Ask the Pastor

By Pastor Scott Denham of Harvest Fellowship, Shambaugh, IA

Clarinda Herald Journal Publication Date : 1/24/2007

 

Even Christians Get the Blues

 

            “I'm a Christian who wrestles with depression. How can I rise above this problem in my life?”

            Christians are not immune to the weakness inherent in all humanity. Faith does not make one “faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, or able to leap tall buildings in a single bound.” Unfortunately, sin is our Kryptonite, in this fallen world, and it causes us all manner of difficulty.

            Jesus is fully God and fully man. As a man, he was subject to hunger, weariness, pain, and even death. If the Son of God experienced such adversity in the flesh, should we be surprised by our own battles?

            Even the super-Apostle Paul, testifies to his own struggles (2 Corinthians 11:27-12:9), in which he found “sufficient grace” (v9) to carry on with joy and contentment. He certainly advocated the overcoming, victorious Christian life, but with this important caveat: "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22).

            The causes of depression are varied and include environment, upbringing, demonic oppression, unforgiveness, bitterness, sin, hereditary, or other physiological factors. This is not to discount the need for counselors or medication. Some forms of depression have biochemical causes, and these should be treated with medication. Other forms of depression have spiritual causes, to which I am addressing. Whatever its ultimate cause, however, much peace of may be found as we invite God to continue His God's transformational work of renewing the mind. Paul exhorts us in Romans 12:2: “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” In the final analysis, only that kind of wholesale mental renovation can bring about lasting mental health.

            There are old patterns of thinking that need addressed. The mind's transformation does not just happen through a casual approach to God. It is the result of pursuing God in prayer, worship, the study of Scripture, and the structure of group discipleship. Within this spiritual “greenhouse” the disciplined mind will flourish and grow, “being renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16).

            --Pastor Scott (www.askpastorscott.com)