Here are eight guidelines for helping depressed Christians. In the video I cover the following points:
- Be prepared for it
- Don’t assume it is caused by a specific personal sin
- Check depth, width, and length of symptoms.
- Don’t rush to medication and don’t rule out medication
- Take holistic approach both to cause and cure
- Give hope
- Involve family & friends
- Re-establish spiritual disciplines
The books I mentioned are Dealing with Depression and Grace for the Afflicted.
Click here to view the video on Vimeo, and if you sign up for Vimeo (it’s free) you can also access the video file for downloading.
Any other advice you would give?
Just to say that on Vimeo it says video not available for download.
“Any other advice you would give?”
Thanks David, for addressing an important but often ignored issue within the Body of Christ. As one who has suffered with a great deal of depression and suffered through the greater battle over what role my faith in Christ plays in it, I have several points for you to consider.
To paraphrase Job, mentally ill I was when God opened my eyes to the truth of the Gospel and mentally ill I’ll be when God lets them sleep; may the name of the LORD be praised. The Gospel stands because Christ wasn’t crazy!
I have come to understand that I am not just a sick person, I’m a sick sinner. That means that no matter how sick I am, I still have a responsibility to seek sanctification in the way I cope. How I cope with my disorder impacts the Body of Christ and His reputation. Allow me to share a favorite quote:
Finally, let me commend you for noting that we should use every means of Grace to bring peace into our turmoil. Chris Rosebrough of Pirate Christian Radio also makes some similarly wonderful points regarding how we can “look to our baptism” as a means of sovereign grace in his response to a listener e-mail near the beginning of this podcast, “William Young, Author of The Shack, Outright Denies the Penal Substitutionary Atonement“.
Thanks again for this video.
You will keep in perfect peace the mind [that is] dependent [on You], for it is trusting in You. ~ Isaiah 26:3 (HCSB)
What language is he speaking?
Glad to see number 2 on this list. This point was driven home to me by the author of a book called a Delicate Fade. He experienced depression as a missionary kid but found little understanding growing up.
Lustus, I think I understand the point you are making about teaching others through our pain. I do however suggest that, for many depressed people, the idea that they should be teachers in the midst of their pain is a weight and a pressure which many will not be able to bear. I certainly could not when I was profoundly depressed as a Christian. I could not even face other Christians let alone be thinking of myself as an example to them. I may have been, I may not have been, but I know that the thought that I should be teaching others may have been enough to prevent me even getting out of the door. Some care needs to be taken in generalising and applying such ideas and principles. Sure, universalise them if you must, but also universalise the fact that depressed people may not be able to cope with such an expectation, and that that, in a sense, is okay, because when you are depressed you are not thinking right about yourself or the world around you, or maybe even God Himself. I thank God that we have a High Priest who is able to sympathise with our weaknesses.
David, Thanks for a very helpful podcast. Much of it resonates with me and I think that many of the points you raise would have helped both myself and those around me during my own darker times. I thank God that in my experience he has brought light out of the darkness. God’s providence may have me return to that darkness one day but I hope that I, like my Saviour, may still cry My God, My God. But no matter how forsaken I may feel He will ever remain the God of covenant faithfulness. May we, by His grace, be given to remember that in our own valley experiences.
Donald, please forgive the delay in responding. I did not mean to imply that a person suffering from depression should or could pull himself or herself up by the bootstraps and claim victory. What I am suggesting is first: by confessing guilt and repenting of any sinful coping mechanisms (such as suicidal ideation, drug abuse or acting out)and second: by faithfully relying upon Christ Jesus for the righteousness that comes through forgiveness; then one has done all one need do. In other words, in addition to recognizing that one has a physiological illness which needs treatment, one should recognize that one also has a spiritual illness which is cured only by repenting and believing the Gospel. We do not have to be well to receive the Gospel!
As for “teaching”, please see Your display of God’s righteousness.
Thanks for the feedback.
He said to them, “Why do you think this in your hearts? Which is easier to say to the sick man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your bed, and start to walk?’ I am doing this so you may know the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins.” He said to the sick man who could not move his body, “I say to you, ‘Get up. Take your bed and go to your home.’” ~ Mark 2:8b-11(NLV)
Addendum
When I first experienced depression as a Christian verses that were blessed to me were Romans 8:28,29 “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.”
To the depressed Christian I would say you are experiencing your trial because God loves you and knows what is ultimately best for you and what will in the end make you more like your Saviour. Those thoughts were comfort to me in the darkness. We must try and trust in God’s loving wisdom and the mercy in his perfect plan for our lives.
Thanks for these helpful comments, Donald.
I really appreciated this video and your holistic approach toward causes and treatment. Very helpful video!
Thanks Chrystie. Glad you found it helpful.
Thank you so much David for addressing this issue. I have been fighting depression for months now and have been ashamed feeling like it was because I was not in the Word enough or not a strong enough believer. When I would mention that I thought I was struggling with depression It would be pushed aside and I would be told to just keep putting Gods truth in my head and it would get better. I would be in the Word, filling my head with truth but the intense emotions(sadness, rage), the want to sleep constantly, the withdraw from people felt out of my control. I would pray and ask God to take this away. I would give it over to him but would still struggle and felt helpless. I am a very active person….I work full time, have 4 children, a husband, very involved in my church, bible studies and community outreach…….but I am fighting depression!!! I want my life to glorify God even while in this fight!
MArgo, I think you might benefit from my book “Christians get depressed too.” God has used that little book to help many Christians in your position. I pray you will be blessed by it.