What Does the Bible Say About Depression?

We all go through times in our lives where it all just seems to be too much. The bills are piling up and the kids need braces. The car’s broken down yet again and the dog is giving us funny looks, like he’s about to pull up stakes and run off to greener pastures himself. This type of depression – more commonly referred to as ‘the blues’ – is quite a bit different from the black pit of gloom that many people who suffer from actual depression say that they experience. In this regard, then, what should we know about it, in terms of what the New International Version (NIV) of the Bible says?

Depression can be triggered by many events. Sadly, deep depression is more common than many of us would like to admit. The death of a loved one or a sudden layoff from a vitally-needed job can bring it on, as can actual psychological problems like substance abuse or feelings of extremely low self-esteem. People can experience anger, a debilitating fatigue, and a sense of hopelessness which – if allowed to go unchecked – could lead to much more serious issues in the future.

A Christian can work to overcome depression. The good news about being a Christian and undergoing a problem with depression is that some good advice is present in the Bible. For one, we are told by Paul – in his letters to the Philippians and the Romans (Philippians 4:4 and Romans 15:11), that we are entitled to be filled with joy, and with praise. In this matter, we know that we are intended by God to lead lives filled with that joy.

There are numerous ways in which a Christian may overcome depression brought on by circumstance. Especially when it comes to depression brought about by situations, such as the death of someone close to us, we can work to overcome it through prayer and study of our Bible, for example. And there are a number of Christian support groups waiting and eager to help men and women get through the trying times in their lives. If we can find the strength to turn our focus outwards – off our problems and on to Jesus, or others whose problems may be far worse than ours, chances are we’ll also soon find this sort of gloominess will soon dissapear.

A Christian’s strength can also assist in dealing with clinical depression. We all know, of course, that God can cure or alleviate any illness, but we also cannot pretend to know just why he chooses not to do so in all cases. Because of this, we also know that he has given us the gift of medicine and has allowed doctor's insights into the human mind. Clinical depression should always be treated by a physician, because in many cases it is caused by a real physical disorder. Even in these instances, though, we know as good Christians that if we follow the Word, we can make it through the crisis.

God will be with us through the struggle with depression. Always remember that God never gives us more than He knows we ourselves can handle. Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 10:13) has a passage which says, in part: … “He (God) will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.” There is a way out of the crisis, if we are brave and faithful enough to listen and look for it.