Christians are not exempted to experience life's battles. In fact, at times, mas matindi pa.
Minsan, the battles we are experiencing or have experienced leads to depression. And this can make it very difficult to accomplish the daily tasks of life, including the ministry.
In the book DOWNCAST: Biblical and Medical Hope for Depression by Jennifer Huang Harris, she wrote that depression leads to isolation, as it causes the sufferers to withdraw from others. The stigma surrounding depression often reinforces the isolation.
Also, Jennifer addressed significant myths and misconceptions related to depression in the article Do Real Christians Get Depressed?. But I won't be listing down all the myths and misconceptions that she mentioned, rather you can just read this beautiful article right here.
The question is - if a depressed person doesn't have a solid support system from their family, where do they go?
Unfortunately, the church, rather than being a place of healing for those who suffer, can become a place of judgement because of the misconceptions that “real Christians” do not get depressed.
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Now don't get me wrong. What I would like to share here is my personal experience - how I dealt, survived and fought my own silent battles in the light of God's Word.
I am writing this to encourage every soul who is undergoing depression to turn to Jesus and His Word - the ultimate antidote!
There was a time in my life where in I allowed the enemy to take control of my mind and he won most of the time. That time was last year.
I am a loser.
Nobody cares for me.
Everything is my fault.
I am no good - wala akong silbi.
I don't know where to start.
Everything is just falling apart.
I felt helpless and hopeless. I lost interest to do my daily activities - work, household chores, sometimes with the ministry. Tamad na tamad ako kumilos, I always found myself staring at nothing - tulala sa kawalan. I'm feeling physically drained. Losing my energy even if I am not accomplishing anything. Experienced extreme pressure from family members, been wounded by hurtful words. Been self-loathing. Had a strong feeling of worthlessness. And I harshly criticize myself for all mistakes done.
So with all the pressures and negative thinking, I just shut down my world and isolated myself in my room 90% of my waking time. I don't want to talk to anybody at home. I'm losing the discipline to move forward and the passion to continue life. I just wanted to quit and end up everything, basically.
Do I lack faith in Jesus? Wala ba akong prayer time? Wala ba akong maayos na relationship with the Lord? Well, that season taught me that we should not be too quick to judge Christians who are undergoing depression and has been experiencing life's set backs.
Yes, I do have a prayer life and quality devotion time. In fact, I have never spent time with the Lord, never prayed to Him, never cried to Him for help, never asked Him to rescue me like I did during that season. And I praise and thank Him for that.
One thing I've learned that you can never really experience true freedom and deliverance from the bondage of the enemy unless you surrender everything to Him, kahit umiyak ka pa ng isang balde.
And that's the compelling reason why I am writing this blog.
God has His ways of rescuing us. God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, saved me and pulled me out of that situation. Walang nagawa ang mga kasinungalingan ni taning. Kung nagawa ni Lord sa'kin 'yon, He can also do that to you.
His Words spoken to me cut through my heart, and instantly I was enlightened. All the negative thoughts mentioned above, were washed away immediately on my mind. I was blind, but now I can see. Hallelujah!
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Child of God,
1. Whenever you think that nobody cares for you, remember to cast all your anxiety to Him because He cares for you. - 1 Peter 5:7
2. Whenever you think that you don't know where to start, God Himself, the fountain of infinite wisdom and knowledge, promises to personally instruct and teach His children.
Psalm 32:8 - I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.
3. If you feel that everything is falling apart, remember that the God of heaven and earth will personally hold your right hand to help you.
Isaiah 41:13 - For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”
4. If you think that you are loser, remember that you are precious in His sight, you are honored and He loves you.
Isaiah 43:4 - Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life.
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I don't know what you are going through right now, kapatid. Maybe you chose to isolate yourself in the process of dealing with depression. Maybe you don't want to talk to anybody in the fear of being judged, or ayaw mo lang i-explain yung nararamdaman mo sa ibang tao. Believe me, been there, done that.
But one thing's for sure, the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires (Hebrews 4:12).
I pray that you will possess the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16). I pray that you will be transformed by the renewal of your mind, so that you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — His good, pleasing and perfect will (Romans 12:2). I pray that you will think whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, whatever is excellent and worthy of praise (Philippians 4:8). And I pray that the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).
All these we ask and pray, in Jesus' most powerful name. Amen!
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How are you coping up with your life's challenges? Do you have prayer requests? Feel free to leave a comment.
God bless you!
