Bible Study: Christian Depression

Depression in the Bible
The word depression is not used in the Bible. If you study your Bible you will find many synonyms for depression. You'll find words like sorrow, affliction, anguish, and opression.

Definition of Depression
"A condition of general emotional dejection and withdrawal; sadness greater and more prolonged than that warranted by any objective reason." depression. Dictionary.com.Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. (accessed: June 03, 2007).

Causes of Depression
Medical Science has yet to determine and exact cause for depression. However, many studies show that biological changes and stress are the largest factors for developing depression.

Does Christian Depression exsist?
As Christians we are taught to rely on God and trust in God for all our needs. So if we truely trust in God can we be depressed? Or is depression from the devil, a way to stiffle our power with God? These are questions that will be answered in this Bible Study on Christian Depression.

Does satan have power over Christians?
Romans 8:37-39 says, "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

The above verses tell us that we are more than conquerors. That death and principalities cannot separate us from the love of Christ. So the only way that satan has power over Christians is if we give our power over to him.

The Bible goes on to say, "And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy MIND, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment." Mark 12:30

As A Christian if you have given your full mind over to Christ you should not have to suffer from depression. No matter what comes at you in life your mind and heart should not falter. That is not to say that you will not be sad when a loved one dies or that you will not have other strong emotions. However, while going through trials and hard times our faith and trust in God should not waver.

It is when our faith wavers that we let doubts, satan, into our minds. Once the door to our mind has been opened to the enemy he can use that control to cause depression, anger, bitterness, etc. Now don't get me wrong I am not saying that all depression is caused by a lack of faith in God. There are many different types and degrees of depression. If you are a Christian and you are reading this Bible Study on Christian Depression I just want you to honestly examine your faith and symptoms and consider the true cause of your depression.

I've Been There Too
My father was killed by a drunk driver. At the time that he was killed I was also dealing with the consequences of a bad decision made by my husband and the miscarriage of our second child. Rather than trusting and leaning on Christ, as I had many times before, I was blaming God. I had never before in my life felt so betrayed and abandoned. My thoughts and attitude threw me into a spiral of depression.

My depression led me to sleepless nights, loss of apetite, and feelings of despair. It was not until I ended up in the hospital for five days that I realized that things had to change. While in the hospital I rededicated my life to Christ and asked him to forgive me for forgetting that he was all I needed. It was not an easy road, but with daily prayer and Bible study I found peace.

Freedom From Depression through Scripture
Here are a few Bible verses that I found helpful when struggling with my own depression.

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." Philipphians 4:6

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." Isaiah 26:3

"Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass." Psalms 37:7

"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." Ephesians 6:11

Memorize these verses so that when you are having a bad day you have a weapon against the devil always with you. Also, Please feel free to send me a message with your name and I will add you to my prayer list.

If you enjoyed Bible Study: Christian Depression, you may also enjoy What the Bible Says About Prayer.