Can Christians experience Depression?

“Come quickly, Lord, and answer me, for my Depression deepens. Don’t turn away from me, or I will die.” – Psalm 143:4 NLT.

Can Christians experience depression? Could the Christians who follow Christ, whom the Bible describes as the prince of peace and comforter, experience Depression? Many Christians are ashamed to confess they are depressed. But the Bible does not recommend that we do that. Instead, the Bible gives examples of many men of God who have gone through Depression. Hence, dear friend, if you are one of those who is going through Depression, you don’t have to be ashamed.

Many Biblical heroes experienced Depression. One of them is David, who is known as a man after God’s own heart. The mighty prophet Elijah is another one who went through depressive thoughts. Job, during his testing times, stood for God. But His friends came and accused him from all sides. His agony multiplied, and he pleaded to God and called for help, showing his desperation.

The Bible never says all the great stalwarts are perfect. The depressive stories in the Bible are a reminder for every Christian that difficult situations can also impact our lives. We can also go through depressive moments. Jesus, our hope, will help and lift us out of those situations. David wrote, “Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.” – Psalm 25:2 NLT.

Let’s see how the stalwarts of faith put their hope in God during their most depressive situations.

David’s experience with Depression:

Evident of David’s depressive moments are in the Psalms he wrote during the most challenging times of his life. David wrote, “I am losing all hope; I am paralyzed with fear. Come quickly, Lord, and answer me, for my Depression deepens. Don’t turn away from me, or I will die.” – Psalm 143:4,7 NLT.

Many believe David wrote Psalm 42 when he was running away from his son Absolam. Day and night I have only tears for food, while my enemies continually taunt me, saying, “Where is this God of yours? “Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad?” – Psalm 42:3, 5 NLT.  

“O God my rock,” I cry, “Why have you forgotten me? Why must I wander around in grief, oppressed by my enemies?” – Psalm 42:9 NLT

All the above verses indicate the painful situations David has gone through. For many years, David ran away from Saul, who wanted to kill him. David’s situation was much worse than most of ours.

How did David handle his depressive experiences?

David was an anointed King. He always sought God with all his heart. God himself said David was a man after God’s heart. Yet he lived his life in caves, hiding from his enemies. Saul was hunting for his life. His wife (Saul’s daughter) was given to someone else. All through these difficult moments, David knew how to pour out his heart’s burden in the presence of God.

His trust in the Lord was unshakable, and his love for the Lord never waned. When David was depressed, his heart longed for the Lord even more. He cried out to God even louder when the circumstances around him became harder.

While He was running away from his son Absalom for his life, He wrote, “As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him?” – Psalm 42:1,2 NLT.

Dear friend, are you going through a difficult situation today? Is your heart depressed? Read the psalms David wrote during the depressive moments. David lived three thousand years ago. But his life still teaches precious lessons to us. He always put his hope in the Lord.

I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior and my God! – Psalm 42:11 NLT.

David knew a savior, and God loved him unconditionally, and He would deliver Him no matter what.

Dear Friend, are you going through a depressive experience today? Put your trust in the unfailing love of your God, who died for you on the cross. He will help and release you from the circumstances you are going through.

Elijah’s Depressive Experience:

Elijah was a mighty prophet who was taken alive to Heaven. He had a close relationship with God. The Lord took him to Heaven in a chariot of fire. The Bible gives an account of two people who went to Heaven alive. OHeaventhem is Elijah.

Elijah experienced fear when Queen Jezebel decided to kill him. The Bible says, “Elijah was afraid and fled for his life.” He runs from northern Israel to Mount Sinai, a journey that could easily have been more than five hundred kilometers.

Elijah was depressed to such an extent that he wanted God to kill him. Suicide is forbidden in Jewish tradition. Hence, Elijah asked God to kill him.

He (Elijah) sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died. – 1 Kings 19:4 NLT.

How did Elijah come out of the Depression?

Elijah hid in a cave after traveling alone for hundreds of kilometers. The God who created Heaven and Earth came to visit Elijah. Moses had the same experience on the same mountain (Sinai). God hid Moses behind a rock and passed by. Now Elijah is hiding in a cave, and God passed him by.

The Bible beautifully explains the encounter with God and Elijah:

And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” – 1 Kings 19:11-13 NLT.

God met Elijah and gave him a new purpose in His life. He took away his fear about the future.

The same God wants to speak to you today. He wants to remove your fear and give you a new future. Are you ready to go to His presence and pray to Him?

Can Christians experience Depression?

Let’s return to our original question: Can Christians experience Depression? The answer is absolutely. We all belong to this earth, a fallen world filled with many perils. But Jesus is with us. He will never let us down.

Jesus himself will hold the hands of those who are willing to believe Him. He will lead them through the valleys of darkness. The same God who helped David and Elijah wants to help you today. Jesus knows your heartache and sadness. Let’s pray.

Please place your hand on your heart and call upon the name of Jesus. Pray the below prayer from the bottom of your heart. We are praying along with you.

Dear Jesus, I come to you today with an open heart before your throne of grace and mercy. You are my God. You know my heart. You know what I am going through. Please come into my life. Fill my heart with your peace. You are my hope and answer to all my prayers. Please hold my hands and lead me. I am not ashamed of what I am going through.

You are my wonderful shepherd. You will surely lead me. As the Psalmist said, even though I walk through the valley of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; You will never leave nor forsake me.

Jesus, I believe in you and put all my hope in you. Please forgive all my past mistakes and wash me with your precious blood. I pray in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

Dear friend, we are so thankful you joined us today. Jesus loves you. He wants to lead you. Please continue to hold on to Him. May Jesus bless you and make you a blessing for many. Keep in touch.