Why can’t I come out of depression even though I read the Bible?

Question:

I read daily from the Holy Scriptures. I pray daily to the Lord Jesus to heal me of depression, but I see no change. Why doesn’t the Lord Jesus help me, where am I wrong? 

Depression is a word we hear more and more often in our society. Statistics say that the number of people diagnosed with depression increases by 20% annually. The good part is that the Lord Jesus wants to come to our aid, He is the One who never leaves us. So He wants to help us, but there are steps we need to take. Let’s take them one at a time. 

How does depression manifest 

Depression is a state of sadness, heartache. The psalmist speaks of his pain as follows:

My tears have been my food day and night, While they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”  I remember these things and pour out my soul within me. For I used to go over with the multitude and walk them to the house of God, With a voice of joy and thanksgiving, a multitude celebrating a festival. Why are you in despair, my soul? And why are you restless within me? Wait for God, for I will again praise Him For the help of His presence, my God. My soul is in despair within me; Therefore I remember You from the land of the Jordan. And the peaks of Hermon, from Mount Mizar. (Psalm 42:3-6 NASB)

Even a spiritual leader can fall into depression. Elijah, after seeing fire and rain from heaven, after God has wrought special miracles through him in the people of Israel, reaches a state of sorrow and disappointment, so that he desires his death.

 Now Ahab told Jezebel everything that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword.  Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So may the gods do to me and more so, if by about this time tomorrow I do not make your life like the life of one of them.”  And he was afraid, and got up and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah; and he left his servant there. But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree; and he asked for himself to die, and said, “Enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers.” (1 Kings 19:1-4 NASB)

So no one is exempt from such demonstrations. But in order to understand how we can get rid of depression, it is important to know  the causes of depression.

Know the causes of your depression 

Statistics say that people who go through harder times in life, such as divorce, lack of a job, death of loved ones and others, are prone to depression. But there may be other causes such as lack of sleep, lack of proper nutrition, a hormonal change in the body such as menopause or emotional causes such as sin, a hidden anger for many years, unforgiveness of a person. In order to get rid of depression, it is very important to analyze your past, to understand when it started, why it started, what are the real causes that make you have this depressive state. Then…

Look for the solution for release

Even if you say that you read the Bible daily and want a relationship with God, there may still be a reason for unforgiveness, something against a person that is weighing heavily on you. Unforgiveness is a sin. If you see that your sin has caused this condition, then know that it is a sorrow according to God’s will (2 Corinthians 7:9-10). Now you must repent and seek to restore your relationship with God and that person. 

If your grief is caused by the loss of a loved one, your recovery will take some time. The statistics say that a man recovers after the death of his loved one for 1 to 2 years. When my mother died, I also went through a very difficult period, a very deep emotional pain. I had the impression that I was in a permanent fall in a tunnel, that I would soon hit the bottom and die. I was not angry with God, on the contrary, I sought Him more than ever, but I had the impression that my life and my joy ended with the death of my mother. Throughout this period, I sought to participate in Bible study groups and to stay close to the Word. However, it took me a longer time to recover.

If the cause is physical, I think it would be good to go to the doctor to do some tests and get proper treatment. 

Control your thoughts

A very important role in depression is played by our mind. A depressed person is tempted to isolate himself from people, and when you are isolated and alone you start to have many ideas, and your thinking takes precedence. The hardest fight is in the mind. It is crucial to filter your mind. Only let in what is pleasing to God. 

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these things. As for the things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:8-9 NASB)

Our God is the God of peace, who wants to give us peace of mind, but it is necessary for us to make an effort. We must not allow useless thoughts that are not according to God’s will. 

Get involved in the lives of others 

The more you think of others, the more you will feel useful and you will regain the joy of serving, of being efficient in society. As Paul said, every good deed must inspire us.

Get involved in a Bible study group 

It is very good that you do not stop studying the Holy Scriptures, continue to do personal Bible study, but also in a group where you have fellowship. I recommend the studies, “Lord, I want to know You,” and also, “Lord, heal my hurts,” which contains this subject. 

May God give you His full peace! 

Translated by Nicoleta Vicliuc