Depression

Depression is a dreadful feeling, like there is no hope and joy will never return. I have battled with depression on and off my whole life. This last bout has lasted 22 years. That is a long time for anything, let alone feeling like absolute garbage. My depression was coupled with intense rage as well. My brain would feel like a wet sponge in my head. I could always feel that gross feeling in my brain. Luckily most people can not relate to that, praise God. Unfortunately, a side affect of being a Christian is suffering. The suffering of the modern world maybe very different than the suffering of the past. The modern world with all of it's conveniences has come at a price. It has made people neurotic, anxious, self conscious, paranoid, etc.. These are extremely mentally taxing on people. Marketing agencies form their entire business model around making people feel like they are less. That way they will feel like they need that product or service being offered, which they don't. People are bombarded by this assault on their psyche all day everyday, and it has lead to feelings of inferiority. Also people are not made to just sit around all day. We were made to interact with God's creation. All of this has lead a lot of people to become depressed. Now the Christian has all of that to content with, as well as the devil. This is quite a lot to deal with. The devil wants to destroy every Christian on earth, and in some individual cases God may allow it. He may allow the heavy oppressive hand of Satan to fall on a persons life. It may not be because a person is living a sinful life style, it may just be God breaking them. Breaking a person results in loss. Loosing things is hard, it causes a deep despair in people, which can last for years. If we imagine a life that we feel we deserve and it doesn't work out for us, we get very let down. This usually leads to depression and anger. The more we hold on to the things of this world, the more it hurts when we can't have them. It could be the loss of anything really. We could also find ourselves with things added to us that we don't want, a horrible boss, stressful job, financial burdens, bad spouse, the list could go on and on. All of these things can lead to a very unfulfilling and depressing life. The problem for most Christians, myself included, is that this may be God's will for their life. With all that is going wrong, God may be working it all for their good. This for me is the most difficult part of the Christian life. Having someone other than myself directing my path. I think this is what keeps many people from becoming born again Christians. Why ruin a good thing right? Sadly hell awaits these people. For pretty much all Christians this life will have times of suffering and trials. The key is to recognize it then go to the Lord and ask what is his will and how to get through this set back. I have heard the saying that this is the only hell Christians will ever know and this is the only heaven lost people will ever know. I think many Christians see lost people easily moving through life without many cares or set backs and get upset that God isn't blessing them the same way. I believe this is because God in all his grace and mercy, blesses lost people in this life, because this is the only heaven they will ever know. I know that is incredibly sad, but it may help to put things into perspective. All Christians have the joy and bliss of heaven awaiting them. Even though things here on earth can be incredibly difficult and worrisome, it isn't that bad. There is still water to drink, food to eat, and shelter from the elements, just to name a few.

We have it pretty good, especially in developed first world countries. If you are suffering from depression, ask yourself what the problem is? What ever it is, try your best to let it go. This maybe easier said than done, some people are in serious physical pain or trapped in a hostile environment. If this is the case, pray to God to step in and help out. Be diligent in prayer and live a righteous life. It may take a while, some times years, but keep the faith and fight the good fight. I believe that in time God will set you free from whatever you are going through. If he doesn't, then it is his will for your life. If that is so, rest in the knowledge that God has it covered and whatever happens is his will. Let go of the control of your life and trust God. This is one of the hardest things a person can do, but it is essential in the life of a Christian.

I hope you enjoyed this article. If you are not a Christian, I invite you to get saved now. Tomorrow may be to late. To get saved all you have to do, is admit that you are a sinner and that Jesus Christ died for your sins. The only way to take away sins is with the pure shed blood of Jesus Christ. Good works can not take away sins. If they could, then Jesus Christ died in vain. Jesus died, was buried, and rose from the dead as payment for all sins. Once you believe that, you are saved forever. You did nothing to earn it and you can do nothing to lose it.

Romans 3

23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Isaiah 64

6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

Romans 5

8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

I Corinthians 15

1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: