal, but like I said there are some pyhsical side affects I am not sure I want to deal with.

The problem is the "funk" I get in can last way too long. It makes me feel like I can not be affective in the body of Christ the way I want, because it is like I go real well and then shut down. Maybe these are normal spiritual battles. I am not sure. My main concern with the drugs is that they are a temporary fix and they could put me down a path of no return.

Anyway remember me in your prayers if you will and Thank you everyone, even Yahlover. There is some good in what everyone said so far.......

I see that we can be "persecuted" by an enemy in at least three different ways: Physical, Mental, or Spiritual. I thought these would be good examples of the scriptures which might address each:

PHYSICAL:

John 9:1-3 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? 3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.

MENTAL:

The story of David when he was being pursued by Saul.

The story of Elijah when he was pursued by Ahab.

SPIRITUAL:

The story of Saul when he learned through the prophet that he was going to be replaced with David.

also one that might fit all 3 of these categories:

2 Cor 12:7-10 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Whatsoever you do, do it in faith, believing that God Loves you SO MUCH, that nothing that comes against you shall win. All things work for our good and His Glory.

I am on a half dozen meds for various things and they have stablized my system. It would be better for me if I exercised more, ate less, and kept better sleeping hours. But in failure to do that, my body has suffered. Exercise is good, but as Paul says feeding the "spirit" is better.

I pray that God be with you my brother and that you find the confidence to face all that may be thrown at you. May the peace that transcends all understanding be upon you.

Blessings,

Dad Ernie

[RGR]

I have experienced the depths of depresion as well as so many others who resist Gods will and demand for total surrender to Him. Drugs help in avoiding the real problem and make one feel better. The true cure is to Repent and surrender yourself to the living God. I was wonderfully set free in so doing and it gets better every week. Cursed is the man that trusts in man and does not turn to God for His healing, and well I know. Keep in mind that repentance must be in the depths of our spirit not in the mind as is so common.

God be with you.

Where do people come up with this junk? With this attitude, you do more to HARM people than you do to help them. This is reminiscent of the threads started by St. John back before Christmas about how that if we weren't healed, we just didn't have enough faith. Anyone who feels that way needs to talk to my good online brother in the Lord, Gary/aka Shadow2B. In the meantime, I do have something that might help you:

I'm also leaving some extras so everyone else can have a turn:

Now if that doesn't do the trick, we'll make you listen to Liberace for a while: