Christians and Depression

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• Is clinical depression a result of something I have done?
• Should Christians ever suffer from emotional disorders?
• Is it wrong for Christians to seek professional (psychiatric) help?
• Should a Christian take medication for emotional disorders?

     Unfortunately, many have been taught that "real Christians" should never be distressed or depressed. The prevailing thought is that emotional disorders are a result of sin, doubt, or insufficient faith.

     Christians who suffer depression symptoms might try to ignore them, "confess" them away, or "grasp at spiritual straws" (a "secret," a prophetic revelation, etc.) to find relief. Usually, that results in the individual's going even deeper into depression.

     Sufferers are often told to "snap out of it," "pray harder," or "have faith." But the awful darkness of depression does not allow that, and the person feels more isolated than ever.

     Perhaps the worst conflict has to do with medication: Is "taking medication" not giving God a chance to work? Is He displeased when we "trust" to such remedies instead of "holding on in faith?"

     Clinical depression is a (biological) medical condition.  It is caused by something in the body that is failing to work as intended. It generally has nothing to do with "what we have done" or "how spiritual we are."

     Ironically, the same people who see nothing wrong for taking medicine for diabetes, cancer, or heart problems cannot be reconciled to the fact that (unseen) neurological, emotional conditions can also be helped by medication. It is inconsistent to accept medication for a headache as "allowed by God"--yet refuse to accept medication that can help ANY malady.