Depression

[savedbygrace36]

I'm new to this forum! But I joined because I was hoping to find out a bit about Christians with depression. I've been incredibly down recently! This has been a stressful year...I'm a worrier lol (I know we shouldn't worry we should trust but sometimes its hard) But anyway in may this year my dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer and it was the hardest thing I've ever dealt with. I struggled an unbelievable amount wondering why God would let that happen and how I'd ever get through it. Eventually we did...he's doing really well now! Yet the depression is still a problem. I've been with my boyfriend now for 5 months and I love him soo much, and I know he loves me. Yet I sometimes take my..stress out of him. I get insecure and end up arguing with him and then when we argue I think he's just not going to put up with me anymore and then I get myself soo worked up. We had a fight last night and this morning I took my parents to the airport...they're going away for 2 weeks. But this feeling of being down has got me really bad today I've pretty much just cried all day. I was considering phoning the doctors in the morning. Any advice?

[OneofHis777]

I would ask that some more people post, and also pray for you because the stress you are feeling basically takes you out of the soul winning game, and what I mean by that is that it's almost impossible to work for the Lord and be depressed, you have been set to the spiritual sick bay so to speak where no work get's done.

First, Jesus loves you so much, and this trail (and that's exactly what it is) won't last forever, on the contrary it will end in the near future, and your goal should be to come out stronger on the side.

Second, please refrain from going to the doctor and getting on a medication that you will then have to take for the rest of your life to feel normal. You don't need them. I am not a doctor but I did have to deal with depression and worry just like yourself and I too wanted to see a doctor but decided it wasn't a great testimony to others that me a Christian who puts his faith in God would need to be on meds to battle the depression.

I think what you are feeling right now may not be full blown depression, I think it might be that the trumatic experience of dealing with your dad's illness and the worring about losing someone you care for deeply did not go away when your dad was safe, but on the contrary has intesified because before this experience you probably never thought about losing someone you care about. Now it's real and you are having to deal with the reality that you are going to lose someone you love at some point if you don't die first.

So, my suggestion would be to pray, pray, pray, I want you to pray specifically about asking God to help you accept the fact that you might lose someone you love and ask Him, I want you to with God's help mentally formulate a plan in your mind of how you are going to deal with that lose when it happens. The outcome should be that you will find that you can greive and it is ok, but when it's all said and done you will be able to accept it and move on. You will still be able to live your life and you will still have joy and peace and happiness, because God is still on the throne.

Then, get out there and find a place where you can do some work for God's kingdom it will bring you joy and purpose...

[Lesa]

I am inspired by you!! :) You are one of a few that actually realize that what you are doing could be causing friction between you and your boyfriend. There's no sweeter thing than realizing when you have done something to cause tension then going to that person and humbly asking for forgiveness. (hint hint) :)
I came through a major depression I weighed 160 pounds and through my ordeal I went down to 108 with in two months. NO THAT IS not good. It makes your whole body sick and causes more damage then anything.
Any way to cut to the chase My Lord and savior picked me up. I honestly remember feeling His hand on my chin telling me He was not done with me yet for me to pay attention and that He would make things new. He told me he came to bind the broken hearted and to set free the captives. (That was 3 years ago) Depression is a captive state. Your victory is already won in Christ. All you have to do is remind the spirits that are battleing with you that YOU have already won because you are covered by Christs blood. (past tense) Christ fought for you. HE WON AMEN!!
YOU have to open your heart and KNOW that you are OK regardless what happens.
YOU have eternal life. HE has all your tears in a bottle. He counts the HAIRS on your head. My sweet beloved sister every time you feel depressed pray and open your heart and feel him counting the hairs on your head then see if you can't help but smile at the thought see if you dont feel His arms around you. Don't be defeated. YOU ARE HIS :) And don't expect this to be a one time thing either it keeps coming back (especially you being a female I know this I live this )but guess what.... YOU get stronger every time. Phillipians 4:13
Much love to you

[ynnedenny]

I understand what you're going through. I've struggled with depression for most of my adult life. I've had it bad... got deep into cutting, even slit my wrists once. Now, I've only been saved for 2 months, so being a Christian while suffering depression is a little new to me, but it's already happened. It's tough, because I feel the need to vent, and place blame. I find myself tempted to ask God "Why are you making me suffer when I've just given my heart to you?" I resist the urge, though... and I force myself to change my mindset. It isn't easy, but it can be done. I pray for the Lord to help me change my perspective, to grab that negative mind, flip it around, and let the positive side take over again. It's so easy to praise God and be faithful when everything is rainbows and cookie dough... it's praising him when things are falling apart that is the true test of faith. When you can thank the Lord for all the positive things in your life when the only positive thing is that you aren't dead, you can bank on it that you are going to be drowning in glory and favor real soon. Don't fall into the pit so deep that the Lord can no longer reach you. Give everything to Him, admit that you can't do it alone, thank Him for all the blessings in your life... THAT is how you beat depression. All the drugs do is numb you. I'd rather feel pain than nothing at all. I think I'm almost free of my depression... the "spells" are getting shorter and shorter; hours instead of days or weeks. Be strong in your faith, and you will overcome. Take it from a lifetime veteran of depression.