Christians And Depression: Keep Faith
Christian depression, like depression for anyone else, can be a mental health struggle that begins or worsens during a challenging time. Although life contains ups and downs, learning how to keep faith and remember God's love can be a skill that helps you push through even the most difficult circumstances.
Research has shown that having a source of faith and hope outside of ourselves can be a supportive factor in maintaining positive mental health.
This doesn't mean that a Christian's life will be more comfortable than that of a non-Christian or that Christians won't face mental health challenges and need professional support. Rather, it indicates that Christians facing depression may be able to rely on their faith when overcoming their symptoms. Keep reading to learn more about struggling with depression as a Christian and how your faith can be just one resource to help you tackle challenges like mental illness.
Bible studies: Spend time in the word
A lot of Christians spend considerable time reading their Bible. Whether it's for a few minutes or a few hours, reading the Bible is just one way to keep your faith strong. It's not magic, however. You can't merely crack open the Bible and expect all your problems to be suddenly answered or your mental illness to disappear.
However, when you take the time to do Bible studies, your mind's thoughts are placed elsewhere: on the Bible's teachings, the inspirational stories about Jesus and King David, and all the uplifting guidance it contains. Rather than focusing on the negativity that depression typically creates, you can concentrate on something different and perhaps more positive.
Consider how depression might make it as though you worship your mind. You might spend every second of the day in your head, putting weight on thoughts that are likely untrue, putting yourself down, and feeling shame about it. Although this is normal, it isn't always the best place to get your facts. Rather than putting hope and faith in what your mind is telling you, you can turn to your Bible readings and explore how its teaching may be helpful in your present situation.
You might even seek out a Christian counselor or other Christ-followers who are also trying to overcome a mental illness or have done so in the past. You can work through Bible studies with them, which may make it more engaging and encouraging.
Whether you do a Bible study with a group, alone, or in a counseling session, what matters is that you are spending time in His truth and applying the word of God to your life. Allowing that truth to take over your emotions and thoughts and fill your mind can be essential to maintaining your hope and faith in God and overcoming your depression. It can also give you a sense of spiritual growth and trust in the Lord that carries you through present and future challenges.
Keeping faith when you’ve lost interest as a result of depression
Depression can cause you to lose interest in the people and things around you. You may not feel like cracking open your Bible or praying. Perhaps it has made you too tired to even try, or it's difficult to concentrate – this is a common side effect of mental health issues. When depression affects you and your mental health like this, keeping faith in God and maintaining hope often requires some extra effort and possibly some support from others.
Although reading and studying require effort, several other activities may be far more manageable and worth trying. These activities can keep you connected to Jesus while simultaneously improving your mental health. Attempting one or more methods may help you hold on to your faith in God and make it feel as though your depression is not too big to handle. Consider trying one of the following:
Music as an alternative
When reading is too hard or carrying on a conversation with God feels impossible, music might make things a bit simpler. For many experiencing mental illness, listening to a contemporary Christian music station gives them some necessary light. Others turn to Southern Gospel tracks to reconnect with God. If words are too much to handle, listening to an instrumental version of your favorite Christian song is another option. These songs can remind you of your faith in the Lord and the feelings of love, inspiration, and inclusion you experience from it in this world. Some songs might even lead you toward spiritual growth, improved mental health, enhanced self-love, and a renewal of your soul.
Christian podcasts as a guide
In the technology era that we live in, podcasts are a dime a dozen, and some are award-winning for their insightful help. Although you may not have the energy to get up on Sunday morning and attend a church service, there is a wide variety of Christian podcasts to choose from instead. For many Christians, merely listening to the words of a fellow believer can help ease their depression. It may provide them with hope and a reminder that the challenges they're facing can eventually pass.
Prayer as a depression cleanse
Mental health is all about what's happening in our heads. For those who are experiencing depression, talking to God can be an effective way to cope with your thoughts and overcome the troubles of the world. Saying things out loud and speaking to someone else may help your mind untangle itself. In some cases, God may even speak back, whether through words, signs, feelings, or in another unique way.
Journaling or drawing to express yourself
For those who are struggling with depression or other mental health concerns, it can be helpful to put prayers, feelings, or unconfessed sins on paper. Journaling can allow you to see how far you've come and how God has acted in your life. As time passes, you can go back, re-read your old entries, and see how things have improved from what they once were. This can give you a sense of hope that things can always get better, despite how dire life may feel. Writing can be cathartic in itself and help you express yourself. In fact, the American Psychological Association even promotes doodling as a form of emotional release.
Finding a bridge between faith and mental health
Many people express that it's their belief system that keeps them afloat during difficult times. When times get tough, focusing on your faith and love for God can help keep you strong and determined to heal and move forward. It can be crucial that the connection between mental health and faith helps rather than harms.
There can be a stigma that reaching out for support, such as from a therapist, points to weak faith. Further, those who need to go on medication, like antidepressants, may be told that they simply need to pray more, read their Bible more regularly, or ask for healing from God. They might experience shame from other Christians who don't understand why they're meeting with a mental health professional or taking medication for their depression.
Note that struggling with mental illness does not make you any less of a Christian. It also doesn't mean your faith is any less valid or strong than someone else's. Rather, reaching out for help is an act of bravery and shows that you trust the resources God has placed in your path. Just as faith can be a tool for healing, so can medication and professional guidance. After all, if you're a Christian, then you likely believe God allowed these resources to be created and even intended for them to be used.
Seeking someone or something that is intentionally faith-centered, like a Christian counselor, may help you feel better about getting professional support. Mental illness is a challenge many face; maintaining a hold on your Christian faith may make that challenge a bit more guided.
Online therapy for depression
If you're struggling with a mental health disorder such as depression, know that you don't have to go through it alone. By connecting with a licensed professional, you can learn how to manage and cope with your symptoms more productively. Finding the right therapist in your area can be difficult, particularly if you're searching for a faith-based provider. With online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp, you can get matched with a Christian therapist within 48 hours of signing up online. From there, you can use various means to connect, such as video chats, phone calls, or in-app messaging. If your symptoms make it difficult to get out of the house, online therapy makes it easy to keep your appointments by letting you speak with your therapist from the comfort of your own home.
Online therapy has been shown to be an effective intervention for a range of mental health disorders, including depression. In one comprehensive review, researchers assessed the efficacy of 17 different studies, finding that online cognitive behavioral therapy was just as effective as face-to-face therapy in treating symptoms of depression. CBT is a popular form of therapy for treating conditions like depression. It works by helping people identify and challenge their unhelpful, unwanted thoughts and then teaching them how to create newer, more positive thinking patterns.
Takeaway
What do Christians do when depressed?
How each person responds to their depression can vary. Some people may benefit from talking to family members, praying, attending spiritual services, and practicing self-care. However, depression is a mental health condition. To treat depression, it is often necessary to seek professional support. Many therapists offer faith-based counseling to guide those experiencing depression in a mixture of religious and scientific therapeutic practices.
Are Christians more prone to depression?
Christians may be statistically less likely to experience depression. One study showed that religion was a positive motivator in mental health and led to lower depression scores on diagnostic tests. However, this statistic doesn’t mean Christians can’t be diagnosed with depression. It may mean that Christians benefit from receiving religious support in treatment. Knowing the warning signs of depression is one way to catch this condition early on and find support.
Do Christians struggle with mental health?
Christians, like any population, can experience mental illness and mental health challenges. Some people may believe that depression and emotional pain can be completely “cured” by the holy spirit or God’s promises. Although these beliefs can be comforting in a difficult time, mental illness is best treated with the support of a therapist. You don’t have to take medication or try medical remedies for depression if you’re uncomfortable doing so, and you can find a spiritual therapist who understands God’s care when looking for support.
Having depression doesn’t mean you lack “enough faith” to be “cured.” It means you’re human and living with a human challenge. If family members or church members shame you for your mental health, consider offering faith-based resources for them to destigmatize depression and mental health. Family therapy with family members may also sometimes be helpful for those looking to find more support from their social systems.
What did Jesus say about depression?
Depression isn’t explicitly mentioned in the Bible. However, there are a few verses that may be helpful during a depressive episode, including the following:
- Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” –Matthew 11:28-30
- “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” –Deuteronomy 31:8
- “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” –John 16:33
- “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” –Psalm 23:4
What does Jesus think about depression?
In the Bible, many stories are told of people experiencing mental health challenges. A person would go to Jesus with a lifelong struggle for support or ask him to help family members. Jesus supported these individuals with love, kindness, and humility. He offered what he could and reminded them of the power of faith in coping with everyday life. Although there is no direct quote from Jesus about depression as a mental illness, as there was no diagnosis for this condition in his time, it may be assumed that Jesus would be supportive of people taking care of themselves, whether through therapy, coaching, or spiritual support. Your pain is not a moral flaw, and there’s nothing wrong with you or your brain if you’re living with depression.
Is the cause of depression a sin?
Depression is a mental illness that can sometimes be physically observed by doctors in brain scans, just like other medical conditions. It is a real condition that causes real symptoms that can be challenging to cope with. Deep depression, sometimes known as chronic depression, is a term often used to describe major depressive disorder (MDD) or persistent depressive disorder (PDD), two depressive disorders that can cause severe and long-term symptoms that don’t disappear without treatment.
You may have heard people and family members say, “Trust God! He will cure you.” Although spirituality and religion can be helpful to mental healing, they are not a form of treatment on their own. Depression makes daily living challenging and can cause personality changes. If you’re experiencing this condition, try not to shame yourself or believe a higher power is punishing you. Talking to a licensed religious counselor is one way to receive empathetic support if you struggle to cope with unconfessed sin or want to know why your depression has developed.
What is the root cause of depression in the bible?
The Bible has many verses about joy, sadness, and finding meaning. It is up to each reader to interpret the Bible alongside spiritual leaders and mentors. Some may say that depression is due to “unconfessed sin” or not believing in God. However, scientifically, depression is an actual mental illness that can impact anyone, regardless of religion, belief systems, connection with family members, race, age, gender, or background.
The Bible may not outline one cause of depression but does offer many solutions for coping with challenging moments, including a verse in Matthew 5, which describes how people are happiest when acting out of humility, pureness, and peace. Talking with a spiritual counselor is another way to understand your connection with God and depression. You can also spend more time with like-minded family members, friends, and peers who bring you positivity and happiness.
Can depression make you lose faith in God?
In some cases, depression may cause you to lose your faith. However, depression can cause many types of loss, including loss of belief in yourself, your family members, or your life path. Hopelessness and a sense of worthlessness are both significant symptoms of depression, so much so they are one of two criteria that must be present in an individual for diagnosis.
You're not alone if you’re experiencing a loss of faith but feel guilty or upset about it. Talking to a licensed faith-based therapist about these thoughts may be helpful to work through them. In some cases, people lose faith for other reasons. It is okay and natural to no longer believe in a religion or switch faiths if that connects with you. Religion is a personal journey, and it can look different for everyone.
What percent of Christians are depressed?
There are no official statistics on how many Christians experience depression. In some circles, depression and mental healthcare are stigmatized within the Christian church, which can lead to individuals not seeking help. For this reason, statistics can change over time. One resource notes that 74% of Christians interviewed reported knowing someone diagnosed with clinical depression. In addition, one in five Americans lives with a mental illness, many of them Christians. If you aren’t living with depression, you may have friends, acquaintances, or family members who are.
What religion has the highest depression rate?
Studies on the highest prevalence of depression between faith groups are limited. However, one study found that Jewish people, those of the Pentecostal faith, and people without a religion experience the highest rates of depression. Faith has been found to be a powerful form of healing. However, some groups may experience more religious oppression, which can lead to traumatic experiences and, potentially, depression. For those of these faiths or those without faith, connecting with a counselor may be helpful to discuss what these experiences mean to you.
Note that having a higher rate of depression doesn’t necessarily mean one’s faith is unhealthy or wrong for them. Use these statistics as a way to understand your own life and not as a way to judge the beliefs of others.
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