Standing on my Soap Box

I am not a doctor / psychologist / psychiatrist, or trained in any way, shape or form to expertly handle someone who is depressed. I am however someone who has battled depression, and have lived with others who battled it.

So first, let’s discuss what depression is. According to Wikipedia, depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity that can affect a person’s thoughts, behavior, feelings and sense of well-being. People with depressed mood can feel sad, anxious, empty, hopeless, helpless, worthless, guilty, irritable, ashamed or restless. They may lose interest in activities that were once pleasurable, experience loss of appetite or overeating, have problems concentrating, remembering details or making decisions, and may contemplate, attempt or commit suicide. Insomnia, excessive sleeping, fatigue, aches, pains, digestive problems or reduced energy may also be present. Depressed mood is a feature of some psychiatric syndromes such as major depressive disorder, but it may also be a normal reaction to life events such as grief, a symptom of some bodily ailments or a side effect of some drugs and medical treatments.

Let’s now discuss what depression isn’t – sin.

A lot of times, people assume that someone is depressed because people just cannot handle life, and they need to get over their situations, and/or get over themselves. I don’t believe that depression is something that you can just decide one day you are going to be depressed, and the next day you can shut the depression off like it was a faucet. If that were the case, I don’t think someone who knowingly chooses to feel down about themselves or their lot in life /situations just because they can. Sometimes, depression comes up because of chemical imbalances. Other times, life just gets to be too much! You have one thing after another, and you lose focus.

Now I’ve been bold enough above to state that depression is NOT sin. GASP! People can sin in the midst of their depression (gluttony is a sin, even though we act like it is the one acceptable sin in Christion circles), but the depression itself is not a sin. All that being said we have a great God, and believe it or not, HE understands. His kids here on earth may not get it, but I assure you he does. I know that I’ve said this before, but the church has become a shooting gallery for the saints instead of the hospital for the hurting as God intended it.

So that all being said, what can we do?  How about we accept people as they are, imperfect, just like you are imperfect. What about not shying away from people, who are a little down, pray for them, accept them, and encourage them. Don’t judge them. LISTEN to them. If you hear something that sounds a little off, be sure to check up on them. Lastly, if you are the person who is fighting depression, you are NOT alone. Reach out to others, talk to you doctor, know that there are others out there who suffer just like you do. And lastly, know that people are praying for you, and God sees what is happening, and he is carrying you through.