Depression

According to Merriam-Webster online dictionary.....here is their definition of depression:

a disorder marked especially by sadness, inactivity, difficulty in thinking and concentration, a significant increase or decrease in appetite and time spent sleeping, feelings of dejection and hopelessness, and sometimes suicidal tendencies

I just finished reading the Book of Job and have started into the book of Psalms. I know that it isn't just chance that our daily Bible reading fell in Job at the same time that I was going thru a difficult time.

 Here is one of the verses in Job that stood out to me.....

Job 30:16b (NLT)

Depression haunts my days.

 Out of curiosity, I looked up some other faithful saints of God in the Bible who possibly suffered from depression......

Abraham

Jonah

Job

Elijah

King Saul

Jeremiah 

(no wonder I love the prophet Jeremiah so much!!)

David

(just read the Psalms that he wrote...and David is referred to in scripture as a man after God's own heart!!!)

I read an article once that stated that depression is nothing but being self-centered....meaning that when we say that we're depressed that our entire thought process is centered around "self".

Also.....

.....there's a lot of controversy about whether Christians should even be depressed, since we're so blessed.....and whether Christians should take anti-depressants.   

 Well....in my humble, layman opinion....I feel that each of us are made up differently.  God made us and He knows us.  Sometimes depression can be brought on by life's circumstances....and often it's a chemical imbalance.  God also provides wonderful Christian counselors and doctors who know just how to treat those who suffer....not just physically....but emotionally and psychologically!!!

Whatever the reason.....there is no shame....and there should be no guilt.....if we sometimes get depressed.

Psalm 143 (NLT)

Hear my prayer, O Lord; listen to my plea!      Answer me because you are faithful and righteous.   Don’t put your servant on trial,

for no one is innocent before you.   

My enemy has chased me.

      He has knocked me to the ground
      and forces me to live in darkness like those in the grave.   

I am losing all hope; 

I am paralyzed with fear.   

I remember the days of old.  

I ponder all your great works and think about what you have done.

 I lift my hands to you in prayer.

      I thirst for you as parched land thirsts for rain.  Come quickly, LORD, and answer me,

      for my depression deepens.
   Don’t turn away from me, or I will die.
 Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning,
      for I am trusting you.  Show me where to walk,
      for I give myself to you.  Rescue me from my enemies, Lord;  I run to you to hide me.
Teach me to do your will,  for you are my God.
   May your gracious Spirit lead me forward
      on a firm footing.  For the glory of your name, O Lord, preserve my life.  Because of your faithfulness, bring me out of this distress.
 In your unfailing love, silence all my enemies
      and destroy all my foes, for I am your servant.

I would love to have comments from my faithful followers on your thoughts about depression.

Monday Blessings to each of 'ya!!!

In His Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!