Am I Depressed – Does God Have An Answer?
A question we may ask ourselves, “Am I Depressed?”
Depression has been explained in many different ways. It can be like wearing a dark pair of sunglasses that negatively affects our experiences. It creates a perception of the world as dark and sad,void of joy and happiness.
Depression can make us feel as if we are living in a box that has a foot of space to spare, making breathing and living life very difficult.
Nearly everyone has experienced some form of depression in their lives, and many individuals face depression on a regular or constant basis.For these, the consequences can be debilitating.
Each of us at some time will either experience the effects of depression or will be involved in a personal relationship with someone who is experiencing it.
What Is Depression?
Depression is more than just normal sadness that you may experience from time to time. It is a mental state that can also be manifested into physical symptoms.
It is defined as: A condition of mental disturbance, typically with lack of energy and difficulty in maintaining concentration or interest in life.
Depression can be even more severe and an adequate definition would be severe despondency and dejection, accompanied by feelings of hopelessness and inadequacy. This second form is often called clinical depression that many feel is triggered by hormonal imbalance, brain dysfunction or other medical conditions. Individuals who suffer from clinical depression need the help of specially trained medical doctors and Christian counselors.
Signs of Depression
If you find yourself in an extended period of sadness or depression, you may recognize a few of these signs:
Difficulty making decisions
Sleeplessness or oversleeping
Worry
Feeling hopeless
Worthless
Guilt
Exhaustion
Pessimism
Lethargic
Lack of motivation
Resentment of others
Not eating or overeating
Complaining
Distrust of God
Suicidal
Not a great list to live life by, I encourage you to recognize the signs of depression early so you can take steps before you reach a place that you start considering suicide.
Godly Perspective
Do you believe God created you? If you answered yes, you may then think if you are facing depression something must be dramatically wrong. First let me say, there are many Christians, people in the Bible and non Christians who deal with depression; it touches all walks-of-life. Faithful people are not immune from depression.
Being depressed does not mean God is mad at you, or it is due to a lack of faith, or from sin or Satan. It also does not mean that you are not saved, or do not love God, or the thousand other statements people will make. Please put all of that to rest. There is enough stigma on anyone who has depression, they do not need a greater burden, they need their burden lifted.
Don’t Be Surprised
We often think that painful trials, such as being depressed, should not be part of our life and if they are, there is something drastically wrong. Yet, this verse can be very freeing because God is telling us not to be surprised, nor is it unusual if we are experiencing suffering, or pain in our life.
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.
1 Peter 4:12 NIV