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Depression is a sensitive topic among Christians. Some assert that it is a sin. The belief is that depression indicates a lack of faith in God’s promises, God’s judgment on sinful behavior, or simply laziness. Since we trust in God’s goodness and love and find security in Him, what reason is there to feel depressed? Others firmly state that depression is a medical issue. The belief is that all depression stems from chemical imbalances in the brain, making depression no more wrong than having the flu. Then there are those who are unsure about what depression truly is. Faith appears to play a role, as do brain chemicals. Additionally, there are Christians who are depressed, feeling guilty, defensive, confused, lost, or too despondent to care about the church’s opinion. Is it sinful for a Christian to experience depression?
The term “depressed” is quite broad. It can describe a diagnosable medical condition (clinical depression), a temporary feeling of sadness or apathy, or a vague, persistent sense of unease. This article aims to briefly explore these various aspects of depression.
For some individuals, a chemical or hormonal imbalance triggers feelings of depression. This is common in women with post-partum depression or individuals taking certain medications. In other cases, depression is situational, arising from challenging circumstances, life changes, a spiritual crisis, and so on. Our emotional reactions to these crises can, in turn, lead to a chemical imbalance. Indeed, humans are “fearfully and wonderfully made” «I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: Marvellous are thy works; And that my soul knoweth right well. », (Psalm 139:14), so it is not surprising that our biology interacts with our emotions.and vice versa. Once a person is depressed, the cycle of hormonal imbalance and negative emotions can be challenging to break. Whether the emotions cause the biology to change or the biology causes the emotions to change, the resulting symptoms are the same.
Having a medical condition is not a sin. However, what leads a person to that condition could be rooted in sin. For example, it is not wrong to have diabetes, but it is wrong to be a glutton (and the two are sometimes related). Also, how a person responds to a genuine medical condition could also be sinful. For instance, it would be sinful for a person with diabetes to use his disease to manipulate others or to adopt a “victim” mentality or an attitude of entitlement.
Yet, often, we consider those with diabetes or other medical conditions less culpable than we do people with depression. For some reason, mental illnesses—especially depression—are more frequently associated with sinful causes than physical ailments. Depression is not solely a medical issue, nor is it solely an emotional or spiritual issue.
Depression is often seen as a persistent feeling of sadness. It is acceptable to be sad. We live in a world of pain (Genesis 3:14-19;Romans 8:20-22), and Jesus wept over the death of Lazarus «Jesus wept. », (John 11:35). There is no need to always wear a happy face and pretend that things are okay when they are not.
There are numerous biblical examples of men of God struggling with sadness, even to the point of depression. David wrote, “Record my misery; list my tears on your scroll—are they not in your record?” «Thou tellest my wanderings: Put thou my tears into thy bottle: Are they not in thy book? », (Psalm 56:8). David, a “manAfter “God’s” own heart” «And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will. », (Acts 13:22), did not gloss over his sadness; he expressed it to God. Both Moses «And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness. », (Numbers 11:15) and Elijah (1 Kings 19:3-5), two heroes of the faith, confessed to God that they preferred to die than live in their current reality. Neither was rebuked by God for his feelings; rather, both were met with God’s love and provision. The Bible is not shy about admitting the realities of human emotion. Sadness is part of life, and it is not condemned.
As believers, we are exhorted to see the greater reality of God’s plan even in the midst of our sadness and depression. Yes, this world is fallen and often painful. It can be depressing. But God is far greater. He is at work, victoriously. Moses and Elijah received God’s provision and experienced His refreshing. Shortly after pouring out his sadness, David praised God. Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Christians are permitted to call trouble for what it is. At the same time, we take heart in God’s care. Taking heart does not mean pasting on a smile or ignoring the feeling of emptiness that depression brings. It does not mean neglecting to treat depression through counseling or medication. It does not mean ignoring the relational hurts or the misperceptions that have led to depression (Satan’s lies, if wWe believe that allowing our emotions to overwhelm us will lead us to despair. It does not mean denying the reality that depression can be a lifelong struggle.
What finding courage does mean is bringing all our pain to God. It means continuing to trust in Him. It means believing that what He declares about Himself and about us is true, even when we do not feel like it is. It means seeking the assistance we require, fighting against depression instead of succumbing to it. We recognize the brokenness of the world, but we also recognize the all-sufficiency of God.
It is not inappropriate to feel depressed. However, it is inappropriate—and not particularly beneficial in overcoming a state of depression—to abandon God when we are feeling depressed. “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” «Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope in God: For I shall yet praise him, Who is the health of my countenance, and my God.», (Psalm 43:5).
