“… for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Phil. 4:11-13
“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.” Phil. 4:4
“Is depression a sin?” a woman asked me one day. An awesome question, isn’t it? A question that deserves an answer.
Now I’m not a Bible expert. I’m just head over heels in love with the Lord Jesus Christ and a passionate pursuer of Him, of learning of Him, drawing closer to Him, and digging ever deeper into His Word to understand and live by His Truth. I am also an expert in depression as someone who was debilitated by it for years and who had suicidal thoughts for about two decades. I have also met and ministered to by God’s grace alone countless people who suffer with depression.
I have never once seen in the Bible a reference to depression being a sin, but from years of experience I can honestly say this. I believe depression can result FROM sin, that people can become unable to be free from depression by refusing to repent of sin and live for Christ, and that depression can result from and that people can be unable to be loosened from its despicable grips as a result of being consumed with self instead of being consumed with Christ and living for Him. All of this I share from personal experience and from meeting countless people who have been depressed.
I was told with my history of brokenness, abuse, PTSD, addictions, tragic loss of family and two husbands, and depression, etc., I would never have any semblance of a normal life and need to be on medication for life. I haven’t taken medication in years and am so filled with the love, peace, joy, hope, and passion and excitement of loving and living for the Lord Jesus Christ and living by God’s Word it’s unimaginable. Depression still comes at me sometimes as some of my life’s challenges are chronic and new ones arise, but I simply turn to the Lord and His Word and walk free. The Lord teaches me daily by His Spirit through His Word to not live for me but for Him, and the more I do the more free from self I am and the more I leave depression far behind me. When I was depressed, my life revolved around me. Now I learn to die to me and live for Him.
The apostle Paul had every reason given his unbelievable ongoing challenges to be depressed. Not only was he content no matter what. He rejoiced! But how? He lived for Christ! He lived to tell the world about Christ! He found His love, peace, hope, salvation, eternity, passion, purpose, and joy in Christ Jesus. His focus was on the Lord! He humbled Himself and laid down his life and fleshly desires to love and worship God and help the world to find and follow Christ. How about you?