A Bruised Reed He Will Not Break
a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench he will faithfully bring forth justice .
A bruised reed is one that that is on the verge of breaking, and a faintly burning wick is a flame that is almost entirely extinguished. Thats a very apt description of depression. You feel as though youre about to be completely broken or totally extinguished.
And though others may judge you because they dont understand what youre experiencing, God most certainly does not.
But doesnt break bruised reeds or blow out flames that are sputtering and smoking. Rather, he nurtures them and heals them and brings them back to life. God doesnt despise you in your bruised, broken, smoldering state. Rather, he is near to you, nurturing you and sustaining you.
Nothing Can Separate You From God
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from Gods love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrownot even the powers of hell can separate us from Gods love. No power in the sky above or in the earth belowindeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
Experiencing frequent episodes of deep depression can make you feel very bleak and hopeless. You may struggle with low self-worth and that can make you feel like youre not deserving of Gods love. When you feel that way, the logical next step is to feel cut off from God, out of a self-imposed feeling of unworthiness.
Romans 8:38-39 is the perfect counter to those fears that youre forever separated from God by your depression. Nothing can separate you from God. Feeling separated from God is a cruel trick of the depressed brain that can be combatted by meditating on this verse.
God loves you exactly as you are. He doesnt judge you for your depression. He loves you and is brokenhearted when His children are suffering. Instead of fearing separation, draw closer to God in your depression so that you can experience His comfort and love.
Helpful Things For Christians Walking Through Depression To Remember
Depression is misunderstood by many, and it often carries a stigma. Unless youve gone through depression, it is difficult to comprehend how terrible it is. Finding healing is not easy, and it takes time. No one has all the answers. But these are some helpful things to remember if you are a Christian walking through depression or if you know someone who is.
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What Does The Bible Say About Depression
Proverbs 12:25 mentions depression directly, “Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad” . That’s a good place to begin. In this little couplet God, via the wisdom of Solomon, provides both a diagnosis and prescription that can help people grow beyond depression. A heart full of anxiety is the culprit. Jesus said:
“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light”.
Matthew 11:28-30
In broad strokes, many Christians suffering from depression can find hope in biblical foundations. You can also find stories of the Bible where certain people experienced depression: Moses , David , Elijah , Job, Jonah , Psalmist .
Sun And Earth Getting Into Gods Creation To Ease Depression
Some depression, like seasonal affective disorder, is caused or exacerbated by lack of access to the sun. Some healers believe daily time spent in the sun may prevent or help treat many types of depressionthat lack of sunshine and the associated vitamin D deficiency contributes to depression beyond SAD.
While not specifically found when asking what does the Bible say about depression, getting out in Gods creation can have profound effects on your health.
It may seem like a simple answer but benefits are seen just by making time to get more sun.
Other scientists have found that exposure to beneficial soil bacteria in the garden for as little as 2 ½ minutes had similar benefits to Prozac with no harmful side effects at all. So make some time to walk barefoot in your garden!
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If Your Depression Stems From Overwhelming Circumstances Think Biblically About Those Circumstances
Learning to respond biblically to trials is one of the most crucial lessons you can learn as a Christian. God has given us the resources to be overwhelming conquerors in even the most desperate situations, including torture and martyrdom . Living by faith means choosing to believe God and His Word rather than circumstances. So we need to answer several questions when we are overwhelmed by circumstances, as the psalmist was:
Are my circumstances due to any known sin on my part? In Psalms 32, 38, and 51, Davids depression was due to his sin. If were aware of disobedience to the Lord, we need to confess it, turn from it, and appropriate His cleansing and forgiveness. If were not aware of any sin, then we need to be careful to continue walking uprightly before the Lord, and not give in to the temptation to rail against God in our time of trial. Theres a difference between complaining to the Lord in a submissive manner and shaking your fist in His face.
The psalmist here doesnt mention any sin on his part. He is confused and he feels as if God has rejected him, and he tells God those feelings. But its also clear that he had taken a stand by testifying to his enemies that the Lord was his God. They were throwing it back in his face, asking, Where is your God? This added to his despair, because he didnt want to bring reproach to the name of the Lord. The psalmist wants to follow Gods light and truth . He wasnt suffering due to sin.
This Narrative Counsel Creates Negative Associations Triggering More Anxiousness
Our brains creates associations to predict good or bad . The challenge is that this type of counsel implies depression, anxiety, or any mental or emotional pain as bad Gods displeasure and pulls away or a sign of the enemy . It associates more blame on the person and being more vulnerable, or weak, to the enemy. So, if they have a bad day, they can easily go into unhealthy introspection why they’re losing “the fight and left feeling, Im not enough. Its a negative bias that turns into a spiritual sin bias searching to get right with God.
It triggers more anxiety and they end up more exhausted!
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The Bible Gives Words To The Experience Of Depression
There are some who feel guilty about feeling depressed. To those, the Bible offers encouragement that God has included in Scripture Psalms that gives words to their thoughts and feelings. Others begin to expect depression, even find their identity in depression. To them, the Bible comes alongside, speaks words of understanding, and calls them away from despair. Psalm 42 is perhaps the best example, where David writes, Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him, my salvation and my God. David recounts former happiness, but declares that his soul is cast down within him now he is not experiencing the joy he remembers from the past. But David, inspired by the Holy Spirit, does not allow his sadness, pain, and downcast spirit to lead him to despair. He instructs his soul to hope in God, for I shall again praise Him, my salvation and my God. David sets the path for us: we must decide, or declare, that our God is our hope. As we plant our flag in our trust in Him, we dont find everything magically better, but we do find that He is our salvation and our God, and that is reason to hope.
Other Psalms that echo these themes and give language to our experience and press hope into our heart include: Psalm 55, Psalm 56, Psalm 61, Psalm 62, Psalms 88-89 .
Even Jesus Himself Was Deeply Anguished Over What Lay Before Him
He knew what was to come. He knew that God had called him to a journey of great suffering, he knew what must happen in order for us to live truly free. Our Savior and Lord was willing to pay the price on our behalf, but it wasnt an easy road. Isaiah prophesied that Christ would be “a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.” Isaiah 53:3
We can be assured, that in whatever we face, Jesus understands our weakness and suffering, our greatest times of temptation and despair, because he too traveled that road, yet without sin.
In the garden, through the night, Jesus prayed, all alone, calling out to His Father, asking Him for another way:
And He said to them, ‘My soul is deeply grieved to the point of death remain here and keep watch.’ And He went a little beyond them, and fell to the ground and began to pray that if it were possible, the hour might pass Him by. And He was saying, ‘Abba! Father! All things are possible for You remove this cup from Me yet not what I will, but what You will.'”
The Bible says that so great was his anguish, that he sweat drops of blood.Luke 22:44
Whats true about all of these stories and many others is this: God was with them. Close. Near.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.Ps. 34:18
He cared.
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Bible Verses For Depression: Turning To The Word Of God For Hope
Are you one of the 300 million people worldwide who experience depression? Those pervasive feelings of sadness and hopelessness that come with depression are, unfortunately, very common, and symptoms can have a huge impact on your daily life. Depression affects you physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually and relationally and when youre in the midst of a depressive episode it can be hard to find even a shred of hope.
Everyone experiences depression differently and there are a variety of different treatment options. The effectiveness of medications for depression varies from person to person, too, so medical interventions dont work for everyone. The Bible, however, is an unchanging, dependable source of hope if youre experiencing depression.
There are many Bible verses for depression, and it can be helpful to realize that there are stories of some famous heroes experiencing depression in the Bible:
A common question is what does the Bible say about depression? Seeking Gods perspective about depression can help to alleviate intense feelings of sadness and despair. In this article, were going to explore 5 Bible verses for depression that can give you hope when your world seems bleak.
Do Not Be Anxious Over Anything
Once you have given your problems to the Lord Jesus, they are in good hands. The Bible clearly tells us to trust in the Lord with ALL our mind and to not lean on our own understanding of things further we are to acknowledge Him in all our ways for our paths to be straighten .
At the end of the day, we will have hard moments come upon us. How we respond is what really makes the difference. The Bible tells us that we should not be depressed, but if we are, we have our God to take our problems to.
We can go to the Lord to get the answers we need and help we need to get out of depression. We do not need to be anxious over anything but to simply stay in prayer and supplication with thankfulness to our God .
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Bible Verses For Depression To Encourage You
Every year nearly 20 million adults are affected by some form of depression, making it one of the most common mental health problems in the United States. Depression can be debilitating and may lead to even more serious disorders, such as suicidal tendencies and extreme anxiety.
The good news is that there are a number of Bible verses for depression. Though the word depression is not a biblical word, depression in the Bible is often referred to by terms such as downcast, brokenhearted, etc. If you suffer from it, then meditating on the following Scriptures for depression could help you move through it to the light on the other side.
You Can Find Strength By Leaning On Community
When youre depressed, the last thing you usually want to do is be around people. The problem is that being alone with your thoughts is probably the most dangerous thing you can do when youre really depressed. Depressive thoughts tend to spiral, and because depression overwhelms your emotions, its easy to believe the lies that your life is hopeless and no one cares about you.
As much as you do not feel like being around people, its crucial to have someone who can just be with you and be a physical reminder that people love you.
If you are at the point where going anywhere or even just getting out of bed seems impossible, ask a trusted friend to come by and spend time with you. Give that person a key if you are at the point where you cannot get out of bed. If you do not feel like talking, watch a movie together or listen to music.
If you are able, go to places where you can receive support and encouragement, like a church small group or a family gathering. Sadly, sometimes those places are not supportive or encouraging. If thats the case, it is really important to find at least a few key people who can walk through your depression with you.
If you do not feel like you can muster the initiative to get yourself out and go somewhere on your own, ask a friend to help. Have someone who attends the same church come by and pick you up on their way to church. Have a small group member in the same neighborhood meet you to walk to group with you.
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God Strengthens And Cares For His People
God wants to have a loving relationship with everyone. He wants us to rely on Him during difficult times. 1 Peter 5:7 says, Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
When we feel so overwhelmed by depression and fearful that it may never subside, we can remember Gods word in Isaiah 41:10, Dont be afraid, for I am with you. Dont be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
God is described in different ways, but during times of depression and sadness, He can be our comforter. In 2 Corinthians 1:3-5, the Bible says, All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ.
Depression can knock on anyones door. But we can cry out to God when it feels too painful to endure. Psalm 34:17-18 proclaims, The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.
Its Ok To Seek Professional Help
Seeking help for depression does not mean you do not have enough faith or that you are a bad Christian. In the Bible, we see Jesus heal many people from physical illnesses, but Christians who understand the Bible well would not use that as proof that people with physical illness lack the faith to be healed or are being punished. When Christians are physically unwell, they visit their doctor. The same wisdom holds true for your mental health.
If you want someone to address your depression in the context of your faith, some large churches have counselors on staff, and there are many Christian counselors available to help.
Christians can still benefit from secular counseling. Often, insurance will not cover faith-based counseling services, so secular counseling may be more financially viable for you. Some Christian counselors have the option of a sliding scale for payment based on income.
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Other Types Of Depression People May Experience
Other types of depression have also been identified, including seasonal affective disorder in which a person is influenced by the lack of light associated with changing seasons, post-partum depression which is not uncommon after giving birth and is linked to the treatment of the mother during labor and delivery, and manic depression or bipolar disorder which involves periods of depression alternating with periods of mania or extremely high energy.
Each type of depression also gives clues to its ideal potential treatment protocols. For example, SAD is often treated with light therapy and Vitamin D supplements in addition to conventional psychiatric treatments.
Many people who experience depression feel the treatment options present a no-win situation. They are rightly concerned about taking potentially harmful drugs, but fear that talk therapy or counseling is not enough to address their symptoms. They may have heard of natural depression remedies however, they may lack the information on efficacy, dosage, and safety needed to make an informed decision.