The Gospel doesn’t promise freedom from pain, but it does promise the assurance of God’s love which always prevails, even against the gates of hell.
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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, I have got a question for you today.
JONI: Okay.
SHAUNA: Does your depression, or any Christian’s depression, signal a lack of faith?
JONI: Well, I will tell you flat-out, I have been depressed [clinically at one point], and I fight depression, even still. And I mean, I fight hard against those feelings. And it takes faith to constantly engage in that fight. So, I’ll answer your opening question right up front here: depression does not always signal a lack of faith.
It’s sad, though: far too many well-intentioned believers think that strong people of faith simply don’t become depressed. Growth in Christ should insulate you from the perils of dark moods. I have heard some say that depression signifies faithlessness, or an inability to trust God and his promises.
Well, I’m going to say that is not always the case. We live in a horribly broken world; we live in the wake of a fall, in a world where sin has corrupted every cell in our body. And while we await the return of Jesus who’s going to wash away every dark thought and sad tear, trials will come. Storms will beat on our resolve, cripple our bodies, drown us in misery. But even though pelting trials can drive the most faithful Christians into despondency, we have got hope. And the fight against depression [at least my fight against it] is a fight for that hope. I recall, I remember that our Savior, Jesus, also knew crushing sorrow. And yes, that he shared perfect communion with his father, but he was still acquainted with grief. Jesus knows our groanings and in love he bore them to the cross for our sake. So, when we despair, when I get depressed, when it’s hard to see God in our pain, when you can’t see him, or feel his presence or understand his ways; it’s helpful to know that our identity in Christ – and God’s love for us – remains untarnished, steadfast, and immovable. And that fact is so important.
The Gospel doesn’t promise me freedom from pain, but it does promise the assurance of God’s love which always prevails, even against the gates of hell. I mean, you can be in the darkest hell but still transcend that horror. The love of our Savior is so great that it can work through our worst anguish. Yes, there is a refining work in depression. And so, when I am in deep pain and feel myself falling into despondency, it’s not a matter of “oh, c’mon Joni just get over it,” or “Joni, you need more faith!” No, no, no, it’s taking the faith I have and believing that I am anchored in the love of Christ. Romans 8 assures me nothing can separate me from the love of Christ. In him, I will prevail [this is the way I talk to myself]. Yes, chronic pain may crush me, but I am crushed with my Savior, afflicted with him in his sufferings, all so that the faith I have will be made stronger and more focused. And so, my next season of pain doesn’t frighten me. Because God has granted me stronger faith for the fight. Oh, friend, there’s so much more to say.
And you can read these same insights in an excellent little book called What Does Depression Mean for My Faith? It’s written by my friend, my sister in Christ, Dr. Kathryn Butler, who is not only a surgeon, but one who has suffered deep depression. I totally resonate with her insights.
SHAUNA: Thank you, Joni. And listening friend, if you struggle constantly with dark feelings or if you know someone else who is depressed, just go to joniradio.org and ask for Dr. Butler’s book. It’s yours for the asking at joniradio.org.
© Joni and Friends