Lean hard into prayer and borrow the book of Psalms for hope, peace, and comfort if you suffer from depression.
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What Does Depression Mean for My Faith? – What should Christians think about clinical depression? How can church leaders respond lovingly to those who face this dark, unsettling, and sometimes baffling dilemma? In this book, author and physician Kathryn Butler addresses common misconceptions about mental illness in the church. She offers grace, relief, and practical help to Christians who feel shame, and she equips church leaders with the tools they need to extend Christ’s love to the vulnerable.
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SHAUNA: Hi, I’m Shauna, on Joni Eareckson Tada: Sharing Hope. And Joni you know it’s Mental Health Day and for some people this could be considered a controversial day. What are your thoughts about that?
JONI: Oh, you’re right it is a little controversial because some are saying there’s – well there’s no such thing as clinical depression or major depressive disorder. Now, I’m no psychologist [right up front], but in the 45 years that Joni and Friends has been serving families that struggle, and I mean they struggle hard with disabilities, I believe that, yes, people can get clinically depressed. Even Christians can struggle with depressive disorder. Christians can struggle with PTSD, although I think it can be over-diagnosed. But I’m not here to argue the point; I just want to encourage the friend listening today who feels weighted down by a dark mood that just will not let go. You, friend are the person I want to talk to right now.
Because if you are among those who cry out to God and yearn for his comfort in your sadness, please know you are not alone. Your walk in the darkness cannot hide you from the light of the world who is Jesus Christ. Even when you cannot feel his presence, Jesus remains with you. With you until the end of the age, and nothing – not your shame, not your despair, or the agony of depression – can separate you from his love. That is a promise, and I would encourage you to memorize it in Romans 8. It’s just two verses. Verses 38 and 39. Healing is possible, because nothing can come between you and the love that your heavenly Father has for you.
And my friend Dr. Kathryn Butler who understands depression and has written on it, she has got good advice. First, she says, confide in someone you trust. You need the guiding hand of fellowship, and understanding, and comfort more than ever. Identify people in your life in whom you can confide. And it helps others to love you better. And confiding in someone helps you to remain engaged. Christ designed us all to bear one another’s burdens, so invite others to pray with you and for you.
Next, please seek help and accept help. Reaching out to a biblical counselor or a trusted medical professional with whom you share life values – it’s an important step toward reclaiming your joy. You cannot overcome affliction alone. And then focus on doing the next thing [oh, my goodness, this is how I live when my disability gets me down]. Just do the next thing. Depression can feel like you’re in a mire, a sludgy mire that has no meaning. But daily structure can keep you moving forward. There’s an old Anglo-Saxon poem that speaks to this. It says, “Do it immediately; do it with prayer; do it reliantly, casting all care; do it with reverence, tracing his hand, who placed it before thee with earnest command. Stayed on omnipotence, safe ‘neath his wing, leave all resultings, just do the next thing.”
And finally lean hard into prayer. It may feel nearly impossible to organize your words into a coherent prayer, but that’s when you can borrow the book of Psalms. Because God’s word gives life. His words actually give hope. Peace and comfort. When the fog of depression clouds your thinking, recite your favorite Psalms as if you had written them. Saying aloud actual words from God strengthens your connection with him, and it strengthens your faith. The essence of what I’ve shared is from a powerful little book called, “What Does Depression Mean for My Faith?” It’s written by Dr. Kathryn Butler, and I want to give you a copy today. Because there is hope. So, visit joniradio.org and ask for your gift of Dr. Kathryn’s book.
© Joni and Friends