Depression

[Penny]

A friend and I was talking last night on the topic of depression

He shared with me how his church wants to be there for these people who deal with depression.

He told me that he visited many churches that feel it not a real issue, and they just scoot it out the back door.

he got me to thinking about some of the churches I been in, and some people I have talked to that have told me You are not a christian if you suffer with depression. I had a pastor tell me this one time.


I told my friend it so sad but so many feel that way. It it so sad when a person has depression feels their church or people in their church could care less. And they can not share at their church for they feel they will be judged.

I shared what ever happen to we are to bare each other burdens. What is huge to me, may seem so small to someone else.

My friend told me he has found a church who pastor believes depression is real. It took him a few years to find a church where he feels ok in.

For me depression is very real, and for me it a nightmare at times, and I just wonder why I have to deal with this.

Many times I just ask the Lord why do I have to keep fighting this, it a roller coaster ride and I am super tired of the ride.

I do get so tried of trying to keep focus-and in all honesty sometimes I do not want to stay focus- sometimes jumping off a cliff would seem ideal, however there are no cliffs where I live.

I keep going on like the little engine that could... I think I can make it.

I know one day the Lord will free me of this, and I will be able to look back, and say wow look what the Lord has done

[Pastor Gary]

Penny, depression is a very real condition and anyone who denies that is pretty stupid. It can be physically, mentally and emotionally debilitating.

[MacUser]

For me depression is very real, and for me it a nightmare at times, and I just wonder why I have to deal with this.

Many times I just ask the Lord why do I have to keep fighting this, it a roller coaster ride and I am super tired of the ride.

Yes, very very real and the #1 tool used by the enemy. God wants you to REIGN in this life! Understanding whom you are as Child of God. Penny.. know that the enemy is a LIAR. His #1 Goal is to divert that from happening. The enemy loves to lead you into situations and circumstances via grief manipulation and then blame God for it. He is the accuser.

James 1:13 (NIV)
13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;


Jesus said HE would NEVER leave you nor forsake you. He is the walking talking mercy seat of God so... don't walk... RUN to Him and NEVER look away... for in HIM... it is NO condemnation, No Grief, No Anxiety, No pressure only LOVE. In Him it is security and freedom to be 100% yourself and know you are fully loved to the max. God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and all the angels in Heaven are FOR YOU 100%.

Romans 5:17 says.. the way to REIGN in this life is to simply RECEIVE.

17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!

Ask the Spirit to reveal Good and Evil to you. The Spirit will guide you in all TRUTH. It's a promise from Jesus. Then apply this truth.. it's not.. GOD, YOU, DEVIL.. it's only GOD ( GOOD ) and DEVIL ( EVIL ). It's no YOU involved. When you understand this.. you will quickly be able to see the enemy at work in your life. If it's not GOOD.. it's EVIL. Don't dwell on the Evil... but Dwell on the Good.

Philippians 4:8-9 (The Message)

8-9 Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.

How can you do this? By simply RECEIVING HIS ABUNDANT GRACE and Gift of Righteousness to your life. Full accepted and fully pleasing to your Father thru Jesus. Amazing Love.

I felt compelled to respond. Hopefully these words can slow down the roller coaster and the massive ups and downs.

I am praying for you!

[Sherry]

Penny, depression is a very real condition and anyone who denies that is pretty stupid. It can be physically, mentally and emotionally debilitating.

Very well said, PG.

Penny, as one who has suffered from severe depression, I can tell you it's very real and it can be treated both medically and spiritually. Hang in there.

[Phil Hoover]

Yes, it is very real...and has SO many components......

[Pastor Bill]

It is very real, and much more present in the Church than most people think. I would say every church has at least one person who puts on their happy face and goes through the motions but goes home and suffers from this and doubts their faith or feels no one would understand.

Your friend and his church that want to reach out to these people should probably be ready to really study depression and even pull in some professional help to at least guide them and to whom they can refer those than need the help, but it is a very real ministry opportunity, and it's not just the unsaved, but often members and ministers deal with this all alone.

[Penny]

Yes, very very real and the #1 tool used by the enemy. God wants you to REIGN in this life! Understanding whom you are as Child of God. Penny.. know that the enemy is a LIAR. His #1 Goal is to divert that from happening. The enemy loves to lead you into situations and circumstances via grief manipulation and then blame God for it. He is the accuser.

Yes the ememy is a Liar. And he can use anything. I often wonder why I deal with this.. I do not think I blame God. Even on the super bad days, I do not think I blame God.

I may question why.

I would say every church has at least one person who puts on their happy face and goes through the motions but goes home and suffers from this and doubts their faith or feels no one would understand.

I think many do this, put on the happy face. For a host of different reasons.

I know I have done this many times. I have had a debate with my self is that right or wrong.

[Phil Hoover]

with your primary care physician?

I'd start there....first.

Any counselor, pastor, friend, etc...should encourage you to see your primary care physician.

Chemical imbalances (even the slightest hormonal imbalances) can cause some pretty serious depression...

BUT CAN ALSO BE TREATED.

Lack of consistent sleep patterns, too much caffeine, vitamin deficiencies, hypo/hyper-thyroidism....all very common causes of depression...and TREATABLE..

Working in a major hospital...and having suffered from depression myself...I can, without fear of dispute, say there are MANY causes, and even more angles to depression.

Get exercise...drink plenty of water, and establish a regular bedtime where you can get seven hours of consistent sleep...

and yes, we are praying for you...none of this takes GOD by surprise...

GOD loves you...and so do we.


Phil Hoover
Chicago

[Penny]

Any counselor, pastor, friend, etc...should encourage you to see your primary care physician

YES I have an wonderful Dr.

too much caffeine

not herd that one..

I do not sleep good at all, I was on stuff to help me sleep, but right now we are seeing how I can do with out the aid of meds. I am slowly getting back to an normal sleep with out the aid of sleeping pills.

[Phil Hoover]

too much caffeine, and too much sugar...either/or...

can definitely contribute to depression and insomnia.

[one love]

Things that people dont and or cant understand just push it under the rug as if it does not exist. Depression is very real and is evident through out many christians lives.

Depression, Anxiety, panic Attacks are all very real and hard to deal with. Can God heal? Sure he can heal anything, however, as mentioned this can be a physical issue as well.
Just as one may have a bad back, broken bone , serontin levels and dopamine levels being unbalanced can cause many different problems for people.

Dont ask why me, but remember God will and can give you grace for this. Many times God uses doctors in ways others just would not understand.

I know a fellow Christian that once went to his pastor for help because he suffered with depression.
The pastor responded " we have Jesus what is there to be depressed about"

You see again a lack of understanding because they cant explain it nor have ever faced it. Thank the Lord he was able to talk to another minister that had personally fought depression and was very helpful.

Phill's post was very good and accurate many things can cause and or effect this. It is for the most part a physical problem that manifests itself emotionally.

I will be praying for you and know there are plenty of on this board that are here for you and praying for you. you are never alone no matter how much the Devil wants to make you feel that way. He will play on our weakness's all day long.
Be blessed.

[Penny]

One Love- very true

Things that people dont and or cant understand just push it under the rug as if it does not exist.[code][/code]

God uses doctors in ways others just would not understand.

the dr I have now is by far one of the best one I have ever had. He has helped me with this, and all so has gotten me to spend more time in the Word. Kind of strange for me, Having a dr tell me to spend more time in his word. Up Nov of last year when I first started going to him, I read the word, but did not READ what it said. I am now learning more, bc I am taking more time.

I had a pastor a number of years a go, told me I needed to get saved, then the depression would leave. I told him right then, I do not think this is the church for me. And My kids and I left right then.

I for the most part keep this to my self, A few at my church now know, and they may not fully understand, but they have never put me down. I have started to share with a few more, little by little as the lord opens the door.